UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
¨ | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013
OR
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
¨ | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 333-146972
Navios Maritime Partners L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrants Name into English)
Republic of Marshall Islands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
7 Avenue de Grande Bretagne, Office 11B2
Monte Carlo, MC 98000 Monaco
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Todd E. Mason
Thompson Hine LLP
335 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10017
todd.mason@thompsonhine.com
(212) 908-3946
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class |
Name of each exchange on which registered | |
Common Units | New York Stock Exchange LLC |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act. None |
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act. None |
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuers classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
71,034,163 Common Units
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or (15)(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such reporting requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large Accelerated Filer x Accelerated Filer ¨ Non-Accelerated Filer ¨
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP x | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ¨ |
Other ¨ |
If Other has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
¨ Item 17 ¨ Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
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Material Modifications to the Rights of Unitholders and Use of Proceeds |
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This Annual Report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this report.
Statements included in this annual report which are not historical facts (including our statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions related thereto) are forward-looking statements. In addition, we and our representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements which are also forward-looking statements. Such statements include, in particular, statements about our plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in our business, and the markets in which we operate as described in this annual report. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by the use of words such as may, could, should, would, expect, plan, anticipate, intend, forecast, believe, estimate, predict, propose, potential, continue or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places and include statements with respect to, among other things:
| our ability to make cash distributions on our common units; |
| our future financial condition or results of operations and our future revenues and expenses; |
| our anticipated growth strategies; |
| future charter hire rates and vessel values; |
| the repayment of debt; |
| our ability to access debt and equity markets; |
| planned capital expenditures and availability of capital resources to fund capital expenditures; |
| future supply of, and demand for, drybulk commodities; |
| increases in interest rates; |
| our ability to maintain long-term relationships with major commodity traders; |
| our ability to leverage to our advantage Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (Navios Holdings)s relationships and reputation in the shipping industry; |
| our continued ability to enter into long-term, fixed-rate time charters; |
| our ability to maximize the use of our vessels, including the re-deployment or disposition of vessels no longer under long-term time charter; |
| timely purchases and deliveries of newbuilding vessels; |
| future purchase prices of newbuildings and secondhand vessels; |
| our ability to compete successfully for future chartering and newbuilding opportunities; |
| the expected cost of, and our ability to comply with, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards, as well as standard regulations imposed by our charterers applicable to our business; |
| our anticipated incremental general and administrative expenses as a publicly traded limited partnership and our expenses under the management agreement and the administrative services agreement with Navios ShipManagement Inc., a subsidiary of Navios Holdings (the Manager) and for reimbursements for fees and costs of our general partner; |
| the anticipated taxation of our partnership and our unitholders; |
| estimated future maintenance and replacement capital expenditures; |
| expected demand in the drybulk shipping sector in general and the demand for our Panamax, Capesize, Ultra-Handymax and Post-Panamax container vessels in particular; |
| our ability to retain key executive officers; |
| customers increasing emphasis on environmental and safety concerns; |
| future sales of our common units in the public market; and |
| our business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations. |
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These and other forward-looking statements are made based upon managements current plans, expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting us and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those set forth below, as well as those risks discussed in Item 3. Key Information.
| a lack of sufficient cash to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units; |
| the cyclical nature of the international drybulk shipping industry; |
| fluctuations in charter rates for drybulk carriers; |
| the historically high numbers of newbuildings currently under construction in the drybulk industry; |
| changes in the market values of our vessels and the vessels for which we have purchase options; |
| an inability to expand relationships with existing customers and obtain new customers; |
| the loss of any customer or charter or vessel; |
| the aging of our fleet and resultant increases in operations costs; |
| damage to our vessels; |
| general domestic and international political conditions, including wars, terrorism and piracy; and |
| other factors detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
The risks, uncertainties and assumptions involve known and unknown risks and are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
Item 1. | Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers |
Not Applicable.
Item 2. | Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable |
Not Applicable.
Item 3. | Key Information |
A. Selected Financial Data
The selected consolidated historical financial information as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and operating results for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements of Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (sometimes referred to as Navios Partners, the Partnership, we or us) which are included elsewhere in this report. The selected consolidated historical financial information as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 have been derived from our audited financial statements not included in this report. This information is qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
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Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars-except per unit data) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Income Data |
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Time charter and voyage revenues |
$ | 198,159 | $ | 205,435 | $ | 186,953 | $ | 143,231 | $ | 92,643 | ||||||||||
Time charter and voyage expenses |
(14,943 | ) | (12,937 | ) | (13,473 | ) | (12,027 | ) | (13,925 | ) | ||||||||||
Direct vessel expenses |
| (25 | ) | (61 | ) | (92 | ) | (415 | ) | |||||||||||
Management fees |
(36,173 | ) | (31,689 | ) | (26,343 | ) | (19,746 | ) | (11,004 | ) | ||||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
(6,305 | ) | (5,555 | ) | (4,965 | ) | (4,303 | ) | (3,208 | ) | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(77,505 | ) | (71,622 | ) | (63,971 | ) | (41,174 | ) | (15,877 | ) | ||||||||||
Write-off of intangible asset |
| | (3,979 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense and finance cost, net |
(16,910 | ) | (10,127 | ) | (9,244 | ) | (6,360 | ) | (8,048 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest income |
50 | 229 | 821 | 1,017 | 261 | |||||||||||||||
Compensation expense |
| | | | (6,082 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other income |
13,730 | 22,598 | 272 | 85 | 94 | |||||||||||||||
Other expenses |
(1,097 | ) | (409 | ) | (675 | ) | (120 | ) | (117 | ) | ||||||||||
Income before income taxes |
$ | 59,006 | $ | 95,898 | $ | 65,335 | $ | 60,511 | $ | 34,322 | ||||||||||
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Net income |
$ | 59,006 | $ | 95,898 | $ | 65,335 | $ | 60,511 | $ | 34,322 | ||||||||||
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Earnings per unit (basic and diluted): |
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Common unit (basic and diluted) |
$ | 0.84 | $ | 1.61 | $ | 1.33 | $ | 1.51 | $ | 1.47 | ||||||||||
Subordinated unit (basic and diluted) |
$ | | $ | | $ | 0.46 | $ | 1.11 | $ | 1.09 | ||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data (at period end) |
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Current assets, including cash |
$ | 54,484 | $ | 70,033 | $ | 63,558 | $ | 55,612 | $ | 92,579 | ||||||||||
Vessels, net |
1,026,153 | 721,391 | 667,213 | 612,358 | 299,695 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets |
1,250,079 | 954,952 | 909,924 | 840,885 | 436,756 | |||||||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
5,358 | 23,727 | 36,700 | 29,200 | | |||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt, including current portion |
533,324 | 299,709 | 326,050 | 321,500 | 195,000 | |||||||||||||||
Total Owners Net Investment and Partners Capital |
706,507 | 618,694 | 559,639 | 491,503 | 207,990 | |||||||||||||||
Cash Flow Data |
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 104,842 | $ | 179,081 | $ | 127,464 | $ | 96,018 | $ | 80,565 | ||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(382,673 | ) | (109,698 | ) | (120,000 | ) | (447,757 | ) | (69,100 | ) | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by/ (used in) financing activities |
281,045 | (85,329 | ) | (10,664 | ) | 325,139 | 38,039 | |||||||||||||
Fleet Data: |
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Vessels at end of period(1) |
28 | 21 | 18 | 16 | 11 |
(1) | Includes owned and chartered-in vessels. |
B. Capitalization and indebtedness.
Not applicable.
C. Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds.
Not applicable.
D. Risk factors
Risks Inherent in Our Business
We may not have sufficient cash from operations to enable us to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units following the establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses or to maintain or increase distributions.
We may not have sufficient cash available each quarter to pay the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.35 per common unit following the establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses. The amount of cash we can distribute on our common units depends principally upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations, which may fluctuate based on numerous factors including, among other things:
| the rates we obtain from our charters and the market for long-term charters when we recharter our vessels; |
| the level of our operating costs, such as the cost of crews and insurance, following the expiration of the fixed term of our management agreement pursuant to which we pay a fixed daily fee until December 2015; |
| the number of unscheduled off-hire days for our fleet and the timing of, and number of days required for, scheduled inspection, maintenance or repairs of submerged parts, or drydocking, of our vessels; |
| demand for drybulk commodities; |
| supply of drybulk vessels; |
| prevailing global and regional economic and political conditions; and |
| the effect of governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards on the conduct of our business. |
The actual amount of cash we will have available for distribution also will depend on other factors, some of which are beyond our control, such as:
| the level of capital expenditures we make, including those associated with maintaining vessels, building new vessels, acquiring existing vessels and complying with regulations; |
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| our debt service requirements and restrictions on distributions contained in our debt instruments; |
| interest rate fluctuations; |
| the cost of acquisitions, if any; |
| fluctuations in our working capital needs; |
| our ability to make working capital borrowings, including the payment of distributions to unitholders; and |
| the amount of any cash reserves, including reserves for future maintenance and replacement capital expenditures, working capital and other matters, established by our board of directors in its discretion. |
The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our profit or loss for the period, which will be affected by non-cash items. As a result of this and the other factors mentioned above, we may make cash distributions during periods when we record losses and may not make cash distributions during periods when we record net income.
The cyclical nature of the international drybulk and container shipping industry may lead to decreases in charter rates and lower vessel values, resulting in decreased distributions to our common unitholders.
The shipping business, including the dry cargo market, is cyclical in varying degrees, experiencing severe fluctuations in charter rates, profitability and, consequently, vessel values. For example, during the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013, the Baltic Exchanges Panamax time charter average daily rates experienced a low of $3,336 and a high of $16,728. Additionally, during the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013, the Baltic Exchanges Capesize time charter average daily rates experienced a low of $2,644 and a high of $42,211 and the Baltic Dry Index experienced a low of 647 points and a high of 2,337 points. While the BDI was 1,258 as of February 28, 2014, there can be no assurance that the drybulk charter market will increase further, and the market could decline. We anticipate that the future demand for our drybulk carriers and drybulk charter rates will be dependent upon demand for imported commodities, economic growth in the emerging markets, including the Asia Pacific region, India, Brazil and Russia and the rest of the world, seasonal and regional changes in demand and changes to the capacity of the world fleet. Adverse economic, political, social or other developments can decrease demand and prospects for growth in the shipping industry and thereby could reduce revenue significantly. A decline in demand for commodities transported in drybulk carriers or an increase in supply of drybulk vessels could cause a further decline in charter rates, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. If we sell a vessel at a time when the market value of our vessels has fallen, the sale may be at less than the vessels carrying amount, resulting in a loss.
