Castor Maritime Inc F-1, filed Jun 5, 2020
Castor Maritime Inc. (CTRM)
F-1
2020-06-05
View Original
Added on
October 17, 2026
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2020
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Castor Maritime Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Republic of the Marshall Islands
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4412
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N.A.
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|
(State or other jurisdiction of
corporation or organization) |
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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Castor Maritime Inc.
223 Christodoulou Chatzipavlou Street
Hawaii Royal Gardens
3036 Limassol, Cyprus
Tel: + 357 25 357 767
(Address and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices)
Tel: + 357 25 357 767
(Address and telephone number of Registrant's principal executive offices)
With copy to:
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Gary J. Wolfe, Esq.
Edward S. Horton, Esq.
Seward & Kissel LLP
One Battery Park Plaza New York, New York 10004 (212) 574-1200 (telephone number) (212) 480-8421 (facsimile number) |
Barry I. Grossman, Esq.
Lawrence A. Rosenbloom, Esq. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP 1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor New York, New York 10105 (212) 370-1300 (telephone number) (212) 370-7889 (facsimile number) |
Seward & Kissel LLP
Attn: Edward S. Horton, Esq.
Attn: Edward S. Horton, Esq.
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, New York 10004
(212) 574-1200
(Name, Address and telephone number of agent for service)
New York, New York 10004
(212) 574-1200
(Name, Address and telephone number of agent for service)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☒
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†
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The term "new or revised financial accounting standard" refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered
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Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price (1) |
Amount of
Registration Fee (8) |
||||||
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Common shares, par value $0.001 per share, including related preferred stock purchase rights (2)
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$
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5,750,000(7)
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$
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746.35
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Pre-funded warrants to purchase common shares (3)(4)(5)(6)
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$
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—
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$
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—
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||||
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Common shares, par value $0.001 per share, underlying pre-funded warrants (2)(5)(4)(6)
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$
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—
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$
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—
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||||
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Total
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$
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5,750,000(7)
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$
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746.35
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(1)
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
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(2)
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Preferred stock purchase rights are not currently separable from the common shares and are not currently exercisable. The value attributable to the preferred stock purchase rights, if any, will be reflected in
the market price of the common shares. For more information please see "Description of Capital Stock—Stockholders Rights Agreement" below.
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(3)
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In accordance with Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act, no separate registration fee is required with respect to the pre-funded warrants registered hereby.
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(4)
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The proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the common shares proposed to be sold in the offering will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis based on the offering price of any pre-funded warrants offered
and sold in the offering, and as such the proposed maximum offering price of the common shares and pre-funded warrants (including the common shares issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants) if any, is $5,750,000.
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||
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(5)
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The registrant may issue pre-funded warrants to purchase common shares in the offering. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant will equal the price per share at which shares of common shares are being
sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.01, which constitutes the pre-funded portion of the exercise price, and the remaining unpaid exercise price of the pre-funded warrant will equal $0.01 per share (subject to adjustment as provided
for therein).
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||
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(6)
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Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares registered hereby also include an indeterminate number of additional shares as may from time to time become issuable by reason of stock splits,
distributions, recapitalizations or other similar transactions.
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| (7) |
Includes common shares and/or pre-funded warrants that may be sold pursuant to the underwriters’ over-allotment option.
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(8)
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Paid herewith.
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The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment
which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the
Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission is effective.
| PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS |
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 5, 2020
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Common Shares
Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase Common Shares
Common Shares Underlying Pre-Funded Warrants
This is a firm commitment offering of of common shares, par value of $0.001 per share (which we refer to as the "common shares"), of Castor Maritime, Inc., a Republic of the Marshall
Islands corporation. We are also offering to each purchaser, with respect to the purchase of common shares that would otherwise result in the purchaser's beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% of our outstanding common shares immediately following
the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase pre-funded warrants in lieu of common shares. Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of pre-funded warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its pre-funded warrants
if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, such limit may be increased to up to 9.99%) of the number of common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to
such exercise. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable for one common share. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant will be equal to the price per common share minus $0.01, and the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will equal
$0.01 per share. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until all of the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. For each pre-funded warrant we sell (without regard to any limitation on exercise
set forth therein), the number of common shares we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. We are also offering the common shares issuable upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants offered hereby.
Our common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market, or the NASDAQ, under the symbol "CTRM". On June 3, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NASDAQ was $0.68 per
share.
There is no established trading market for the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect an active trading market to develop. We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants on any securities
exchange or other trading market. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.
Investing in our securities is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 9 of this prospectus for a discussion of information
that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.
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Per Common Share
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Per Pre-Funded Warrant
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Total(2)
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|||||||||
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Public offering price
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$
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$
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$
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Underwriters fees and commissions(1)
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$
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$
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$
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Proceeds to the Company, before expenses
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$
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$
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$
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(1)
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We refer you to the section entitled "Underwriting" of this prospectus for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriters, including reimbursable expenses.
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(2)
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Assumes that the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional common shares and/or pre-funded warrants.
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This offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares and/or pre-funded warrants if any such securities are taken. We have
granted the underwriters an option for a period of up to 30 days to purchase up to additional common shares and/or pre-funded warrants.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Delivery of the common shares and pre-funded warrants, if any, to purchasers in the offering is expected to be made on or about , 2020.
Sole Manager
Maxim Group LLC
The date of this prospectus is , 2020.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
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ii
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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iii
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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
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v
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
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1
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THE OFFERING
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5
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SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
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6
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RISK FACTORS
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9
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USE OF PROCEEDS
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36
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DIVIDEND POLICY
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37
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CAPITALIZATION
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38
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BUSINESS
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39
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MANAGEMENT
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43
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
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45
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SHARE OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
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46
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
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47
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
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48
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CERTAIN MARSHALL ISLANDS COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS
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57
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TAX CONSIDERATIONS
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59
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UNDERWRITING
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68
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EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING
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72
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LEGAL MATTERS
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73
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EXPERTS
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73
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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73
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
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74
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i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
You should rely only on the information contained and incorporated by reference into this prospectus and in any free writing prospectus that we authorize to be distributed to you. We have not, and
the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information or to make representations other than those contained in this prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you
should not rely on it. This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus. We are not, and the underwriters
are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
We obtained certain statistical data, market data and other industry data and forecasts used or incorporated by reference into this prospectus from publicly available information. While we believe
that the statistical data, industry data, forecasts and market research are reliable, we have not independently verified the data, and we do not make any representation as to the accuracy of the information.
ii
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus contain certain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our or our management's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and other statements that are other
than statements of historical fact. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words
"anticipate", "believe", "targets", "will", "forecast," "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "might", "plan", "possible", "potential", "predict", "project", "should", "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking
statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
The forward-looking statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further
assumptions, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made,
because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations,
beliefs or projections. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements.
Many of these statements are based on our assumptions about factors that are beyond our ability to control or predict and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are described more fully in the
section herein entitled "Risk Factors". Any of these factors or a combination of these factors could materially affect our future results of operations and the ultimate accuracy of the forward-looking statements. In addition to these important
factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein and in the documents incorporated by reference herein, important factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include,
among other things:
| • |
dry bulk market trends, including fluctuations in charter rates, factors affecting supply and demand, and opportunities for the profitable operations of dry bulk carriers;
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| • |
our future financial condition or results of operations and our future revenues and expenses;
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| • |
the impact of public health threats and outbreaks of highly communicable diseases, including the length and severity of the recent worldwide novel coronavirus and related disease pandemic (which we refer to herein as COVID-19);
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| • |
our continued borrowing availability under our debt agreements and compliance with the covenants contained therein;
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| • |
our ability to procure or have access to financing, our liquidity and the adequacy of cash flows for our operations;
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| • |
our continued ability to enter into time or voyage charters with existing and new customers, and to re-charter our vessels upon the expiry of the existing charters;
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| • |
changes in our operating expenses, including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs;
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| • |
our ability to fund future capital expenditures and investments in the acquisition and refurbishment of our vessels (including the amount and nature thereof and the timing of completion thereof, the delivery and commencement of
operations dates, expected downtime and lost revenue);
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| • |
planned, pending or recent acquisitions, business strategy and expected capital spending or operating expenses, including dry-docking, surveys, upgrades and insurance costs;
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iii
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our expectations regarding the availability of vessel acquisitions and our ability to complete acquisition transactions planned;
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| • |
our ability to realize the expected benefits from our vessel acquisitions;
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| • |
vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hire;
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| • |
potential conflicts of interest involving members of our Board of Directors (which we refer to herein as the Board) and our senior management;
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| • |
potential liability from pending or future litigation;
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| • |
potential exposure or loss from investment in derivative instruments (if any);
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| • |
changes in supply and demand in the dry bulk shipping industry, including the market for our vessels and the number of newbuildings under construction;
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the strength of world economies;
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stability of Europe and the Euro;
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fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates;
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changes in seaborne and other transportation;
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changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities;
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general domestic and international political conditions;
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potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, political events, international hostilities and instability, piracy or acts by terrorists;
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our business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations;
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future sales of our securities in the public market;
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| • |
the impact of the discontinuance of LIBOR (as defined below) after 2021 on interest rates of our debt that reference LIBOR;
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| • |
the impact of adverse weather and natural disasters; and
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| • |
other factors listed from time to time in registration statements, reports or other materials that we have filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Commission, including our most recent annual
report on Form 20-F, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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Should one or more of the foregoing risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these
forward-looking statements. Consequently, there can be no assurance that actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, us. Given
these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable
laws. If one or more forward-looking statements are updated, no inference should be drawn that additional updates will be made with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
iv
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and our principal executive offices are located outside the United States. All of our directors and officers reside outside
the United States. In addition, substantially all of our assets and the assets of our directors and officers are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for you to serve legal process within the United States upon us or
any of these persons. It may also not be possible for you to enforce, both in and outside the United States, judgments you may obtain in United States courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability
provisions of U.S. federal or state securities laws.
Furthermore, there is substantial doubt that courts in jurisdictions outside of the U.S. (i) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or our directors or officers based
upon the civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws or (ii) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us or our directors or officers based on those laws.
v
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights certain information that appears elsewhere in this prospectus or in documents incorporated by reference herein, and this summary is qualified in its
entirety by that more detailed information. This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. We urge you to carefully read this entire prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein. As an investor
or prospective investor, you should also review carefully the sections entitled "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in this prospectus and in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December
31, 2019, filed with the Commission on March 31, 2020, or our Annual Report.
Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this prospectus, the terms "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Castor Maritime Inc. and all of its subsidiaries, and
"Castor Maritime Inc." refers only to Castor Maritime Inc. and not to its subsidiaries. We use the term deadweight ton, or dwt, in describing the size of our vessels. Dwt, expressed in metric tons each of which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms,
refers to the maximum weight of cargo and supplies that a vessel can carry. Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this prospectus to "$" or "dollars" are to U.S. dollars, and financial information presented in this prospectus is derived
from the financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus that were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or U.S. GAAP.
Overview
We are Castor Maritime Inc., a growth-oriented global shipping company that was incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on September 11, 2017 for the purpose of acquiring, owning, chartering and
operating drybulk vessels. Currently, we are a provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for drybulk cargo, including, among others, iron ore, coal and grain, collectively referred to as "major bulks," and steel products,
fertilizers, cement, bauxite, sugar and scrap metal, collectively referred to as "minor bulks".
Our Business Strategy
We currently operate a fleet of three Panamax dry bulk vessels. We intend to continue to review the market in order to identify potential acquisition targets which will be accretive to our
earnings per share. Our acquisition strategy focuses on newbuilding or secondhand Panamax dry bulk vessels, although we may acquire dry bulk vessels of other types and/or vessels in other sectors which we believe offer attractive investment
opportunities. Our business strategy is centered on managing our fleet in accordance with world-class standards to produce strong cash flows and to further expand our fleet to build our position as a reliable provider of international seaborne
transportation services.
Our Fleet
As of the date of this prospectus, we own a fleet which consists of three dry bulk carriers with an average age of 16.6 years and have a carrying capacity of 228,366 dead weight tons (dwt), which
we refer to collectively as our "Fleet". Our commercial strategy primarily focuses on deploying our Fleet under a mix of period time charters and spot charters according to our assessment of market conditions, adjusting the mix of these charters
to take advantage of the relatively stable cash flows and high utilization rates associated with period time charters or to profit from attractive spot charter rates during periods of strong charter market conditions.
The following table summarizes key information about our Fleet as of the date of this prospectus:
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Vessel Name
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Year Built
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Capacity
(dwt) |
Type of
Charter |
Delivered to
Castor |
Earliest Charter Expiration
|
Latest Charter Expiration
|
|
Magic P
|
2004
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76,453
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Time charter
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February 2017
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June 2020
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June 2020 (1)
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Magic Sun
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2001
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75,311
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Time charter
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September 2019
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June 2020
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June 2020(2)
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Magic Moon
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2005
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76,602
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Time charter
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October 2019
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June 2020
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September 2020(3)
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(1)
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On March 22, 2020, the Magic P commenced a new time charter agreement with
Comerge Shipping Shipping Co. Limited at a gross daily hire rate of $7,000. The charter agreement has an expected term of 90-105 days.
|
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(2)
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On May 8, 2020, the Magic Sun commenced a new time charter agreement for a trip of approximately 20-25 days at a gross daily hire rate of $4,500. On May 20, 2020, we reached an agreement with the respective charterer pursuant to which, upon completion of
the current charter trip, the charter period will be further extended for an additional trip of an approximate duration of 25 days at a daily hire rate of $5,500.
|
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(3)
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On November 12, 2019, the Magic Moon commenced employment under a time charter with United Bulk Carriers International S.R.L. at a gross daily charter rate of
$13,000. This charter has a minimum term of eight (8) months and may be extended up to a maximum term of ten (10) months (plus or minus fifteen days).
|
1
Management of our Business
Experienced management. Our management, including personnel
employed by Pavimar S.A., or Pavimar, or our Manager, have a long track record in the industry, both as seafarers and onshore personnel. The majority of our
Manager’s technical department personnel has served on board vessels in various positions and are very familiar with technical aspects as well as life at sea. Our senior management and Board consist of seasoned professionals that have served
in various aspects of the shipping industry as well as other industries such as banking and trading.
Cost-competitive and efficient operations. Our
Manager provides the technical and commercial management of our Fleet and we expect it will provide the same services for any other vessels we may acquire in the future. We believe that our Manager, through comprehensive preventive
maintenance programs and by retaining and training qualified crew members, is and will continue to be able to manage our vessels efficiently, safely and at a competitive cost.
Our vessels are managed by Pavimar, a company controlled by Ismini Panagiotidis, the sister of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer, Petros Panagiotidis. Under the management agreements with our ship-owning subsidiaries, Pavimar provides us with a wide range of shipping services such as crew management, technical management, operational
employment management, insurance arrangements, provisioning, bunkering, accounting services and audit support in exchange for a fixed daily fee, for a period beginning upon a vessel's delivery and until the termination of the agreement. On
November 13, 2017, it was agreed that the daily fixed fee of the sole vessel in our fleet at that time, this of the Magic P, was increased from $250 to $320 and
such fee remained at this level until December 31, 2019. On January 1, 2020, the Company's subsidiary owning the Magic P, entered into an amendment to its'
existing management agreement with Pavimar, pursuant to which, effective as of that date, the daily fee of the subject vessel was increased from $320 per day to a $500 per day, and was thus aligned with the charged daily fee of the remaining
fleet.
Fleet Development
Focus on Panamax Vessels. Our fleet currently consists of three Panamax dry bulk vessels. We expect our current focus on a single type of vessel within the dry bulk space to result
in superior operational efficiency and commercial performance in this market. In addition, we believe that our current focus on the Panamax asset class provides the most favorable risk reward balance for future returns. However, in the future
we may acquire dry bulk vessels of other types and/or vessels in other sectors which we believe offer attractive investment opportunities.
Expand Our Fleet Through Opportunistic Acquisitions and Disposals. We currently view the Panamax vessel class as providing the most attractive risk adjusted long-term returns in the dry bulk space given existing vessel price levels. In evaluating acquisitions, we consider and analyze, among other
things, our expectation of fundamental developments in the dry bulk shipping industry sector, the level of liquidity in the resale and charter market, the vessel condition and technical specifications, the expected remaining useful life, as
well as the overall strategic positioning of our fleet and customers. For vessels acquired with charters attached, we also consider the credit quality of the charterer and the duration and terms of the contracts in place. Based on our
Manager’s successful track record, commercial expertise and reputation in the marketplace, we believe that we are well-positioned to source off-market opportunities to acquire secondhand vessels. As a result, our Company may be able to
acquire vessels on more favorable terms than what would be obtained without access to such opportunities.
Act Opportunistically. When appropriate, we intend to act
opportunistically and take advantage of attractive market opportunities even if not in line with our principal growth strategy. We may also invest in assets that are outside our principal growth strategy, but are in line with our historical
experience and expertise, if we are presented with investment opportunities that we consider attractive.
In September 2017, we entered into an all-share exchange transaction pursuant to which we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Spetses Shipping Co., or Spetses, a Marshall
Islands corporation that owns a 76,453 dwt dry bulk carrier, the Magic P. The Magic P, which was acquired from an unrelated third-party charter free, was
delivered to Spetses on February 21, 2017 and commenced operations on February 22, 2017.
On July 25, 2019, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into an agreement to purchase a 2001 Korean built Panamax dry bulk carrier, or the Magic
Sun, from an unaffiliated third party for a purchase price of $6.7 million. The Magic Sun was delivered to us on September 5, 2019. The acquisition of the Magic
Sun was financed with both cash on hand and the proceeds from a $5.0 million unsecured term loan agreement entered into between the Company and an entity controlled by Petros Panagiotidis, as further described under "Item 5 – Operating
and Financial Review and Prospects – B. Liquidity and Capital Resources – Our Borrowing Activities" in our Annual Report.
On October 14, 2019, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into an agreement to purchase a 2005 Japan built Panamax dry bulk carrier, or the Magic
Moon, from a third party in which a family member of Petros Panagiotidis has an interest, for a purchase price of $10.2 million. The Magic Moon was delivered to us on October 20, 2019. The
acquisition of the Magic Moon was financed with a combination of cash on hand, the net cash proceeds from sales under our ATM Program (as defined below) and the proceeds from a $7.5 million interest free
unsecured bridge loan, which was provided to the Company by an entity controlled by Petros Panagiotidis, as further described under "Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – B. Liquidity and Capital Resources – Our Borrowing
Activities" in our Annual Report.
Employment of our Fleet
Strong relationship with charterers. Throughout
the years, we operate by leveraging our Manager’s extensive network of relationships with reputable charterers comprising international commodities’ trading companies, utilities companies and large-scale operators, we have developed positive
relationships with many international charterers and have enjoyed repeat business and chartering of our vessels to them. We believe this repeat business highlights the confidence our repeat customers have for our operations and the
satisfaction of the services we provide. We have built our relationships over the years and have provided our services to many international companies such as Oldendorff Carriers GMBH & CO KG, Mitsui O.S.K Line, United Bulk Carriers
International S.R.L. and others. Since our vessels operate on all seas, at safe ports and carry all legal dry bulk cargoes as per the relevant codes and safety standards, we believe these factors also help solidify our relationship with
charterers.
Balanced employment. We actively market our vessels in both the short and medium-term charter market in order to secure what we believe is the most profitable employment for our vessels during the charter period in the dry bulk
shipping market. To achieve this objective, we seek to employ our vessels on short-term charters when we believe the rate environment is strengthening, while aiming to secure longer term charters when rates are at more robust levels. As we
expect to expand our fleet, we will also seek to stagger our maturity of our longer-term charters.
The below sets out the current employment information for our Fleet.
On October 26, 2019, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, employed the Magic P for a charter trip with Hudson Shipping Lines Inc. at a daily
charter hire rate of $12,500, which was terminated on January 23, 2020. On February 14, 2020, the Magic P commenced its scheduled dry-docking and special survey which was completed on March 21, 2020. On
March 22, 2020, the Magic P commenced a new charter with Comerge Shipping Shipping Co. Limited at a gross daily hire rate of $7,000. The charter agreement has an expected term of 90 to 105 days.
On October 28, 2019, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a time charter agreement with United Bulk Carriers International S.R.L. for the employment of the Magic Moon. The gross daily charter rate under this agreement is $13,000 (a gross ballast bonus compensation of $550,000 was also received by the Company in connection with this charter). The charter commenced
on November 12, 2019 and has a minimum term of eight months, which may be extended up to a maximum term of ten months (plus or minus fifteen days).
On May 8, 2020, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a time charter agreement with Richland Bulk Pte. Ltd. for the employment of
the Magic Sun under a trip of approximately 20-25 days. The daily hire rate under this charter agreement is $4,500. On May 20, 2020, we reached
an agreement with the respective charterer pursuant to which, upon completion of the current charter trip, the charter period will be further extended for an additional trip of an approximate duration of 25 days at a daily hire rate of
$5,500.
2
Our Borrowing Activities
As of the date of this prospectus, we are party to two senior secured credit facilities with commercial lenders with an aggregate
outstanding balance of $14.6 million and one unsecured term loan facility with an entity affiliated with Petros Panagiotidis with an outstanding balance of $5.0 million. As of June 3, 2020, we also had one Convertible Debenture (as defined
below) with YAII PN, LTD with an aggregate outstanding balance of $0.9 million.
For more information regarding our current loan facilities, please see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Our Borrowing Activities" in our
Annual Report.
Recent Developments
Announcement of Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2020
On June 2, 2020, we announced our financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2020.
| • |
Revenues, net: $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively;
|
| • |
Operating income: $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to $0.05 million for the three months ended March 31,
2019, respectively;
|
| • |
Net (loss)/income: Net loss of $259,868 for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to net income of $55,969 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively;
|
| • |
Loss per share: $0.07 loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to a loss per share of $0.10 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, respectively; and
|
| • |
Cash and restricted cash of $13.4 million as of March 31, 2020.
|
We cannot assure you that our results for the three months ended March 31, 2020 will be indicative of our financial results for future interim periods or for the full year ending December 31,
2020.
Change in Fiscal Year End
On September 27, 2019, our Board approved a change in our fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31. This change was made to better align our reporting calendar with other NASDAQ-listed
companies and our industry peers. This change in our fiscal year end resulted in a three-month transition period from October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. On December 16, 2019, we filed an audited transition report on Form 20-F with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for the period from October 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
Equity transactions
| • |
ATM Program
|
On June 28, 2019, we entered into an equity distribution agreement, or the Equity Distribution Agreement, with Maxim Group LLC, or Maxim, acting as sales agent under which we may offer and sell
an aggregate up to $10,000,000 of our common shares over a minimum period of 12 months, or the ATM Program. As of March 31, 2020, we received net proceeds under the ATM Program amounting to $2,319,701 by issuing and selling 618,112 common
shares.
| • |
Amended and Restated Statement of Designations of our Series A Preferred Shares
|
3
On October 10, 2019, we entered into an agreement with all of the holders of our Series A Preferred Shares to waive all due and overdue accumulated dividends on our Series A Preferred Shares
and to adopt and to amend and restate the Statement of Designations of our Series A Preferred Shares, or the Series A Agreement. Pursuant to the Series A Agreement, on October 17, 2019, we issued 300,000 common shares to the holders of the
Series A Preferred Shares in exchange for the waiver of approximately $4.3 million worth of dividends accumulated on the Series A Preferred Shares, for the period since their original issuance up to and including June 30, 2019.
The Series A Preferred Shareholders further agreed to waive all dividend obligations on the Series A Preferred Shares during the period from July 1, 2019 until December 31, 2021. We, along with
the Series A Preferred Shareholders, also agreed to a fixed default dividend payment rate, which replaces and reduces the previous increasing default dividend payment rate, an increase in the redemption price of the Series A Preferred Shares to
$30 from $25 per share if the Company completes an optional cash redemption and an increase in the liquidation preference from $25 to $30 per Series A Preferred Share.
As a result of the Series A Agreement, there is no longer a dividend priority restriction for the holders of common shares and the Amended and Restated Statement of Designations of the Series A
Preferred Shares does not impose any such restriction during the period from July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.
| • |
Convertible Debentures
|
On January 27, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with YAII PN, LTD, or the
Investor, pursuant to which we agreed to sell and the Investor agreed to purchase up to three convertible debentures (individually, a "Convertible Debenture" and collectively, the "Convertible Debentures") for a maximum aggregate price of
$5.0 million, further discussed in our Annual Report under Item 5.B - Our Borrowing Activities. As of June 3, 2020, the Investor had converted $4.1 million of principal and $0.1 million of interest of the Convertible Debentures for 6,540,930
common shares.
As of June 3, 2020, we had outstanding 9,859,042 common shares, 480,000 Series A Preferred Shares and 12,000 Series B Preferred
Shares. As of the same date, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer beneficially owned approximately 11.4% of the issued and outstanding common equity interests in the Company and 100% of the issued and outstanding
Series B Preferred Shares. Our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer does not own any Series A Preferred Shares. Each Series B Preferred Share has the voting power of 100,000 common shares and, by virtue of the voting
power granted by the Series B Preferred Shares, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer currently retains control over the Company.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on September 11, 2017. Our registered office in the Marshall Islands is located at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake
Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960. Our registered agent in the Republic of the Marshall Islands at such address is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc. Our principal executive office is located at 223
Christodoulou Chatzipavlou Street, Hawaii Royal Gardens, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus. Our principal executive office telephone number is + 357 25 357 767. Our corporate website address is www.castormaritime.com. The information contained on
our website does not constitute part of this prospectus. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information that we file electronically at www.sec.gov.
4
THE OFFERING
|
Common shares presently outstanding
|
9,859,042 common shares (1)
|
|
Common shares offered by us
|
common shares on a firm commitment basis.
|
|
Pre-funded warrants offered by us
|
We are also offering to each purchaser, with respect to the purchase of common shares that would otherwise result in the purchaser's beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% of our outstanding common shares immediately following the
consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase one pre-funded warrant in lieu of one common share. Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of pre-funded warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its
pre-funded warrant if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, such limit may be increased to up to 9.99%) of the number of common shares outstanding
immediately after giving effect to such exercise. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable for one common share. The purchase price per pre-funded warrant will be equal to the price per common share, minus $0.01, and the exercise
price of each pre-funded warrant will equal $0.01 per share. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time in perpetuity until all of the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full.
|
|
Common shares to be outstanding immediately after this offering
|
common shares ( common shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional common shares in full), assuming any pre-funded warrants issued in this offering are exercised in full.
|
|
Over-Allotment Option
|
We have granted the underwriters an option for a period of up to 30 days to purchase up to additional common shares and/or pre-funded warrants.
|
|
Use of proceeds
|
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $ million, and approximately $ million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional securities in full, after deducting underwriting discounts
and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by this prospectus for capital expenditures, working capital, to make vessel or other asset acquisitions or for other general corporate purposes, or a combination
thereof. None of the proceeds from this offering will be used to repay related party debt. See "Use of Proceeds".
|
|
Risk factors
|
Investing in our securities is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. We urge you to consider carefully the "Risk Factors" set forth below, beginning
on page 9, and those set forth in our Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference herein, before investing in our securities.
|
|
Listing
|
Our common shares currently trade on the NASDAQ under the symbol "CTRM" and on the Norwegian OTC, or the NOTC, under the symbol "CASTOR". We will not apply to list the pre-funded warrants offered hereunder
on any stock exchange.
|
|
Lock-up agreements
|
Subject to certain exceptions, we, all of our executive officers and directors and affiliates that own 1.0% or more of our outstanding common shares, as of the effective date of the registration statement have agreed not to offer,
issue, sell, contract to sell, encumber, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any of our common shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common shares for a period
of 60 days after this offering is completed without the prior written consent of the underwriters.
|
Except as otherwise noted, all information in this prospectus reflects and assumes (i) no sale of pre-funded warrants in this offering, which, if sold, would reduce the
number of common shares that we are offering on a one-for-one basis, and (ii) no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.