Demand for container shipments declined significantly from 2008 to 2009 in the aftermath of the global financial crisis but has increased each year from 2010 to 2013. From 2009 to 2010, there was improvement on the Far East-to-Europe and Trans-Pacific Eastbound container trade lanes, alongside improvements also witnessed on other, non-main lane, trade routes including certain intra-Asia and North-South trade routes. However, Trans-Pacific Eastbound trade lane growth was less than 1% per year in 2010 and 2011, while the Far East to Europe trade was positive in 2011 but turned negative in 2012 due to the impact of the continuing European sovereign debt crisis and global economic slowdown, as well as uncertainty regarding the resolution of the budget ceiling and budgetary cuts in the United States. In 2013, worldwide trade volumes increased, but containership supply continued to exceed demand during the year as more large vessels were delivered. The oversupply in our market negatively affected time charter rates for both short- and long-term periods. Additional orders for large and very large containerships were placed during 2013, both increasing the expected future supply of larger vessels and having a spillover effect on the market segment for smaller vessels.
The continuation of such containership oversupply or any declines in container freight rates could negatively affect the liner companies to which we seek to charter our containerships.
The demand for vessels has generally been influenced by, among other factors:
| global and regional economic conditions; |
| developments in international trade; |
| changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns, such as port congestion and canal closures or expansions; |
| supply and demand for energy resources, commodities, semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products; |
| changes in the exploration or production of energy resources, commodities, semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products; |
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| supply and demand for products shipped in containers; |
| changes in global production of raw materials or products transported by containerships; |
| the distance drybulk cargo or containers are to be moved by sea; |
| carrier alliances, vessel sharing or container slot sharing that seek to allocate container ship capacity on routes; |
| weather and crop yields; |
| armed conflicts and terrorist activities including piracy; |
| political, environmental and other regulatory developments; |
| embargoes and strikes; and |
| technical advances in ship design and construction. |
The supply of vessel capacity has generally been influenced by, among other factors:
| the number of vessels that are in or out of service; |
| the scrapping rate of older vessels; |
| port and canal traffic and congestion; |
| the number of newbuilding deliveries; |
| vessel casualties; |
| the availability of shipyard capacity; and |
| the economics of slow steaming. |
Charter rates in the drybulk and container shipping industry have decreased from their historically high levels and may decrease further in the future, which may adversely affect our earnings and ability to pay dividends.
The current charter rates for drybulk and container vessels have significantly decreased from their historic highs reached in the second quarter of 2008. If the drybulk shipping industry, which has been highly cyclical, is depressed in the future when our charters expire or at a time when we may want to sell a vessel, our earnings and available cash flow may be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully charter our vessels in the future or renew our existing charters at rates sufficient to allow us to operate our business profitably, to meet our obligations, including payment of debt service to our lenders, or to pay dividends to our unitholders. Our ability to renew the charters on our vessels on the expiration or termination of our current charters, or on vessels that we may acquire in the future, the charter rates payable under any replacement charters and vessel values will depend upon, among other things, economic conditions in the sectors in which our vessels operate at that time, changes in the supply and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the transportation of commodities.
All of our drybulk time charters are scheduled to expire on dates ranging from March 2014 to September 2022. If, upon expiration or termination of these or other contracts, long-term recharter rates are lower than existing rates, particularly considering that we intend to enter into long-term charters, or if we are unable to obtain replacement charters, our earnings, cash flow and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders could be materially adversely affected.
The five containerships that we own are on long term time charter for ten years until 2023 with our option to terminate after year seven. Our ability to re-charter our containerships upon the expiration or termination of their current time charters and the charter rates payable under any renewal options or replacement time charters will depend upon, among other things, the prevailing state of the containership charter market, which can be affected by consumer demand for products shipped in containers. If the charter market is depressed when our containerships time charters expire, we may be forced to re-charter our containerships at reduced or even unprofitable rates, or we may not be able to re-charter them at all, which may reduce or eliminate our earnings, make our earnings volatile, affect our ability to generate cash flows and maintain liquidity.
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An oversupply of drybulk carrier capacity may prolong or further depress the current low charter rates and, in turn, adversely affect our profitability.
The market supply of drybulk carriers has been increasing as a result of the delivery of numerous newbuilding orders over the last few years. Newbuildings have been delivered in significant numbers since the beginning of 2006 and, as of January 1, 2014, newbuilding orders had been placed for an aggregate of more than 21% of the existing global drybulk fleet, with deliveries expected during the next three years. Due to lack of financing many analysts expect significant cancellations and/or slippage of newbuilding orders. While vessel supply will continue to be affected by the delivery of new vessels and the removal of vessels from the global fleet, either through scrapping or accidental losses, an over-supply of drybulk carrier capacity could exacerbate decreases in charter rates or prolong the period during which low charter rates prevail which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
An oversupply of containership capacity may prolong or further depress the current charter rates and adversely affect our ability to re-charter our existing containerships at profitable rates or at all.
From 2005 through the first quarter of 2010, the containership order-book was at historically high levels as a percentage of the in-water fleet. Although order-book volumes have decreased as deliveries of previously ordered containerships increased substantially, some renewed ordering in 2012 maintained the order-book at average levels. In 2013, ordering of larger vessels continued to increase as liner companies looked to renew and modernize their fleets. An oversupply of newbuilding vessels and/or vessels available for re-charter entering the market, combined with any future decline in the demand for containerships, may result in a reduction of charter rates and may decrease our ability to re-charter our containerships other than for reduced rates or unprofitable rates, or we may not be able to re-charter our containerships at all.
The market values of our vessels, which have declined from historically high levels, may fluctuate significantly, which could cause us to breach covenants in our credit facilities and result in the foreclosure on our mortgaged vessels.
Factors that influence vessel values include:
| number of newbuilding deliveries; |
| prevailing economic conditions in the markets in which containerships operate; |
reduce demand for containerships, including as a result of a substantial or extended decline in world trade;
| number of vessels scrapped or otherwise removed from the total fleet; |
| changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful life of vessels; |
| changes in global drybulk commodity supply; |
| types and sizes of vessels; |
| development of an increase in use of other modes of transportation; |
| cost of vessel acquisitions; |
| governmental or other regulations; |
| prevailing level of charter rates; |
| general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry; and |
| the cost of retrofitting or modifying existing ships to respond to technological advances in vessel design or equipment, changes in applicable environmental or other regulations or standards, or otherwise. |
If the market values of our owned vessels decrease, we may breach covenants contained in our credit facilities. We purchased the majority of our drybulk vessels from Navios Holdings based on market prices that were for certain vessels at historically high levels. If we breach the covenants in our credit facilities and are unable to remedy any relevant breach, our lenders could accelerate our debt and foreclose on the collateral, including our vessels. Any loss of vessels would significantly decrease our ability to generate positive cash flow from operations and therefore service our debt. In addition, if the book value of a vessel is impaired due to unfavorable market conditions, or a vessel is sold at a price below its book value, we would incur a loss. If a charter expires or is terminated, we may be unable to re-charter the vessel at an acceptable rate and, rather than continue to incur costs to maintain the vessel, may seek to dispose of it. Our inability to dispose of a vessel at a reasonable price could result in a loss on its sale and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
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We must make substantial capital expenditures to maintain the operating capacity of our fleet, which will reduce our cash available for distribution. In addition, each quarter our board of directors is required to deduct estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures from operating surplus, which may result in less cash available to unitholders than if actual maintenance and replacement capital expenditures were deducted.
We must make substantial capital expenditures to maintain, over the long term, the operating capacity of our fleet. These maintenance and replacement capital expenditures include capital expenditures associated with drydocking a vessel, modifying an existing vessel or acquiring a new vessel to the extent these expenditures are incurred to maintain the operating capacity of our fleet.
These expenditures could increase as a result of changes in:
| the cost of our labor and materials; |
| the cost of suitable replacement vessels; |
| customer/market requirements; |
| increases in the size of our fleet; and |
| governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards relating to safety, security or the environment. |
Our significant maintenance and replacement capital expenditures will reduce the amount of cash we have available for distribution to our unitholders. In October 2013, we amended the existing management agreement with the Manager to fix the fees for the ship management services of our owned fleet until December 31, 2015 at a daily rate of: (a) $4,000 per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,100 per Panamax vessel; (c) $5,100 per Capesize vessel effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015; and (d) $6,500 per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the date of delivery of such vessel to the Navios Partners owned fleet through December 31, 2015, while the term of the management agreement is until December 31, 2017. Intermediate and special survey expenses (including drydocking expenses) will be reimbursed at cost under the management agreement. From January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, we expect that we will reimburse the Manager for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet.
Our partnership agreement requires our board of directors to deduct estimated, rather than actual, maintenance and replacement capital expenditures from operating surplus each quarter in an effort to reduce fluctuations in operating surplus. The amount of estimated capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by the conflicts committee of our board of directors at least once a year. If our board of directors underestimates the appropriate level of estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures, we may have less cash available for distribution in future periods when actual capital expenditures begin to exceed previous estimates.
If we expand the size of our fleet in the future, we generally will be required to make significant installment payments for acquisitions of vessels even prior to their delivery and generation of revenue. Depending on whether we finance our expenditures through cash from operations or by issuing debt or equity securities, our ability to make cash distributions to unitholders may be diminished or our financial leverage could increase or our unitholders could be diluted.
The actual cost of a vessel varies significantly depending on the market price, the size and specifications of the vessel, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards.
If we purchase additional vessels in the future, we generally will be required to make installment payments prior to their delivery. If we finance these acquisition costs by issuing debt or equity securities, we will increase the aggregate amount of interest payments or minimum quarterly distributions we must make prior to generating cash from the operation of the vessel.
To fund the remaining portion of these and other capital expenditures, we will be required to use cash from operations or incur borrowings or raise capital through the sale of debt or additional equity securities. Use of cash from operations will reduce cash available for distributions to unitholders. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our failure to obtain the funds for necessary future capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our ability to make cash distributions. Even if we successfully obtain necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders. In addition, incurring additional debt may significantly increase our interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional preferred and common equity securities may result in significant unitholder dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required to meet our quarterly distributions to our preferred unitholders and minimum quarterly distribution to our common unitholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to make cash distributions to all of our unitholders.
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Our debt levels may limit our flexibility in obtaining additional financing and in pursuing other business opportunities and our interest rates under our credit facilities may fluctuate and may impact our operations.