(1) As of June 3, 2020.
5
SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial and operational data set forth below should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in "Item 18.
Financial Statements" of our Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference herein. The selected income statement and cash flow data for the year ended December 31, 2019, the three-month transition period ended December 31, 2018, the year
ended September 30, 2018 and the period ended September 30, 2017 and the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report. The
selected balance sheet data as of September 30, 2018 and 2017 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended September 30, 2018 filed with the Commission on
January 31, 2019.
Based on our audited consolidated financial statements:
|
In U.S. dollars, except for share data
|
Period from December 13, 2016 to
September 30, 2017
|
Year ended
September 30, 2018
|
Three-months ended December 31, 2018
|
Year ended
December 31, 2019
|
||||||||||||
|
SELECTED STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Vessel revenues, net
|
$
|
2,018,061
|
$
|
3,960,822
|
$
|
1,111,075
|
$
|
5,967,772
|
||||||||
|
Voyage expenses – including related party
|
(80,853
|
)
|
(37,373
|
)
|
(19,556
|
)
|
(261,179
|
)
|
||||||||
|
Vessel operating expenses
|
(1,194,995
|
)
|
(1,727,770
|
)
|
(432,544
|
)
|
(2,802,991
|
)
|
||||||||
|
General and administrative expenses
|
||||||||||||||||
|
- Company administration expenses
|
(58,467
|
)
|
(109,233
|
)
|
(22,954
|
)
|
(378,777
|
)
|
||||||||
|
- Public registration costs
|
(35,973
|
)
|
(350,167
|
)
|
(161,116
|
)
|
(132,091
|
)
|
||||||||
|
Depreciation & amortization
|
(182,346
|
)
|
(637,611
|
)
|
(177,378
|
)
|
(897,171
|
)
|
||||||||
|
Management fees, related party
|
(55,500
|
)
|
(111,480
|
)
|
(29,440
|
)
|
(212,300
|
)
|
||||||||
|
Operating Income
|
$
|
409,927
|
$
|
987,188
|
$
|
268,087
|
$
|
1,283,263
|
||||||||
|
Interest and finance costs – including related party
|
(532
|
)
|
(3,393
|
)
|
(519
|
)
|
(222,163
|
)
|
||||||||
|
Interest income
|
-
|
4,243
|
7,985
|
31,589
|
||||||||||||
|
Gain on derivative financial instruments
|
475,530
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
||||||||||||
|
Foreign exchange (losses)/gains
|
(7,021
|
)
|
(8,539
|
)
|
89
|
(4,540
|
)
|
|||||||||
|
Other, net
|
740
|
1,439
|
800
|
-
|
||||||||||||
|
Total other income/(loss), net
|
468,717
|
(6,250
|
)
|
8,355
|
(195,114
|
)
|
||||||||||
|
Net income
|
$
|
878,644
|
$
|
980,938
|
$
|
276,442
|
$
|
1,088,149
|
||||||||
|
EARNINGS/(LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE, basic & diluted
|
$
|
0.35
|
$
|
(0.28
|
)
|
$
|
(0.30
|
)
|
$
|
0.31
|
||||||
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic
and diluted
|
2,400,000
|
2,400,000
|
2,400,000
|
2,662,383
|
||||||||||||
|
CASH FLOW DATA:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
|
$
|
770,749
|
$
|
902,706
|
$
|
148,106
|
$
|
2,311,962
|
||||||||
|
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
|
(7,549,281
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(17,227,436
|
)
|
||||||||||
|
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
|
7,615,000
|
-
|
-
|
18,087,133
|
||||||||||||
|
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA (at end of period/year):
|
September 30, 2017
|
September 30, 2018
|
December 31, 2018
|
December 31, 2019
|
||||||||||||
|
Total current assets
|
$
|
1,350,983
|
$
|
2,110,000
|
$
|
2,847,417
|
$
|
6,220,897
|
||||||||
|
Vessel(s), net
|
7,366,935
|
7,070,404
|
6,995,350
|
23,700,029
|
||||||||||||
|
Total assets
|
8,717,918
|
9,623,798
|
10,183,837
|
30,420,926
|
||||||||||||
|
Total current liabilities
|
224,274
|
149,216
|
432,813
|
2,982,750
|
||||||||||||
|
Total long-term debt, including current portion, net of unamortized deferred financing fees
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15,757,060
|
||||||||||||
|
Common shares
|
2,400
|
2,400
|
2,400
|
3,318
|
||||||||||||
|
Total shareholders' equity
|
8,493,644
|
9,474,582
|
9,751,024
|
13,204,011
|
||||||||||||
|
Shares issued and outstanding
|
2,400,000
|
2,400,000
|
2,400,000
|
3,318,112
|
||||||||||||
6
|
FLEET PERFORMANCE DATA:
|
Period from December 13, 2016 to
September 30, 2017
|
Year ended September 30, 2018
|
Three-months ended December 31, 2018
|
Year ended December 31, 2019
|
||||||||||||
|
Number of vessels at the end of the year
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
||||||||||||
|
Available days (1)
|
216
|
336
|
92
|
545
|
||||||||||||
|
Ownership days (2)
|
222
|
365
|
92
|
556
|
||||||||||||
|
Fleet utilization (3)
|
97
|
%
|
92
|
%
|
100
|
%
|
98
|
%
|
||||||||
|
OTHER OPERATIONAL METRICS:
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Daily time charter equivalent (or TCE) (4)
|
$
|
8,969
|
$
|
11,677
|
$
|
11,864
|
$
|
10,471
|
||||||||
|
Daily Operating Expenses
|
$
|
5,383
|
$
|
4,734
|
$
|
4,702
|
$
|
5,041
|
||||||||
|
EBITDA (4)
|
$
|
1,061,522
|
$
|
1,617,699
|
$
|
446,354
|
$
|
2,175,894
|
||||||||
(1) Available days are the Ownership days after subtracting off-hire days associated with major scheduled repairs, vessel upgrades and dry-dockings or special or intermediate surveys and
major unscheduled repair and positioning days (which do not include ballast voyage days for which compensation has been received by the Company). The shipping industry uses Available days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period
during which vessels are available to generate revenues.
(2) Ownership days are the total number of calendar days in a period during which we owned our fleet or our Fleet.
(3) We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our Available days during a period by the number of our Ownership days during that period.
(4) Non-GAAP Financial Information
Time Charter Equivalent ("TCE") Rate. TCE rate, is a measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel and is calculated by dividing total
revenues (either time charter or voyage revenues, net of charterers' commissions), less voyage expenses, by the number of Available Days during that period. Under a time charter, the charterer pays substantially all the vessel voyage related
expenses. However, we may incur voyage related expenses when positioning or repositioning vessels before or after the period of a time charter, during periods of commercial waiting time or while off-hire during dry-docking or due to other
unforeseen circumstances. The TCE rate is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP (non-GAAP measure), and should not be considered as an alternative to Time charter revenues, net, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, or
any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. TCE rate is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a company's performance and assists our
management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of our vessels and in evaluating their financial performance. Our calculation of TCE rates may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. The following table reflects
the calculation of our TCE rates for the periods presented (amounts in U.S. dollars, except for Available Days):
|
(In U.S. dollars, except for Available days)
|
For the period ended September 30, 2017
|
Year ended September 30, 2018
|
Three Months Ended December 31, 2018
|
Year ended December 31, 2019
|
||||||||||||
|
Vessel revenues
|
$
|
2,018,061
|
$
|
3,960,822
|
$
|
1,111,075
|
$
|
5,967,772
|
||||||||
|
Voyage expenses
|
(80,853
|
)
|
(37,373
|
)
|
(19,556
|
)
|
(261,179
|
)
|
||||||||
|
Time charter equivalent revenues
|
1,937,208
|
3,923,449
|
1,091,519
|
5,706, 593
|
||||||||||||
|
Available days
|
216
|
336
|
92
|
545
|
||||||||||||
|
Time charter equivalent (TCE) rate
|
$
|
8,969
|
$
|
11,677
|
$
|
11,864
|
$
|
10,471
|
||||||||
7
EBITDA. We define EBITDA as earnings before interest and finance costs (if any), net of interest income, taxes (when incurred), depreciation and amortization of deferred dry-docking costs. EBITDA is
used as a supplemental financial measure by management and external users of financial statements, such as investors, to assess our operating performance. We believe that EBITDA assists our management and investors by providing useful
information that increases the comparability of our performance operating from period to period and against the operating performance of other companies in our industry that provide EBITDA information. This increased comparability is achieved
by excluding the potentially disparate effects between periods or companies of interest, depreciation and amortization and taxes, which items are affected by various and possibly changing financing methods, capital structure and historical
cost basis and which items may significantly affect net income between periods. We believe that including EBITDA as a measure of operating performance benefits investors in (a) selecting between investing in us and other investment
alternatives and (b) monitoring our ongoing financial and operational strength. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, does not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating
income, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. EBITDA as presented below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. The following
table reconciles EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, for the periods presented:
|
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Period ended September 30,
|
Year ended September 30,
|
Three Months Ended December 31,
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|||||||||||||
|
(In U.S. Dollars)
|
2017
|
2018
|
2018
|
2019
|
||||||||||||
|
Net Income
|
$
|
878,644
|
$
|
980,938
|
$
|
276,442
|
$
|
1,088,149
|
||||||||
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
182,346
|
637,611
|
177,378
|
897,171
|
||||||||||||
|
Interest and finance costs, net
|
532
|
(850
|
)
|
(7,466
|
)
|
190,574
|
||||||||||
|
EBITDA
|
$
|
1,061,522
|
$
|
1,617,699
|
$
|
446,354
|
$
|
2,175,894
|
||||||||
8
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding to invest in our securities, you should carefully
consider the risks described below and all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. These risks and uncertainties are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties
not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects could be materially
adversely affected. In that case, you may lose all or part of your investment in the securities.
Risks Related to Our Industry
Charter hire rates for dry bulk vessels are volatile and have declined significantly since their historic highs and may remain at low levels or decrease in the
future, which may adversely affect our earnings, revenues and our profitability.
The dry bulk shipping industry is cyclical with attendant volatility in charter hire rates and profitability. The current downturn in the dry bulk charter market, from which we derive and plan to
continue to derive our revenues, has severely affected the entire dry bulk shipping industry. The degree of charter hire rate volatility among different types of dry bulk vessels has varied widely, and charter hire rates for dry bulk vessels have
declined significantly from historically high levels. For example, in the past, time charter and spot market rates for dry bulk vessels have declined below operating costs of vessels. The Baltic Dry Index, or
BDI, declined from a high of 11,793 in May 2008 to a low of 290 in February 10, 2016, which represents a decline of 98%. In 2019, the BDI ranged from a low of 595 on February 11, 2019 to a high of 2,518 on September 4, 2019, and during 2020 the BDI
has ranged from a high of 976 on January 2, 2020 to a low of 393 on May 14, 2020.
Fluctuations in charter rates result from changes in the supply and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the major commodities carried by water internationally. Because
the factors affecting the supply and demand for vessels are outside of our control and are unpredictable, the nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in charter rates are also unpredictable.
Furthermore, a significant decrease in charter rates would cause asset values to decline, and we may have to record an impairment charge in our consolidated financial statements which could adversely
affect our financial results. Because the market value of our vessels may fluctuate significantly, we may also incur losses when we sell vessels, which may adversely affect our earnings. If we sell vessels at a time when vessel prices have fallen and
before we have recorded an impairment adjustment to our financial statements, the sale may be at less than the vessel's carrying amount in our financial statements, resulting in a loss and a reduction in earnings.
Factors that influence demand for vessel capacity include:
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supply of and demand for energy resources, commodities, semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products;
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changes in the exploration or production of energy resources, commodities, semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products;
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the location of regional and global exploration, production and manufacturing facilities;
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the location of consuming regions for energy resources, commodities, semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products;
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the globalization of production and manufacturing;
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global and regional economic and political conditions and developments, including armed conflicts, terrorist activities, trade wars, public health threats, global pandemics such as the COVID-19 that has disrupted the markets worldwide,
tariffs, embargoes and strikes;
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developments in international trade;
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changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns leading to repositioning and distances cargo is transported by sea;
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environmental and other regulatory developments;
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currency exchange rates; and
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the weather.
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Demand for our vessels is dependent upon economic growth in the world's economies, seasonal and regional changes in demand, changes in the capacity of the global dry bulk fleet and the sources and
supply of dry bulk cargo transported by sea. Given the large number of new dry bulk vessels currently on order with shipyards, the capacity of the global dry bulk vessels fleet seems likely to increase and economic growth may not resume in areas that
have experienced a recession or continue in other areas. As such, adverse economic, political, social or other developments could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
Factors that influence the supply of vessel capacity include:
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number of newbuilding orders and deliveries;
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the number of shipyards and ability of shipyards to deliver vessels;
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port and canal congestion;
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scrapping of older vessels;
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speed of vessels being operated;
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vessel casualties; and
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number of vessels that are out of service or laid up.
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In addition to the prevailing and anticipated freight rates, factors that affect the rate of newbuilding, scrapping and laying-up include newbuilding prices, secondhand vessel values in relation to
scrap prices, costs of bunkers and other operating costs, costs associated with classification society surveys, normal maintenance costs, insurance coverage costs, the efficiency and age profile of the existing dry bulk fleet in the market, and
government and industry regulations of maritime transportation practices, particularly environmental protection laws and regulations. These factors influencing the supply of and demand for shipping capacity are outside of our control, and we may not
be able to correctly assess the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions.
Global economic conditions may continue to negatively impact the dry bulk shipping industry.
In the current global economy, operating businesses are faced with tightening credit, weak demand for goods and services, and weak international liquidity conditions. There has
similarly been a general decline in the willingness by banks and other financial institutions to extend credit, particularly in the shipping industry, due to the historically volatile asset values of vessels. As the shipping industry is highly
dependent on the availability of credit to finance and expand operations, it has been negatively affected by this decline. In particular, lower demand for dry bulk cargoes as well as diminished trade credit available for the delivery of such
cargoes have led to decreased demand for dry bulk vessels, creating downward pressure on charter rates and vessel values. Any further weakening in global economic conditions may have a number of adverse consequences for dry bulk and other shipping
sectors, including, among other things:
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low charter rates, particularly for vessels employed on short-term time charters or in the spot market;
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decreases in the market value of dry-bulk vessels and limited second-hand market for the sale of vessels;
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limited financing for vessels;
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widespread loan covenant defaults; and
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declaration of bankruptcy by certain vessel operators, vessel owners, shipyards and charterers.
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The occurrence of one or more of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
We are exposed to volatility in the London Interbank Offered Rate or LIBOR, and we may enter into derivative contracts, which can result in
higher than market interest rates and charges against our income. If volatility in LIBOR occurs, it could affect our profitability, earnings and cash flow.
LIBOR is the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms and other pressures may cause LIBOR to be eliminated or
to perform differently than in the past. The consequences of these developments cannot be entirely predicted, but could include an increase in the cost of our variable rate indebtedness and obligations. The amount outstanding under our senior
secured credit facility has been, and amounts under additional credit facilities that we have entered after December 31, 2019 or may enter in the future will generally be, advanced at a floating rate based on LIBOR, which has been volatile in prior
years, which can affect the amount of interest payable on our debt, and which, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our earnings and cash flow. In addition, in recent years, LIBOR has been at relatively low levels, and may rise in the future as
the current low interest rate environment comes to an end. Our financial condition could be materially adversely affected at any time that we have not entered into interest rate hedging arrangements to hedge our exposure to the interest rates
applicable to our credit facilities and any other financing arrangements we may enter into in the future. Moreover, we currently do not have any derivative instruments but even if we enter into interest rate swaps or other derivative instruments
for purposes of managing our interest rate exposure, our hedging strategies may not be effective and we may incur substantial losses.
LIBOR has historically been volatile, with the spread between LIBOR and the prime lending rate widening significantly at times. These conditions are the result of the disruptions in
the international credit markets. Because the interest rates borne by our variable interest bearing outstanding indebtedness fluctuate with changes in LIBOR, if this volatility were to occur, it would affect the amount of interest payable on our
variable interest debt, which in turn, could have an adverse effect on our profitability, earnings and cash flow.
Furthermore, the calculation of interest in most financing agreements in our industry has been based on published LIBOR
rates. Due in part to uncertainty relating to the LIBOR calculation process in recent years, it is likely that LIBOR will be phased out in the future. As a result, lenders have insisted on provisions that entitle the lenders, in their discretion,
to replace published LIBOR as the base for the interest calculation with their cost-of-funds rate. If we are required to agree to such a provision in our existing or future financing agreements, our lending costs could increase significantly,
which would have an adverse effect on our earnings and cash flow
In addition, the banks currently reporting information used to set LIBOR will likely stop such reporting after 2021, when their commitment to reporting information ends. The
Alternative Reference Rate Committee, a committee convened by the Federal Reserve that includes major market participants, has proposed an alternative rate to replace U.S. Dollar LIBOR: the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or "SOFR." The impact of
such a transition from LIBOR to SOFR could be significant for us.
In order to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations, we may from time to time use interest rate derivatives to effectively fix some of our floating rate debt obligations.
No assurance can however be given that the use of these derivative instruments, if any, may effectively protect us from adverse interest rate movements. The use of interest rate derivatives may affect our results through mark to market valuation of
these derivatives. Also, adverse movements in interest rate derivatives may require us to post cash as collateral, which may impact our free cash position. Interest rate derivatives may also be impacted by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR or other
alternative rates. Entering into swaps and derivatives transactions is inherently risky and presents various possibilities for incurring significant expenses. Such risk may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations.
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The over-supply of dry bulk vessel capacity may continue to prolong or further depress the current low charter rates, which may limit our
ability to operate our dry bulk vessels profitably.
The supply of dry bulk vessels has outpaced vessel demand growth over the past few years, thereby causing downward pressure on charter rates. As of December 31, 2019, the
newbuilding orderbook stood at approximately 9.96% of the existing fleet capacity. Until the new supply of vessels is fully absorbed by the market, charter rates may continue to be under pressure in the near to medium term, which may limit our
ability to operate our dry bulk vessels profitably.
Our vessels have operated under time charters but may be placed on spot charters in the future and any decrease in spot charter rates may
adversely affect our earnings, profitability and cash flows.
Our vessels have historically operated under time charters but may be placed on the spot market in the future, exposing us to fluctuations in spot market charter rates. Further, we
may employ any additional vessels that we acquire in the spot market.
Although the number of vessels in our Fleet that may participate in the spot market will vary from time to time, we anticipate that some portion of our Fleet will participate in
this market at some point in time. As a result, our financial performance will be significantly affected by conditions in the dry bulk spot market and only our vessels that may operate under fixed-rate time charters may, during the period such
vessels operate under such time charters, provide a fixed source of revenue to us.
Historically, the dry bulk markets have been volatile as a result of the many conditions and factors that can affect the price, supply of and demand for dry bulk capacity. The weak
global economic trends may further reduce demand for transportation of dry bulk cargoes over longer distances, which may materially affect our revenues, profitability and cash flows. The spot charter market may fluctuate significantly based upon
supply of and demand of vessels and cargoes. The successful operation of our vessels in the competitive spot charter market depends upon, among other things, obtaining profitable spot charters and minimizing, to the extent possible, time spent
waiting for charters and time spent traveling unladen to pick up cargo. The spot market is very volatile, and, in the past, there have been periods when spot rates have declined below the operating cost of vessels. If future spot charter rates
decline, then we may be unable to operate our vessels which may trade in the spot market profitably, or meet our debt and other working capital obligations. Furthermore, as charter rates for spot charters are fixed for a single voyage, which may
last up to several weeks, during periods in which spot charter rates are rising, we will generally experience delays in realizing the benefits from such increases.
Risks involved with operating ocean-going vessels could affect our business and reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial condition.
The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks. These risks include the possibility of:
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a marine disaster;
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terrorism;
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environmental accidents;
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cargo and property losses and damage; and
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business interruptions caused by mechanical failure, human error, war, terrorism, piracy, political action in various countries, labor strikes, or adverse weather conditions.
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Any of these circumstances or events could increase our costs or lower our revenues. The involvement of our vessels in an oil spill or other environmental disaster may harm our reputation as a safe
and reliable dry bulk operator, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
World events could affect our operations and financial results.
Past terrorist attacks, as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks around the world, continue to cause uncertainty in the world's financial markets and may affect our
business, operating results and financial condition. Continuing conflicts, instability and other recent developments in the Middle East and elsewhere, and the presence of U.S. or other armed forces in Afghanistan and Syria, may lead to additional
acts of terrorism and armed conflict around the world, which may contribute to further economic instability in the global financial markets. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
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We face risks attendant to changes in economic and regulatory conditions around the world.
We face risks attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in interest rates, instability in the banking and securities markets and trade regulations around the world,
among other factors. Major market disruptions and adverse changes in market conditions and regulatory climate in China, the United States and worldwide may adversely affect our business or impair our ability to borrow amounts under any future
financial arrangements.
For example, the economic slowdown in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in China, could negatively affect global economic markets and the market for dry bulk shipping. Chinese dry
bulk imports have accounted for the majority of global dry bulk transportation growth annually over the last decade, with recent demand growth driven by stronger iron ore and coal imports into China. Before the global economic financial crisis that
began in 2008, China had one of the world's fastest growing economies in terms of gross domestic product, or GDP, which had a significant impact on shipping demand. The growth rate of China's GDP for the year ended December 31, 2019, was 6.1%, down
from a growth rate of 6.6% for the year ended December 31, 2018, but remaining well below pre-2008 levels. On April 14, 2020, the International Monetary Fund ("IMF") projected that the growth rate of China's GDP for the year ended December 31, 2020
will drop to 1.2% as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. China and other countries in the Asia Pacific region may continue to experience slowed or even negative economic growth in the future. Our financial condition and results of operations, as
well as our future prospects, would likely be hindered by a continuing or worsening economic downturn in any of these countries or geographic regions. Furthermore, there is a rising threat of a Chinese financial crisis resulting from massive
personal and corporate indebtedness and "trade wars". The IMF has warned that continuing trade tensions, including significant tariff increases, between the United States and China are expected to result in a 0.8% cumulative reduction of global GDP
in 2020. We cannot assure you that the Chinese economy will not experience a significant contraction in the future.
Over the past several years, the credit markets in the United States and Europe have remained contracted, deleveraged and less liquid, and the U.S. federal and state governments and
European authorities have implemented governmental action and/or new regulation of the financial markets and may implement additional regulations in the future. Global financial markets have been, and continue to be, disrupted and volatile.
Beginning in February 2020, due mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic, global financial markets, including in the U.S. experienced volatility and a steep and abrupt downturn. The ultimate impact on the global financial markets and the disruption to the
global economy are dependent on, among other things, the length and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. Potential adverse developments in the outlook for the United States or European countries, or market perceptions concerning these and related
issues, could reduce the overall demand for dry bulk cargoes and for our service, which could negatively affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flow. Economic conditions and the economic slow-down resulting from COVID-19 and
the international governmental responses to the virus may also adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
Further, governments may turn and have turned to trade barriers to protect their domestic industries against foreign imports, thereby depressing shipping demand. In particular,
leaders in the United States and China have implemented certain increasingly protective trade measures which have been somewhat mitigated by the recent trade deal (first phase trade agreement) between U.S. and China which requires the purchase of
over USD 50 billion of Chinese energy products including crude oil. Additionally, in March 2018, President Trump announced tariffs on imported steel and aluminum into the United States that could have a negative impact on international trade
generally and dry bulk shipping specifically and in January 2019, the United States announced sanctions against Venezuela, which may have an effect on its oil output and in turn affect global oil supply. There have also been continuing trade
tensions, including significant tariff increase, between the United States and China. Protectionist developments, or the perception that they may occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions, and may significantly reduce
global trade. Moreover, increasing trade protectionism may cause an increase in (a) the cost of goods exported from regions globally, particularly the Asia-Pacific region, (b) the length of time required to transport goods and (c) the risks
associated with exporting goods. Such increases may significantly affect the quantity of goods to be shipped, shipping time schedules, voyage costs and other associated costs, which could have an adverse impact on our charterers' business,
operating results and financial condition and could thereby affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase the number of their time charters with us. This could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to pay any cash distributions to our stockholders.
Trade actions initiated by the U.S. imposing tariffs on imports have been met with retaliatory tariffs by other countries, adding a level of tension and uncertainty to the global
economic environment. In November 2018, the U.S., Mexico and Canada executed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or the USMCA, the successor agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA. The agreement includes the imposition of
tariffs on vehicles that do not meet regional raw material (steel and aluminum), part and labor content requirements. The agreement was ratified by the U.S. in January 2020.
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While global economic conditions have generally improved, renewed adverse economic and governmental factors, together with the concurrent volatility in charter rates and vessel
values, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows and could cause the price of our common shares to decline. An extended period of deterioration in the outlook for the world economy could
reduce the overall demand for our services and could also adversely affect our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms or at all.
Global economic conditions may continue to negatively impact the dry bulk shipping industry.
Since the beginning of the calendar year 2020, the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus has resulted in the implementation of numerous actions by governments and governmental agencies
in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the virus. These measures have resulted in a significant reduction in global economic activity and extreme volatility in the global financial markets. If the Coronavirus pandemic continues on a prolonged
basis or becomes more severe, the adverse impact on the global economy and the rate environment for dry bulk and other cargo vessels may deteriorate further and our operations and cash flows may be negatively impacted. In addition, a prolonged
negative rate environment could result in the value of our vessels being impaired which could in turn impair our ability to borrow money and to access credit and capital markets in the future. Even prior to the recent outbreak and resulting
disruption of the Coronavirus, global financial markets and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile. Relatively weak global economic conditions during periods of volatility have and may continue to have a number of adverse
consequences for dry bulk and other shipping sectors, including, among other things:
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low charter rates, particularly for vessels employed on short-term time charters or in the spot market;
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decreases in the market value of dry bulk vessels and limited second-hand market for the sale of vessels;
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limited financing for vessels;
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widespread loan covenant defaults; and
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declaration of bankruptcy by certain vessel operators, vessel owners, shipyards and charterers.
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The occurrence of one or more of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
The U.K.'s withdrawal from the European Union may have a negative effect on global economic conditions, financial markets and our business.
In June 2016, a majority of voters in the U.K. elected to withdraw from the EU in a national referendum (informally known as "Brexit"), a process that the government of the U.K.
formally initiated in March 2017. Since then, the U.K. and the EU have been negotiating the terms of a withdrawal agreement, which was approved in October 2019 and ratified in January 2020. The U.K. formally exited the EU on January 31, 2020,
although a transition period remains in place until December 2020, during which the U.K. will be subject to the rules and regulations of the EU while continuing to negotiate the parties' relationship going forward, including trade deals. There is
currently no agreement in place regarding the aftermath of the withdrawal, creating significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the U.K. and the EU, including with respect to the laws and regulations that will apply as the U.K.
determines which EU-derived laws to replace or replicate following the withdrawal. Brexit has also given rise to calls for the governments of other EU member states to consider withdrawal. These developments and uncertainties, or the perception
that any of them may occur, have had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, and may significantly reduce global market liquidity and restrict the ability of
key market participants to operate in certain financial markets. Any of these factors could depress economic activity and restrict our access to capital, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and on our consolidated financial
position, results of operations and our ability to pay distributions. Additionally, Brexit or similar events in other jurisdictions, could impact global markets, including foreign exchange and securities markets; any resulting changes in currency
exchange rates, tariffs, treaties and other regulatory matters could in turn adversely impact our business and operations.
Brexit contributes to considerable uncertainty concerning the current and future economic environment. Brexit could adversely affect European or worldwide political, regulatory,
economic or market conditions and could contribute to instability in global political institutions, regulatory agencies and financial markets.
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Changes in the economic and political environment in China and policies adopted by the government to regulate its economy may have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of western countries in such respects as structure, government involvement, level of development, growth rate, capital reinvestment,
allocation of resources, bank regulation, currency and monetary policy, rate of inflation and balance of payments position. Prior to 1978, the Chinese economy was a "planned economy". Since 1978, increasing emphasis has been placed on the
utilization of market forces in the development of the Chinese economy. Annual and five-year State Plans are adopted by the Chinese government in connection with the development of the economy. Although state-owned enterprises still account for a
substantial portion of the Chinese industrial output, in general, the Chinese government is reducing the level of direct control that it exercises over the economy through State Plans and other measures. There is an increasing level of freedom and
autonomy in areas such as allocation of resources, production, pricing and management and a gradual shift in emphasis to a "market economy" and enterprise reform. Limited price reforms were undertaken with the result that prices for certain
commodities are principally determined by market forces. In addition, economic reforms may include reforms to the banking and credit sector and may produce a shift away from the export-driven growth model that has characterized the Chinese economy
over the past few decades. Many of the reforms are unprecedented or experimental and may be subject to revision, change or abolition based upon the outcome of such experiments. The level of imports to and exports from China could be adversely
affected by the failure to continue market reforms or changes to existing pro-export economic policies. The level of imports to and exports from China may also be adversely affected by changes in political, economic and social conditions (including
a slowing of economic growth) or other relevant policies of the Chinese government, such as changes in laws, regulations or export and import restrictions, internal political instability, changes in currency policies, changes in trade policies and
territorial or trade disputes. A decrease in the level of imports to and exports from China could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
We may not be able to obtain financing on acceptable terms, which may negatively impact our planned growth.
As a result of concerns about the stability of financial markets generally and the solvency of counterparties specifically, the ability to obtain money from the credit markets has
become more difficult as many lenders have increased interest rates, enacted tighter lending standards, refused to refinance existing debt at all or on terms similar to current debt and reduced, and in some cases ceased, to provide funding to
borrowers. Due to these factors, we cannot be certain that financing will be available if needed and to the extent required, on acceptable terms. If financing is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable
to enhance our existing business, complete additional vessel acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities as they arise.
Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels could adversely affect our business.
Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean and in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of
Somalia and, in particular, the Gulf of Guinea region off Nigeria, which experienced increased incidents of piracy in 2019. Sea piracy incidents continue to occur, increasingly in the Sulu Sea and the Gulf of Guinea, with dry bulk vessels and
tankers particularly vulnerable to such attacks. In the past, political conflicts have also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping. The perception that our vessels are a potential
piracy or terrorist target could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, if these piracy attacks occur in regions in which our vessels are deployed that insurers characterize as "war risk" zones or by the Joint War Committee as "war and strikes"
listed areas, premiums payable for such coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain, if available at all. In addition, crew costs, including costs that may be incurred to the extent we employ
on-board security guards, could increase in such circumstances. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, detention hijacking as a result of an act of
piracy against our vessels, or an increase in cost, or unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and this may result in loss of
revenues, increased costs and decreased cash flows to our customers, which could impair their ability to make payments to us under our charters.
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Political instability, terrorist attacks, international hostilities and global public health threats can affect the seaborne transportation
industry, which could adversely affect our business.
We conduct most of our operations outside of the United States, and our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends, if any, in the
future may be adversely affected by changing economic, political and government conditions in the countries and regions where our vessels are employed or registered. Moreover, we operate in a sector of the economy that is likely to be adversely
impacted by the effects of political conflicts, including the current political instability in the Middle East and the South China Sea region and other geographic countries and areas, geopolitical events such as Brexit, terrorist or other attacks,
and war (or threatened war) or international hostilities, such as those between the United States and North Korea or Iran, or between the Houthi and Arab counties in Yemen, or internally in Libya, and stabilizing growth in China, as well as rapidly
growing public health concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Terrorist attacks such as those in Paris on November 13, 2015, Manchester on May 22, 2017, as well as the frequent incidents of terrorism in the Middle East, and the continuing
response of the United States and others to these attacks, as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks around the world, continues to cause uncertainty in the world's financial markets and may affect our business, operating results and
financial condition. Continuing conflicts and recent developments in the Middle East, including increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the presence of U.S. or other armed forces in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and various other
regions, may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed conflict around the world, which may contribute to further economic instability in the global financial markets. As a result of the above, insurers have increased premiums and reduced or
restricted coverage for losses caused by terrorist acts generally. These uncertainties could also adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. Any of these occurrences could have a material
adverse impact on our operating results, revenues and costs. Additionally, Brexit, or similar events in other jurisdictions, could impact global markets, including foreign exchange and securities markets; any resulting changes in currency exchange
rates, tariffs, treaties and other regulatory matters could in turn adversely impact our business and operations.
Further, governments may turn and have turned to trade barriers to protect their domestic industries against foreign imports, thereby depressing shipping demand. In particular,
leaders in the United States and China have implemented certain increasingly protective trade measures. The results of the 2016 presidential election and the potential results of the upcoming 2020 presidential election in the United States have
created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States, China and other exporting countries, including with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. For example, in March 2018,
President Trump announced tariffs on imported steel and aluminum into the United States that could have a negative impact on international trade generally and, in January 2019, the United States announced expanded sanctions against Venezuela, which
may have an effect on its oil output and, in turn, affect global oil supply. There have also been continuing trade tensions, including significant tariff increases, between the United States and China. Protectionist developments, or the perception
that they may occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions, and may significantly reduce global trade. Moreover, increasing trade protectionism may cause an increase in (i) the cost of goods exported from regions
globally, (ii) the length of time required to transport goods and (iii) the risks associated with exporting goods. Such increases may significantly affect the quantity of goods to be shipped, shipping time schedules, voyage costs and other
associated costs, which could have an adverse impact on our charterers' business, operating results and financial condition and could thereby affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase the number of
their time charters with us. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to pay any cash distributions to our stockholders.
In Europe, large sovereign debts and fiscal deficits, low growth prospects and high unemployment rates in a number of countries have contributed to the rise of Eurosceptic parties,
which would like their countries to leave the Euro. The exit of the U.K. from the European Union and potential new trade policies in the United States further increase the risk of additional trade protectionism.
In January 2020, in response to certain perceived terrorist activity, the United States launched an airstrike in Baghdad that killed a high-ranking Iranian general, increasing
hostilities between the U.S. and Iran. This attack or further escalations between the U.S. and Iran that may follow, could result in retaliation from Iran that could potentially affect the shipping industry, through increased attacks on vessels in
the Strait of Hormuz (which already experienced an increased number of attacks on and seizures of vessels in 2019), or by potentially closing off or limiting access to the Strait of Hormuz, where a significant portion of the world's oil supply
passes through. Any restriction on access to the Strait of Hormuz, or increased attacks on vessels in the area, could negatively impact our earnings, cash flow and results of operations.
In the past, political instability has also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf
region. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia.
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In addition, public health threats, such as those posed by COVID-19, influenza and other highly communicable diseases or viruses, outbreaks of which have from time to time occurred
in various parts of the world in which we operate, including China, could adversely impact our operations, the timing of completion of scheduled dry-dockings and ballast water treatment system installation projects, as well as the operations of our
customers.
Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
Major outbreaks of diseases (such as COVID-19) and governmental responses thereto could adversely affect our business.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic, which is causing potentially deadly respiratory tract infections originating in China and subsequently spreading around the world, has negatively
affected economic conditions, the supply chain, the labor market, the demand for shipping regionally as well as globally and may otherwise impact our operations and the operations of our customers and suppliers. As of March 2020, the outbreak of
COVID-19has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization ("WHO"). Governments in affected countries are imposing travel bans, quarantines and other emergency public health measures. As of March 15, 2020, the United States has
temporarily restricted travel by foreign nationals into the country from a number of areas, including China and Europe. In addition, on March 18, 2020, the U.S. and Canada agreed to restrict all nonessential travel across the border. Companies are
also taking precautions, such as requiring employees to work remotely, imposing travel restrictions and temporarily closing businesses. These restrictions, and future prevention and mitigation measures, are likely to have an adverse impact on
global economic conditions, which could materially and adversely affect our future operations. The extent of COVID-19's impact on our financial and operational results, which could be material, will depend on the length of time that the pandemic
continues and whether subsequent waves of the infection happen. Uncertainties regarding the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to result in sustained market turmoil, which could also negatively impact our business, financial
condition and cash flows. Governments are approving large stimulus packages to mitigate the effects of the sudden decline in economic activity caused by the pandemic; however, we cannot predict the extent to which these measures will be sufficient
to restore or sustain the business and financial condition of companies in the shipping industry. These measures, though contemplated to be temporary in nature, may continue and increase as countries attempt to contain the outbreak or any
reoccurrences of the outbreak.
At this stage, it is difficult to determine the full impact of COVID-19 on our business. Effects of the current pandemic may include, among others:
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deterioration of economic conditions and activity and of demand for shipping;
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operational disruptions to us or our customers due to worker health risks and the effects of new regulations, directives or practices implemented in response to the pandemic (such as travel restrictions for individuals and vessels
and quarantining and physical distancing);
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potential delays in (a) the loading and discharging of cargo on or from our vessels, (b) vessel inspections and related certifications by class societies, customers or government agencies and (c) maintenance, modifications or repairs
to, or drydocking of, our existing vessels due to worker health or other business disruptions;
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reduced cash flow and financial condition, including potential liquidity constraints;
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potential reduced access to capital as a result of any credit tightening generally or due to continued declines in global financial markets;
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potential reduced ability to opportunistically sell any of our vessels on the second-hand market, either as a result of a lack of buyers or a general decline in the value of second-hand vessels;
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potential decreases in the market values of our vessels and any related impairment charges or breaches relating to vessel-to-loan financial covenants;
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potential disruptions, delays or cancellations in the construction of new vessels, which could reduce our future growth opportunities; and
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potential non-performance by counterparties relying on force majeure clauses and potential deterioration in the financial condition and prospects of our customers, joint venture partners or other business partners.
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Given the dynamic and uncertain nature of socioeconomic and political circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the duration of business disruption and the related financial impact cannot
be reasonably estimated at this time, but could materially affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If our vessels call on ports located in countries or territories that are subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government, the European
Union, the United Nations, or other governments, it could lead to monetary fines or penalties and adversely affect our reputation and the market for our common shares.
Although we do not expect that our vessels will call on ports located in countries or territories subject to country-wide or territory-wide sanctions and/or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government
or other authorities or countries identified by the U.S. government or other authorities as state sponsors of terrorism ("Sanctioned Jurisdictions"), and we endeavor to take precautions reasonably designed to mitigate such activities, including
relevant provisions in charter agreements forbidding the use of our vessels in trade that would violate economic sanctions, it is possible that, from time to time on charterers' instructions, and without our consent, our vessels may call on ports
located in such countries or territories in the future. If such activities result in a sanctions violation, we could be subject to monetary fines, penalties, or other sanctions, and our reputation and the market for our common shares could
adversely affected.
From the date we began our operations to the date of this prospectus, our vessels had no port calls in Sanctioned Jurisdictions. Sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in
their application, as they do not all apply to the same covered persons or proscribe the same activities, and such sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be amended or strengthened over time. Current or
future counterparties of ours may be affiliated with persons or entities that are or may be in the future the subject of sanctions imposed by the U.S. administration, the EU, and/or other international bodies. If we determine that such sanctions
require us to terminate existing or future contracts to which we or our subsidiaries are party or if we are found to be in violation of such applicable sanctions, our results of operations may be adversely affected or we may suffer reputational
harm.
Although we believe that we have been in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, and intend to maintain such compliance, there can be no assurance
that we will be in compliance in the future, particularly as the scope of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations. Any such violation could result in fines, penalties or other sanctions that could severely impact
our ability to access U.S. capital markets and conduct our business, and could result in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, or not to invest, in us. In addition, certain institutional investors may have investment
policies or restrictions that prevent them from holding securities of companies that have contracts with countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. The determination by these investors not to invest in, or to divest
from, our common shares may adversely affect the price at which our common shares trade. Moreover, our charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of actions that do not involve us or our vessels, and
those violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation. In addition, our reputation and the market for our securities may be adversely affected if we engage in certain other activities, such as entering into charters with individuals or
entities in countries or territories subject to U.S. sanctions and embargo laws that are not controlled by the governments of those countries or territories, or engaging in operations associated with those countries or territories pursuant to
contracts with third parties that are unrelated to those countries or territories or entities controlled by their governments. Investor perception of the value of our common shares may be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects
of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in these and surrounding countries.
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Compliance with safety and other vessel requirements imposed by classification societies may be costly and could reduce our net cash flows
and net income.
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be certified as being "in class" by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society
certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention.
A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel's machinery may be placed on a continuous survey cycle, under
which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. We expect our vessels to be on special survey cycles for hull inspection and continuous survey cycles for machinery inspection. Most vessels are also required to be
dry-docked, or inspected by divers, every two to three years for inspection of its underwater parts.
Compliance with the above requirements may result in significant expense. If any vessel does not maintain its class or fails any annual, intermediate or special survey, the vessel
will be unable to trade between ports and will be unemployable, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Regulations relating to ballast water discharge may adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
The IMO has imposed updated guidelines for ballast water management systems specifying the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged from a vessel's ballast
water. Depending on the date of the International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) renewal survey, existing vessels constructed before September 8, 2017 must comply with the updated D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2019. For most vessels,
compliance with the D-2 standard will involve installing on-board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms. Ships constructed on or after September 8, 2017 are to comply with the D-2 standards on or after September 8, 2017.
Currently, our vessels will be required to comply with the regulation at our IOPP renewal survey scheduled for August 8, 2022 for the Magic P, August 20, 2020 for the Magic Sun and July 15, 2022 for the Magic Moon.
Furthermore, United States regulations are currently changing. Although the 2013 Vessel General Permit ("VGP") program and U.S. National Invasive Species Act ("NISA") are currently
in effect to regulate ballast discharge, exchange and installation, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act ("VIDA"), which was signed into law on December 4, 2018, requires that the EPA develop national standards of performance for approximately 30
discharges, similar to those found in the VGP within two years. By approximately 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard must develop corresponding implementation, compliance and enforcement regulations regarding ballast water. The new regulations could
require the installation of new equipment, which may cause us to incur substantial costs.
The IMO 2020 regulations may cause us to incur substantial costs and to procure low-sulfur fuel oil directly on the wholesale market for
storage at sea and onward consumption on our vessels.
Effective January 1, 2020, the IMO implemented a new regulation for a 0.50% global sulfur cap on emissions from vessels. Under this new global cap, vessels must use marine fuels
with a sulfur content of no more than 0.50% against the former regulations specifying a maximum of 3.50% sulfur in an effort to reduce the emission of sulfur oxide into the atmosphere.
We may incur costs to comply with these revised standards. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could require, among others, the installation of
expensive emission control systems and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Currently, none of our vessels are equipped with scrubbers and as of January 1, 2020 we have transitioned to burning IMO compliant fuels. We continue to evaluate different options
in complying with IMO and other rules and regulations. We expect that our fuel costs and fuel inventories will increase in 2020 as a result of these sulfur emission regulations. Low sulfur fuel is more expensive than standard marine fuel containing
3.5% sulfur content and may become more expensive or difficult to obtain as a result of increased demand. If the cost differential between low sulfur fuel and high sulfur fuel is significantly higher than anticipated, or if low sulfur fuel is not
available at ports on certain trading routes, it may not be feasible or competitive to operate our vessels on certain trading routes without installing scrubbers or without incurring deviation time to obtain compliant fuel. Scrubbers may not be
available to be installed on such vessels at a favorable cost or at all if we seek them at a later date.
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Fuel is a significant, if not the largest, expense in our shipping operations when vessels are under voyage charter and is an important factor in negotiating charter rates. Our
operations and the performance of our vessels, and as a result our results of operations, cash flows and financial position, may be negatively affected to the extent that compliant sulfur fuel oils are unavailable, of low or inconsistent quality,
if de-bunkering facilities are unavailable to permit our vessels to accept compliant fuels when required, or upon occurrence of any of the other foregoing events. Costs of compliance with these and other related regulatory changes may be
significant and may have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position. As a result, an increase in the price of fuel beyond our expectations may adversely affect our profitability at
the time of charter negotiation. Further, fuel may become much more expensive in the future, which may reduce the profitability and competitiveness of our business versus other forms of transportation, such as truck or rail.
We are subject to laws and regulations, which can adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition,
and our ability to pay dividends.
Our operations are subject to numerous international, national, state and local laws, regulations, treaties and conventions in force in international waters and the jurisdictions in
which our vessels operate or are registered, which can significantly affect the ownership and operation of our Vessel. These regulations include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, the U.S. Clean Air Act, the U.S. Clean Water Act and the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or the MTSA, and treaties and conventions of the United Nations International Maritime
Organization, or the IMO, including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973, as from time to time amended and generally refer to as MARPOL, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974,
or the SOLAS Convention, and the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966. Compliance with such laws, regulations and standards, where applicable, may require installation of costly equipment or implementation of operational changes and may
affect the resale value or useful lives of our Vessel. These costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. A failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result
in administrative and civil penalties, criminal sanctions or the suspension or termination of our operations.
Environmental laws often impose strict liability for remediation of spills and releases of oil and hazardous substances, which could subject us to liability without regard to
whether we were negligent or at fault. Under OPA, for example, owners, operators and bareboat charterers are jointly and severally strictly liable for the discharge of oil within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone around the U. S. Furthermore,
the 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon well and the subsequent release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, or other similar events, may result in further regulation of the shipping and offshore industry, and modifications to statutory liability
schemes, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. An oil spill could result in significant liability, including fines, penalties and criminal liability and remediation
costs for natural resource damages under other federal, state and local laws, as well as third-party damages.
Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may adversely impact our operations and markets.
Due to concern over the risk of climate change, a number of countries and the IMO have adopted regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These regulatory measures
may include, among others, adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, increased efficiency standards, and incentives or mandates for renewable energy. In addition, although the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping
currently are not subject to the Paris Agreement (discussed below), or the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, that required adopting countries to implement national programs to reduce emissions of certain
gases, a new treaty may be adopted in the future that includes restrictions on shipping emissions.
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We are subject to international safety standards and the failure to comply with these regulations may subject us to increased liability, may
adversely affect our insurance coverage and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
The operation of our vessels is affected by the requirements set forth in the International Safety Management Code, or the ISM Code, promulgated by the IMO under the SOLAS
Convention. The ISM Code requires ship owners, ship managers and bareboat charterers to develop and maintain an extensive "Safety Management System" that includes the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth
instructions and procedures for safe operation of vessels and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. In addition, vessel classification societies impose significant safety and other requirements on our vessels. The failure to comply
with these regulations may subject us to increased liability, may adversely affect our insurance coverage and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
Developments in safety and environmental requirements relating to the recycling of vessels may result in escalated and unexpected costs.
The 2009 Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, or the Hong Kong Convention, aims to ensure ships, being recycled once they
reach the end of their operational lives, do not pose any unnecessary risks to the environment, human health and safety. The Hong Kong Convention has yet to be ratified by the required number of countries to enter into force. Upon the Hong Kong
Convention's entry into force, each ship sent for recycling will have to carry an inventory of its hazardous materials. The hazardous materials, whose use or installation are prohibited in certain circumstances, are listed in an appendix to the
Hong Kong Convention. Ships will be required to have surveys to verify their inventory of hazardous materials initially, throughout their lives and prior to the ship being recycled. The Hong Kong Convention, which is currently open for accession by
IMO Member States, will enter into force 24 months after the date on which 15 IMO Member States, representing at least 40% of world merchant shipping by gross tonnage, have ratified or approved accession. As of the date of this prospectus, 15
countries representing just over 30% of world merchant shipping tonnage have ratified or approved accession of the Hong Kong Convention.
The Hong Kong Convention, which is currently open for accession by IMO Member States, will enter into force 24 months after the date on which 15 IMO Member States, representing at
least 40% of world merchant shipping by gross tonnage, have ratified or approve accession. As of the date of this prospectus, 15 countries representing just over 30% of world merchant shipping tonnage have ratified or approved accession of the Hong
Kong Convention.
On November 20, 2013, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU adopted the Ship Recycling Regulation, which retains the requirements of the Hong Kong Convention and
requires that certain commercial seagoing vessels flying the flag of an EU Member State may be recycled only in facilities included on the European list of permitted ship recycling facilities. We are required to comply with EU Ship Recycling
Regulation by December 31, 2020, since our ships trade in EU region.
These regulatory developments, when implemented, may lead to cost escalation by shipyards, repair yards and recycling yards. This may then result in a decrease in the residual scrap
value of a vessel, and a vessel could potentially not cover the cost to comply with latest requirements, which may have an adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
Maritime claimants could arrest our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flow.
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or
damages. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lien holder may enforce its lien by "arresting" or "attaching" a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of our vessels could result in a significant loss of earnings for the
related off-hire period. In addition, in jurisdictions where the "sister ship" theory of liability applies, such as South Africa, a claimant may arrest the vessel that is subject to the claimant's maritime lien and any "associated" vessel, which is
any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. In countries with "sister ship" liability laws, claims might be asserted against us or any of our vessels for liabilities of other vessels that we will then own.
Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency resulting in a loss of earnings.
A government of a vessel's registry could requisition for title or seize a vessel. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. A
government could also requisition a vessel for hire. Requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes the charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during a period of war or
emergency. Government requisition of our vessels could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
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Increased inspection procedures and tighter import and export controls could increase costs and disrupt our business.
International shipping is subject to various security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin and destination and trans-shipment points. Inspection
procedures may result in the seizure of contents of our vessels, delays in the loading, offloading, trans-shipment or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against us.
It is possible that changes to inspection procedures could impose additional financial and legal obligations on us. Changes to inspection procedures could also impose additional
costs and obligations on our customers and may, in certain cases, render the shipment of certain types of cargo uneconomical or impractical. Any such changes or developments may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
Our business has inherent operational risks, which may not be adequately covered by insurance.
Our vessels and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as marine disasters, bad weather, mechanical failures, human error, environmental
accidents, war, terrorism, piracy, disease, quarantine and other circumstances or events. In addition, transporting cargoes across a wide variety of international jurisdictions creates a risk of business interruptions due to political circumstances
in foreign countries, hostilities, labor strikes and boycotts, the potential for changes in tax rates or policies, and the potential for government expropriation of our vessels. Any of these events may result in loss of revenues, increased costs
and decreased cash flows to our customers, which could impair their ability to make payments to us under our charters.
In the event of a casualty to our vessels or other catastrophic event, we will rely on our insurance to pay the insured value of the vessel or the damages incurred. We procure
insurance for our vessels employed under time charters against those risks that we believe the shipping industry commonly insures against. This insurance includes marine hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance, which
include pollution risks and crew insurance, and war risk insurance. Currently, the amount of coverage for liability for pollution, spillage and leakage available to us on commercially reasonable terms through protection and indemnity associations
and providers of excess coverage is $1 billion per occurrence.
We maintain hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance for our vessels, which provides environmental damage and pollution insurance coverage and war risk
insurance. We do not maintain, for our vessels, insurance against loss of hire, which covers business interruptions that result from the loss of use of a vessel. We may not be adequately insured against all risks. We may not be able to obtain
adequate insurance coverage for our Fleet in the future, and we may not be able to obtain certain insurance coverages. The insurers may not pay particular claims. Our insurance policies may contain deductibles for which we will be responsible and
limitations and exclusions which may increase our costs or lower our revenues. Moreover, insurers may default on claims they are required to pay.
While we carry cargo insurance to protect us against certain risks of loss of or damage to the procured commodities, we may not be adequately insured to cover any losses from such operational
risks, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Any significant uninsured or under-insured loss or liability could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and our
available cash.
We cannot assure you that we will be adequately insured against all risks or that we will be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates for our vessels in the
future. For example, in the past more stringent environmental regulations have led to increased costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution. Additionally, our
insurers may refuse to pay particular claims. Any significant loss or liability for which we are not insured could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could result in fines, criminal penalties, charter terminations and an adverse
effect on our business.
We may operate in a number of countries throughout the world, including countries known to have a reputation for corruption. We are committed to doing business in accordance with
applicable anti-corruption laws and have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics which is consistent and in full compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, or the FCPA. We are subject, however, to the risk that we, our
affiliated entities or our or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents may take actions determined to be in violation of such anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA. Any such violation could result in substantial fines,
sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties and curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our
reputation and ability to do business. Furthermore, detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and can consume significant time and attention of our senior management.
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Risks Related to Our Company Generally
We were only formed in 2017, and have limited history of operations and relatively limited operations generally.
We were formed relatively recently, in September 2017, and have a limited performance record, operating history and historical financial statements upon which you can evaluate our operations or our
ability to implement and achieve our business strategy. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in implementing our business strategy. As of the date of this prospectus, we have a fleet of only three vessels with a relatively short
operating history, and as such, we may face certain operational challenges not faced by companies with a longer operating history and more vessels.
NASDAQ may delist our common shares from its exchange which could limit your ability to make transactions in our securities and subject
us to additional trading restrictions.
We received written notification from The Nasdaq Stock Market dated April 14, 2020, indicating that because the closing bid price of the Company's common shares for 30 consecutive business days,
from February 27, 2020 to April 13, 2020, was below the minimum $1.00 per share bid price requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ, the Company is not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The Company was also informed by The
Nasdaq Stock Market that due to the COVID-19 crisis, temporary relief has been granted related to minimum listing bid price requirements and the Company's compliance period will be suspended until June 30, 2020. Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rule
5810(c)(3)(A), the applicable grace period to regain compliance is 180 days, or December 28, 2020, which includes the temporary COVID-19 relief period.