As of December 31, 2013, all of our facilities were fully drawn and the total borrowings under our credit facilities amounted to $533.3 million. We have the ability to incur additional debt, subject to limitations in our credit facilities. Our level of debt could have important consequences to us, including the following:
| our ability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes may be impaired or such financing may not be available on favorable terms; |
| we will need a substantial portion of our cash flow to make principal and interest payments on our debt, reducing the funds that would otherwise be available for operations, future business opportunities and distributions to unitholders; |
| our debt level will make us more vulnerable than our competitors with less debt to competitive pressures or a downturn in our business or the economy generally; and |
| our debt level may limit our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions. |
Our ability to service our debt depends upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. Our ability to service debt under our credit facilities also will depend on market interest rates, since the interest rates applicable to our borrowings will fluctuate with the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, or the prime rate. We do not currently hedge against increases in such rates and, accordingly, significant increases in such rate would require increased debt levels and reduce distributable cash. If our operating results are not sufficient to service our current or future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing distributions, reducing or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our debt, or seeking additional equity capital or bankruptcy protection. We may not be able to affect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms, or at all.
Our credit facilities contain restrictive covenants, which may limit our business and financing activities.
On July 31, 2012, we entered into a credit facility with Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG for $290.45 million (the July 2012 Facility) in order to refinance and merge two existing credit facilities. On August 8, 2012, we entered into another credit facility with DVB Bank AG, and borrowed an amount of $44.0 million (the August 2012 Facility). On June 27, 2013, we entered into a term loan facility (the Term Loan B Facility), and borrowed an amount of $250.0 million to refinance and replace all outstanding amounts under our August 2012 Facility, partially prepay amounts outstanding under the July 2012 Facility and complete a previously announced vessel acquisition. On November 1, 2013, we completed the issuance of a $189.5 million add-on to the existing Term Loan B facility. As of December 31, 2013 the outstanding loan balance under Navios Partners credit facilities was $533.3 million.
The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our credit facilities and any future credit facilities could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage, expand or pursue our business activities. For example, our credit facilities require the consent of our lenders or limit our ability to, among other items:
| incur or guarantee indebtedness; |
| charge, pledge or encumber the vessels; |
| merge or consolidate; |
| change the flag, class or commercial and technical management of our vessels; |
| make cash distributions; |
| make new investments; and |
| sell or change the ownership or control of our vessels. |
Our credit facilities also require us to comply with the International Safety Management Code, or ISM Code, and International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, or ISPS Code, and to maintain valid safety management certificates and documents of compliance at all times.
In addition, our credit facilities require us to:
| maintain a required security amount of over 140%; |
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| maintain minimum free consolidated liquidity of at least the higher of $20.0 million and the aggregate of interest and principal falling due during the previous six months; |
| maintain a ratio of EBITDA to interest expense of at least 5.00 : 1.00; |
| maintain a ratio of total liabilities to total assets (as defined in our credit facilities) of less than 0.65:1.00; and |
| maintain a minimum net worth (as defined in our credit facilities) of at least $250.0 million. |
The Term Loan B Facility is secured by first priority mortgages covering certain vessels owned by subsidiaries of Navios Partners, in addition to other collateral and guaranteed by each subsidiary of Navios Partners. The Term Loan B Facility agreement requires maintenance of a loan to value ratio of 0.8 to 1.0, and other restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type (subject to negotiated exceptions and baskets), including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, acquisitions and investments, restricted payments and dispositions.
Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions that are contained in our credit facilities and any other debt instruments we may enter into in the future may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. 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 credit facilities, especially if we trigger a cross default currently contained in certain of our loan agreements, a significant portion of our obligations may become immediately due and payable, and our lenders commitment to make further loans to us may terminate. We may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, our obligations under our credit facilities are secured by certain of our vessels, and if we are unable to repay borrowings under such credit facilities, lenders could seek to foreclose on those vessels.
Restrictions in our debt agreements may prevent us from paying distributions to unitholders.
Our payment of principal and interest on the debt will reduce cash available for distribution on our common units. In addition, our credit facilities prohibit the payment of distributions if we are not in compliance with certain financial covenants or upon the occurrence of an event of default.
Events of default under our credit facilities include, among other things, the following:
| failure to pay any principal, interest, fees, expenses or other amounts when due; |
| failure to observe any other agreement, security instrument, obligation or covenant beyond specified cure periods in certain cases; |
| default under other indebtedness; |
| an event of insolvency or bankruptcy; |
| material adverse change in the financial position or prospects of us or our general partner; |
| failure of any representation or warranty to be materially correct; and |
| failure of Navios Holdings or its affiliates (as defined in the credit facilities agreements) to own at least 20% of us. |
We anticipate that any subsequent refinancing of our current debt or any new debt will have similar restrictions.
We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to dividend funds to us in order to satisfy our financial obligations or pay distributions, if any, in the future.
We are a holding company and our subsidiaries conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We have no significant assets other than the equity interests in our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make distribution payments, if any, in the future depends on our subsidiaries and their ability to dividend funds to us. If we are unable to obtain funds from our subsidiaries, our board of directors may not exercise its discretion to pay distributions in the future. In addition, the declaration and payment of distributions, if any, in the future will depend on the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends to us. Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends if the subsidiary is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent upon payment of such dividend, and our distribution may be declared and paid out of our operating surplus. Dividends may be declared or paid out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and for the preceding fiscal year. Our ability to pay distributions, if any, in the future will also be subject to our satisfaction of certain requirements in accordance with financial covenants contained in our credit facilities.
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We depend on Navios Holdings and its affiliates to assist us in operating and expanding our business.
Pursuant to the management agreement between us and the Manager, the Manager provides to us significant commercial and technical management services (including the commercial and technical management of our vessels, vessel maintenance and crewing, purchasing and insurance and shipyard supervision). In addition, pursuant to an administrative services agreement between us and the Manager, the Manager provides to us significant administrative, financial and other support services. Our operational success and ability to execute our growth strategy depends significantly upon the Managers satisfactory performance of these services. Our business will be harmed if the Manager fails to perform these services satisfactorily, if the Manager cancels either of these agreements, or if the Manager stops providing these services to us. We may also in the future contract with Navios Holdings for it to have newbuildings constructed on our behalf and to incur the construction-related financing. We would purchase the vessels on or after delivery based on an agreed-upon price.
Our ability to enter into new charters and expand our customer relationships will depend largely on our ability to leverage our relationship with Navios Holdings and its reputation and relationships in the shipping industry. If Navios Holdings suffers material damage to its reputation or relationships, it may harm our ability to:
| renew existing charters upon their expiration; |
| obtain new charters; |
| successfully interact with shipyards during periods of shipyard construction constraints; |
| obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms; or |
| maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers and other third parties. |
If our ability to do any of the things described above is impaired, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.
As we expand our business, we may have difficulty managing our growth, which could increase expenses.
We intend to seek to grow our fleet, either through purchases, the increase of the number of chartered-in vessels or through the acquisitions of businesses. The addition of vessels to our fleet or the acquisition of new businesses will impose significant additional responsibilities on our management and staff. We will also have to increase our customer base to provide continued employment for the new vessels. Our growth will depend on:
| locating and acquiring suitable vessels; |
| identifying and consummating acquisitions or joint ventures; |
| integrating any acquired business successfully with our existing operations; |
| enhancing our customer base; |
| managing our expansion; and |
| obtaining required financing. |
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. 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 therewith or that our acquisitions will perform as expected, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Unlike newbuilding vessels, secondhand vessels typically do not carry warranties as to their condition. While we generally inspect existing vessels prior to purchase, such an inspection would normally not provide us with as much knowledge of a vessels condition as we would possess if it had been built for us and operated by us during its life. Repairs and maintenance costs for secondhand vessels are difficult to predict and may be substantially higher than for vessels we have operated since they were built. These costs could decrease our cash flows, liquidity and our ability to pay dividends to our unitholders.
Our growth depends on continued growth in demand for drybulk commodities, finished or semi-finished goods, the shipping of drybulk cargoes as well as the shipping of containers.
Our growth strategy focuses on expansion in the drybulk and container shipping sectors. Accordingly, our growth depends on continued growth in world and regional demand for drybulk commodities, finished or semi-finished goods and the shipping of drybulk and containerized cargoes, which could be negatively affected by a number of factors, such as declines in prices for drybulk commodities or containerized cargoes, or general political and economic conditions.
Reduced demand for drybulk commodities and the shipping of drybulk and containerized cargoes would have a material adverse effect on our future growth and could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. In particular, Asian Pacific economies
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and India have been the main driving force behind the current increase in seaborne drybulk trade and the demand for drybulk carriers. The Asian Pacific and Indian economies have also been significant suppliers of manufactured goods currently shipped by container to the developed markets of the OECD. A negative change in economic conditions in any Asian Pacific country, but particularly in China, Japan or India, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as our future prospects, by reducing demand and resultant charter rates.
Our growth depends on our ability to expand relationships with existing customers and obtain new customers, for which we will face substantial competition.
Long-term time charters have the potential to provide income at pre-determined rates over more extended periods of time. However, the process for obtaining longer term time charters is highly competitive and generally involves a lengthy, intensive and continuous screening and vetting process and the submission of competitive bids that often extends for several months. In addition to the quality, age and suitability of the vessel, longer term shipping contracts tend to be awarded based upon a variety of other factors relating to the vessel operator, including:
| the operators environmental, health and safety record; |
| compliance with International Maritime Organization, or IMO, standards and the heightened industry standards that have been set by some energy companies; |
| shipping industry relationships, reputation for customer service, technical and operating expertise; |
| shipping experience and quality of ship operations, including cost-effectiveness; |
| quality, experience and technical capability of crews; |
| the ability to finance vessels at competitive rates and overall financial stability; |
| relationships with shipyards and the ability to obtain suitable berths; |
| construction management experience, including the ability to procure on-time delivery of new vessels according to customer specifications; |
| willingness to accept operational risks pursuant to the charter, such as allowing termination of the charter for force majeure events; and |
| competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price. |
It is likely that we will face substantial competition for long-term charter business from a number of experienced companies. We may not be able to compete profitably as we expand our business into new geographic regions or provide new services. New markets may require different skills, knowledge or strategies that we use in our current markets. Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we do. It is also likely that we will face increased numbers of competitors entering into our transportation sectors, including in the drybulk sector. Many of these competitors have strong reputations and extensive resources and experience. Increased competition may cause greater price competition, especially for long-term charters.