We intend to monitor the closing bid price of our common shares during the compliance period and are considering our options to regain compliance with the NASDAQ minimum bid price requirement. We
can cure this deficiency if the closing bid price of our common shares is $1.00 per share or higher for at least ten consecutive business days during the grace period, which includes the temporary COVID-19 relief period. In the event we do not
regain compliance within the grace period and meet all other listing standards and requirements, we may be eligible for an additional 180-day grace period, but no assurances can be given that this additional grace period will be granted.
We intend to cure the deficiency within the prescribed grace period. During this time, our common shares will continue to be listed and trade on the NASDAQ. Our business operations have not been and are not expected
to be affected in any material respect by the receipt of the delisting notification from NASDAQ. However, a continued decline in the closing price of our common shares on the NASDAQ could result in suspension or delisting procedures in respect of
our common shares. The commencement of suspension or delisting procedures by an exchange remains, at all times, at the discretion of such exchange and would be publicly announced by the exchange. If a suspension or delisting were to occur, there
would be significantly less liquidity in the suspended or delisted securities. In addition, our ability to raise additional necessary capital through equity or debt financing would be greatly impaired. Furthermore, with respect to any suspended or
delisted common shares, we would expect decreases in institutional and other investor demand, market making activity and information available concerning trading prices and volume, and fewer broker-dealers would be willing to execute trades with
respect to such common shares. A suspension or delisting would likely decrease the attractiveness of our common shares to investors and cause the trading volume of our common shares to decline, which could result in a further decline in the market
price of our common shares.
Finally, if the volatility in the market continues or worsens, it could have a further adverse effect on the market price of our common shares, regardless of
our operating performance.
Our Fleet consists of only three dry bulk carriers. Any limitation in the availability or operation of these vessels could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
Our Fleet currently consists of only three dry bulk carriers. If any of our vessels is unable to generate revenues as a result of off-hire time, early termination of the time charter in effect or failure to secure new
charters at charter hire rates as favorable as our average historical rates or at all, our future liquidity, cash flows, results of operations, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
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We may not be able to re-charter or obtain new and favorable charters for our vessels, which could adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
Our vessels are currently employed solely on time charters and may, from time to time in the future, be employed under voyage charters. Our ability to renew charters or obtain new charters will
depend on the prevailing market conditions at the time. In addition, our current charters terminate in accordance with their terms between June and September 2020, and we may be unable to renew these charter at favorable rates and on terms that
allow us to operate our business profitably.
As of the date of this prospectus, two of our vessels were on hire at comparably less favorable charter rates than those achieved for the whole fleet during 2019 and up until March 2020. We believe
the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lower dry bulk rates since March 2020 than we would have achieved in the absence of the virus, given lower demand for some of the cargoes we carry, including iron ore, coal and various minor bulk commodities. The
overall uncertainty surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on our business, together with reduced economic activity and in turn trade flows, could continue to negatively impact the revenue generated by our vessels. As a result, there is no guarantee that our total revenues will grow or remain at the similar level year over year in the remaining period of 2020. While we believe that the recovery of economies affected by COVID-19
will lead to increased trade flows and improvement in dry bulk shipping rates, the timing of any such recovery cannot be predicted and could be affected by a resurgence of the virus.
If we are not able to obtain new charters, either on time charter or in the voyage market, in direct continuation with our existing charters or if new charters are entered into at unfavorable rates for a prolonged
period, our revenues and profitability could be adversely affected and we may have difficulty meeting our working capital and debt obligations or paying dividends (if any) in the future.
We are subject to certain risks with respect to our counterparties on contracts, and failure of such counterparties to meet their obligations could cause us
to suffer losses or negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows.
We have entered into, and may enter into in the future, various contracts, including charter agreements, shipbuilding contracts and credit facilities. Such agreements subject us to counterparty
risks. The ability of each of our counterparties to perform its obligations under a contract with us will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, the condition of
the maritime and offshore industries, the overall financial condition of the counterparty, charter rates received for specific types of vessels, work stoppages or other labor disturbances, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and various
expenses. For example, the combination of a reduction of cash flow resulting from declines in world trade, a reduction in borrowing bases under reserve-based credit facilities and the lack of availability of debt or equity financing may result in a
significant reduction in the ability of our charterers to make charter payments to us. In addition, depressed market conditions may adversely affect the demand for the chartering of our vessels. As a result, charterers may seek to renegotiate the
terms of their existing charter agreements or avoid their obligations under those contracts. Should a counterparty fail to honor its obligations under agreements with us, we could sustain significant losses which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The failure of our charterers to meet their obligations under our charter agreements, on which we depend for our revenues, could cause us to suffer losses or
otherwise adversely affect our business.
We expect to employ our vessels under short-term, medium or long-term time charter agreements as well as, to a lesser extent, in the spot voyage market. The ability and willingness of each of our
counterparties to perform their obligations under a time charter, spot charter or other agreement with us, will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, the
condition of the dry bulk industry and the overall financial condition of the counterparties. In addition, in depressed market conditions, there have been reports of charterers renegotiating their charters or defaulting on their obligations under
charters. Our customers may fail to pay charter hire or attempt to renegotiate charter rates. Should a counterparty fail to honor its obligations under agreements with us, it may be difficult to secure substitute employment for such vessel, and any
new charter arrangements we secure in the spot market or on time charters may be at lower rates. If our charterers fail to meet their obligations to us or attempt to renegotiate our charter agreements, we could sustain significant losses which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, as well as our ability to pay dividends, if any, in the future.
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Our credit facilities contain, and we expect that any new or amended credit facility we may enter into will contain, restrictive covenants
that limit, or may limit the future, our business and financing activities.
The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our credit agreement with Alpha Bank S.A., or the Alpha Bank Facility entered into in November 2019, the credit agreement
that our wholly-owned subsidiary, Bistro Maritime Co., entered into with Chailease International Financial Services Co., Ltd. in January 2020, or the Chailease Financial Services Facility, and any new or amended credit facility we may enter into in
the future, could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage, expand or pursue our business activities.
For example, our Alpha Bank Facility requires the consent of our lenders to:
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incur or guarantee indebtedness outside of our ordinary course of business;
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charge, pledge or encumber our vessels;
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change the flag, class, management or ownership of our vessels;
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change the commercial and technical management of our vessels;
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declare or pay any dividends or other distributions at a time when the Company has an Event of Default or the payment of such loan would cause an Event of Default;
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form or acquire any subsidiaries;
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make any investments in any person, asset, firm, corporation, joint venture or other entity;
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merge or consolidate with any other person; and
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sell or change the beneficial ownership or control of our vessels.
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Additionally, it is an event of default under the Alpha Bank Facility if, among other things, (i) the registration of the Magic P or the Magic Moon under the laws and flag of the relevant flag state is cancelled or terminated without the prior written consent of the lender, (ii) there has been a change of
control directly or indirectly in our subsidiaries, Pikachu Shipping Co. and Spetses Shipping Co., or (iii) there is a change in management of our vessels, the Magic P or the Magic Moon, without the prior written consent of the lender.
The Alpha Bank Facility also requires us to comply with certain financial covenants related to (i) maintaining a certain minimum level of free cash on a pledged deposit account
and (ii) maintaining a certain security requirement ratio, which is the ratio of the aggregate market value of the mortgaged vessels plus the value of any additional security and value of the pledged deposit to the aggregate principal amounts due
under the Alpha Bank Facility.
Furthermore, our Chailease Financial Services Facility requires the consent of our lenders to:
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incur or guarantee indebtedness outside of our ordinary course of business;
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incur or allow to remain outstanding any guarantee in respect of any obligation of any person;
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enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation, continuation, corporate reconstruction or a joint venture; and
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sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose our assets.
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Additionally, it is an event of default under the Chailease Financial Services Facility if, among other things, (i) the registration of the Magic Sun
or the first preferred Marshall Islands mortgage over the Magic Sun is contested or becomes void or voidable or liable to cancellation or termination (ii) there has been a change in the direct ownership or
control of our subsidiary, Bistro Maritime Co., or (iii) the Magic Sun suffers a Total Loss (as defined in the Chailease Financial Services Facility) or is otherwise destroyed or abandoned.
The Chailease Financial Services Facility also requires us to
comply with certain financial covenants related to (i) maintaining a maximum value to loan ratio being the aggregate principal amount of (ii) fair market value of the collateral vessel and (ii) the value of any additional security (including the
value of any cash deposit with the lender), to the aggregate principal amount of the loan.
Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained
in our current or future credit facilities may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions, interest rate developments, changes in the funding costs of our banks and changes in vessel
earnings and asset valuations and outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic of diseases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we are in breach of
any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our current or future credit facilities, or if we trigger a cross-default contained in our current or future credit facilities, a significant portion of our obligations may become immediately
due and payable. We may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, obligations under certain of our current and future credit facilities are and may be further secured by our existing vessels
and/or vessels we may acquire in the future, and if we are unable to repay debt under our secured current or future credit facilities, the lenders could seek to foreclose on those assets.
Furthermore, any contemplated vessel acquisitions will have to be at
levels that do not impair the required ratios set forth in the respective agreements. The global economic downturn that occurred within the past several years had an adverse effect on vessel values, which may occur again if an economic slowdown
arises in the future. If the estimated asset values of the vessels in our fleet decrease, such decreases may limit the amounts we can draw down under possible future secured financing agreements to purchase additional vessels and thus, impair our
ability to expand our Fleet. In addition, we may be obligated to prepay part of our outstanding debt in order to remain in compliance with the relevant covenants in our current or future credit facilities. If funds under our current or future
credit facilities become unavailable as a result of a breach of our covenants or otherwise, we may not be able to perform our business strategy which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition and our ability to pay dividends.
We have relied on financial support from Mr. Panagiotidis through related party loans, which may not be available to us in the future.
From time to time, we have obtained loans from our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Petros Panagiotidis, to meet vessel purchase obligations of the Company. These
loans may not be available to the Company in the future. Even if we are able to borrow money from such parties, such borrowings could create a conflict of interest of management to the extent they also act as lenders to the Company.
We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to satisfy our financial and other obligations.
We are a holding company and have no significant assets other than the equity interests in our subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries own all of our existing vessels, and subsidiaries we
form in the future will own any other vessels we may acquire in the future. All payments under our charters are made and it is expected that they will continue to be made to our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to meet our financial and other
obligations, and to pay any dividends in the future, will depend on the performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. The ability of a subsidiary to make these distributions could be affected by a claim or other
action by a third party, including a creditor, by the terms of our loan agreements, any financing agreement we may enter into in the future, or by Marshall Islands law, which regulates the payment of dividends by our companies.
26
The Alpha Bank Facility and Chailease Financial Services Facility, both entered into by our subsidiaries, prohibit such subsidiaries from paying any dividends to us if we or such subsidiary breach
a covenant in our loan agreements or any financing agreement we may enter into in the future. If we are unable to obtain funds from our subsidiaries, we will not be able to fund our liquidity needs or pay dividends in the future unless we obtain
funds from other sources, which we may not be able to do.
We cannot assure you that our Board will declare dividends.
Our Board will continue to assess our dividend policy and may in the future determine to pay dividends. The declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will always be subject to
the discretion of our Board, restrictions contained in our debt agreements or debt agreements that we may enter into in the future and the requirements of Marshall Islands law. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among
other things, our earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and availability, our ability to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by our growth strategy, the terms of our outstanding indebtedness and the
ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us. The dry bulk industry is highly volatile, and we cannot predict with certainty the amount of cash, if any, that will be available for distribution as dividends in any period. Also, there may be
a high degree of variability from period to period in the amount of cash that is available for the payment of dividends.
We may incur expenses or liabilities or be subject to other circumstances in the future that reduce or eliminate the amount of cash that we have available for distribution as
dividends, including as a result of the risks described herein. Our growth strategy contemplates that we will finance our acquisitions of additional vessels through debt financings or the net proceeds of future equity issuances on terms acceptable
to us. If financing is not available to us on acceptable terms or at all, our Board may determine to finance or refinance acquisitions with cash from operations, which would reduce the amount of any cash available for the payment of dividends, if
any.
The Republic of Marshall Islands laws generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above
the par value of the shares) or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. We may not have sufficient surplus in the future to pay dividends and our subsidiaries may not have sufficient funds or
surplus to make distributions to us. We can give no assurance that dividends will be paid in the near term, or at all.
We are dependent on our Manager, which is a related party, for the management of our Fleet.
We subcontract the technical and commercial management of our Fleet, including crewing, operations and maintenance and repair pursuant to management agreements to our Manager, which is a company
controlled by Ismini Panagiotidis, the sister of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Petros Panagiotidis. The loss of our Manager's services or its failure to perform its obligations to us could materially and
adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, our Manager provides us with significant accounting and other support services.
In addition, our ability to enter into new charters and expand our customer relationships depends largely on our ability to leverage our relationship with our Manager and its reputation and
relationships in the shipping industry. If our Manager suffers material damage to its reputation or relationships, it may harm our ability to renew existing charters upon their expiration, obtain new charters or maintain satisfactory relationships
with suppliers and other third-parties.
Our business will be harmed if our Manager fails to perform these services satisfactorily, if they cancel their agreements with us or if they stop providing these services to us.
Our operational success and ability to execute our growth strategy will depend significantly upon the satisfactory performance of these services by our Manager and the reputation of our Manager.
27
We may have difficulty managing our planned growth properly.
We are a recent company formed for the purpose of acquiring, owning, chartering and operating dry bulk vessels. One of our principal strategies is to continue to grow by expanding
our operations and adding to our Fleet. As our business grows, we intend to acquire additional drybulk vessels and expand our activities. Our future growth will primarily depend upon a number of factors, some of which may not be within our control.
These factors include our ability to:
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identify suitable dry bulk vessels, including newbuilding slots at reputable shipyards and/or shipping companies for acquisitions at attractive prices;
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obtain required financing for our existing and new operations;
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integrate any acquired dry bulk vessels, assets or businesses successfully with our existing operations, including obtaining any approvals and qualifications necessary to operate vessels that we acquire;
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hire, train and retain qualified personnel and crew to manage and operate our growing business and fleet;
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enhance our customer base; and
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improve our operating, financial and accounting systems and controls.
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Our failure to effectively identify, acquire, develop and integrate any vessels could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The number of
employees that perform services for us and our current operating and financial systems may not be adequate as we implement our plan to expand the size of our fleet, and we may not be able to effectively hire more employees or adequately improve
those systems. Finally, acquisitions may require additional equity issuances, which may dilute our common shareholders if issued at lower prices than the price they acquired their shares, or debt issuances (with amortization payments), both of
which could lower our available cash. If any such events occur, our financial condition may be adversely affected.
Growing any business by acquisition presents numerous risks such as undisclosed liabilities and obligations, difficulty in obtaining additional qualified personnel and managing
relationships with customers and suppliers and integrating newly acquired operations into existing infrastructures. The expansion of our fleet may impose significant additional responsibilities on our management and the management and staff of our
Manager, and may necessitate that we, and they, increase the number of personnel. We cannot give any assurance that we will be successful in executing our growth plans or that we will not incur significant expenses and losses in connection with our
future growth.
As we expand our business, we may be unable to improve our operating and financial systems and to recruit suitable employees and crew for
our vessels.
Our current operating and financial systems may not be adequate as we implement our plan to expand the size of our fleet and our or our Manager's attempts to improve those systems
may be ineffective. In addition, if we further expand our fleet, we will have to rely on our Manager to recruit suitable additional seafarers and shore-side administrative and management personnel. We or our Manager cannot guarantee that we will be
able to hire suitable employees as we expand our fleet. If our Manager's unaffiliated crewing agents encounter business or financial difficulties, we may not be able to adequately staff our vessels or our shore-side personnel. If we or our Manager
are unable to grow our financial and operating systems or to recruit suitable employees as we expand our fleet, our financial performance may be adversely affected and, among other things, the amount of cash available for distribution as dividends
to our shareholders may be reduced.
Exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations will result in fluctuations in our cash flows and operating results.
We may incur some of our operating expenses and general and administrative expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. This difference could lead to fluctuations in vessel
operating expenses, which would affect our financial results. Expenses incurred in foreign currencies increase when the value of the U.S. dollar falls, which would reduce our profitability. Our operating results could suffer as a result.
28
We operate secondhand vessels, and, as a result, we may incur increased operating costs which could adversely affect our earnings.
Furthermore, as our vessels age, the risks associated with our vessels could adversely affect our ability to obtain profitable charters.
While we have inspected our vessels and we intend to inspect any potential future vessel acquisition, this does not provide us with the same knowledge about its condition that we
would have had if the vessel had been built for and operated exclusively by us. Generally, purchasers of secondhand vessels do not receive the benefit of warranties from the builders for the secondhand vessels that they acquire.
In general, the cost of maintaining a vessel in good operating condition increases with the age of the vessel. As our vessels age typically, it will become less fuel-efficient and
more costly to maintain than more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine technology. Cargo insurance rates increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental regulations and safety
or other equipment standards related to the age of vessels may also require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which our vessels may engage. We cannot assure you
that, as our vessels age, market conditions will justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful life.
Technological innovation and quality and efficiency requirements from our customers could reduce our charter hire income and the value of
our vessels.
Our customers have a high and increasing focus on quality and compliance standards with their suppliers across the entire supply chain, including the shipping and transportation
segment. Our continued compliance with these standards and quality requirements is vital for our operations. The charter hire rates and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors including the vessel's
efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Efficiency includes speed, fuel economy and the ability to load and discharge cargo quickly. Flexibility includes the ability to enter harbors, operate in extreme climates, utilize related
docking facilities and pass through canals and straits. The length of a vessel's physical life is related to its original design and construction, its maintenance and the impact of the stress of operations. We face competition from companies with
more modern vessels with more fuel efficient designs than our vessels, or eco vessels, and if new dry bulk vessels are built that are more efficient or more flexible or have longer physical lives than the current eco vessels, competition from the
current eco vessels and any more technologically advanced vessels could adversely affect the amount of charter hire payments we receive for our vessels once their initial charters expire and the resale value of our vessels could significantly
decrease. This could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders and other market participants with respect to our Environmental,
Social and Governance ("ESG") policies may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny relating to their ESG policies. Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds,
lenders and other market participants are increasingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. The increased focus and activism related to ESG and
similar matters may hinder access to capital, as investors and lenders may decide to reallocate capital or to not commit capital as a result of their assessment of a company's ESG practices. Companies which do not adapt to or comply with investor,
lender or other industry shareholder expectations and standards, which are evolving, or which are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, may
suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition, and/or stock price of such a company could be materially and adversely affected.
We may face increasing pressures from investors, lenders and other market participants, who are increasingly focused on climate change, to prioritize sustainable energy
practices, reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability. As a result, we may be required to implement more stringent ESG procedures or standards so that our existing and future investors and lenders remain invested in us and make further
investments in us, especially given the highly focused and specific trade of dry bulk transportation in which we are engaged. If we do not meet these standards, our business and/or our ability to access capital could be harmed.
These limitations in both the debt and equity capital markets may affect our ability to grow as our plans for growth may include accessing the equity and debt capital markets.
If those markets are unavailable, or if we are unable to access alternative means of financing on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be unable to implement our business strategy, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations and impair our ability to service our indebtedness. Further, it is likely that we will incur additional costs and require additional resources to monitor, report and comply with wide ranging ESG requirements.
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
29
We may be subject to litigation that, if not resolved in our favor and not sufficiently insured against, could have a material adverse effect on us.
We may be, from time to time, involved in various litigation matters. These matters may include, among other things, contract disputes, personal injury claims, environmental claims
or proceedings, asbestos and other toxic tort claims, employment matters, governmental claims for taxes or duties, and other litigation that arises in the ordinary course of our business. Although we intend to defend these matters vigorously, we
cannot predict with certainty the outcome or effect of any claim or other litigation matter, and the ultimate outcome of any litigation or the potential costs to resolve them may have a material adverse effect on us. Insurance may not be applicable
or sufficient in all cases and/or insurers may not remain solvent which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
A change in tax laws, treaties or regulations, or their interpretation, of any country in which we operate could result in a higher tax rate
on our worldwide earnings, which could result in a significant negative impact on our earnings and cash flows from operations.
We conduct our operations through subsidiaries which can trade worldwide. Tax laws and regulations are highly complex and subject to interpretation. Consequently, we are subject to
changing tax laws, treaties and regulations in and between countries in which we operate. Our income tax expense, if any, is based upon our interpretation of tax laws in effect in various countries at the time that the expense was incurred. A
change in these tax laws, treaties or regulations, or in the interpretation thereof, could result in a materially higher tax expense or a higher effective tax rate on our worldwide earnings, and such change could be significant to our financial
results. If any tax authority successfully challenges our operational structure, or the taxable presence of our operating subsidiaries in certain countries, or if the terms of certain income tax treaties are interpreted in a manner that is adverse
to our structure, or if we lose a material tax dispute in any country, our effective tax rate on our worldwide earnings could increase substantially, and our earnings and cash flows from these operations could be materially adversely affected.
Our subsidiaries may be subject to taxation in the jurisdictions in which its activities are conducted. The amount of any such taxation may be material and would reduce the amounts
available for distribution to shareholders.
Investors are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences of the ownership of the common shares arising in an investor's particular
situation under U.S. federal, state, local or foreign law.
We are dependent on our management and their ability to hire and retain key personnel, in particular our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer, Petros Panagiotidis.
Our success will depend upon our and our management's ability to hire and retain key members of our management team, including Petros Panagiotidis. The loss of Mr. Panagiotidis
could adversely affect our business prospects and financial condition.
Difficulty in hiring and retaining personnel could adversely affect our results of operations. We do not maintain "key man" life insurance on any of our officers.
Risks Relating to this Offering and the Ownership of our Common Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants
We have a continuing ATM program in effect, under which we may sell up to $10.0 million of our common shares.
Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Equity Distribution Agreement, as defined below, and in our Convertible Debentures, as defined below, and subject to restrictions placed on us in
connection with this offering and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver placement notices to Maxim as our exclusive sales agent at any time throughout the minimum 12-month term of the Equity Distribution Agreement, which
started on June 28, 2019 and may be terminated by either party at any time. The number of shares that are sold by Maxim after delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on the market price of the common shares during the sales period and
limits we set with Maxim. Although we are initially eligible to sell common shares with an initial aggregate sales price of up to $10.0 million, should we be eligible and desire to offer additional common shares pursuant to the Equity Distribution
Agreement with Maxim, we will file an additional prospectus supplement to register such additional common shares and the related preferred shares purchase rights. Therefore, investors will have no advance insight into the number of shares we are
actually offering under the Equity Distribution Agreement. As of the date of this prospectus, we have sold 618,112 common shares having an approximate gross value of $2.6 million pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement.
30
A substantial number of our common shares has been issued and may be further issued pursuant to the terms of the Convertible Debentures, which could cause the
price of our common shares to decline.
Our outstanding Convertible Debenture, as defined below, is currently convertible into our common shares at a minimum conversion price of $0.60 per share, which is an adjustable
floor price of the Convertible Debenture, or the Floor Price. As of June 3, 2020, the holder of the Convertible Debentures has $0.9 million worth of the Convertible Debentures outstanding, representing 1,500,000 shares on an as converted basis,
assuming the Floor Price is applied, or approximately 15.2% of our outstanding common shares (without taking into account the limitations on the conversion of the Convertible Debentures as described in the debenture filed as an exhibit to our
Annual Report).
The conversion price that is used to determine the number of common shares issued to holders of the Convertible Debentures upon conversion is subject to anti-dilution adjustments
and adjustments upon the trading price of our common shares. Specifically, each one of the Convertible Debentures was or is convertible into the number of our common shares equal to the quotient of the portion of the principal plus any accrued and
unpaid interest divided by the lesser of the following two prices: (i) $2.25, which may be adjusted pursuant to the terms of the debenture, and (ii) 90% of the lowest daily volume weighted average price, or VWAP, of the Company's common shares over
the 10 consecutive trading days expiring on the trading day immediately prior to the date of delivery of a conversion notice, but in no event will the conversion price be less than the Floor Price. Under certain circumstances, these adjustments may
result in our issuing a large number of common shares upon conversion of the Convertible Debentures which in turn could significantly depress the trading price of our common shares and significantly dilute existing shareholders.
The outstanding Convertible Debenture will likely be converted only at times when it is economically beneficially for the holder to do so, and we may pay interest in common shares.
As described above, conversions may be made at holder's election only at the lower of a fixed conversion price of $2.25, which may be adjusted, or a price per share that is at a discount to the then current market price. The issuance of these
shares will dilute our other common equity holders, which could cause the price of our common shares to decline.
Furthermore, the number of common shares to be issued may be substantially greater, if the interest on the outstanding Convertible Debenture is paid in our common shares. In such
case, the number of shares issued will be determined based on the then current market price. We cannot predict the market price of our common shares at any future date, and therefore, we are unable to accurately forecast or predict the total amount
of shares that ultimately may be issued on conversion of the principal and interest on the outstanding Convertible Debenture.
We issued 918,112 and 6,540,930 common shares during 2019 and 2020, respectively, through various
transactions. Shareholders may experience significant dilution as a result of our offerings.
We have already issued and sold large quantities of our common shares pursuant to previous public and private offerings and/ or placements of our equity and convertible debt
securities. We currently have an effective registration statement on Form F-3 (333-232052), for the sale of up to $100.0 million worth of securities, of which $2.6 million worth of shares have been sold. We also have $0.9 million of Convertible
Debentures, as defined below, outstanding, which are convertible into approximately 1,500,000 common shares as of June 3, 2020, assuming the Floor Price is applied. We also have an effective registration statement for the resale of up to 15.0
million common shares underlying the Convertible Debentures on Form F-3 (333-236331).
Purchasers of the common shares we sell, as well as our existing shareholders, will experience significant dilution if we sell shares at prices significantly below the price at
which they invested. In addition, we may issue additional common shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank in the future in connection with, among other things, future vessel acquisitions, payment of dividends or working capital,
without shareholder approval, in a number of circumstances. Our existing shareholders may experience significant dilution if we issue shares in the future at prices below the price at which previous shareholders invested.
Our issuance of additional common shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank would have the following effects:
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our existing shareholders' proportionate ownership interest in us will decrease;
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the amount of cash payable per common share for dividends, if any, may decrease;
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the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding common share may be diminished; and
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the market price of our common shares may decline.
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Future issuances or sales, or the potential for future issuances or sales, of our common shares may
cause the trading price of our securities to decline and could impair our ability to raise capital through subsequent equity offerings.
We have issued a significant number of our common shares and we may do so in the future. Shares to be issued in future equity offerings could cause the market price of our common
shares to decline, and could have an adverse effect on our earnings per share. In addition, future sales of our common shares or other securities in the public markets, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of
our common shares to decline, and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional securities.
The market price of our common shares could decline due to sales, or the announcements of proposed sales, of a large number of common shares in the market, including sales of common
shares by our large shareholders, or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales or the perception that these sales could occur could also depress the market price of our common shares and impair our ability to raise capital through
the sale of additional equity securities or make it more difficult or impossible for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of common shares or other
equity-related securities would have on the market price of our common shares.
Our Articles of Incorporation authorizes our Board to, among other things, issue additional shares of common or preferred shares or securities convertible or exchangeable into
equity securities, without shareholder approval. We may issue such additional equity or convertible securities to raise additional capital. The issuance of any additional shares of common or preferred shares or convertible securities could be
substantially dilutive to our shareholders. Moreover, to the extent that we issue restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, options or warrants to purchase our common shares in the future and those stock appreciation rights, options or
warrants are exercised or as the restricted stock units vest, our shareholders may experience further dilution. Holders of shares of our common shares have no preemptive rights that entitle such holders to purchase their pro rata share of any
offering of shares of any class or series and, therefore, such sales or offerings could result in increased dilution to our shareholders.
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate and case law.
We are organized in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate or case law, and as a result, shareholders may have fewer rights and
protections under Marshall Islands law than under a typical jurisdiction in the United States. Our corporate affairs are governed by our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or the BCA. The
provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. However, there have been few judicial cases in the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of
directors under the laws of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in the United States. The rights of shareholders of
companies incorporated in the Marshall Islands may differ from the rights of shareholders of companies incorporated in the United States. While the BCA provides that it is to be interpreted according to the laws of the State of Delaware and other
states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the BCA in the Marshall Islands and we can't predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as U.S. courts.
Thus, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a United States jurisdiction which has
developed a relatively more substantial body of case law.
It may be difficult to serve legal process or enforce judgments against us, our directors or our management as we are incorporated in the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, and all of our officers and directors are non-U.S. residents.
We are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Our principal executive
office is located in the Republic of Cyprus. In addition, all of our directors and officers are non-residents of the United States, and substantially all of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or
impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States if you believe that your rights have been infringed under securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this
kind, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and of other jurisdictions may prevent or restrict you from enforcing a judgment against our assets or our directors and officers. Although you may bring an original action against us or our
affiliates in the courts of the Marshall Islands, and the courts of the Marshall Islands may impose civil liability, including monetary damages, against us or our affiliates for a cause of action arising under Marshall Islands law, it may be
impracticable for you to do so. See "Enforcement of Civil Liabilities and Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities".
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Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents and in our stockholder rights plan could have the effect of discouraging, delaying
or preventing a merger or acquisition, or could make it difficult for our shareholders to replace or remove our current Board, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
Several provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it difficult for our shareholders to change the composition of our Board in any one year, preventing them
from changing the composition of management. In addition, the same provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that shareholders may consider favorable. These provisions include:
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authorizing our Board to issue "blank check" preferred shares without stockholder approval;
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providing for a classified Board with staggered, three-year terms;
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establishing certain advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board or for proposing matters that can be acted on by shareholders at stockholder meetings;
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prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;
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limiting the persons who may call special meetings of shareholders; and
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establishing supermajority voting provisions with respect to amendments to certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
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In addition, the stockholder rights plan adopted by our Board of Directors and the issuance of our Series A Preferred Shares to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer makes it
harder for a person to acquire a controlling interest in our voting securities. See "Description of Capital Stock".
These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public shareholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a result, may adversely affect the market
price of our common shares and your ability to realize any potential change of control premium.
Our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, who may be deemed to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of
our Series B Preferred Shares, has control over us.
Our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Petros Panagiotidis, may be deemed to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, all of the 12,000 outstanding
shares of our Series B Preferred Shares. The shares of Series B Preferred Shares each carry 100,000 votes. By its ownership of 100% of our Series B Preferred Shares, Mr. Panagiotidis has control over our actions. The interests of Mr. Panagiotidis
may be different from your interests.
We are an "emerging growth company," and we cannot be certain if the reduced requirements applicable to emerging growth companies make our
securities less attractive to investors.
We are an "emerging growth company," as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the "JOBS Act"). As an emerging growth company, we are not required to comply
with, among other things, the auditor attestation requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Investors may find our securities less attractive because we rely on this provision. If investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may
be a less active trading market for our securities and prices of the securities may be more volatile.
U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a "passive foreign investment company," which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences
to U.S. shareholders.
A foreign corporation will be treated as a "passive foreign investment company," or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any
taxable year consists of certain types of "passive income" or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation's assets produce or are held for the production of those types of "passive income". For purposes of these tests, "passive income"
includes dividends, interest, and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business.
For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute "passive income," whereas rental income would generally constitute "passive income" to the extent not attributable to the active conduct of a trade or
business. U.S. shareholders of a PFIC (and holders of warrants in PFICs) are subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if
any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC.
33
We do not believe that we will be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year. However, our status as a PFIC is determined on an annual basis and will depend upon the operations of our
vessels and our other activities during each taxable year. In this regard, we intend to treat the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our spot chartering and time chartering activities as services income, rather than rental income.
Accordingly, we believe that our income from our time chartering activities does not constitute "passive income," and the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of that income do not constitute passive assets.
There is, however, no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our method of operation. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service,
or IRS, or a court of law will accept our position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any taxable year we become unable
to acquire vessels in a timely fashion or if there were to be changes in the nature and extent of our operations.
If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our U.S. shareholders and warrant holders would face adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and
information reporting obligations. Under the PFIC rules, unless those shareholders made an election available under the Internal Revenue Code (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders, as discussed under
"Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences" of our Annual Report), such shareholders would be liable to pay U.S. federal income tax upon excess distributions and upon
any gain from the disposition of our common shares at the then prevailing income tax rates applicable to ordinary income plus interest as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder's holding period of our
common shares. Similar rules would apply to holders of our pre-funded warrants. Please see the section of our Annual Report entitled "Item 10E. Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules" for a more
comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders if we are treated as a PFIC.
The United States federal income taxation of the pre-funded warrants is uncertain.
We and holders of our pre-funded warrants may have to take positions that are not yet settled under current U.S. federal income tax law with respect to the pre-funded warrants. In particular, the precise application of
the Code section 883 exemption and the PFIC rules to the pre-funded warrants is unclear. The IRS may disagree with the positions taken by the Company, which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for us and our shareholders,
including holders of the pre-funded warrants. Prospective investors are urged to consult their personal income tax advisers in this regard.
We may have to pay tax on U.S. source income, which would reduce our earnings and cash flow.
Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, the United States source gross transportation income of a ship-owning or chartering corporation, such as ourselves, generally is
subject to a 4% United States federal income tax, unless such corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under a tax treaty or Section 883 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. U.S. source gross transportation income
consists of 50% of the gross shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States.
We believe we qualified for this statutory tax exemption for our taxable year ended December 31, 2019, and we intend to take this position for United States federal income tax reporting purposes. We
expect to qualify for this statutory tax exemption for the current taxable year. However, there are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption in the current and future taxable years and
thereby become subject to the 4% United States federal income tax described above. If certain shareholders that own 5% or more of our common shares (and possibly pre-funded warrants) in the aggregate own more than 50% of our common shares, then we
may not be able to qualify for this statutory tax exemption. The imposition of this taxation could have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased earnings and cash available for distribution payments to our shareholders.
34
We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may use the net proceeds in ways with which you disagree.
Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the
value of our securities. You will be relying on the judgment of our management with regard to the use of these net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the net proceeds are being used
appropriately. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause the price of our securities to decline. Pending the application of these
funds, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.
The pre-funded warrants are speculative in nature.
The pre-funded warrants offered hereby do not confer any rights of common share ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the
right to acquire common shares at a fixed price. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of the pre-funded warrants may acquire the common shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants at an exercise price of $0.01 per common
share. Moreover, following this offering, the market value of the pre-funded warrants is uncertain and there can be no assurance that the market value of the pre-funded warrants will equal or exceed their public offering price.
There is no public market for the pre-funded warrants being offered in this offering and we do not expect one to develop.
There is presently no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants being offered in this offering and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to
list the pre-funded warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system, including the NASDAQ. Without an active market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.
Purchasers of our pre-funded warrants will not have any rights of common shareholders until such pre-funded warrants are exercised.
The pre-funded warrants being offered do not confer any rights of common share ownership on their holders, such as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather merely represent the
right to acquire common shares at a fixed price.
35
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $ million, and approximately $ million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional securities,
after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by us.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by this prospectus for capital expenditures, working capital, to make vessel or other
asset acquisitions or for other general corporate purposes, or a combination thereof, however we have not currently identified any potential vessel or vessels that we intend to acquire. None of the proceeds from this offering will be used
to repay related party debt.
36
DIVIDEND POLICY
Under our Bylaws, our Board may declare and pay dividends in cash, stock or other property of the Company. Any dividends declared will be in the sole discretion of the Board and will depend upon
earnings, restrictions in any of our agreements, market prospects, current capital expenditure programs and investment opportunities, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of distributions to shareholders and other factors.
Any dividends paid by us may be treated as ordinary income to a U.S. shareholder. Please see the section entitled "Tax Considerations—United States Federal Income Tax Consequences—United States
Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders" for additional information relating to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of our dividend payments, if any are declared in the future.
In addition, we may incur expenses or liabilities, including extraordinary expenses, decreases in revenues, including as a result of unanticipated off-hire days or loss of a vessel, or increased cash
needs that could reduce or eliminate the amount of cash that we have available for distribution as dividends. The dry bulk charter market is cyclical and volatile. We cannot predict with accuracy the amount of cash flows our operations will generate
in any given period. Factors beyond our control may affect the charter market for our vessels and our charterer's ability to satisfy their contractual obligations to us, and we cannot assure you that dividends will actually be declared or paid in the
future. We are a recently formed company and have a limited performance record and operating history. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that we will be able to pay dividends at all, and our ability to pay dividends will be subject to the limitations
set forth above and in the section of our Annual Report titled "Risk Factors".
Dividends on our Series A Preferred Shares accrue and are cumulative starting on January 1, 2022 and are payable on each June 15 and December 15, when, as and if declared by our Board or any
authorized committee thereof out of legally available funds for such purpose. The dividend rate for our Series A Preferred Shares is 9.75% per annum per share. Please see the section in our Annual Report titled "Item 10. Memorandum and Articles of
Association – Description of Series A Preferred Shares" for a description of the dividend terms of the Series A Preferred Shares.
Marshall Islands law provides that we may pay dividends on and redeem any shares of capital stock, including the Series A Preferred Shares, only to the extent that assets are legally available for
such purposes. Legally available assets generally are limited to our surplus, which essentially represents our retained earnings and the excess of consideration received by us for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares. In addition,
under Marshall Islands law, we may not pay dividends on or redeem any shares of capital stock, including the Series A Preferred Shares, if we are insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend or the making of such
redemption.
We have not paid any dividends to our shareholders as of the date of this prospectus.
37
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of December 31, 2019:
| • |
on an actual basis;
|
| • |
on an as adjusted basis, to give effect to events that have occurred between January 1, 2020 and June 3, 2020:
|
| o |
the drawdown of $4.5 million under the Chailease Financial Services Facility on January 31, 2019, net of deferred issuance costs and other expenses of approximately $0.1 million;
|
| o |
the incurrence of $5.0 million of debt in connection with the Convertible Debentures, net of debt discount related to a beneficial conversion feature and deferred
issuance costs and expenses of approximately $1.0 million;
|
| o |
scheduled principal repayments under the Alpha Bank Facility and the Chailease Financial Services Facility of approximately $1.0 million; and
|
| o |
the conversion $4.1 million of principal and $0.1 million of interest under the Convertible Debentures through the issuance of 6,540,930 common shares.
|
| • |
on an as further adjusted basis to give effect to the sale of common shares and pre-funded warrants in this offering, assuming we sell all securities offered in this prospectus as common shares, net of estimated fees and expenses of
approximately $ million.
|
There have been no significant adjustments to our capitalization since December 31, 2019, other than the adjustments described above. The historical data in the table is derived from, and should be
read in conjunction with, our historical financial statements included in this prospectus. You should also read this table in conjunction with the information in the section entitled "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" included in
our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 in our Report on Form 20-F, filed with the Commission on March 31, 2020 and is incorporated by reference herein.
|
(All figures in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for share amounts)
|
Actual
(audited) |
As Adjusted
(unaudited)(1) |
As Further
Adjusted (unaudited)(1) |
|||||||||
|
Debt:
|
||||||||||||
|
Long-term debt (including current portion) - Unsecured
|
$
|
5,000,000
|
$
|
4,886,439
|
$
|
|||||||
|
Long-term debt (including current portion) - Secured
|
10,757,060
|
14,167,903
|
||||||||||
|
Total debt
|
$
|
15,757,060
|
$
|
19,054,342
|
$
|
|||||||
|
Shareholders' equity:
|
||||||||||||
|
Common shares, $0.001 par value; 1,950,000,000 shares authorized; 3,318,112 shares issued and outstanding on an actual basis; 9,859,042 shares issued and outstanding on an as adjusted basis and shares
issued and outstanding on an as further adjusted basis
|
$
|
3,318
|
$
|
9,859
|
$
|
|||||||
|
Series B Preferred Shares; 12,000 shares issued and outstanding on an actual, as adjusted and as further adjusted basis
|
12
|
12
|
||||||||||
|
Series A Preferred Shares, $0.001 par value; 9.75% cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred shares (liquidation preference of $30 per share), 480,000 shares issued and outstanding on an actual, as adjusted and
as further adjusted basis
|
480
|
480
|
||||||||||
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
12,763,403
|
17,446,381
|
||||||||||
|
Retained Earnings
|
436,798
|
379,716
|
||||||||||
|
Total Shareholders' Equity
|
$
|
13,204,011
|
$
|
17,836,448
|
$
|
|||||||
|
Total Capitalization
|
$
|
28,961,071
|
$
|
36,890,790
|
$
|
|||||||
(1) Does not take into account between January 1, 2020 and June 3, 2020 the effect of
(i) the amortization of deferred finance fees incurred in connection with our debt securities existing as of December 31, 2019 as well as those entered into subsequent to that date and as of June 3, 2020, and (ii) the amortization of a beneficial
conversion feature recognized in connection with the Convertible Debentures.
* Except as otherwise noted, all information in this prospectus reflects and assumes (i) no sale of pre-funded warrants in this offering, which, if sold, would reduce the number of common shares that we are offering on a one-for-one basis, and
(ii) no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.
38
BUSINESS
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements
as a result of many factors. See the sections entitled "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors".
Overview
We are a growth-oriented global shipping company that was incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on September 11, 2017 for the purpose of acquiring, owning, chartering and operating
drybulk vessels. Currently, we are a provider of worldwide seaborne transportation services for drybulk cargo, including, among others, iron ore, coal and grain, collectively referred to as "major bulks," and steel products, fertilizers, cement,
bauxite, sugar and scrap metal, collectively referred to as "minor bulks". As of the date of this prospectus, we own three Panamax vessels, which we collectively refer to as our Fleet.
Our Business Strategy
We currently operate a fleet of three Panamax dry bulk vessels. We intend to continue to review the market in order to identify potential
acquisition targets which will be accretive to our earnings per share. Our acquisition strategy focuses on newbuilding or secondhand Panamax dry bulk vessels, although we may acquire dry bulk vessels of other types and/or vessels in other sectors
which we believe offer attractive investment opportunities. Our business strategy is centered on managing our fleet in accordance with world-class standards to produce strong cash flows and to further expand our fleet to build our position as a
reliable provider of international seaborne transportation services.
Our Fleet
As of the date of this prospectus, we operate a fleet of three dry bulk carriers with an average age of 16.6 years, which we refer to as our Fleet. Our commercial strategy primarily focuses on
deploying our Fleet under a mix of period time charters and spot charters according to our assessment of market conditions, adjusting the mix of these charters to take advantage of the relatively stable cash flows and high utilization rates
associated with period time charters or to profit from attractive spot charter rates during periods of strong charter market conditions.
The following table summarizes key information about our Fleet as of the date of this prospectus:
|
Vessel Name
|
Year Built
|
Capacity
(dwt) |
Type of
Charter |
Delivered to
Castor |
Earliest Charter Expiration
|
Latest Charter Expiration
|
|
Magic P
|
2004
|
76,453
|
Time charter trip
|
February 2017
|
June 2020
|
June 2020 (1)
|
|
Magic Sun
|
2001
|
75,311
|
Time charter trip
|
September 2019
|
June 2020
|
June 2020(2)
|
|
Magic Moon
|
2005
|
76,602
|
Time charter
|
October 2019
|
June 2020
|
September 2020(3)
|
|
(1)
|
On March 22, 2020, the Magic P commenced a new time charter agreement with Comerge Shipping Shipping Co.
Limited at a gross daily hire rate of $7,000. The charter agreement has an expected term of 90-105 days.
|
|
(2)
|
On May 8, 2020, the Magic Sun commenced a new time charter agreement for a trip of approximately 25 days at a gross daily hire rate of $4,500. On May 20, 2020, we reached an agreement with the respective charterer pursuant to which, upon completion of the
current charter trip, the charter period will be further extended for an additional trip of an approximate duration of 25 days at a daily hire rate of $5,500.
|
|
(3)
|
On November 12, 2019, the Magic Moon commenced employment under a time charter with United Bulk Carriers International S.R.L. at a gross daily charter rate of $13,000. This charter has a minimum
term of eight (8) months and may be extended up to a maximum term of ten (10) months (plus or minus fifteen days).
|
39
Management of our Business
Experienced management. Our management, including personnel employed by Pavimar S.A., or Pavimar, or
our Manager, have a long track record in the industry, both as seafarers and onshore personnel. The majority of our Manager’s technical department personnel has served on board vessels in various positions and are very familiar with technical
aspects as well as life at sea. Our senior management and Board consist of seasoned professionals that have served in various aspects of the shipping industry as well as other industries such as banking and trading.
Cost-competitive and efficient operations. Our Manager provides the technical and
commercial management of our Fleet and we expect it will provide the same services for any other vessels we may acquire in the future. We believe that our Manager, through comprehensive preventive maintenance programs and by retaining and training
qualified crew members, is and will continue to be able to manage our vessels efficiently, safely and at a competitive cost.
Our vessels are managed by Pavimar, a company controlled by Ismini Panagiotidis, the sister of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Petros Panagiotidis. Under the
management agreements with our ship-owning subsidiaries, Pavimar provides us with a wide range of shipping services such as crew management, technical management, operational employment management, insurance arrangements, provisioning, bunkering,
accounting services and audit support in exchange for a fixed daily fee, for a period beginning upon a vessel's delivery and until the termination of the agreement. On November 13, 2017, it was agreed that the daily fixed fee of the sole vessel
in our fleet at that time, this of the Magic P, was increased from $250 to $320 and such fee remained at this level until December 31, 2019. On January 1, 2020, the Company's subsidiary owning the Magic P, entered into an amendment to its existing management agreement with Pavimar, pursuant to which, effective as of that date, the daily fee of the subject vessel was increased from $320 per day to a $500
per day, and was thus aligned with the charged daily fee of the remaining fleet.
Our Fleet Development
Focus on Panamax Vessels. Our fleet currently consists of three Panamax dry bulk vessels. We expect our current focus on a single type of vessel within the dry bulk space to result in
superior operational efficiency and commercial performance in this market. In addition, we believe that our current focus on the Panamax asset class provides the most favorable risk reward balance for future returns. However, in the future we may
acquire dry bulk vessels of other types and/or vessels in other sectors which we believe offer attractive investment opportunities.
Expand Our Fleet Through Opportunistic Acquisitions and Disposals. We
currently view the Panamax vessel class as providing the most attractive risk adjusted long-term returns in the dry bulk space given existing vessel price levels. In evaluating acquisitions, we consider and analyze, among other things, our
expectation of fundamental developments in the dry bulk shipping industry sector, the level of liquidity in the resale and charter market, the vessel condition and technical specifications, the expected remaining useful life, as well as the
overall strategic positioning of our fleet and customers. For vessels acquired with charters attached, we also consider the credit quality of the charterer and the duration and terms of the contracts in place. Based on our Manager’s successful
track record, commercial expertise and reputation in the marketplace, we believe that we are well-positioned to source off-market opportunities to acquire secondhand vessels. As a result, our Company may be able to acquire vessels on more
favorable terms than what would be obtained without access to such opportunities.
Act Opportunistically. When appropriate, we intend to act
opportunistically and take advantage of attractive market opportunities even if not in line with our principal growth strategy. We may also invest in assets that are outside our principal growth strategy, but are in line with our historical
experience and expertise, if we are presented with investment opportunities that we consider attractive.
In September 2017, we entered into an all-share exchange transaction pursuant to which we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Spetses Shipping Co., or Spetses, a Marshall
Islands corporation that owns a 76,453 dwt dry bulk carrier, the Magic P. The Magic P, which was acquired from an unrelated third-party charter free, was delivered
to Spetses on February 21, 2017 and commenced operations on February 22, 2017.
On July 25, 2019, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into an agreement to purchase a 2001 Korean built Panamax dry bulk carrier, or the Magic
Sun, from an unaffiliated third party for a purchase price of $6.7 million. The Magic Sun was delivered to us on September 5, 2019. The acquisition of the Magic Sun
was financed with both cash on hand and the proceeds from a $5.0 million unsecured term loan agreement entered into between the Company and an entity controlled by Petros Panagiotidis, as further described under "Item 5 – Operating and Financial
Review and Prospects – B. Liquidity and Capital Resources – Our Borrowing Activities" in our Annual Report.
On October 14, 2019, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into an agreement to purchase a 2005 Japan built Panamax dry bulk carrier, or the Magic
Moon, from a third party in which a family member of Petros Panagiotidis has an interest, for a purchase price of $10.2 million. The Magic Moon was delivered to us on October 20, 2019. The
acquisition of the Magic Moon was financed with a combination of cash on hand, the net cash proceeds from sales under our ATM Program and the proceeds from a $7.5 million interest free unsecured bridge loan,
which was provided to the Company by an entity controlled by Petros Panagiotidis, as further described under "Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – B. Liquidity and Capital Resources – Our Borrowing Activities" in our Annual Report.
Employment of our Fleet
Strong relationship with charterers. Throughout
the years, we operate by leveraging our Manager’s extensive network of relationships with reputable charterers comprising international commodities’ trading companies, utilities companies and large-scale operators, we have developed positive
relationships with many international charterers and have enjoyed repeat business and chartering of our vessels to them. We believe this repeat business highlights the confidence our repeat customers have for our operations and the satisfaction
of the services we provide. We have built our relationships over the years and have provided our services to many international companies such as Oldendorff Carriers GMBH & CO KG, Mitsui O.S.K Line, United Bulk Carriers International S.R.L.
and others. Since our vessels operate on all seas, at safe ports and carry all legal dry bulk cargoes as per the relevant codes and safety standards, we believe these factors also help solidify our relationship with charterers.
Balanced employment. We actively market our vessels in both the short and medium-term charter market in order to secure what we believe is the most profitable employment for our vessels during the charter period in the dry bulk shipping
market. To achieve this objective, we seek to employ our vessels on short-term charters when we believe the rate environment is strengthening, while aiming to secure longer term charters when rates are at more robust levels. As we expect to
expand our fleet, we will also seek to stagger our maturity of our longer-term charters.
The below sets out the current employment information for our Fleet.
On October 26, 2019, we employed the Magic P for a charter trip with Hudson Shipping Lines Inc. at a daily charter hire rate of $12,500, which was terminated
on January 23, 2020. On February 14, 2020, the Magic P commenced its scheduled dry-docking and special survey which was completed on March 21, 2020. On March 22, 2020, the Magic
P commenced a new charter with Comerge Shipping Shipping Co. Limited at a gross daily hire rate of $7,000. The charter agreement has an expected term of 90 to 105 days.
On October 28, 2019, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a time charter agreement with United Bulk Carriers International S.R.L. for the employment of the Magic Moon. The gross daily charter rate under this agreement is $13,000 (a gross ballast bonus compensation of $550,000 was also received by the Company in connection with this charter). The charter commenced on
November 12, 2019 and has a minimum term of eight months, which may be extended up to a maximum term of ten months (plus or minus fifteen days).
On May 8, 2020, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a time charter agreement with Richland Bulk Pte. Ltd. for the employment of the
Magic Sun under a trip of approximately 25 days. The daily hire rate under this charter agreement is $4,500. On May 20, 2020, we reached an
agreement with the respective charterer pursuant to which, upon completion of the current charter trip, the charter period will be further extended for an additional trip of an approximate duration of 25 days at a daily hire rate of $5,500.
40
Our Borrowing Activities
As of the date of this prospectus, we are party to two senior secured credit facilities with commercial lenders with an aggregate outstanding balance of $14.6 million and one unsecured term loan
facility with an entity affiliated with Petros Panagiotidis with an outstanding balance of $5.0 million. We also have one Convertible Debenture with YAII PN, LTD with an aggregate outstanding balance of $0.9 million as of June 3, 2020.
For more information regarding our current loan facilities, please see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Our Borrowing Activities" in our Annual
Report.
History and Development of the Company
Listing and Markets
On December 21, 2018, our common shares were registered for trading on the NOTC with the ticker symbol "CASTOR". In February 2019, we received the approval for listing our common shares on the
NASDAQ. Our common shares commenced trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol "CTRM" on February 11, 2019. As a result of our listing on the NASDAQ, our common shares are traded on both the NOTC and the NASDAQ. All of our issued and outstanding common
shares are identified by CUSIP number Y1146L109.
Change in Fiscal Year End
On September 27, 2019, our Board approved a change in our fiscal year end from September 30 to December 31. This change was made to better align our reporting calendar with other NASDAQ-listed
companies and our industry peers. This change in our fiscal year end resulted in a three-month transition period from October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. On December 16, 2019, we filed an audited transition report on Form 20-F with the Securities
and Exchange Commission for the period from October 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.
Equity transactions
| • |
ATM Program
|
On June 28, 2019, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with Maxim acting as sales agent under which we may offer and sell an aggregate up to $10,000,000 of our common shares over a
minimum period of 12 months. As of March 31, 2020, we received net proceeds under the ATM Program amounting to $2,319,701 by issuing and selling 618,112 common shares.
| • |
Amended and Restated Statement of Designations of our Series A Preferred Shares
|
On October 10, 2019, we entered into the Series A Agreement. Pursuant to the Series A Agreement, on October 17, 2019, we issued 300,000 common shares to the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares
in exchange for the waiver of approximately $4.3 million worth of dividends accumulated on the Series A Preferred Shares, for the period since their original issuance up to and including June 30, 2019.
The Series A Preferred Shareholders further agreed to waive all dividend obligations on the Series A Preferred Shares during the period from July 1, 2019 until December 31, 2021. We, along with the
Series A Preferred Shareholders, also agreed to a fixed default dividend payment rate, which replaces and reduces the previous increasing default dividend payment rate, an increase in the redemption price of the Series A Preferred Shares to $30 from
$25 per share if the Company completes an optional cash redemption and an increase in the liquidation preference from $25 to $30 per Series A Preferred Share.
As a result of the Series A Agreement, there is no longer a dividend priority restriction for the holders of common shares and the Amended and Restated Statement of Designations of the Series A
Preferred Shares does not impose any such restriction during the period from July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.