As a result of these factors, we may be unable to expand our relationships with existing customers or obtain new customers for long-term charters on a profitable basis, if at all. However, even if we are successful in employing our vessels under longer term charters, our vessels will not be available for trading in the spot market during an upturn in the drybulk and container market cycle, when spot trading may be more profitable. If we cannot successfully employ our vessels in profitable time charters our results of operations and operating cash flow could be adversely affected.
We may be unable to make or realize expected benefits from acquisitions, and implementing our growth strategy through acquisitions may harm our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our growth strategy focuses on a gradual expansion of our fleet. Any acquisition of a vessel may not be profitable to us at or after the time we acquire it and may not generate cash flow sufficient to justify our investment. In addition, our growth strategy exposes us to risks that may harm our business, financial condition and operating results, including risks that we may:
| fail to realize anticipated benefits, such as new customer relationships, cost-savings or cash flow enhancements; |
| be unable to hire, train or retain qualified shore and seafaring personnel to manage and operate our growing business and fleet; |
| decrease our liquidity by using a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity to finance acquisitions; |
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| significantly increase our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance acquisitions; |
| incur or assume unanticipated liabilities, losses or costs associated with the business or vessels acquired; or |
| incur other significant charges, such as impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, asset devaluation or restructuring charges. |
If we purchase any newbuilding vessels, delays, cancellations or non-completion of deliveries of newbuilding vessels could harm our operating results.
If we purchase any newbuilding vessels, the shipbuilder could fail to deliver the newbuilding vessel as agreed or their counterparty could cancel the purchase contract if the shipbuilder fails to meet its obligations. In addition, under charters we may enter into that are related to a newbuilding, if our delivery of the newbuilding to our customer is delayed, we may be required to pay liquidated damages during the delay. For prolonged delays, the customer may terminate the charter and, in addition to the resulting loss of revenues, we may be responsible for additional, substantial liquidated damages. We do not derive any revenue from a vessel until after its delivery and will be required to pay substantial sums as progress payments during construction of a newbuilding. While we expect to have refund guarantees from financial institutions with respect to such progress payments in the event the vessel is not delivered by the shipyard or is otherwise not accepted by us, there is a the potential that we may not be able to collect all portion of such refund guarantees, in which case we would lose the amounts of monies we have advanced to the shipyards for such progress payments.
The completion and delivery of newbuildings could be delayed, cancelled or otherwise not completed because of:
| quality or engineering problems; |
| changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory organization standards; |
| work stoppages or other labor disturbances at the shipyard; |
| bankruptcy or other financial crisis of the shipbuilder; |
| a backlog of orders at the shipyard; |
| political or economic disturbances; |
| weather interference or catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake or fire; |
| requests for changes to the original vessel specifications; |
| shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials, such as steel; |
| inability to finance the construction or conversion of the vessels; or |
| inability to obtain requisite permits or approvals. |
If delivery of a vessel is materially delayed, it could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.
The loss of a customer, charter or vessel could result in a loss of revenues and cash flow in the event we are unable to replace such customer, charter or vessel.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, our most significant counterparties were Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd, Navios Corporation and Samsun Logix, and which accounted for approximately 23.4%, 11.3%, 10.4% and 10.2%, respectively, of total revenues. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, our most significant counterparties were Cosco Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Samsun Logix, and which accounted for approximately 22.8%, 16.0% and 13.0%, respectively, of total revenues. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, our most significant counterparties were Cosco Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Samsun Logix, and which accounted for approximately 22.2%, 18.5% and 13.2%, respectively, of total revenues. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of total revenue for any of the years presented.
The charterers in the containership sector consists of a limited number of liner companies. The five Post-Panamax container vessels recently acquired which were delivered into our fleet in the fourth quarter of 2013, are all chartered out to the same counterparty on long-term charters, which will have a significant impact on our future revenues. The combination of any surplus of containership capacity and the expected increase in the size of the world containership fleet over the next few years may make it difficult to secure substitute employment for any of our containerships if our counterparty fail to perform their obligations under the currently arranged time charters, and any new charter arrangements we are able to secure may be at lower rates. Furthermore, the surplus of containerships available at lower charter rates and lack of demand for our customers liner services could negatively affect our charterers willingness to perform their obligations under our time charters, which in many cases provide for charter rates significantly above current market rates. We expect that a limited number of leading liner companies will continue to generate a substantial portion of our revenues. The cessation of business with these liner companies or their failure to fulfill their obligations under the time charters for our containerships could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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We could lose a customer or the benefits of a charter if:
| the customer fails to make charter payments because of its financial inability, disagreements with us or otherwise; |
| the customer exercises certain rights to terminate the charter; |
| the customer terminates the charter because we fail to deliver the vessel within a fixed period of time, the vessel is lost or damaged beyond repair, there are serious deficiencies in the vessel or prolonged periods of off-hire, or we default under the charter; or |
| a prolonged force majeure event affecting the customer, including damage to or destruction of relevant production facilities, war or political unrest prevents us from performing services for that customer. |
If we lose a charter, we may be unable to re-deploy the related vessel on terms as favorable to us due to the long-term nature of most charters and the cyclical nature of the industry or we may be forced to charter the vessel on the spot market at then market rates which may be less favorable than the charter that has been terminated. If we are unable to re-deploy a vessel for which the charter has been terminated, we will not receive any revenues from that vessel, but we may be required to pay expenses necessary to maintain the vessel in proper operating condition. If we lose a vessel, any replacement or newbuilding would not generate revenues during its construction acquisition period, and we may be unable to charter any replacement vessel on terms as favorable to us as those of the terminated charter.
The permanent loss of a customer, time charter or vessel, or a decline in payments under our charters, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions in the event we are unable to replace such customer, time charter or vessel.
To mitigate this risk we have insured certain of our long-term charter-out contracts of the drybulk vessels for credit default occurring until the end of 2016, either through a AA rated European Union insurance provider up to a maximum cash payment of $120.0 million initially or through a separate agreement with Navios Holdings up to a maximum cash payment of $20.0 million. Our agreements provide that if the charterer goes into payment default, the respective insurer will reimburse us for the charter payments under the terms of the cover (subject to applicable deductibles and other customary limitations for such type of insurance).
In January 2011, Korea Line Corporation (KLC) which is the charterer of the Navios Melodia filed for receivership. The charter contract was affirmed and will be performed by KLC on its original terms, following an interim suspension period during which Navios Partners trades the vessel directly.
The risks and costs associated with vessels increase as the vessels age.
As of March 20, 2014, the vessels in our fleet have an average age of approximately 6.9 years and most dry cargo vessels have an expected life of approximately 25-30 years. We may acquire older vessels in the future. Older vessels are typically more costly to maintain than more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine technology. In some instances, charterers prefer newer vessels that are more fuel efficient than older vessels. Cargo insurance rates also increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers as well. Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of the vessels may require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which these 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 lives. If we sell vessels, we may have to sell them at a loss, and if charterers no longer charter out vessels due to their age, it could materially adversely affect our earnings.
Vessels may suffer damage and we may face unexpected drydocking costs, which could affect our cash flow and financial condition.
If our owned vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and can be substantial. We may have to pay drydocking costs that insurance does not cover. The loss of earnings while
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these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, could decrease our revenues and earnings substantially, particularly if a number of vessels are damaged or drydocked at the same time. Under the terms of the management agreement with the Manager, the costs of drydocking repairs are not included in the daily management fee, but will be reimbursed at cost upon occurrence.
We are subject to various laws, regulations and conventions, including environmental and safety laws that could require significant expenditures both to maintain compliance with such laws and to pay for any uninsured environmental liabilities including any resulting from a spill or other environmental incident.
The shipping business and vessel operation are materially affected by government regulation in the form of international conventions, national, state and local laws, and regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which vessels operate, as well as in the country or countries of their registration. Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards, as well as compliance with standards imposed by maritime self-regulatory organizations and customer requirements or competition, may require us to make capital and other expenditures. Because such conventions, laws and regulations are often revised, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with such conventions, laws and regulations, or the impact thereof on the fair market price or useful life of our vessels. In order to satisfy any such requirements, we may be required to take any of our vessels out of service for extended periods of time, with corresponding losses of revenues. In the future, market conditions may not justify these expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels, particularly older vessels, profitably during the remainder of their economic lives. This could lead to significant asset write downs. In addition, violations of environmental and safety regulations can result in substantial penalties and, in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels.
Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could limit our ability to do business, require capital expenditures or otherwise increase our cost of doing business, which may materially adversely affect our operations, as well as the shipping industry generally. In various jurisdictions legislation has been enacted, or is under consideration, that would impose more stringent requirements on air pollution and water discharges from our vessels. For example, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) periodically proposes and adopts amendments to revise the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), such as the revision to Annex VI which came into force on July 1, 2010. The revised Annex VI implements a phased reduction of the sulfur content of fuel and allows for stricter sulfur limits in designated emission control areas (ECAs). Thus far, ECAs have been formally adopted for the Baltic Sea area (limits Sox emissions only); the North Sea area including the English Channel (limiting Sox emissions only) and the North American ECA (which came into effect on August 1, 2012 limiting SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions). The United States Caribbean Sea ECA came into force on January 1, 2013, having effect from January 1, 2014 limiting SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions. California has adopted more stringent low sulfur fuel requirements within California regulated waters. In addition, the IMO, the U.S. and states within the U.S. have proposed or implemented requirements relating to the management of ballast water to prevent the harmful effects of foreign invasive species.
The operation of vessels is also affected by the requirements set forth in the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. The ISM Code requires shipowners 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 vessel operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. Further to this, the IMO has introduced the first ever mandatory measures for an international greenhouse gas reduction regime for a global industry sector. These Energy Efficiency measures took effect on January 1, 2013 and apply to all ships of 400 gross tonnage and above. They include the development of a ship energy efficiency management plan (SEEMP) which is akin to a safety management plan, with which the industry will have to comply. The failure of a ship owner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code and IMO measures may subject such party to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels, and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
For all vessels, including those operated under our fleet at present, international liability for oil pollution is governed by the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (the Bunker Convention). In 2001, the IMO adopted the Bunker Convention, which imposes strict liability on shipowners for pollution damage and response costs incurred in contracting states caused by discharges, or threatened discharges, of bunker oil from all classes of ships. The Bunker Convention also requires registered owners of ships over a certain size to maintain insurance to cover their liability for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime, including liability limits calculated in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976, as amended (the 1976 Convention), discussed in more detail in the following paragraph. The Bunker Convention became effective in contracting states on November 21, 2008 and as of of 10 February 2014 was in effect in 74 states comprising approximately 90.72% of the gross tonnage of the worlds merchant fleet. In non-contracting states, liability for such bunker oil pollution typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the spillage occurs.