41
| • |
Convertible Debentures
|
On January 27, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with the Investor pursuant to which we agreed to sell and the Investor agreed to purchase up to three
Convertible Debentures for a maximum aggregate price of $5.0 million, further discussed in our Annual Report under Item 5.B - Our Borrowing Activities. As of June 3, 2020, the Investor had converted $4.1 million of principal and $0.1 million of
interest of the Convertible Debentures for 6,540,930 common shares.
As of June 3, 2020, we had outstanding 9,859,042 common shares, 480,000 Series A Preferred Shares and 12,000 Series B Preferred Shares. As of the same date, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer beneficially owned approximately 11.4% of the issued and outstanding common equity interests in the Company and 100% of the issued and outstanding Series B Preferred Shares. Our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer does not own any Series A Preferred Shares. Each Series B Preferred Share has the voting power of 100,000 common shares and, by virtue of the voting power granted by the Series B Preferred Shares, our Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer currently retains control over the Company.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on September 11, 2017. Our registered office in the Marshall Islands is located at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road,
Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960. Our registered agent in the Republic of the Marshall Islands at such address is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc. Our principal executive office is located at 223 Christodoulou
Chatzipavlou Street, Hawaii Royal Gardens, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus. Our principal executive office telephone number is + 357 25 357 767. Our corporate website address is www.castormaritime.com. The information contained on our website does not
constitute part of this prospectus. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information that we file electronically at www.sec.gov.
Organizational Structure
Castor Maritime Inc. is currently the ultimate parent company of the following wholly-owned subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly:
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SubsidiaryName
|
Jurisdiction of Incorporation
|
|
|
Spetses Shipping Co.
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Republic of the Marshall Islands
|
|
|
Bistro Maritime Co.
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Republic of the Marshall Islands
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|
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Pikachu Shipping Co.
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Republic of the Marshall Islands
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42
MANAGEMENT
Directors and Senior Management
Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our current directors and executive officer. Our Board currently consists of three directors and is elected annually on a staggered basis, and
each director elected holds office for a three-year term. The business address of each of our directors and executive officer listed below is Castor Maritime Inc., 223 Christodoulou Chatzipavlou Street, Hawaii Royal Gardens, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus.
|
Name
|
Age
|
Position
|
|||
|
Petros Panagiotidis
|
30
|
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Treasurer and Class C Director
|
|||
|
Dionysios Makris
|
39
|
Secretary and Class B Director
|
|||
|
Georgios Daskalakis
|
30
|
Class A Director
|
|||
Certain biographical information with respect to each director and senior management of the Company listed above is set forth below.
Petros Panagiotidis, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Treasurer and Class C Director
Petros Panagiotidis is the founder of Castor Maritime Inc. He has served as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer since our inception in September 2017. Mr. Panagiotidis has
been involved in shipping and investment banking for more than 5 years, during which he has held various positions in finance, operations and management. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Fordham University in International Studies and
Mathematics and earned a Master of Science degree from New York University on Management and Systems with a concentration on Risk Management.
Dionysios Makris, Secretary and Class B Director
Dionysios Makris has been a non-executive member and Secretary of our Board since the company's formation in September 2017. He is a lawyer and has been a member of the Athens Bar Association since
September 2005. He is currently based in Piraeus, Greece and is licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court of Greece. He practices mainly shipping and commercial law and is involved in both litigation and transactional practice. He holds a
Bachelor of Laws degree from the Law School of the University of Athens, Greece and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom.
Georgios Daskalakis, Class A Director
Georgios Daskalakis has been a non-executive member of our Board since our establishment in September 2017. He has invested all of his professional life in the shipping industry and held various
positions for different companies. From May 2013 to January 2015, he was an insurance officer at Minerva Marine Inc. From January 2015 to March 2017, he served as a tanker operator at Trafigura Maritime Logistics PTE Ltd. He is currently a
Commercial officer employed at M/Maritime Corp. in Athens, Greece, whilst also holding the company's freight risk management portfolio. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Babson College with a concentration on Economics and Finance as well as a
Master of Science degree in Shipping, Trade and Finance from the Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade and Finance, Cass Business School, City University of London.
No family relationships exist among any of the directors and our executive officer.
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Board Practices
Our Board currently consists of three directors and is elected annually on a staggered basis. Each director elected holds office for a three-year term or until his successor is duly elected and
qualified, except in the event of his death, resignation, removal or the earlier termination of his term of office. Our Class B director was elected at the annual general meeting held in 2019. The initial term of office of our Class C director
expires at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2020, and the term of office our Class A director expires at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2021. Officers are appointed from time to time by our Board and hold office
until a successor is appointed. Our directors do not have service contracts and do not receive any benefits upon termination of their directorships.
Our audit committee is comprised of our independent directors, Mr. Dionysios Makris and Mr. Georgios Daskalakis. Our Board has determined that the members of the audit committee meet the applicable
independence requirements of the Commission and the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. Our Board has determined that Mr. Georgios Daskalakis is an "Audit Committee Financial Expert" under the Commission's rules and the corporate governance rules of the
NASDAQ Stock Market. The audit committee is responsible for our external financial reporting function as well as for selecting and meeting with our independent registered public accountants regarding, among other matters, audits and the adequacy of
our accounting and control systems. Our audit committee is also responsible for reviewing all related party transactions for potential conflicts of interest and all related party transactions are subject to the approval of the audit committee.
Employees
As of the date of this prospectus, Mr. Petros Panagiotidis, holding the positions of Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is our only employee.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation of Directors
The compensation payable to our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the year ended December 31, 2019, the three month transition period ended December 31, 2018 and the
year ended September 30, 2018, amounted to $0.01 million, $0.003 million, and $0.01 million, respectively. We did not pay our non-executive directors any compensation from our inception until the year ended December 31, 2019. Effective January 1,
2020, our non-executive directors receive fees in the aggregate an amount of $20,000 per annum, plus reimbursement for their out-of-pocket expenses. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer who also serves as our director does not
receive additional compensation for his service as director.
45
SHARE OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets out information, of which we are aware as of June 3, 2020, regarding the beneficial ownership of our common shares by (i) the owners of more than five percent of our
outstanding common shares and (ii) our directors and executive officer. The numbers of shares and percentages of beneficial ownership are based on 9,859,042 common shares outstanding on June 3, 2020. All of the shareholders, including the
shareholders listed in this table, are entitled to one vote for each common share held.
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Identity of Person or Group
|
Number
of Shares Owned |
Percent
of Class |
||||||
|
Thalassa (1)
|
1,124,094
|
11.4
|
%
|
|||||
|
All executives, officers and directors as a group (excluding Petros Panagiotidis) (2)
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-
|
-
|
%
|
|||||
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(1)
|
Thalassa, is a company wholly owned and controlled by Petros Panagiotidis, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Thalassa also holds 12,000 Series B Preferred Shares. Each share of Series B Preferred Shares has
the voting power of 100,000 common shares.
|
||
|
(2)
|
The remaining directors and executive officers of the Company are Dionysios Makris and Georgios Daskalakis.
|
46
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
From time to time we have entered into agreements and have consummated transactions with certain related parties. We may enter into related party transactions from time to time in the future.
Ship Management
The ship management of our Fleet is provided by Pavimar, a company controlled by Ismini Panagiotidis, the sister of Petros Panagiotidis. Under the management agreements, Pavimar provides us with a
wide range of shipping services such as crew management, technical management, operational employment management, insurance arrangements, provisioning, bunkering, accounting services, general accounting and audit support, in exchange for a fixed
daily fee which currently stands at $500 per vessel. On November 13, 2017, it was agreed that the daily fixed fee of the sole vessel in our fleet at that time, this of the Magic P, was increased from $250 to
$320 and such fee remained at this level until December 31, 2019. On January 1, 2020, our wholly owned subsidiary owning the Magic P, entered into an amendment to its existing management agreement with
Pavimar, pursuant to which, effective as of that date, the daily fee of the subject vessel was increased from $320 per day to a $500 per day, and was thus aligned with the charged daily fee of the remaining fleet.
Vessel Acquisition
On October 14, 2019, we entered into, through a separate wholly-owned subsidiary, an agreement to purchase a 2005 Japan built Panamax dry bulk carrier, the Magic
Moon, for a purchase price of $10.2 million from a third party in which a family member of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer has an interest.
Loans
$5.0 Million Term Loan Facility
On August 30, 2019, we entered into a $5.0 million unsecured term loan with Thalassa Investment Co. S.A., or Thalassa, an entity affiliated with Petros Panagiotidis, or the $5.0 Million Term Loan
Facility. The proceeds from the $5.0 Million Term Loan Facility were used to partly finance the acquisition of the M/V Magic Sun. The entire loan amount was drawn down on September 3, 2019. The $5.0 Million
Term Loan Facility bears a fixed interest rate at 6.00% per annum and has a bullet repayment on March 3, 2021, a date which is eighteen (18) months after the drawdown date. The $5.0 Million Term Loan Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part at any
time prior to its maturity, at our option. The $5.0 Million Term Loan Facility contains event of default provisions and covenants customary for unsecured facilities of this type, including, but not limited to, failure to pay, bankruptcy and
insolvency, material litigation, change of business, as further set forth in the provisions of the $5.0 Million Term Loan Facility. The $5.0 Million Term Loan Facility is not convertible in equity or any other security of the Company and does not
impose any financial covenant requirements or other minimum liquidity restrictions on the Company.
$7.5 Million Shareholder Bridge Loan
On October 20, 2019, we took delivery of the Magic Moon that was purchased for $10.2 million from a third party in which a family member of Petros
Panagiotidis has an interest. The purchase of the Magic Moon was financed using a combination of cash on hand, the net cash proceeds from sales under our ATM Program received through September 30, 2019 and
the proceeds from a $7.5 million interest free unsecured bridge loan, which was provided to us by an entity controlled by Petros Panagiotidis, or the $7.5 Million Shareholder Bridge Loan. The $7.5 Million Shareholder Bridge Loan, originally maturing
on December 31, 2019, allowed us to timely partly finance the Magic Moon acquisition while in the meantime assessing financing options for our Fleet. Our Board and a special committee consisting of
disinterested and independent members of the Board approved the $7.5 Million Shareholder Bridge Loan. On December 6, 2019, we repaid the $7.5 Million Shareholder Bridge Loan in full by partially using the net proceeds received under the $11.0 Senior
Secured Term Loan Facility.
Commercial Services
During 2019, we occasionally used the commercial services of Alexandria Enterprises S.A., ("Alexandria") an entity controlled by a family member of the Company's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer. In exchange for these services, Alexandria charged the Company a commission rate equal to 1.25% of the gross charter hire, freight and the ballast bonus earned under a charter agreement. During the year ended December 31,
2019, commissions charged by Alexandria amounted to $40,471, whereas, no commissions have been charged by Alexandria during the three month period ended March 31, 2020.
47
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The description of our Articles of Incorporation is incorporated by reference from our registration statement on Form F-4 (Registration No. 333-224242), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
April 11, 2018. Our Articles of Incorporation were filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the F-4 Registration Statement and are hereby incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Purpose
Our purpose is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or BCA. Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws do
not impose any limitations on the ownership rights of our shareholders.
Authorized Capitalization
Under our Articles of Incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 1,950,000,000 common shares, par value $0.001 per share, of
which 9,859,042 common shares are issued and outstanding as of June 3, 2020, and 50,000,000 preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share, of which 480,000 Series A Preferred Shares and 12,000 Series B Preferred Shares are currently issued and
outstanding.
Description of Common Shares
Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to
preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred shares, holders of common shares are entitled to receive ratably all dividends, if any, declared by our Board out of funds legally available for dividends. Upon our dissolution or
liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred shares having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common
shares are entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution. Holders of common shares do not have conversion, redemption or pre-emptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities. The rights, preferences and
privileges of holders of our common shares are subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares, which we have issued in the past or which we may issue in the future.
Share History
On September 22, 2017, we entered into an exchange agreement, or the Exchange Agreement, with Spetses and its shareholders. Under the terms of the Exchange Agreement, we issued 2,400,000 common shares, 480,000 Series A
Preferred Shares and 12,000 Series B Preferred Shares of the Company in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Spetses.
On November 21, 2017, we declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding common share and adopted a stockholder rights plan, as set forth in a Stockholders Rights Agreement dated as of
November 20, 2017, by and between us and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent. For more information, please see "—Stockholders Rights Agreement" herein. In connection with the Stockholders Rights Agreement, we
designated 1,000,000 shares as Series C Participating Preferred Shares, none of which are outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.
On June 28, 2019, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with Maxim, as sales agent, under which we may offer and sell, over a minimum period of 12 months through Maxim, up to $10.0 million of our common
shares. As of December 31, 2019, we had sold 618,112 common shares pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement.
On October 10, 2019, we reached an agreement with all of the holders of our Series A Preferred Shares to waive all due and overdue dividends and to adopt and to Amend and Restate the Statement of Designations of our
Series A Preferred Shares, or the Series A Agreement. Pursuant to the Series A Agreement, on October 17, 2019, we issued 300,000 common shares to the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares in exchange for the waiver of approximately $4.3 million
worth of dividends accumulated on the Series A Preferred Shares, for the period since their original issuance to June 30, 2019.
48
On January 27, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with the Investor pursuant to which we agreed to sell and the
Investor agreed to purchase up to three Convertible Debentures for a maximum aggregate price of $5.0 million, further discussed under Item 5.B - Our Borrowing Activities of our Annual Report. As of June 3, 2020, the Investor had converted $4.1
million of principal and $0.1 million of interest of the Convertible Debentures for 6,540,930 common shares.
Preferred Shares
Our Articles of Incorporation authorize our Board to establish one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the terms and rights of that series, including:
| • |
the designation of the series;
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| • |
the number of shares of the series;
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| • |
the preferences and relative, participating, option or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series; and
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| • |
the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series.
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Description of Series A Preferred Shares
On September 22, 2017, we issued 480,000 shares of Series A Preferred Shares to the shareholders of Spetses, under the Exchange Agreement. On October 10, 2019, we adopted the Amended and Restated Statement of
Designations of the Series A Preferred Shares.
The Series A Preferred Shares entitle the holders thereof to receive cumulative cash dividends when, as and if declared by our Board out of legally available funds for such purpose. Each Series A Preferred Share has a
fixed liquidation preference of $30.00 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for payment, whether or not declared. See "Liquidation Rights" below.
The Series A Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests in us and, unlike indebtedness, do not give rise to a claim for payment of a principal amount at a particular date. As such, the Series A Preferred
Shares rank junior to all of our indebtedness and other liabilities with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us.
Ranking
The Series A Preferred Shares rank, with respect to dividend distributions and distributions upon the liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of our affairs, senior to our common shares, our Series B Preferred Shares
and to each other class or series of capital stock established after the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Shares as to the payment of dividends and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or
involuntary ("Junior Stock").
We may issue additional common shares, additional Series A Preferred Shares and Junior Stock. Except as described in the Series A Preferred Shares Statement of Designation, the Board has the authority to determine the
preferences, powers, qualifications, limitations, restrictions and special or relative rights or privileges, if any, of any such series of Junior Stock before the issuance of any shares of that series. The Board shall also determine the number of
shares constitution each series of securities.
Dividends
General
Holders of Series A Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our Board out of legally available funds for such purpose, cumulative cash dividends from January 1, 2022 (or, for any newly
issued and outstanding shares, from the Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding the issuance date of such stock or for shares issued on or before June 14, 2022 then January 1, 2022). No dividends shall accrue or accumulate for the period from
July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.
49
Dividend Rate
Dividends on Series A Preferred Shares will be cumulative and payable on each Dividend Payment Date, commencing on June 15, 2022, when, as and if declared by our Board or any authorized committee thereof out of legally
available funds for such purpose. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares will accrue at a rate of 9.75% per annum per Series A Preferred Share having a value of $25.00 per share.
In the event that any semi-annual dividend payable on the Series A Preferred Shares is in arrears, the Dividend Rate payable on the Series A Preferred Shares shall be increased a single time to a rate of 1.3 times the
Dividend Rate for each Series A Preferred Share having a value of $25.00 per share until the Dividend Payment Default is cured.
Dividend Payment Dates
The "Dividend Payment Dates" for the Series A Preferred Shares will be each June 15 and December 15, commencing June 15, 2022. Dividends will accumulate in each dividend period from and including the preceding Dividend
Payment Date or the initial issue date, as the case may be, to but excluding the applicable Dividend Payment Date for such dividend period. If any Dividend Payment Date otherwise would fall on a day that is not a Business Day, declared dividends
will be paid on the immediately succeeding Business Day without the accumulation of additional dividends. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares will be payable based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
"Business Day" means a day on which NASDAQ is open for trading and which is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close.
Payment of Dividends
Not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Dividend Payment Date, we will pay those dividends, if any, on the Series A Preferred Shares that have been declared by our Board to the holders of such shares as
such holders' names appear on our stock transfer books maintained at the Company or by the Registrar and Transfer Agent on the applicable Record Date. The applicable record date (the "Record Date"), will be the Business Day immediately preceding
the applicable Dividend Payment Date, except that in the case of payments of dividends in arrears, the Record Date with respect to a Dividend Payment Date will be such date as may be designated by our Board in accordance with our Bylaws then in
effect and the Statement of Designation.
No dividend may be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any Junior Stock (other than a dividend payable solely in shares of Junior Stock) unless full cumulative dividends have been or contemporaneously are
being paid or provided for on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares for all prior and the then-ending dividend periods. In addition, in the event that full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares have not been paid or declared and
set apart for payment, we may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, in whole or in part, any Series A Preferred Shares except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series A Preferred Shares. Common
shares and any other Junior Stock may not be redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired unless full cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares for all prior and the then-ending dividend periods have been paid or declared and set apart
for payment.
Accumulated dividends in arrears for any past dividend period may be declared by our Board and paid on any date fixed by our Board, whether or not a Dividend Payment Date, to holders of the Series A Preferred Shares on
the record date for such payment, which may not be more than 60 days, nor less than 5 days, before such payment date. Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated dividends in arrears on all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares have
not been declared and paid, or sufficient funds for the payment thereof have not been set apart, payment of accumulated dividends in arrears will be made in order of their respective Dividend Payment Dates. If less than all dividends payable with
respect to all Series A Preferred Shares are paid, any partial payment will be made pro rata with respect to the Series A Preferred Shares entitled to a dividend payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate amounts remaining due in respect
of such shares at such time. Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares will not be entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest will be
payable in respect of any dividend payment which may be in arrears on the Series A Preferred Shares.
50
Liquidation Rights
The holders of outstanding Series A Preferred Shares will be entitled, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, to receive the liquidation preference
of $30.00 per share in cash plus an amount equal to accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for payment of such amount (whether or not declared), and no more, before any distribution will be made to the holders of our common
shares or any other Junior Stock. A consolidation or merger of us with or into any other entity, individually or in a series of transactions, will not be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs for this purpose. In the event
that our assets available for distribution to holders of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares are insufficient to permit payment of all required amounts, our assets then remaining will be distributed among the Series A Preferred Shares, as
applicable, ratably on the basis of their relative aggregate liquidation preferences. After payment of all required amounts to the holders of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, our remaining assets and funds will be distributed among the
holders of the common shares and any other Junior Stock then outstanding according to their respective rights.
Voting Rights
The Series A Preferred Shares have no voting rights except as provided by Marshall Islands law. Unless the Company shall have received the affirmative vote or consents of the Holders of at least two thirds of the
outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, voting as a single class, the Company may not adopt any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation that adversely alters the preferences, powers or rights of the Series A Preferred Shares.
Redemption
Optional Redemption
We have the right, at any time, to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares, in whole or from time to time in part, from any funds available for such purpose. Any such redemption shall occur on a date set by the Company,
or the Redemption Date.
Redemption Procedures
(a) Redemption Price. The Company may redeem each share of Series A Preferred Shares with cash, common shares or a Note as shall be determined by the Company at its sole discretion. If the Company redeems Series A
Preferred Shares with cash, then each share of Series A Preferred Shares shall have a value of $30.00 per share, whether or not declared, or the Cash Redemption Price. If paid in common shares or a Note, then each Series A Preferred Share shall
have a value of $25.00 per share, whether or not declared, or the Cashless Redemption Price and together with the cash Redemption Price, the Redemption Price. If paid in common shares, the price of the common shares will be 90% of the lowest daily
volume weighted average price on any trading day during the 5-consecutive trading day period ending and including the trading day immediately prior to the date of the applicable Redemption Date.
Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, the holder of Series A Preferred Shares shall not acquire, or be obligated or have the right to acquire, any common share pursuant to an optional redemption which, when
aggregated with all other common shares then beneficially owned (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder) by the Holder and its Affiliates, would result in the beneficial ownership by the
holder of Series A Preferred Shares of more than 4.9% of the then issued and outstanding common shares, or the Ownership Limitation. If the Company issues a Redemption Notice that would cause the aggregate number of common shares then beneficially
owned (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder) by the holder of Series A Preferred Shares and its affiliates to exceed the Ownership Limitation, such Redemption Notice shall be void ab
initio to the extent of the amount by which the number of common shares otherwise issuable pursuant to such Redemption Notice, together with all common shares then beneficially owned (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and
Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder) by the holder of Series A Preferred Shares and its affiliates, would exceed the Ownership Limitation. Upon the written or oral request of the holder of Series A Preferred Shares, the Company shall promptly confirm
orally or in writing to the holder of Series A Preferred Shares the number of common shares then outstanding.
51
The holder of Series A Preferred Shares and the Company shall each cooperate in good faith in the determinations required hereby and the application hereof. The written certification to the Company by the holder of
Series A Preferred Shares of the applicability of the Ownership Limitation, and the resulting effect thereof hereunder at any time, shall be conclusive with respect to the applicability thereof and such result absent manifest error. Upon delivery
of a written notice to the Company, the holder of Series A Preferred Shares may from time to time increase (with such increase not effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after delivery of such notice) or decrease the Ownership Limitation to any
other amount of common shares not in excess of 9.99% of the then issued and outstanding shares of common shares as specified in such notice, provided that any such increase in the Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the sixty-first
(61st) day after such written notice is delivered to the Company.
(b) Redemption Notice. The Company shall give notice of any redemption by mail not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the scheduled Redemption Date, to the holder of Series A Preferred Shares of record
(as of 4:59 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day next preceding the day on which notice is given) of any Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed as such holders' names appear on the Company's stock transfer books maintained by the Registrar
and Transfer Agent and at the address of such holders shown therein. Such notice, or the Redemption Notice shall state: (1) the Redemption Date, (2) the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed and, if less than all outstanding Series A
Preferred Shares are to be redeemed, the number (and the identification) of shares to be redeemed from such Holder, (3) the Redemption Price, (4) the place where the Series A Preferred Shares is to be redeemed and shall be presented and surrendered
for payment of the Redemption Price therefor and (5) that dividends on the stock to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate from and after such Redemption Date.
(c) Effect of Redemption; Partial Redemption. If the Company elects to redeem less than all of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, the number of shares to be redeemed shall be determined by the Company, and such
shares shall be redeemed pro rata or by lot, with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares. The Company shall give notice, or cause notice to be given, to the holders of the number of shares of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed,
and the Company shall determine the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed from the account of each of its participants holding such shares in its participant account. The aggregate Redemption Price for any such partial redemption of
the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares shall be allocated correspondingly among the redeemed Series A Preferred Shares. The Series A Preferred Shares not redeemed shall remain outstanding and subject to all the terms provided in this Statement
of Designation.
(d) Redemption Funds. If the Company gives or causes to be given a Redemption Notice, the Company shall deposit with the paying agent funds sufficient to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares as to which such Redemption
Notice shall have been given, no later than 4:59 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date, and shall give the paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the
holders of the Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed upon surrender or deemed surrender of the certificates therefor. If the Redemption Notice shall have been given, from and after the Redemption Date, unless the Company defaults in providing
funds sufficient for such redemption at the time and place specified for payment pursuant to the Redemption Notice, all dividends on such Series A Preferred Shares to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate and all rights of Holders of such shares as
the Company's shareholders shall cease, except the right to receive the Redemption Price, and such shares shall not thereafter be transferred on Company's stock transfer books or be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. The Company
shall be entitled to receive from the paying agent the interest income, if any, earned on such funds deposited with the paying agent (to the extent that such interest income is not required to pay the Redemption Price of the Series A Preferred
Shares to be redeemed), and the holders of any shares so redeemed shall have no claim to any such interest income. Any funds deposited with the paying agent hereunder by the Company for any reason, including, but not limited to, redemption of
Series A Preferred Shares, that remain unclaimed or unpaid after two years after the applicable Redemption Date or other payment date, shall be, to the extent permitted by law, repaid to the Company upon its written request after which repayment
the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares entitled to such redemption or other payment shall have recourse only to the Company. Notwithstanding any Redemption Notice, there shall be no redemption of any Series A Preferred Shares called for
redemption until funds sufficient to pay the full Redemption Price of such shares shall have been deposited by the Company with the paying agent.
(e) Certificate. If only a portion of the Series A Preferred Shares represented by a certificate shall have been called for redemption, upon surrender of the certificate to the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent shall
issue to the Holder of such shares a new certificate (or adjust the applicable book-entry account) representing the number of shares of Series A Preferred Shares represented by the surrendered certificate that have not been called for redemption
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Description of Series B Preferred Shares
On September 22, 2017, we issued 12,000 shares of Series B Preferred Shares to Thalassa, under the Exchange Agreement. Each Series B Preferred Share has the voting power of one hundred thousand (100,000) common shares.
The Series B Preferred Shares has the following characteristics:
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Conversion. The Series B Preferred Shares are not convertible into common shares.
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Voting. Each Series B Preferred Share has the voting power of 100,000 common shares and shall count for 100,000 votes for purposes of determining quorum at a meeting of
shareholders.
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Distributions. The Series B Preferred Shares shall have no dividend or distribution rights.
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Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Series B Preferred Shares shall have the same liquidation rights
as the common shares.
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Stockholders Rights Agreement
On November 21, 2017, our Board declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right, or a Right, for each outstanding common share and adopted a stockholder rights plan, as set forth in the Stockholders Rights
Agreement dated as of November 20, 2017, or the Rights Agreement, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent.
The Board adopted the Rights Agreement to protect shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics. In general terms, it works by imposing a significant penalty upon any person or group that acquires 15%
or more of our outstanding common shares without the approval of our Board. If a shareholder's beneficial ownership of our common shares as of the time of the public announcement of the rights plan and associated dividend declaration is at or above
the applicable threshold, that shareholder's then-existing ownership percentage would be grandfathered, but the rights would become exercisable if at any time after such announcement, the shareholder increases its ownership percentage by 1% or
more. Our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Petros Panagiotidis, is exempt from these provisions.
The Rights may have anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our Board. As a result, the overall effect of the Rights
may be to render more difficult or discourage any attempt to acquire us. Because our Board can approve a redemption of the Rights for a permitted offer, the Rights should not interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by our
Board.
For those interested in the specific terms of the Rights Agreement, we provide the following summary description. Please note, however, that this description is only a summary, and is not complete, and should be read
together with the entire Rights Agreement, which is an exhibit to our Annual Report. The foregoing description of the Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.
The Rights. The Rights trade with, and are inseparable from, our common shares. The Rights are evidenced only by certificates that represent our common shares. New Rights will
accompany any new common shares of the Company issued after November 21, 2017 until the Distribution Date described below.
Exercise Price. Each Right allows its holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series C Participating Preferred Shares, or a Series C Preferred
Share, for $15.00, or the Exercise Price, once the Rights become exercisable. This portion of a Series C Preferred Share will give the shareholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as would one common share. Prior to
exercise, the Right does not give its holder any dividend, voting, or liquidation rights.
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Exercisability. The Rights are not exercisable until 10 days after the public announcement that a person or group has become an "Acquiring Person" by obtaining beneficial
ownership of 15% or more of our outstanding common shares. Except our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Petros Panagiotidis, is exempt from being the "Acquiring Person".
Certain synthetic interests in securities created by derivative positions — whether or not such interests are considered to be ownership of the underlying common shares or are reportable for purposes of Regulation 13D
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended— are treated as beneficial ownership of the number of our common shares equivalent to the economic exposure created by the derivative position, to the extent our actual common shares are directly
or indirectly held by counterparties to the derivatives contracts. Swaps dealers unassociated with any control intent or intent to evade the purposes of the Rights Agreement are excepted from such imputed beneficial ownership.
For persons who, prior to the time of public announcement of the Rights Agreement, beneficially own 15% or more of our outstanding common shares, the Rights Agreement "grandfathers" their current level of ownership, so
long as they do not purchase additional shares in excess of certain limitations.
The date when the Rights become exercisable is the "Distribution Date". Until that date, our common share certificates (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, by notations in the book-entry account system) will also
evidence the Rights, and any transfer of our common shares will constitute a transfer of Rights. After that date, the Rights will separate from our common shares and will be evidenced by book-entry credits or by Rights certificates that the Company
will mail to all eligible holders of our common shares. Any Rights held by an Acquiring Person are null and void and may not be exercised.
Series C Preferred Share Provisions
Each one one-thousandth of a Series C Preferred Share, if issued, will, among other things:
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not be redeemable;
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entitle holders to quarterly dividend payments in an amount per share equal to the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other
distributions other than a dividend payable in our common shares or a subdivision of our outstanding common shares (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on our common shares since the immediately preceding quarterly dividend
payment date; and
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entitle holders to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company.
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The value of one one-thousandth interest in a Series C Preferred Share should approximate the value of one common share.
Consequences of a Person or Group Becoming an Acquiring Person.
Flip In. If an Acquiring Person obtains beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common shares, then each Right will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise
Price, a number of our common shares (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price. However, the Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence
of the foregoing event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company, as further described below.
Following the occurrence of an event set forth in preceding paragraph, all Rights that are or, under certain circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement, were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or certain of
its transferees will be null and void.
Flip Over. If, after an Acquiring Person obtains 15% or more of our common shares, (i) the Company merges into another entity; (ii) an acquiring entity merges into the Company;
or (iii) the Company sells or transfers 50% or more of its assets, cash flow or earning power, then each Right (except for Rights that have previously been voided as set forth above) will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise
Price, a number of our common shares of the person engaging in the transaction having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price.
54
Notional Shares. Shares held by affiliates and associates of an Acquiring Person, including certain entities in which the Acquiring Person beneficially owns a majority of the
equity securities, and Notional Common Shares (as defined in the Rights Agreement) held by counterparties to a Derivatives Contract (as defined in the Rights Agreement) with an Acquiring Person, will be deemed to be beneficially owned by the
Acquiring Person.
Redemption. The Board may redeem the Rights for $0.001 per Right at any time before any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person. If
the Board redeems any Rights, it must redeem all of the Rights. Once the Rights are redeemed, the only right of the holders of the Rights will be to receive the redemption price of $0.001 per
Right. The redemption price will be adjusted if the Company has a stock dividend or a stock split.
Exchange. After a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, but before an Acquiring Person owns 50% or more of our outstanding common shares, the Board may extinguish the
Rights by exchanging one common share or an equivalent security for each Right, other than Rights held by the Acquiring Person. In certain circumstances, the Company may elect to exchange the Rights for cash
or other securities of the Company having a value approximately equal to one common share.
Expiration. The Rights expire on the earliest of (i) November 20, 2027, or (ii) the redemption or exchange of the Rights as described above.
Anti-Dilution Provisions. The Board may adjust the purchase price of the Series C Preferred Shares, the number of Series C Preferred Shares issuable and the number of
outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that may occur from a stock dividend, a stock split, or a reclassification of the Series C Preferred Shares or our common shares. No adjustments to the Exercise Price of less than 1% will be made.
Amendments. The terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended in any respect without the consent of the holders of the
Rights on or prior to the Distribution Date. Thereafter, the terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended without the consent of the holders of Rights, with certain exceptions, in order to (i) cure any ambiguities; (ii) correct or
supplement any provision contained in the Rights Agreement that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision therein; (iii) shorten or lengthen any time period pursuant to the Rights Agreement; or (iv) make changes that do not
adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person).
Taxes. The distribution of Rights should not be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, following an event that renders the Rights exercisable or upon redemption
of the Rights, shareholders may recognize taxable income.
Securities Offered in this Offering
We are offering common shares in this offering, or up to common shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase up to additional common
shares. We are also offering to each purchaser whose purchase of common shares in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates, beneficially owning more than 4.99% of our outstanding common shares immediately
following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase, if the purchaser so chooses, pre-funded warrants in lieu of common shares that would otherwise result in the purchaser's beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% of our outstanding
common shares. For each pre-funded warrant we sell (without regard to any limitation on exercise set forth therein), the number of common shares we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis.
Exercisability. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable at any time after their original issuance. The pre-funded warrants will be exercisable, at the option
of each holder, in whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice and, at any time a registration statement registering the issuance of the common shares underlying the pre-funded warrants under the Securities Act is effective
and available for the issuance of such shares, or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is available for the issuance of such shares, by payment in full in immediately available funds for the number of common shares purchased upon
such exercise. If a registration statement registering the issuance of the common shares underlying the pre-funded warrants under the Securities Act is not effective or available and an exemption from registration under the Securities Act is not
available for the issuance of such shares, the holder may, in its sole discretion, elect to exercise the pre-funded warrant through a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon such exercise the net number of common shares
determined according to the formula set forth in the pre-funded warrant. No fractional common shares will be issued in connection with the exercise of a pre-funded warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will pay the holder an amount in cash equal
to the fractional amount multiplied by the exercise price.
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Exercise Limitation. A holder will not have the right to exercise any portion of the pre-funded warrant if the holder (together with its affiliates) would
beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, upon election by a holder prior to the issuance of any pre-funded warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage
ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99%, upon at least 61 days' prior notice from the holder to us with respect
to any increase in such percentage.
Exercise Price. The exercise price for the pre-funded warrants is $0.01 per share. The exercise price and number of common shares issuable upon exercise will
adjust in the event of certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our common shares. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any
time until they are exercised in full.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the pre-funded warrants may be offered for sale, sold, transferred or assigned without our consent.
Exchange Listing. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the pre-funded warrants offered in this offering on any stock exchange. Without an active
trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants will be limited.
Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrants or by virtue of such holder's ownership of our common shares, the holder of a
pre-funded warrant does not have the rights or privileges of a holder of our common shares, including any voting rights, until the holder exercises the pre-funded warrant.
Fundamental Transactions. In the event of a fundamental transaction, as described in the pre-funded warrants and generally including, with certain exceptions,
any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of our common shares, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person, the acquisition
of more than 50% of our outstanding common shares, or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the voting power represented by our outstanding common shares, the holders of the pre-funded warrants will be entitled to receive upon
exercise of the pre-funded warrants the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would have received had they exercised the pre-funded warrants immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.
Governing Law. The pre-funded warrants are governed by New York law.
Listing and Markets
On December 21, 2018, our common shares were registered for trading on the NOTC with ticker symbol "CASTOR". On February 11, 2019, our common shares began trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "CTRM".
Transfer Agent
The registrar and transfer agent for our common shares is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.
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CERTAIN MARSHALL ISLANDS COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS
Our corporate affairs are governed by our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or the BCA. The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the
corporation laws of a number of states in the United States, including Delaware. While the BCA also provides that it is to be interpreted according to the laws of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative
provisions, there have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the BCA in the Marshall Islands, and we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as Delaware or other courts in the United States. Accordingly,
you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests under Marshall Islands law in the face of actions by our management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction that has
developed a substantial body of case law. Furthermore, the Marshall Islands lacks a bankruptcy statute, and in the event of any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding involving the Company, the
bankruptcy laws of the United States or of another country having jurisdiction over the Company would apply. The following table provides a comparison between certain statutory provisions of the BCA and the Delaware General Corporation Law relating
to shareholders' rights.
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Marshall Islands
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Delaware
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Shareholder Meetings
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Held at a time and place as designated in the bylaws.
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May be held at such time or place as designated in the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, or if not so designated, as determined by the board of directors.
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Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the articles of incorporation or by the bylaws.
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Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the bylaws.
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May be held in or outside of the Marshall Islands.
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May be held in or outside of Delaware.
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Notice:
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Notice:
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Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and, unless it is an annual meeting, indicate that it is being
issued by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting.
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Whenever shareholders are required to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any.
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A copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given personally or sent by mail not less than 15 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
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Written notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
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Shareholders' Voting Rights
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Any action required to be taken by a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if consent is in writing and is signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.
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Any action required to be taken by a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting if a consent for such action is in writing and is signed by shareholders having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary
to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
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Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.
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Any person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy.
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Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, a majority of shares entitled to vote constitutes a quorum. In no event shall a quorum consist of fewer than one-third of the common shares entitled to vote at a
meeting.
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For stock corporations, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the number of shares required to constitute a quorum but in no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of shares entitled to vote at a meeting. In
the absence of such specifications, a majority of shares entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum.
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When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.
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When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders.
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The articles of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
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The certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
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Removal:
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Removal:
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If the articles of incorporation or the bylaws so provide, any or all of the directors may be removed without cause by vote of the shareholders.
Any or all of the directors may be removed for cause by vote of the shareholders. |
Any or all of the directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote except: (1) unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides, in the case of a corporation whose board
is classified, shareholders may effect such removal only for cause, or (2) if the corporation has cumulative voting, if less than the entire board is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against such
director's removal would be sufficient to elect such director if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire board of directors, or, if there be classes of directors, at an election of the class of directors of which such director is
a part.
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Directors
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Number of board members can be changed by an amendment to the bylaws, by the shareholders, or by action of the board under the specific provisions of a bylaw.
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Number of board members shall be fixed by, or in a manner provided by, the bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number shall be made only by amendment to the
certificate of incorporation.
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The board of directors must consist of at least one member.
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The board of directors must consist of at least one member.
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If the board of directors is authorized to change the number of directors, it can only do so by a majority of the entire board of directors and so long as no decrease in the number shortens the term of any incumbent director.
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Dissenter's Rights of Appraisal
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Shareholders have a right to dissent from any plan of merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all assets not made in the usual course of business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares. However, the right of a
dissenting shareholder under the BCA to receive payment of the appraised fair value of his shares is not available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which shares at the record date fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to
receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of the shareholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (i) listed on a securities exchange or admitted for trading on an interdealer quotation system or (ii) held of
record by more than 2,000 holders.
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Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a corporation in a merger or consolidation, subject to limited exceptions, such as a merger or consolidation of corporations listed on a national
securities exchange in which listed shares are the offered consideration or if such shares are held of record by more than 2,000 holders.
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A holder of any adversely affected shares who does not vote on or consent in writing to an amendment to the articles of incorporation has the right to dissent and to receive payment for such shares if the amendment:
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Alters or abolishes any preferential right of any outstanding shares having preference; or
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Creates, alters or abolishes any provision or right in respect to the redemption of any outstanding shares.
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Alters or abolishes any preemptive right of such holder to acquire shares or other securities; or
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Excludes or limits the right of such holder to vote on any matter, except as such right may be limited by the voting rights given to new shares then being authorized of any existing or new class.
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Shareholders' Derivative Actions
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An action may be brought in the right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by a holder of shares or of voting trust certificates or of a beneficial interest in such shares or certificates. It shall be made to appear that
the plaintiff is such a holder at the time the action is brought and that he was such a holder at the time of the transaction of which he complains, or that his shares or his interest therein devolved upon him by operation of law.
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In any derivative suit instituted by a shareholder or a corporation, it shall be averred in the complaint that the plaintiff was a shareholder of the corporation at the time of the transaction of which he complains or that such
shareholder's stock thereafter devolved upon such shareholder by operation of law.
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A complaint shall set forth with particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to secure the initiation of such action by the board of directors or the reasons for not making such effort. Such action shall not be discontinued, compromised or
settled without the approval of the High Court of the Republic of The Marshall Islands.
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Attorneys' fees may be awarded if the action is successful.
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A corporation may require a plaintiff bringing a derivative suit to give security for reasonable expenses if the plaintiff owns less than 5% of any class of stock and the common shares have a value of less than $50,000.
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TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax and Marshall Islands tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the common shares or one pre-funded warrant to purchase
one common share, and of the ownership, exercise, lapse and disposition of the pre-funded warrant, and of the material U.S. federal and Marshall Islands income tax consequences applicable to us and our operations. The discussion below of the U.S.
federal income tax consequences to "U.S. Holders" will apply to a beneficial owner of our common shares or pre-funded warrants, as applicable, that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as:
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an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is created or organized (or treated as created or organized) in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the
District of Columbia; or
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an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or
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a trust if (i) a U.S. court can exercise primary supervision over the trust's administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under
applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
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If you are not described as a U.S. Holder and are not an entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you will be considered a "Non-U.S. Holder."
The U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to Non-U.S. Holders is described below under the heading "United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders."
This discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other pass-through entities or persons who hold our common shares or pre-funded warrants through such entities. If a partnership
(or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our common shares or pre-funded warrants, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the
status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.
This summary is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as is in effect as of the date of this prospectus, or the Code, its legislative history, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder,
published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular holder based on such holder's individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion
considers only holders that will own and hold our common shares and pre-funded warrants as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code and does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax or the U.S. federal
income tax consequences to holders that are subject to special rules, including:
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financial institutions or "financial services entities";
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broker-dealers;
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taxpayers who have elected mark-to-market accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
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tax-exempt entities;
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governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof;
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insurance companies;
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regulated investment companies;
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real estate investment trusts;
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certain expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States;
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persons that actually or constructively own 10% (by vote or value) or more of our shares;
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persons that hold our common shares or pre-funded warrants as part of a straddle, constructive sale, hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction;
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persons required to recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than when such income is included on an "applicable financial statement;"
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persons subject to the "base erosion and anti-avoidance" tax; or
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persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
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This summary does not address any aspect of U.S. federal non-income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, or state, local or non-U.S. tax laws.
We have not sought, nor do we intend to seek, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, as to any U.S. federal income tax consequence described herein. The IRS may disagree with the
description herein, and its determination may be upheld by a court.
Because of the complexity of the tax laws and because the tax consequences to any particular holder of our common shares and pre-funded warrants may be affected by matters not discussed herein, each
such holder is urged to consult with its tax advisor with respect to the specific tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common shares and pre-funded warrants, including the applicability and effect of state, local and non-U.S. tax
laws, as well as U.S. federal tax laws.
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
Taxation of Operating Income: In General
Unless exempt from United States federal income taxation under the rules discussed below, a foreign corporation is subject to United States federal income taxation in respect of any income that is
derived from the use of vessels, from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use on a time, voyage or bareboat charter basis, from the participation in a shipping pool, partnership, strategic alliance, joint operating agreement, code sharing
arrangements or other joint venture it directly or indirectly owns or participates in that generates such income, or from the performance of services directly related to those uses, which we refer to as "shipping income," to the extent that the
shipping income is derived from sources within the United States. For these purposes, 50% of the gross shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States, exclusive
of certain U.S. territories and possessions, constitutes income from sources within the United States, which we refer to as "U.S. source gross shipping income."
Shipping income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States. We are prohibited by law from engaging in
transportation that produces income considered to be 100% from sources within the United States.
Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Shipping income derived from sources
outside the United States will not be subject to any United States federal income tax.
For our 2019 taxable year, we had U.S. source gross shipping income of approximately $1.3 million.
We are subject to a 4% tax imposed without allowance for deductions for such taxable year, as described in "—Taxation in Absence of Exemption" below, unless we qualify for exemption from tax under
Section 883 of the Code, the requirements of which are described in detail below. For our 2019 taxable year, we were exempt from U.S federal tax on our U.S. source gross shipping income.
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Exemption of Operating Income from United States Federal Income Taxation
Under Section 883 of the Code and the regulations thereunder, we will be exempt from United States federal income taxation on our U.S.-source shipping income if:
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we are organized in a foreign country (our "country of organization") that grants an "equivalent exemption" to corporations organized in the United States; and one of the following is true:
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more than 50% of the value of our shares is owned, directly or indirectly, by "qualified shareholders," that are persons (i) who are "residents" of our country of organization or of another foreign country that grants an "equivalent
exemption" to corporations organized in the United States, and (ii) we satisfy certain substantiation requirements, which we refer to as the "50% Ownership Test;" or
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our shares are "primarily" and "regularly" traded on one or more established securities markets in our country of organization, in another country that grants an "equivalent exemption" to United States corporations, or in the United
States, which we refer to as the "Publicly-Traded Test."
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The jurisdictions where we and our ship-owning subsidiaries are incorporated grant "equivalent exemptions" to United States corporations. Therefore, we will be exempt from United States federal
income taxation with respect to our U.S. source shipping income if we satisfy either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test.
50% Ownership Test
Under the regulations, a foreign corporation will satisfy the 50% Ownership Test for a taxable year if (i) for at least half of the number of days in the taxable year, more than 50% of the value of
its shares is owned, directly or constructively through the application of certain attribution rules prescribed by the regulations, by one or more shareholders who are residents of foreign countries that grant "equivalent exemption" to corporations
organized in the United States and (ii) the foreign corporation satisfies certain substantiation and reporting requirements with respect to such shareholders. Holders of pre-funded warrants will not be treated as constructive owners of shares for
purposes of the 50% Ownership Test.
We did not satisfy the 50% Ownership Test for our 2019 taxable year. Furthermore, these substantiation requirements are onerous and therefore there can be no assurance that we would be able to
satisfy them, even if our share ownership would otherwise satisfy the requirements of the 50% Ownership Test.
Publicly-Traded Test
The regulations provide that the stock of a foreign corporation will be considered to be "primarily traded" on an established securities market in a country if the number of shares of each class of
stock used to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test that is traded during the taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such class that is traded during that year on established securities
markets in any other single country. Our common shares are considered to be primarily traded on the NASDAQ, and not the NOTC, for this purpose.
Under the regulations, the stock of a foreign corporation will be considered "regularly traded" if one or more classes of its stock representing more than 50% of its outstanding shares, by total
combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and by total combined value of all classes of stock, are listed on one or more established securities markets (such as NASDAQ), which we refer to as the "listing threshold." We expect
that we will satisfy the listing threshold based on our common shares constituting more than 50% of our outstanding shares (treating the pre-funded warrants as a separate class of stock for this purpose, as discussed below).
The regulations further require that with respect to each class of stock relied upon to meet the listing requirement: (i) such class of the stock is traded on the market, other than in minimal
quantities, on at least sixty (60) days during the taxable year or one-sixth (1/6) of the days in a short taxable year; and (ii) the aggregate number of shares of such class of stock traded on such market is at least 10% of the average number of
shares of such class of stock outstanding during such year or as appropriately adjusted in the case of a short taxable year. Even if a foreign corporation does not satisfy both tests, the regulations provide that the trading frequency and trading
volume tests will be deemed satisfied by a class of stock if such class of stock is traded on an established market in the United States, such as the NASDAQ, and such class of stock is regularly quoted by dealers making a market in such stock. As
such, we expect that we will satisfy the trading volume and trading frequency test.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the regulations provide, in pertinent part, that a class of stock will not be considered to be "regularly traded" on an established securities market for any taxable
year in which 50% or more of the vote and value of the outstanding shares of such class of stock are owned, actually or constructively under specified attribution rules, on more than half the days during the taxable year by persons who each own
directly or indirectly 5% or more of the vote and value of such class of stock, whom we refer to as "5% Shareholders". We refer to this restriction in the regulations as the "Closely-Held Rule".
For purposes of being able to determine our 5% Shareholders, the regulations permit a foreign corporation to rely on Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D filings with the Commission. The regulations further
provide that an investment company that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, will not be treated as a 5% Shareholder for such purposes.
The Closely-Held Rule will not disqualify a foreign corporation, however, if it can establish or substantiate that qualified shareholders own, actually or constructively under specified attribution
rules, sufficient shares in the closely-held block of stock to preclude the shares in the closely-held block that are owned by non-qualified 5% Shareholders from representing 50% or more of the value of such class of stock for more than half of the
days during the tax year. These substantiation requirements are onerous and consequently there can be no assurance that we would be able to satisfy them with respect to any taxable year. Although we were subject to the Closely-Held Rule for the 2019
taxable year, we believe that we can establish that less than 50% of our common shares were held for more than half of the days in the 2019 taxable year by non-qualified 5% Shareholders. Therefore, we believe that we were able to satisfy the
Publicly-Traded Test for the 2019 taxable year. No assurance can be given that we will continue to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test for the current or any future taxable years.
Additionally, we intend to take the position that the pre-funded warrants are a separate class of stock for purposes of the Publicly-Traded Test and that therefore the holders of pre-funded warrants
will not be treated as owners of common shares for purposes of determining the percentage of common shares owned by a shareholder under the Closely-Held Rule. However, the precise application of these rules to the pre-funded warrants is unclear and
the IRS may disagree with this position.
Due to the factual nature of the issues involved, there can be no assurance that we or any of our subsidiaries will qualify for the benefits of Section 883 of the Code for future taxable years.
Taxation in Absence of Exemption
To the extent the benefits of Section 883 are unavailable, our U.S. source gross shipping income, to the extent not considered to be "effectively connected" with the conduct of a U.S. trade or
business, as described below, would be subject to a 4% tax imposed by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without the benefit of deductions, otherwise referred to as the "4% Tax." Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more than 50%
of our shipping income would be treated as being derived from U.S. sources, the maximum effective rate of U.S. federal income tax on our shipping income would never exceed 2% under the 4% Tax.
To the extent the benefits of the Section 883 exemption are unavailable and our U.S. source gross shipping income is considered to be "effectively connected" with the conduct of a U.S. trade or
business, as described below, any such "effectively connected" U.S. source gross shipping income, net of applicable deductions, would be subject to the U.S. federal corporate income tax currently imposed at a rate of 21%. In addition, we may be
subject to the 30% "branch profits" tax on earnings effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, as determined after allowance for certain adjustments, and on certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of
our U.S. trade or business.
Our U.S. source gross shipping income would be considered "effectively connected" with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business only if:
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we have, or are considered to have, a fixed place of business in the United States involved in the earning of shipping income; and
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substantially all of our U.S. source gross shipping income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation, such as the operation of a vessel that follows a published schedule with repeated sailings at regular intervals between
the same points for voyages that begin or end in the United States, or, in the case of income from the leasing of a vessel, is attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States.
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We do not intend to have, or permit circumstances that would result in having, any vessel operating to the United States on a regularly scheduled basis, or earning income from the leasing of a vessel
attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States. Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of our shipping operations and other activities, we believe that none of our U.S. source gross shipping income will be "effectively
connected" with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
United States Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels
Regardless of whether we qualify for exemption under Section 883, we will not be subject to United States federal income taxation with respect to gain realized on a sale of a vessel, provided the
sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under United States federal income tax principles. In general, a sale of a vessel will be considered to occur outside of the United States for this purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of
loss with respect to the vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States. It is expected that any sale of a vessel by us will be considered to occur outside of the United States.
United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
Tax Treatment of the Pre-Funded Warrants
We believe that our pre-funded warrants should be treated as our common shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes, rather than as warrants. Assuming this position is upheld, upon the exercise of a
pre-funded warrant, the holding period of a pre-funded warrant should carry over to the common share received. Similarly, no gain or loss should be recognized upon the exercise of a pre-funded warrant and the tax basis of a pre-funded warrant should
carry over to the common share received upon exercise, increased by the exercise price of $0.01 per share.
In the event that the exercise price or conversion ratio of pre-funded warrants is adjusted as a result of an action affecting the common shares, such as a dividend being paid on the common shares, a
U.S. Holder may be treated as receiving a distribution from Castor Maritime Inc. Such deemed distributions may be treated as a dividend and may be eligible for preferential tax rates, as described in the next section below.
However, our position is not binding on the IRS and the IRS may treat the pre-funded warrants as warrants to acquire our common shares. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal
tax consequences of an investment in the pre-funded warrants. The following discussion assumes our pre-funded warrants are properly treated as our common shares.
Taxation of Distributions Paid on Common Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules discussed below, any distributions made by us with respect to common shares to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends,
which may be taxable as ordinary income or "qualified dividend income" as described in more detail below, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in
excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder's tax basis in his common shares on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because we are not a U.S.
corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations will generally not be entitled to claim a dividends-received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us.
Dividends paid on common shares to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, trust, or estate (a "U.S. Non-Corporate Holder") will generally be treated as "qualified dividend income" that is taxable to
such shareholders at preferential U.S. federal income tax rates provided that (1) the common shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as NASDAQ on which the common shares are currently listed); (2) we
are not a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (which we do not believe we are or have been, and do not expect to be); (3) the U.S. Non-Corporate
Holder has owned the common shares for more than 60 days in the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common shares become ex-dividend; and (4) certain other conditions are met.
Any dividends paid by us which are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a U.S. Holder.
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Special rules may apply to any "extraordinary dividend"—generally, a dividend in an amount which is equal to or in excess of 10% of a shareholder's adjusted basis in a common share—paid by us. If we
pay an "extraordinary dividend" on our common shares that is treated as "qualified dividend income," then any loss derived by a U.S. Non-Corporate Holder from the sale or exchange of such common shares will be treated as long-term capital loss to the
extent of such dividend.
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants
Assuming we do not constitute a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares or pre-funded
warrants in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in such shares or pre-funded warrants. Such gain or loss will be treated as
long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder's holding period in the common shares or pre-funded warrants is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. A U.S. Holder's ability to deduct capital losses is
subject to certain limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that holds stock, or is treated as holding stock by application of certain attribution rules (for instance, treating options or warrants
as stock), in a foreign corporation classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which such holder held our common shares or pre-funded
warrants, either:
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at least 75% of our gross income for such taxable year consists of passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and rents derived other than in the active conduct of a rental business); or
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at least 50% of the average value of the assets held by the corporation during such taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income.