The right of vessel owners to limit liability incurred under the Bunker Convention depends on the applicable national or international regime. The 1976 Convention is the most widely applicable international regime limiting maritime pollution liability. Rights to limit liability under the 1976 Convention are forfeited where a spill is caused by a shipowners intentional or reckless conduct. Certain jurisdictions have ratified the IMOs Protocol of 1996 to the 1976 Convention, referred to herein as the Protocol of 1996. The Protocol of 1996 provides for substantially higher liability limits in those jurisdictions than the limits set forth in the 1976 Convention. Finally, some jurisdictions, such as the United States, are not a party to either the 1976 Convention or the Protocol of 1996, and, therefore, a shipowner s rights to limit liability for maritime pollution in such jurisdictions may be uncertain.
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Environmental legislation in the United States merits particular mention as it is in many respects more onerous than international laws, representing a high-water mark of regulation with which ship owners and operators must comply, and of liability likely to be incurred in the event of non-compliance or an incident causing pollution. Such regulation may become even stricter if laws are changed as a result of the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In the United States, the OPA establishes an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from cargo and bunker oil spills from vessels, including tankers. The OPA covers all owners and operators whose vessels trade in the United States, its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in United States waters, which includes the United States territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Under the OPA, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are responsible parties and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or substantial threats of discharges, of oil from their vessels. In response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil incident in the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. House of Representatives passed and the U.S. Senate considered but did not pass a bill to strengthen certain requirements of the OPA; similar legislation may be introduced in the 113th Congress.
In addition to potential liability under the federal OPA, vessel owners may in some instances incur liability on an even more stringent basis under state law in the particular state where the spillage occurred. For example, California regulations prohibit the discharge of oil, require an oil contingency plan be filed with the state, require that the ship owner contract with an oil response organization and require a valid certificate of financial responsibility, all prior to the vessel entering state waters.
In the last decade, the EU has become increasingly active in the field of regulation of maritime safety and protection of the environment. In some areas of regulation the EU has introduced new laws without attempting to procure a corresponding amendment to international law. Notably, the EU adopted in 2005 a directive, as amended in 2009, on ship-source pollution, imposing criminal sanctions for pollution not only where pollution is caused by intent or recklessness (which would be an offence under MARPOL), but also where it is caused by serious negligence. The concept of serious negligence may be interpreted in practice to be little more than ordinary negligence. The directive could therefore result in criminal liability being incurred in circumstances where it would not be incurred under international law. Criminal liability for a pollution incident could not only result in us incurring substantial penalties or fines, but may also, in some jurisdictions, facilitate civil liability claims for greater compensation than would otherwise have been payable.
We maintain insurance coverage for each owned vessel in our fleet against pollution liability risks in the amount of $1.0 billion in the aggregate for any one event. The insured risks include penalties and fines as well as civil liabilities and expenses resulting from accidental pollution. However, this insurance coverage is subject to exclusions, deductibles and other terms and conditions. If any liabilities or expenses fall within an exclusion from coverage, or if damages from a catastrophic incident exceed the aggregate liability of $1.0 billion for any one event, our cash flow, profitability and financial position would be adversely impacted.
Climate change and government laws and regulations related to climate change could negatively impact our financial condition.
Regarding climate change in particular, we are and will be, directly and indirectly, subject to the effects of climate change and may, directly or indirectly, be affected by government laws and regulations related to climate change. A number of countries have adopted or are considering the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the U.S., the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has declared greenhouse gases to be dangerous pollutants and has issued greenhouse gas reporting requirements for emissions sources in certain industries (which do not include the shipping industry).
In addition, while the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which requires adopting countries to implement national programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the IMO intends to develop limits on greenhouse gases from international shipping. It has responded to the global focus on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions by developing specific technical and operational efficiency measures and a work plan for market-based mechanisms in 2011. These include the mandatory measures of the ship energy efficiency management plan (SEEMP), outlined above, and an energy efficiency design index (EEDI) for new ships. The IMO is also considering its position on market-based measures through an expert working group, which was expected to report back to its Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in late 2012. Among the numerous proposals being considered by the working group are the following: a port state levy based on the amount of fuel consumed by the vessel on its voyage to the port in question; a global emissions trading scheme which would allocate emissions allowances and set an emissions cap; and an international fund establishing a global reduction target for international shipping, to be set either by the UNFCCC or the IMO. At its 64th session in October 2012, the MEPC indicated that 2015 was the target year for Member States to identify market-based measures for international shipping. At its 65th session, held from May 2013, the MEPC continued its work on developing technical and operational measures relating to energy-efficiency measures for ships, following the entry into force, on January 1, 2013, of the mandatory efficiency measures. Further measures considered by the MEPC include the use of a phased approach to implementation. Following an Expert Workshop, endorsed by the MEPC at its 64th session, MEPC 65 agreed to initiate a study regarding an updated greenhouse gas emissions
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estimate for international shipping, the outcome of which is due to be presented to the MEPC at its 66th session in March 2014. Although submissions were made regarding the market-based measures referred to above, discussions on that topic were suspended for a future session.
In December 2011, UN climate change talks took place in Durban and concluded with an agreement referred to as the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. The Durban Conference did not result in any proposals specifically addressing the shipping industrys role in climate change but the progress that has been made by the IMO in this area was widely acknowledged throughout the negotiating bodies of the UNFCCC process.
The European Union announced in April 2007 that it planned to expand the European Union emissions trading scheme by adding vessels, and a proposal from the European Commission was expected if no global regime for reduction of seaborne emissions had been agreed to by the end of 2011. As of January 31, 2013 the Commission has stopped short of proposing that emissions from ships be included in the EUs emissions-trading scheme (ETS). However on October 1, 2012 it announced that it would propose measures to monitor, verify and report on greenhouse-gas emissions from the shipping sector. On June 28, 2013, the European Commission adopted a communication setting out a strategy for progressively including greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport in the EUs policy for reducing its overall GHG emissions. The first step proposed by the Commission is an EU Regulation that would establish an EU-wide system for the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from large ships starting in 2018. The draft Regulation is currently working its way through the various stages of the EU legislative process and will require approval from both the European Council and European Parliament before entering into force. This Regulation may be seen as indicative of an intention to maintain pressure on the international negotiating process.
We cannot predict with any degree of certainty what effect, if any possible climate change and government laws and regulations related to climate change will have on our operations, whether directly or indirectly. While we believe that it is difficult to assess the timing and effect of climate change and pending legislation and regulation related to climate change on our business, we believe that climate change, including the possible increase in severe weather events resulting from climate change, and government laws and regulations related to climate change may affect, directly or indirectly, (i) the cost of the vessels we may acquire in the future, (ii) our ability to continue to operate as we have in the past, (iii) the cost of operating our vessels, and (iv) insurance premiums, deductibles and the availability of coverage. As a result, our financial condition could be negatively impacted by significant climate change and related governmental regulation, and that impact could be material.
The loss of key members of our senior management team could disrupt the management of our business.
We believe that our success depends on the continued contributions of the members of our senior management team, including Ms. Angeliki Frangou, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of the services of Ms. Frangou or one of our other executive officers or those of Navios Holdings who provide us with significant managerial services could impair our ability to identify and secure new charter contracts, to maintain good customer relations and to otherwise manage our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and our ability to compete.
We are subject to vessel security regulations and will incur costs to comply with recently adopted regulations and we may be subject to costs to comply with similar regulations that may be adopted in the future in response to terrorism.
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or MTSA, came into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new chapter went into effect in July 2004, and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the newly created ISPS Code. Among the various requirements are:
| on-board installation of automatic information systems, or AIS, to enhance vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communications; |
| on-board installation of ship security alert systems; |
| the development of vessel security plans; and |
| compliance with flag state security certification requirements. |
Furthermore, additional security measures could be required in the future which could have a significant financial impact on us. The U.S. Coast Guard regulations, intended to be aligned with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board a valid International Ship Security Certificate, or ISSC, that attests to the vessels compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. We will implement the various security measures addressed by the MTSA, SOLAS and the ISPS Code and take measures for the vessels to attain compliance with all
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applicable security requirements within the prescribed time periods. Although management does not believe these additional requirements will have a material financial impact on our operations, there can be no assurance that there will not be an interruption in operations to bring vessels into compliance with the applicable requirements and any such interruption could cause a decrease in charter revenues. Furthermore, additional security measures could be required in the future which could have a significant financial impact on us.
Our international activities increase the compliance risks associated with economic and trade sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions.
Our international operations could expose us to risks associated with trade and economic sanctions prohibitions or other restrictions imposed by the United States or other governments or organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union and its member countries. Under economic and trade sanctions laws, governments may seek to impose modifications to, prohibitions/restrictions on business practices and activities, and modifications to compliance programs, which may increase compliance costs, and, in the event of a violation, may subject us to fines, penalties and other sanctions.
During 2011 and continuing into 2012, the scope of sanctions imposed against the government of Iran and persons engaging in certain activities or doing certain business with and relating to Iran has been expanded by a number of jurisdictions, including the United States, the European Union and Canada. In 2010, the U.S. enacted the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act (CISADA), which expanded the scope of the former Iran Sanctions Act. The scope U.S. sanctions against Iran were expanded subsequent to CISADA by, among other U.S. laws, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (the 2012 NDAA), the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (ITRA), Executive Order 13662, and the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (IFCA). The foregoing laws, among other things, expand the application of prohibitions to non-U.S. companies, such our company, and introduce limits on the ability of companies and persons to do business or trade with Iran when such activities relate to specific activities such as investment in Iran, the supply or export of refined petroleum or refined petroleum products to Iran, the supply and delivery of goods to Iran which could enhance Irans petroleum or energy sector, and the transportation of crude oil from Iran to countries which do not enjoy Iran crude oil sanctions waivers (tankers owned by an affiliate of ours called in Iran but did not engage in the prohibited activities specifically identified by these sanctions.) Although we believe that we are 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, and the law may change. Moreover, despite relvant provisions in charterparties forbidding the use of our vessels in trade that would violate economic sanctions, our charterers may nevertheless 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 and be imputed to us. In addition, given our relationship with Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation (Navios Acquisition) and Navios Holdings, we cannot give any assurance that an adverse finding against Navios Acquisition or Navios Holdings by a governmental or legal authority or others with respect to the matters discussed herein or any future matter related to regulatory compliance by Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings or ourselves will not have a material adverse impact on our business, reputation or the market price or trading of our common units.
We are constantly monitoring developments in the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions that maintain economic sanctions against Iran, other countries, and other sanctions targets, including developments in implementation and enforcement of such sanctions programs. Expansion of sanctions programs, embargoes and other restrictions in the future (including additional designations of countries subject to sanctions), or modifications in how existing sanctions are interpreted or enforced, could prevent our tankers from calling on ports in sanctioned countries or could limit their cargoes. If any of the risks described above materialize, it could have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
To reduce the risk of violating economic sanctions, we have adopted a policy of compliance with applicable economic sanctions laws and have implemented and continue to implement and diligently follow procedures to avoid economic sanctions violations.
We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, and anti-corruption laws in other applicable jurisdictions.
As an international shipping company, we may operate in countries known to have a reputation for corruption. The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the FCPA) and other anti-corruption laws and regulations in applicable jurisdictions generally prohibit companies registered with the SEC and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Under the FCPA, U.S. companies may be held liable for some actions taken by strategic or local partners or representatives. Legislation in other countries includes the U.K. Bribery Act which is broader in scope than the FCPA because it does not contain an exception for facilitating payments. We and our customers may be subject to these and similar anti-corruption laws in other applicable jurisdictions. Failure to comply with such legal requirements could expose us to civil and/or criminal penalties, including fines, prosecution and significant reputational damage, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations, including our relationships with our customers, and our financial results. Compliance with the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act and other applicable anti-corruption laws and related regulations and policies imposes potentially significant costs and operational burdens. Moreover, the compliance and monitoring mechanisms that we have in place including our Code of Ethics, which incorporates our anti-bribery and corruption policy may not adequately prevent or detect possible violations under applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption legislation.
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The operation of ocean-going vessels entails the possibility of marine disasters including damage or destruction of the vessel due to accident, the loss of a vessel due to piracy or terrorism, damage or destruction of cargo and similar events that may cause a loss of revenue from affected vessels and damage our business reputation, which may in turn lead to loss of business.
The operation of ocean-going vessels entails certain inherent risks that may materially adversely affect our business and reputation, including:
| damage or destruction of vessel due to marine disaster such as a collision; |
| the loss of a vessel due to piracy and terrorism; |
| cargo and property losses or damage as a result of the foregoing or less drastic causes such as human error, mechanical failure and bad weather; |
| environmental accidents as a result of the foregoing; and |
| business interruptions and delivery delays caused by mechanical failure, human error, war, terrorism, political action in various countries, labor strikes or adverse weather conditions. |
Any of these circumstances or events could substantially increase our costs. For example, the costs of replacing a vessel or cleaning up a spill could substantially lower our revenues by taking vessels out of operation permanently or for periods of time. The involvement of our vessels in a disaster or delays in delivery or damages or loss of cargo may harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel operator and cause us to lose business.
The operation of vessels, such as drybulk carriers, has certain unique risks. With a drybulk carrier, the cargo itself and its interaction with the vessel can be an operational risk. By their nature, drybulk cargoes are often heavy, dense, easily shift, and react badly to water exposure. In addition, drybulk carriers are often subjected to battering treatment during unloading operations with grabs, jackhammers (to pry encrusted cargoes out of the hold) and small bulldozers. This treatment may cause damage to the vessel. Vessels damaged due to treatment during unloading procedures may be more susceptible to breach to the sea. Hull breaches in drybulk carriers may lead to the flooding of the vessels holds. If a drybulk carrier suffers flooding in its forward holds, the bulk cargo may become so dense and waterlogged that its pressure may buckle the vessels bulkheads leading to the loss of a vessel.
The total loss or damage of any of our vessels or cargoes could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator. If we are unable to adequately maintain or safeguard our vessels, we may be unable to prevent any such damage, costs, or loss that could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay distributions.
A failure to pass inspection by classification societies could result in one or more vessels being unemployable unless and until they pass inspection, resulting in a loss of revenues from such vessels for that period and a corresponding decrease in operating cash flows.
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed 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 with SOLAS. Our owned fleet is currently enrolled with American Bureau of Shipping, Nippon Kaiji Kiokai, Bureau Veritas and Lloyds Register.
A vessel must undergo an annual survey, an intermediate survey and a special survey. In lieu of a special survey, a vessels machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. Our vessels are on special survey cycles for hull inspection and continuous survey cycles for machinery inspection. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every two to three years for inspection of the underwater parts of such vessel.
If any vessel fails any annual survey, intermediate survey or special survey, the vessel may be unable to trade between ports and, therefore, would be unemployable, potentially causing a negative impact on our revenues due to the loss of revenues from such vessel until she is able to trade again.
We are subject to inherent operational risks that may not be adequately covered by our insurance.
The operation of ocean-going vessels in international trade is inherently risky. Although we carry insurance for our fleet against risks commonly insured against by vessel owners and operators, including hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance and protection and indemnity insurance (which include environmental damage and pollution insurance), all risks may not be adequately insured against, and any particular claim may not be paid. We do not currently maintain off-hire insurance, which would cover the loss of revenue during extended vessel off-hire periods, such as those that occur during an unscheduled drydocking due to damage to the vessel from accidents except in cases of loss of hire up to a limited number of days due to war or a piracy event. Accordingly, any extended vessel off-hire, due to an accident or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to pay distributions to our unitholders. Any claims covered by insurance would be subject to deductibles, and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material.
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We may be unable to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future. For example, more stringent environmental regulations have led in the past to increased costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution. A catastrophic oil spill or marine disaster could exceed our insurance coverage, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks may also make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain.
Even if our insurance coverage is adequate to cover our losses, we may not be able to timely obtain a replacement vessel in the event of a loss. Furthermore, in the future, we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates for our fleet. Our insurance policies also contain deductibles, limitations and exclusions which can result in significant increased overall costs to us.
Because we obtain some of our insurance through protection and indemnity associations, we may also be subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts based not only on our own claim records, but also the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations.
We may be subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts based not only on our claim records but also the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations through which we receive insurance coverage for tort liability, including pollution-related liability. Our payment of these calls could result in significant expenses to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Because we generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but incur a portion of our expenses in other currencies, exchange rate fluctuations could cause us to suffer exchange rate losses thereby increasing expenses and reducing income.
We engage in worldwide commerce with a variety of entities. Although our operations may expose us to certain levels of foreign currency risk, our transactions are at present predominantly U.S. dollar-denominated. Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the date of each transaction. Expenses incurred in foreign currencies against which the U.S. dollar falls in value can increase thereby decreasing our income or vice versa if the U.S. dollar increases in value. For example, as of December 31, 2013, the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to the Euro decreased by approximately 4.0% compared with the respective value as of December 31, 2012. A greater percentage of our transactions and expenses in the future may be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Our operations expose us to global political risks, such as wars and political instability that may interfere with the operation of our vessels causing a decrease in revenues from such vessels.
We are an international company and primarily conduct our operations outside the United States. Changing economic, political and governmental conditions in the countries where we are engaged in business or where our vessels are registered will affect us. In the past, political conflicts, particularly in the Persian Gulf, resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt shipping in the area. For example, in October 2002, the vessel Limburg, which was not affiliated with us, was attacked by terrorists in Yemen. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea. Following the terrorist attack in New York City on September 11, 2001, and the military response of the United States, the likelihood of future acts of terrorism may increase, and our vessels may face higher risks of being attacked in the Middle East region and interruption of operations causing a decrease in revenues. In addition, future hostilities or other political instability in regions where our vessels trade could affect our trade patterns and adversely affect our operations by causing delays in shipping on certain routes or making shipping impossible on such routes, thereby causing a decrease in revenues.
In addition, a government could requisition title or seize our vessels during a war or national emergency. Requisition of title occurs when a government takes a vessel and becomes the owner. A government could also requisition our vessels for hire, which would result in the governments taking control of a vessel and effectively becoming the charterer at a dictated charter rate. Requisition of one or more of our vessels would have a substantial negative effect on us as we would potentially lose all revenues and earnings from the requisitioned vessels and permanently lose the vessels. Such losses might be partially offset if the requisitioning government compensated us for the requisition.
Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels have increased in frequency and magnitude, which could adversely affect our business.
The shipping industry has historically been affected by acts of piracy in regions such as the South China Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Although the frequency of sea piracy worldwide decreased during 2013 to its lowest level since its increase in 2009, sea piracy incidents continue to occur, particularly in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia and increasingly in the Gulf of Guinea. A significant example of the heightened level of piracy came in February 2011 when the M/V Irene SL, a crude oil tanker which was not affiliated with us, was captured by pirates in the Arabian Sea while carrying crude oil estimated to be worth approximately $200 million. In December 2009, the Navios Apollon, one of our vessels, was seized by pirates 800 miles off the coast of Somalia while transporting fertilizer from Tampa, Florida to Rozi, India and was released on February 27, 2010. In January 2014, a vessel
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owned by our affiliate, Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, the Nave Atropos, came under attack from a pirate action group in international waters off the coast of Yemen. The crew and the on-board security team successfully implemented the counter piracy action plan and standard operating procedures to deter the attack with no consequences to the vessel or her crew. These piracy attacks resulted in regions (in which our vessels are deployed) being characterized by insurers as war risk zones or Joint War Committee (JWC) war and strikes listed areas. Premiums payable for such insurance coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. Crew costs, including those due to employing onboard security guards, could increase in such circumstances. In addition, while we believe the charterer remains liable for charter payments when a vessel is seized by pirates, the charterer may dispute this and withhold charter hire until the vessel is released. A charterer may also claim that a vessel seized by pirates was not on-hire for a certain number of days and it is therefore entitled to cancel the charter party, a claim that we would dispute. 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, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels could adversely affect our business and operations.
Disruptions in world financial markets and the resulting governmental action in the United States and in other parts of the world could have a material adverse impact on our ability to obtain financing, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows and could cause the market price of our common units to decline.
Global financial markets and economic conditions have been severely disrupted and volatile in recent years and remain subject to significant vulnerabilities, such as the deterioration of fiscal balances and the rapid accumulation of public debt, continued deleveraging in the banking sector and a limited supply of credit. The renewed crisis in Argentina, civil unrest in Ukraine and other parts of the world, and continuing concerns relating to the European sovereign debt crisis have led to increased volatility in global credit and equity markets. Several European countries including Greece, Portugal and Cyprus have been affected by increasing public debt burdens and weakening economic growth prospects., Standard and Poors Rating Services and Moodys Investors Service (Moodys) downgraded the long-term ratings of most European countries sovereign debt and initiated negative outlooks. Such downgrades could negatively affect those countries ability to access the public debt markets at reasonable rates or at all, materially affecting the financial conditions of banks in those countries, including those with which we maintain cash deposits and equivalents, or on which we rely on to finance our vessel and new business acquisitions.