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For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, we will be treated as earning and owning our proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of any of our subsidiary corporations in
which we own at least 25% of the value of the subsidiary's stock. Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection with the performance of services should not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income, which includes bareboat hire,
would generally constitute "passive income" unless we are treated under specific rules as deriving rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business.
Based on our current operations and future projections, we do not believe that we are or have been a PFIC during our 2019 taxable year, nor do we expect to become a PFIC with respect to our 2020
taxable year or any future taxable year. Although there is no legal authority directly on point, our belief is based principally on the position that, for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, the gross income we derive or are deemed to
derive from the time chartering and voyage chartering activities of our wholly-owned subsidiaries should constitute services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, we believe that such income does not constitute passive income, and the
assets that we or our wholly-owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular, the vessels, do not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. We believe there is
substantial legal authority supporting our position consisting of case law and Internal Revenue Service pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes.
However, there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. It should be noted that in the absence of any legal authority specifically relating to the statutory
provisions governing PFICs, the Internal Revenue Service or a court could disagree with this position. In addition, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner so as to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year,
there can be no assurance that the nature of our operations will not change in the future.
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As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder of our common
shares (but not our warrants, other than pre-funded warrants) makes an election to treat us as a "Qualified Electing Fund," which election is referred to as a "QEF election." As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder of our common
shares (but not our warrants, other than pre-funded warrants) should be able to make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to the common shares, as discussed below. In addition, if we were to be treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be required
to file an IRS Form 8621 with respect to such holder's common shares.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
If a U.S. Holder of our common shares (including pre-funded warrants) makes a timely QEF election, which U.S. Holder is referred to as an "Electing Holder," the Electing Holder must report each year
for U.S. federal income tax purposes its pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and our net capital gain, if any, for our taxable year that ends with or within the taxable year of the Electing Holder, regardless of whether or not distributions were
received from us by the Electing Holder. The Electing Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that had been previously taxed
will result in a corresponding reduction in the adjusted tax basis in the common shares and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the
common shares. A U.S. Holder would make a QEF election with respect to any year that we are a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with his, her or its U.S. federal income tax return. After the end of each taxable year, we will determine whether we were a
PFIC for such taxable year. If we determine or otherwise become aware that we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide each U.S. Holder with all necessary information, including a PFIC Annual Information
Statement, in order to enable such holder to make a QEF election for such taxable year. It is unclear if a U.S. Holder will be able to make a QEF election in respect of our pre-funded warrants. U.S. Holders of our common shares or pre-funded warrants
are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules and the QEF rules to them.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a "Mark-to-Market" Election
Alternatively, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to our common shares, which are considered to
be "marketable stock" for this purpose. If that election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common shares at the end of the taxable year over
such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares. The U.S. Holder would also be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares over its fair market value at the end
of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in his common shares would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount. Gain
realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common shares would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common shares would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that
such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included by the U.S. Holder. Although the matter is not free from doubt, we expect that U.S. Holders of pre-funded warrants should be able to make the mark-to-market election.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election
Finally, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder who does not make either a timely QEF election or a timely "mark-to-market" election for that year, whom we refer to as
a "Non-Electing Holder," would be subject to special rules with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on our common shares in a taxable year in excess of 125 percent of the
average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holder's holding period for the common shares), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other
disposition of our common shares or pre-funded warrants. Under these special rules:
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the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holders' aggregate holding period for the common shares or pre-funded warrants (as the case may be);
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the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year before we became a passive foreign investment company would be taxed as ordinary income; and
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the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be
imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.
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These penalties would not apply to a pension or profit sharing trust or other tax-exempt organization that did not borrow funds or otherwise utilize leverage in connection with its acquisition of our
common shares or pre-funded warrants. If a Non-Electing Holder who is an individual dies while owning our common shares or pre-funded warrants, such Non-Electing Holder's successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to
such common shares or pre-funded warrants.
Net Investment Income Tax
A U.S. Holder that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, is subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) such U.S.
Holder's "net investment income" (or undistributed "net investment income" in the case of estates and trusts) for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of such U.S. Holder's modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain
threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual's circumstances). A U.S. Holder's net investment income will generally include its gross dividend income and its net gains from the
disposition of the common shares and pre-funded warrants, unless such dividends or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading
activities). Net investment income generally will not include a U.S. Holder's pro rata share of the Company's income and gain (if we are a PFIC and that U.S. Holder makes a QEF election, as described above in "—Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a
Timely QEF Election"). However, a U.S. Holder may elect to treat inclusions of income and gain from a QEF election as net investment income. Failure to make this election could result in a mismatch between a U.S. Holder's ordinary income and net
investment income. If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the applicability of the net investment income tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in our
common shares or pre-funded warrants.
United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
Dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder with respect to our common shares and deemed dividends with respect to our pre-funded warrants generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless
the dividends or deemed dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or
fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States).
In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain attributable to a sale or other disposition of our common shares or pre-funded warrants unless
such gain is effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United
States) or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of sale or other disposition and certain other conditions are met (in which case such gain from United States sources may be
subject to tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate).
Dividends and gains that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are
attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States) generally should be subject to tax in the same manner as for a U.S. Holder and, if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it also may be
subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or a lower applicable tax treaty rate.
A Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon the acquisition, holding, exercise or lapse of our pre-funded warrants.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, information reporting for U.S. federal income tax purposes should apply to distributions made on our common shares (or deemed distributions on pre-funded warrants) within the United
States to a non-corporate U.S. Holder and to the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our common shares or pre-funded warrants to or through a U.S. office of a broker by a non-corporate U.S. Holder. Payments made (and sales and other
dispositions effected at an office) outside the United States will be subject to information reporting in limited circumstances.
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In addition, backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax, currently at a rate of 24%, generally should apply to distributions paid on our common shares (including deemed distribution on pre-funded
warrants) to a non-corporate U.S. Holder and the proceeds from sales and other dispositions of our common shares or pre-funded warrants by a non-corporate U.S. Holder, who:
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fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
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is notified by the IRS that backup withholding is required; or
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fails in certain circumstances to comply with applicable certification requirements.
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A Non-U.S. Holder generally may eliminate the requirement for information reporting and backup withholding by providing certification of its foreign status, under penalties of perjury, on a duly
executed applicable IRS Form W-8 or by otherwise establishing an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the amount of any backup withholding generally should be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder's or a Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income
tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Individuals who are U.S. Holders (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury regulations, certain individuals who are Non-U.S. Holders and certain U.S. entities) who hold "specified foreign
financial assets" (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code) are required to file IRS Form 8938 with information relating to the asset for each taxable year in which the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $75,000 at any time during the taxable
year or $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year (or such higher dollar amount as prescribed by applicable Treasury regulations). Specified foreign financial assets would include, among other assets, the common shares and the pre-funded warrants,
unless the shares (or pre-funded warrants) are held through an account maintained with a U.S. financial institution. Substantial penalties apply to any failure to timely file IRS Form 8938, unless the failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause
and not due to willful neglect. Additionally, in the event an individual U.S. Holder (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury regulations, an individual Non-U.S. Holder or a U.S. entity) that is required to file IRS Form 8938 does not file
such form, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes of such holder for the related tax year may not close until three years after the date that the required information is filed. U.S. Holders (including
U.S. entities) and Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations under this legislation.
Marshall Islands Tax Consequences
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Under current Marshall Islands law, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains, no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be
imposed upon payment of dividends by us to its shareholders, and holders of our common shares or pre-funded warrants that are not residents of or domiciled or carrying on any commercial activity in the Marshall Islands will not be subject to Marshall
Islands tax on the sale or other disposition of our common shares or pre-funded warrants.
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UNDERWRITING
Maxim Group LLC (who we refer to herein as the Representative) is acting as sole bookrunner and as representative of the underwriters of this offering. Subject to the terms and conditions of an
underwriting agreement between us and the Representative, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter named below, and each underwriter named below has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts set
forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of common shares and the pre-funded warrants listed next to its name in the following table:
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Name
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Number of common shares
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Number of Pre-Funded Warrants
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Maxim Group LLC
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Total
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The underwriters are committed to purchase all the common shares and pre-funded warrants offered by this prospectus if they purchase any common shares and pre-funded warrants. The underwriting
agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated. The underwriters are not obligated to purchase the common shares covered by the
underwriters' over-allotment option described below. The underwriters are offering the common shares and pre-funded warrants, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their
counsel, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer's certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and
to reject orders in whole or in part.
Over-Allotment Option
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable no later than 30 calendar days after the date of the underwriting agreement, to purchase up to an additional common shares and/or
pre-funded warrants to purchase common shares (with the amount of common shares and/or pre-funded warrants subject to such option to be determined by the Representative in its discretion) at the public offering price listed on the cover page
of this prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option only to cover over-allotments, if any, made in connection with this offering and may exercise this option to purchase additional shares
and/or pre-funded warrants. To the extent the option is exercised and the conditions of the underwriting agreement are satisfied, we will be obligated to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase, these additional
common shares and/or pre-funded warrants.
Discounts and Commissions
We have agreed to pay the underwriters a cash fee equal to seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the aggregate gross proceeds.
The Representative has advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the shares and pre-funded warrants directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this
prospectus. In addition, the Representative may offer some of the shares and pre-funded warrants to other securities dealers at such price less a concession of up to $ per common share or $ per pre-funded warrants. After the
offering to the public, the offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the Representative without changing our proceeds from the underwriters' purchase of the shares and the pre-funded warrants.
The following table summarizes the public offering price, underwriting commissions and proceeds before expenses to us assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters' option to
purchase additional common shares and/or pre-funded warrants. The underwriting commissions are equal to the public offering price per share or pre-funded warrant less the amount per share the underwriters pay us for the common shares and pre-funded
warrants.
68
|
Total
|
||||||||||||
|
Per Common
Share |
Per Pre-Funded Warrant
|
No
Exercise |
Full
Exercise |
|||||||||
|
Public offering price
|
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
|
Underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid by us:
|
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
|
Proceeds, before expenses, to us
|
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding underwriting discounts and
commissions, will be approximately $ , all of which are payable by us. This figure includes the Representative's accountable expenses, including, but not limited to, legal fees for Representative's legal counsel, that we have agreed to
pay at the closing of the offering up to an aggregate expense reimbursement of $ .
Right of First Refusal
For a period of six (6) months from the commencement of sales of the offering, the Representative will have a right of first refusal to act as lead left book runner and lead left underwriter and/or
lead left placement agent with at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the economics for a two-handed deal or at least fifty percent (50%) of the economics for a three-handed deal for any future public or private equity, equity-linked, convertible or
debt offerings of the Company's securities during such period.
Other Compensation
Within nine (9) months following the consummation of the offering, if we complete any financing of equity, equity-linked, convertible or debt or other capital raising activity (other than the
exercise by any person or entity of any options, warrants or other convertible securities) with any of the investors that have participated in the offering (excluding any investors that held any of our securities prior to the expiration of the
engagement or the closing of the offering, or have been introduced by us to the Representative), the Representative will be entitled to compensation as set forth in this section upon the closing of such other financing.
Within six (6) months following either the expiration of our engagement of the Representative or the consummation of the offering, if we complete any financing of equity, equity-linked, convertible
or debt or other capital raising activity (other than the exercise by any person or entity of any options, warrants or other convertible securities) with any of the investors that have participated in in person meetings, conference calls or virtual
meetings in relation to the offering but did not invest in the offering (excluding any investors that held any of our securities prior to the expiration of the engagement or the closing of the offering, or have been introduced by us to the
Representative) , the Representative will be entitled to compensation as set forth in this section upon the closing of such other financing.
Lock-Up Agreements
We and each of our officers and directors, certain holder(s) of one percent (1%) or more of the outstanding common shares as of the date of this prospectus have agreed, subject to certain
exceptions, not to offer, issue, sell, contract to sell, encumber, grant any option for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any of our common shares or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common shares for a
period of sixty (60) days after this offering is completed without the prior written consent of the Representative.
The Representative may in its sole discretion and at any time without notice release some or all of the shares subject to lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the lock-up period. When
determining whether or not to release shares from the lock-up agreements, the Representative will consider, among other factors, the security holder's reasons for requesting the release, the number of shares for which the release is being requested
and market conditions at the time.
69
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make
for these liabilities.
Price Stabilization, Short Positions, and Penalty Bids
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common shares. Specifically, the underwriters may
over-allot in connection with this offering by selling more shares than are set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. This creates a short position in our common shares for its own account. The short position may be either a covered short
position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of common shares over-allotted by the underwriters is not greater than the number of common shares that they may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short
position, the number of common shares involved is greater than the number of common shares in the over-allotment option. To close out a short position, the underwriters may elect to exercise all or part of the over-allotment option. The
underwriters may also elect to stabilize the price of our common shares or reduce any short position by bidding for, and purchasing, common shares in the open market.
The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter or dealer repays selling concessions allowed to it for distributing a security in this offering because the
underwriter repurchases that security in stabilizing or short covering transactions.
Finally, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, our common shares in market making transactions, including "passive" market making transactions as described below.
These activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of our common shares at a price that is higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the absence of these activities. The
underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may discontinue any of these activities at any time without notice.
In connection with this offering, the underwriters and selling group members, if any, or their affiliates may engage in passive market making transactions in our common shares immediately prior to
the commencement of sales in this offering, in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Rule 103 generally provides that:
| • |
a passive market maker may not effect transactions or display bids for our common shares in excess of the highest independent bid price by persons who are not passive market makers;
|
| • |
net purchases by a passive market maker on each day are generally limited to 30% of the passive market maker's average daily trading volume in our common shares during a specified two-month prior period or 200 shares, whichever is
greater, and must be discontinued when that limit is reached; and
|
| • |
passive market making bids must be identified as such.
|
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by the Representative and may also be made available on a website maintained by other underwriters. The underwriters
may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the Representative to underwriters that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as
other allocations. In connection with the offering, the underwriters or syndicate members may distribute prospectuses electronically. No forms of electronic prospectus other than prospectuses that are printable as Adobe® PDF will be used in
connection with this offering.
70
The Representative has informed us that the underwriters do not expect to confirm sales of shares offered by this prospectus to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.
Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter's website and any information contained in any other website maintained by an underwriter is not part of the
prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter in its capacity as underwriter and should not be relied upon by investors.
Certain Relationships
Certain of the underwriters (including the Representative) and their affiliates have and may in the future provide, from time to time, investment banking and financial advisory services to us in
the ordinary course of business, for which they may receive customary fees and commissions.
71
EXPENSES RELATING TO THIS OFFERING
We estimate the expenses in connection with the distribution of our securities in this offering, other than underwriting discounts, will be as set forth in the table below.
|
Commission registration fee
|
$
|
746.35
|
|
|
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Filing fee
|
$
|
*
|
|
|
Printing expenses
|
$
|
*
|
|
|
Legal fees and expenses
|
$
|
*
|
|
|
Accounting fees and expenses
|
$
|
*
|
|
|
Miscellaneous fees and expenses
|
$
|
*
|
|
|
Total
|
$
|
*
|
* To be completed by amendment.
72
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus and certain other legal matters relating to United States and Marshall Islands law are being passed upon for us by Seward & Kissel LLP,
New York, New York. The underwriters are represented by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019, have been audited by Deloitte
Certified Public Accountants S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The offices of Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.are located at Fragoklissias 3a & Granikou Str., 15125 Maroussi, Athens, Greece.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act, with respect to the securities offered hereby. For the purposes of this section, the term registration
statement on Form F-1 means the original registration statement on Form F-1 and any and all amendments including the schedules and exhibits to the original registration statement or any amendment. This prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the registration statement on Form F-1 we filed. Each statement made in this prospectus concerning a document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form F-1 is qualified by reference to that exhibit for a
complete statement of its provisions. The Commission maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The
registration statement on Form F-1, including its exhibits and schedules, may be accessed at the Commission's website.
Information Provided by the Company
We will furnish holders of our common shares with annual reports containing audited financial statements and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm. The audited financial
statements will be prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As a "foreign private issuer," we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders. While we furnish proxy statements
to shareholders in accordance with the rules of the NASDAQ, those proxy statements do not conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. In addition, as a "foreign private issuer," our officers and directors are exempt
from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to short swing profit reporting and liability.
73
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the information we file with, and furnish to it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring
you to those filed or furnished documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus. However, statements contained in this prospectus or in documents that we file with or furnish to the Commission and
that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus, including information in previously filed or furnished documents or reports that have been incorporated by
reference into this prospectus, to the extent the new information differs from or is inconsistent with the old information. We hereby incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
|
•
|
||
|
•
|
||
|
•
|
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon his or her written or oral request, a copy of any or all documents referred
to above which have been or may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may obtain a copy of these documents by writing to or telephoning us at the following address: Attn: Petros Panagiotidis, Castor Maritime Inc., 223 Christodoulou
Chatzipavlou Street, Hawaii Royal Gardens, 3036 Limassol, Cyprus, Tel: + 357 25 357 767. Alternatively, copies of these documents are available via our website at www.castormaritime.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference
into this prospectus.
74
Common Shares
Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase Common Shares
Common Shares Underlying Pre-Funded Warrants
PROSPECTUS
Sole Manager
Maxim Group LLC
, 2020
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
I. Article VIII of our Bylaws provides as follows:
| 1. |
Any person who is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise shall be entitled to
be indemnified by the Corporation upon the same terms, under the same conditions, and to the same extent as authorized by Section 60 of the BCA, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The Corporation shall have the power to pay in advance
expenses a director or officer incurred while defending a civil or criminal proceeding, provided that the director or officer will repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification
under this section. Any repeal or modification of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses of a Director or officer of the Corporation existing at the time of such
repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
|
| 2. |
The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer
against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in such capacity whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability by law or under the provisions of these
Bylaws.
|
II. Section 60 of the Associations Law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands provides as follows:
| 1. |
Actions not by or in right of the corporation. A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation,
or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of no
contest, or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the bests interests of the corporation, and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceedings, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
|
| 2. |
Actions by or in right of the corporation. A corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation, or
is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
him or in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claims, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless and only to the
extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
|
II-1
| 3. |
When director or officer successful. To the extent that a director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding
referred to in subsections (1) or (2) of this section, or in the defense of a claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
therewith.
|
| 4. |
Payment of expenses in advance. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding
as authorized by the Board in the specific case upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the
corporation as authorized in this section.
|
| 5. |
Indemnification pursuant to other rights. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive
of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and
as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
|
| 6. |
Continuation of indemnification. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified,
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
|
| 7. |
Insurance. A corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director or officer against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in such capacity whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the
provisions of this section.
|
Item 7. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
On October 10, 2019, we entered into an agreement with all of the holders of our Series A Preferred Shares to waive all due and overdue accumulated dividends on our Series A Preferred Shares and to adopt
and to amend and restate the Statement of Designations of our Series A Preferred Shares, or the Series A Agreement. Pursuant to the Series A Agreement, on October 17, 2019, we issued 300,000 common shares to the holders of the Series A Preferred
Shares, the fair value of which as of the settlement date amounted to $967,800, in exchange for the waiver of approximately $4.3 million worth of dividends accumulated on the Series A Preferred Shares, for the period since their original issuance up
to and including June 30, 2019.
On January 27, 2020, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with the Investor pursuant to which we agreed to sell and the Investor agreed to purchase up to three Convertible Debentures for a maximum
aggregate price of $5.0 million, further discussed under Item 5.B - Our Borrowing Activities of our Annual Report. As of June 3, 2020, the Investor had converted $4.1 million of principal and $0.1 million of interest of the Convertible Debentures
for 6,540,930 common shares.
The foregoing issuances were exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof regarding transactions not involving a public offering. No underwriters were
involved in these issuances.
Item 8. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Exhibits
The exhibits filed as part of this registration statement are listed in the index to exhibits immediately preceding such exhibits, which index to exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Financial Statements
II-2
The financial statements filed as part of this registration statement are listed in the index to the financial statements immediately preceding such financial statements, which index to the financial
statements is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9. Undertakings
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
|
1.
|
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
|
|||
|
(i)
|
To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
|
|||
|
(ii)
|
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no
more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
|
|||
|
(iii)
|
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
|
|||
|
2.
|
For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
|
|||
|
3.
|
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
|
|||
|
4.
|
To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by "Item 8.A. of Form 20-F" at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and
information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (4)
and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements.
|
|||
II-3
|
5.
|
For the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, if the registrant is relying on Rule 430B, each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the
registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) (§ 230.424(b)(2), (b)(5), or
(b)(7) of this chapter) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) (§ 230.415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) of this chapter) for the purpose of providing
the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the
date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a
new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or
prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was
part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
|
||
|
6.
|
For the purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distributions of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned
registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications,
the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
|
|
(i)
|
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
|
|
|
(ii)
|
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
|
|
|
(iii)
|
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
|
|
|
(iv)
|
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
|
|
(i)
|
For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus
filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
|
|
|
(ii)
|
For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
|
II-4
Exhibit List
|
Exhibit
Number |
Description
|
|
1.1
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement**
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
|
4.7
|
Form of Pre-Funded Warrant**
|
|
5.1
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
II-5
|
10.2
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
|
21.1
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
|
23.3
|
|
|
24.1
|
|
|
*
|
Filed herewith
|
|
**
|
To be filed by amendment
|
II-6
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly
caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Limassol, Country of Cyprus on June 5, 2020.
|
CASTOR MARITIME INC.
|
||
|
By:
|
/s/ Petros Panagiotidis
|
|
|
Name:
|
Petros Panagiotidis
|
|
|
Title:
|
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Petros Panagiotidis, Gary J. Wolfe and Andrei Sirabionian his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
registration statement and any and all additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons on June 5, 2020 in the capacities indicated.
|
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
|
|
/s/ Petros Panagiotidis
|
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
|
June 5, 2020
|
|
|
Petros Panagiotidis
|
|||
|
/s/ Dionysios Makris
|
Secretary, Class B Director and Audit Committee Member
|
June 5, 2020
|
|
|
Dionysios Makris
|
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/s/ Georgios Daskalakis
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Class A Director and Audit Committee Chairman
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June 5, 2020
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Georgios Daskalakis
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AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Castor Maritime Inc., has signed this registration statement in the City of Newark,
State of Delaware on June 5, 2020.
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PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES
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/s/ Donald J. Puglisi
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Name:
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Donald J. Puglisi
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Title:
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Managing Director
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Exhibit 5.1
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Seward & Kissel llp
ONE BATTERY PARK PLAZA
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
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TELEPHONE: (212) 574-1200
FACSIMILE: (212) 480-8421
WWW.SEWKIS.COM
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901 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
TELEPHONE: (202) 737-8833
FACSIMILE: (202) 737-5184
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| June 5, 2020 | |||
Castor Maritime Inc.
223 Christodoulou Chatzipavlou Street
Hawaii Royal Gardens
3036 Limassol, Cyprus
Re: Castor Maritime Inc.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as United States and Marshall Islands counsel to Castor Maritime Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File
No. 333- ) (the “Registration Statement”) as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on June 5, 2020, as thereafter amended or
supplemented, with respect to public offering (the “Offering”) of (i) of the Company’s common shares (the “Common Shares”), par value $0.001 per share, (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase up to Common Shares (the “Pre-Funded
Warrants”) and (iii) up to Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants.
We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the prospectus of the Company (the
“Prospectus”) included in the Registration Statement; (iii) the Stockholders Rights Agreement dated November 20, 2017 (the “Rights Agreement”); (iv) the Pre-Funded Warrants and (v) such corporate documents and records of the Company and such other
instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examinations, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies or drafts of documents to be executed, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence or capacity of persons or entities to complete the execution of documents. As to
various questions of fact which are material to the opinions hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon statements or certificates of public officials, directors of the Company and others.
We have further assumed for the purposes of this opinion, without investigation, that (i) all documents contemplated by the Prospectus to be executed in connection with the
Offering have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto other than the Company, and (ii) the terms of the Offering comply in all respects with the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in the Prospectus and
all of the instruments, agreements and other documents relating thereto or executed in connection therewith.
Castor Maritime Inc.
June 5, 2020
Page 2
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that (i) the Common Shares, Pre-Funded Warrants
and Pre-Funded Warrant Shares have been duly authorized by the Company; (ii) when issued and delivered pursuant to the Prospectus, the Common Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; (iii) the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares, when
issued and delivered against payment therefor upon the exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants in accordance with the terms therein, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; (iv) when issued and delivered pursuant to the Prospectus, the
Pre-Funded Warrants will constitute binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms; and (v) when issued and delivered pursuant to the Prospectus, the Preferred Stock Purchase Rights will constitute binding obligations of the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the Republic of the Marshall Islands as in effect on the date hereof.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to each reference to us and the discussions of advice provided by us under the
headings “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus, without admitting we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration
Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Seward & Kissel LLP
Exhibit 8.1
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Seward & Kissel llp
ONE BATTERY PARK PLAZA
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
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TELEPHONE: (212) 574-1200
FACSIMILE: (212) 480-8421
WWW.SEWKIS.COM
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901 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
TELEPHONE: (202) 737-8833
FACSIMILE: (202) 737-5184
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| June 5, 2020 | |||
Castor Maritime Inc.
223 Christodoulou Chatzipavlou Street
Hawaii Royal Gardens
3036 Limassol, Cyprus
Re: Castor Maritime Inc.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as United States and Marshall Islands counsel to Castor Maritime Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File
No. 333- ) (the “Registration Statement”) as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on June 5, 2020, as thereafter amended or
supplemented, with respect to public offering (the “Offering”) of (i) of the Company’s common shares (the “Common Shares”), par value $0.001 per share, (ii) pre-funded warrants to purchase up to Common Shares (the
“Pre-Funded Warrants”) and (iii) up to Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants.
In formulating our opinion as to these matters, we have examined such documents as we have deemed appropriate, including the Registration Statement and the prospectus of the
Company included in the Registration Statement. We have also obtained such additional information as we have deemed relevant and necessary from representatives of the Company. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them
in the Registration Statement.
Based on the facts as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Annual Report”),
which is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, and in particular, on the representations, covenants, assumptions, conditions and qualifications described in the Annual Report in the sections entitled “Item 3. Key Information—D.
Risk Factors” and “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation”, we hereby confirm that the opinions of Seward & Kissel LLP with respect to United States federal income tax matters and Marshall Islands tax matters expressed in the Annual Report
in the section entitled “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation” are our opinions and accurately state our views as to the tax matters discussed therein.
Our opinions and the tax discussion as set forth in the Registration Statement are based on the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the
Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, published pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service which may be cited or used as precedents, and case law, any of which may be changed at any time with retroactive effect. No opinion is expressed
on any matters other than those specifically referred to above by reference to the Registration Statement and Annual Report.
Castor Maritime Inc.
June 5, 2020
Page 2
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to each reference to us and the discussions of advice provided by us in the
Registration Statement, including by reference to the Company’s Annual Report, without admitting we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to any
part of the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Seward & Kissel LLP
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-1 of our report dated March 31, 2020, relating to the
consolidated financial statements of Castor Maritime Inc. and subsidiaries appearing in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Castor Maritime Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2019, and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the
Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.
Athens, Greece
June 5, 2020