Cash deposits and cash equivalents in excess of amounts covered by government-provided insurance are exposed to loss in the event of non-performance by financial institutions. We maintain cash deposits and equivalents in excess of government-provided insurance limits at banks in Greece and other European banks, which may expose us to a loss of cash deposits or cash equivalents.
The United States and other parts of the world are exhibiting volatile economic trends and were recently in a recession. Despite signs of recovery, the outlook for the world economy remains uncertain. For example, the credit markets worldwide have experienced significant contraction, de-leveraging and reduced liquidity, and the U.S. federal government, state governments and foreign governments have implemented and are considering a broad variety of governmental action and/or new regulation of the financial markets. Additionally, uncertainty regarding tax policy and government spending in the United States have created an uncertain environment which could reduce demand for our services. Securities and futures markets and the credit markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and other requirements. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), other regulators, self-regulatory organizations and exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies, and may effect changes in law or interpretations of existing laws. Recently, a number of financial institutions have experienced serious financial difficulties and, in some cases, have entered bankruptcy proceedings or are in regulatory enforcement actions. These issues, along with the reprising of credit risk and the difficulties currently experienced by financial institutions have made, and will likely continue to make, it difficult to obtain financing. As a result of the disruptions in the credit markets, many lenders have increased margins on lending rates, enacted tighter lending standards, required more restrictive terms (including higher collateral ratios for advances, shorter maturities and smaller loan amounts), or have refused to refinance existing debt at all. Additionally, certain banks that have historically been significant lenders to the shipping industry have reduced or ceased lending activities in the shipping industry. New banking regulations, including larger capital requirements and the resulting policies adopted by lenders, could reduce lending activities. We may experience difficulties obtaining financing commitments, including commitments to refinance our existing debt as balloon payments come due under our credit facilities, in the future if lenders are unwilling to extend financing to us or unable to meet their funding obligations due to their own liquidity, capital or solvency issues. Due to the fact that we would possibly cover all or a portion of the cost of any new vessel acquisition with debt financing, such uncertainty, combined with restrictions imposed by our current debt, could hamper our ability to finance vessels or new business acquisitions.
In addition, the economic uncertainty worldwide has markedly reduced demand for shipping services and has decreased shipping rates, which may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Currently, the economies of China, Japan, other Pacific Asian countries and India are the main driving force behind the development in seaborne transportation. Reduced demand from such economies has driven decreased rates and vessel values.
In addition, as a result of the ongoing economic turmoil in Greece resulting from the sovereign debt crisis and the related austerity measures implemented by the Greek government, the operations of our managers located in Greece may be subjected to new regulations that may require us to incur new or additional compliance or other administrative costs and may require that we pay to the Greek government new taxes or other fees. We also face the risk that strikes, work stoppages, civil unrest and violence within Greece may disrupt the shoreside operations of our managers located in Greece.
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We could face risks attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in interest rates, tax policies, and instability in certain securities markets, among other factors. Major market disruptions and the uncertainty in market conditions and the regulatory climate in the U.S., Europe and worldwide could adversely affect our business or impair our ability to borrow amounts under any future financial arrangements. The current market conditions may last longer than we anticipate. These recent and developing economic and governmental factors could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
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 against such vessel. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lien holder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay large sums of funds to have the arrest lifted. We are not currently aware of the existence of any such maritime lien on our vessels.
In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the sister ship theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel which is subject to the claimants maritime lien and any associated vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert sister ship liability against one vessel in our fleet for claims relating to another ship in the fleet.
The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental claims against us.
Our vessels may call in ports where smugglers may attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. To the extent our vessels are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel and whether with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental or other regulatory claims which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and our ability to pay dividends.
Increased competition in technology and innovation could reduce our charter hire income and the value of our vessels.
The charter rates and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors including the vessels 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, utilize related docking facilities and pass through canals and straits. The length of a vessels physical life is related to its original design and construction, its maintenance and the impact of the stress of operations. If new ships are built that are more efficient or more flexible or have longer physical lives than our vessels, competition from these more technologically advanced vessels could adversely affect the amount of charter payments we receive for our vessels once their initial charters expire and the resale value of our vessels could significantly decrease. As a result, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and our ability to pay dividends, could be adversely affected.
Navios Holdings and its affiliates may compete with us.
Pursuant to the omnibus agreement that we entered into with Navios Holdings in connection with the closing of the IPO (the Omnibus Agreement), Navios Holdings and its controlled affiliates (other than us, our general partner and our subsidiaries) generally agreed not to acquire or own Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers under time charters of three or more years without the consent of our general partner. The Omnibus Agreement, however, contains significant exceptions that allow Navios Holdings or any of its controlled affiliates to compete with us under specified circumstances which could harm our business. In addition, concurrently with the successful consummation of the initial business combination by Navios Acquisition, on May 28, 2010, because of the overlap between Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and us, with respect to possible acquisitions under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, we entered into a business opportunity right of first refusal agreement which provides the types of business opportunities in the marine transportation and logistics industries, we, Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition must share with the each other.
Common unitholders have limited voting rights and our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of common unitholders owning more than 4.9% of our common units.
Holders of our common units have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business. We hold a meeting of the limited partners every year to elect one or more members of our board of directors and to vote on any other matters that are properly brought before the meeting. Common unitholders may only elect four of the seven members of our board of directors. The elected directors are elected on a staggered basis and serve for three year terms. Our general partner in its sole discretion has the right to appoint the remaining three directors and to set the terms for which those directors will serve. The partnership agreement also contains provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders ability to influence the manner or direction of management. Unitholders will have no right to elect our general partner and our general partner may not be removed except by a vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding units, including any units owned by our general partner and its affiliates, voting together as a single class.
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Our partnership agreement further restricts common unitholders voting rights by providing that if any person or group owns beneficially more than 4.9% of the common units then outstanding, any such common units owned by that person or group in excess of 4.9% may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, except for purposes of nominating a person for election to our board, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes, unless required by law. The voting rights of any such common unitholders in excess of 4.9% will effectively be redistributed pro rata among the other common unitholders holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of all classes of units entitled to vote. Our general partner, its affiliates and persons who acquired common units with the prior approval of our board of directors will not be subject to this 4.9% limitation except with respect to voting their common units in the election of the elected independent directors.
Our general partner and its affiliates, including Navios Holdings, own a significant interest in us and have conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary and contractual duties, which may permit them to favor their own interests to the detriment of unitholders.
Navios Holdings indirectly owns the 2.0% general partner interest and a 18.0% limited partner interest in us, and owns and controls our general partner. All of our officers and three of our directors are directors and/or officers of Navios Holdings and its affiliates, and our Chief Executive Officer is also the Chief Executive Officer of Navios Acquisition and Navios Holdings. As such these individuals have fiduciary duties to Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition that may cause them to pursue business strategies that disproportionately benefit Navios Holdings or Navios Acquisition or which otherwise are not in our best interests or those of our unitholders. Conflicts of interest may arise between Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and their respective affiliates including our general partner, on the one hand, and us and our unitholders on the other hand. As a result of these conflicts, our general partner and its affiliates may favor their own interests over the interests of our unitholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:
| neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires our general partner or Navios Holdings or its affiliates to pursue a business strategy that favors us or utilizes our assets, and Navios Holdings officers and directors have a fiduciary duty to make decisions in the best interests of the stockholders of Navios Holdings, which may be contrary to our interests; |
| our general partner and our board of directors are allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as Navios Holdings, in resolving conflicts of interest, which has the effect of limiting their fiduciary duties to our unitholders; |
| our general partner and our directors have limited their liabilities and reduced their fiduciary duties under the laws of the Marshall Islands, while also restricting the remedies available to our unitholders, and, as a result of purchasing common units, unitholders are treated as having agreed to the modified standard of fiduciary duties and to certain actions that may be taken by our general partner and our directors, all as set forth in the partnership agreement; |
| our general partner and our board of directors will be involved in determining the amount and timing of our asset purchases and sales, capital expenditures, borrowings, issuances of additional partnership securities and reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is available for distribution to our unitholders; |
| our general partner may have substantial influence over our board of directors decision to cause us to borrow funds in order to permit the payment of cash distributions, even if the purpose or effect of the borrowing is to make incentive distributions. |
| our general partner is entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable costs incurred by it and its affiliates for our benefit; |
| our partnership agreement does not restrict us from paying our general partner or its affiliates for any services rendered to us on terms that are fair and reasonable or entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf; and |
| our general partner may exercise its right to call and purchase our common units if it and its affiliates own more than 80% of our common units. |
Although a majority of our directors will be elected by common unitholders, our general partner will likely have substantial influence on decisions made by our board of directors.
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Our officers face conflicts in the allocation of their time to our business.
Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition conduct businesses and activities of their own in which we have no economic interest. If these separate activities are significantly greater than our activities, there will be material competition for the time and effort of our officers, who also provide services to Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and its affiliates. Our officers are not required to work full-time on our affairs and are required to devote time to the affairs of Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and their respective affiliates. Each of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer is also an executive officer of Navios Holdings, and our Chief Executive Officer is the Chief Executive Officer of Navios Acquisition and Navios Holdings.
Our partnership agreement limits our general partners and our directors fiduciary duties to our unitholders and restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our general partner or our directors.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the standards to which our general partner and directors would otherwise be held by Marshall Islands law. For example, our partnership agreement:
| permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner. Where our partnership agreement permits, our general partner may consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and in such cases it has no fiduciary duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting us, our affiliates or our unitholders. Decisions made by our general partner in its individual capacity will be made by its sole owner, Navios Holdings. Specifically, pursuant to our partnership agreement, our general partner will be considered to be acting in its individual capacity if it exercises its call right, pre-emptive rights or registration rights, consents or withholds consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership; |
| appoints any directors or votes for the election of any director, votes or refrains from voting on amendments to our partnership agreement that require a vote of the outstanding units, voluntarily withdraws from the partnership, transfers (to the extent permitted under our partnership agreement) or refrains from transferring its units, general partner interest or incentive distribution rights or votes upon the dissolution of the partnership; |
| provides that our general partner and our directors are entitled to make other decisions in good faith if they reasonably believe that the decision is in our best interests; |
| generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not approved by the conflicts committee of our board of directors and not involving a vote of unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or be fair and reasonable to us and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution is fair and reasonable, our board of directors may consider the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly advantageous or beneficial to us; and |
| provides that neither our general partner nor our officers or our directors will be liable for monetary damages to us, our limited partners or assignees for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our general partner or directors or our officers or directors or those other persons engaged in actual fraud or willful misconduct. |
In order to become a limited partner of our partnership, a common unitholder is required to agree to be bound by the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above.
Fees and cost reimbursements, which the Manager determines for services provided to us, are significant, are payable regardless of profitability and reduce our cash available for distribution.
Under the terms of our management agreement with the Manager, we pay a daily fee of $4,000 per Ultra-Handymax vessel, $4,100 per Panamax vessel, $5,100 per Capesize vessel beginning on January 1, 2014 and $6,500 per Post-Panamax container vessel for technical and commercial management services provided to us by the Manager until December 31, 2015. Intermediate and special survey expenses (including drydocking expenses) under this agreement will be reimbursed at cost upon occurrence. The term of the management agreement is until December 31, 2017.
The daily fee paid to the Manager includes all costs incurred in providing certain commercial and technical management services to us. While this fee is fixed until December 31, 2015, we expect that we will reimburse the Manager for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet from January 1, 2016 until December 31, 2017, which may result in significantly higher fees that period. All of the fees we are required to pay to the Manager under the management agreement are payable without regard to our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, the Manager provides us with administrative services, including the services of our officers and directors, pursuant to an administrative services agreement which has a term until December 31, 2017, and we reimburse the Manager for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with the provision of those services. The fees and reimbursement of expenses to the Manager are payable regardless of our profitability and could materially adversely affect our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders.
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Our partnership agreement contains provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a person or group from attempting to remove our current management or our general partner.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a person or group from attempting to remove our current management or our general partner.
| The vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3 % of all the then outstanding common units, voting together as a single class is required to remove the general partner. Navios Holdings currently owns approximately 18.0% of the total number of outstanding common units. |
| Common unitholders elect only four of the seven members of our board of directors. Our general partner in its sole discretion has the right to appoint the remaining three directors. |
| Election of the four directors elected by unitholders is staggered, meaning that the members of only one of three classes of our elected directors are selected each year. In addition, the directors appointed by our general partner will serve for terms determined by our general partner. |
| Our partnership agreement contains provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings of unitholders, to nominate directors and to acquire information about our operations as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders ability to influence the manner or direction of management. |
| Unitholders voting rights are further restricted by the partnership agreement provision providing that if any person or group owns beneficially more than 4.9% of the common units then outstanding, any such common units owned by that person or group in excess of 4.9% may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, except for purposes of nominating a person for election to our board, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes, unless required by law. The voting rights of any such common unitholders in excess of 4.9% will be redistributed pro rata among the other common unitholders holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of all classes of units entitled to vote. Our general partner, its affiliates and persons who acquired common units with the prior approval of our board of directors will not be subject to this 4.9% limitation except with respect to voting their common units in the election of the elected directors. |
| We have substantial latitude in issuing equity securities without unitholder approval. |
The control of our general partner may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent.
Our general partner may transfer its general partner interest to a third party in a merger or in a sale of all or substantially all of its assets without the consent of the unitholders. In addition, our partnership agreement does not restrict the ability of the members of our general partner from transferring their respective membership interests in our general partner to a third party.
Our general partner has a limited call right that may require unitholders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price.
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates, including Navios Holdings, own more than 80% of the common units, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, but not the obligation, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the common units held by unaffiliated persons at a price not less than their then-current market price. As a result, unitholders may be required to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price and may not receive any return on their investment. Unitholders may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of their units.
As of March 20, 2014, Navios Holdings owned 14,223,763 common units and 1,578,763 general partner units, representing a 20.0% interest in us based on all outstanding common units and general partnership units.
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Unitholders may not have limited liability if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes control of our business.
As a limited partner in a partnership organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands, unitholders could be held liable for our obligations to the same extent as a general partner if they participate in the control of our business. Our general partner generally has unlimited liability for the obligations of the partnership, such as its debts and environmental liabilities, except for those contractual obligations of the partnership that are expressly made without recourse to our general partner.
We can borrow money to pay distributions, which would reduce the amount of credit available to operate our business.
Our partnership agreement will allow us to make working capital borrowings to pay distributions. Accordingly, we can make distributions on all our units even though cash generated by our operations may not be sufficient to pay such distributions. Any working capital borrowings by us to make distributions will reduce the amount of working capital borrowings we can make for operating our business.
Increases in interest rates may cause the market price of our common units to decline.
An increase in interest rates may cause a corresponding decline in demand for equity investments in general, and in particular for yield-based equity investments such as our common units. Any such increase in interest rates or reduction in demand for our common units resulting from other relatively more attractive investment opportunities may cause the trading price of our common units to decline. In addition, our interest expense will increase, since initially our debt will bear interest at a floating rate, subject to any interest rate swaps we may enter into the future.
Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions.
Under some circumstances, unitholders may have to repay amounts wrongfully returned or distributed to them. Under the Marshall Islands Act, we may not make a distribution to unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. Marshall Islands law provides that for a period of three years from the date of the impermissible distribution, limited partners who received the distribution and who knew at the time of the distribution that it violated Marshall Islands law will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount. Assignees who become substituted limited partners are liable for the obligations of the assignor to make contributions to the partnership that are known to the assignee at the time it became a limited partner and for unknown obligations if the liabilities could be determined from the partnership agreement. Liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interest and liabilities that are non-recourse to the partnership are not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted.
Because the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is not currently permitted to inspect registered public accounting firms in Greece, including our independent registered public accounting firm, you may not benefit from such inspections.
Auditors of U.S. public companies, including our independent registered public accounting firm, are required by the laws of the United States to undergo periodic Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) inspections to assess their compliance with U.S. law and professional standards in connection with performance of audits of financial statements filed with the SEC. The laws of certain European Union countries, including Greece, do not currently permit the PCAOB to conduct inspections of accounting firms established and operating in such European Union countries. Accordingly, the PCAOB is currently prevented from fully evaluating the effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firms audit procedures or quality control procedures. Unlike shareholders or potential shareholders of most U.S. public companies, our unitholders would be deprived of the possible benefits of such PCAOB inspections.
Tax Risks
In addition to the following risk factors, you should read Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations on page 52 for a more complete discussion of the expected material U.S. federal and non-U.S. income tax considerations relating to us and the ownership and disposition of common units.
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. unitholders.
A non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes if at least 75.0% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of passive income, or at least 50.0% of the average value of the entitys assets produce or are held for the production of those types of passive income. For purposes of these tests, passive income generally includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property, and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that 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. U.S. unitholders of a PFIC 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.
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Based on our current and projected method of operation, and on opinion of counsel, we believe that we were not a PFIC for our 2013 taxable year, and we expect that we will not become a PFIC with respect to any other taxable year. Our U.S. counsel, Thompson Hine LLP, is of the opinion that (1) the income we receive from time chartering activities and the assets we own that are engaged in generating such income should not be treated as passive income or assets, respectively, and (2) so long as our income from time charters exceeds 25.0% of our gross income from all sources for each taxable year after our initial taxable year and the fair market value of our vessels contracted under time charters exceeds 50.0% of the average fair market value of all of our assets for each taxable year after our initial taxable year, we should not be a PFIC for any taxable year. This opinion is based on representations and projections provided by us to our counsel regarding our assets, income and charters, and its validity is conditioned on the accuracy of such representations and projections. We expect that all of the vessels in our fleet will be engaged in time chartering activities and intend to treat our income from those activities as non-passive income, and the vessels engaged in those activities as non-passive assets, for PFIC purposes. However, no assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will accept this position.
We may have to pay tax on U.S.-source income, which would reduce our earnings.
Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, 50.0% of the gross shipping income of a vessel owning or chartering corporation that is attributable to transportation that either begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States is characterized as U.S.-source shipping income. U.S.-source shipping income generally is subject to a 4.0% U.S. federal income tax without allowance for deduction or, if such U.S.-source shipping income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, U.S. federal corporate income tax (the highest statutory rate presently is 35.0%) as well as a branch profits tax (presently imposed at a 30.0% rate on effectively connected earnings) applies, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code.
Based on an opinion of counsel, and certain assumptions and representations, we believe that we will qualify for this statutory tax exemption, and we will take this position for U.S. federal income tax return reporting purposes. However, there are factual circumstances, including some that may be beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption. Furthermore, our board of directors could determine that it is in our best interests to take an action that would result in this tax exemption not applying to us in the future. In addition, our conclusion that we qualify for this exemption, as well as the conclusions in this regard of our counsel, Thompson Hine LLP, is based upon legal authorities that do not expressly contemplate an organizational structure such as ours; specifically, although we have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we are organized as a limited partnership under Marshall Islands law. Therefore, we can give no assurances that the IRS will not take a different position regarding our qualification for this tax exemption.
If we were not entitled to the Section 883 exemption for any taxable year, we generally would be subject to a 4.0% U.S. federal gross income tax with respect to our U.S.-source shipping income or, if such U.S. source shipping income were effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, U.S. federal corporate income tax as well as a branch profits tax for those years. Our failure to qualify for the Section 883 exemption could have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our unitholders.
You may be subject to income tax in one or more non-U.S. countries, including Greece, as a result of owning our common units if, under the laws of any such country, we are considered to be carrying on business there. Such laws may require you to file a tax return with and pay taxes to those countries.
We intend that our affairs and the business of each of our controlled affiliates will be conducted and operated in a manner that minimizes income taxes imposed upon us and these controlled affiliates or which may be imposed upon you as a result of owning our common units. However, because we are organized as a partnership, there is a risk in some jurisdictions that our activities and the activities of our subsidiaries may be attributed to our unitholders for tax purposes and, thus, that you will be subject to tax in one or more non-U.S. countries, including Greece, as a result of owning our common units if, under the laws of any such country, we are considered to be carrying on business there. If you are subject to tax in any such country, you may be required to file a tax return with and to pay tax in that country based on your allocable share of our income. We may be required to reduce distributions to you on account of any withholding obligations imposed upon us by that country in respect of such allocation to you. The United States may not allow a tax credit for any foreign income taxes that you directly or indirectly incur.
We believe we can conduct our activities in such a manner that our unitholders should not be considered to be carrying on business in one or more non-U.S. countries including Greece solely as a consequence of the acquisition, holding, disposition or redemption of our common units. However, the question of whether either we or any of our controlled affiliates will be treated as carrying on business in any particular country will be largely a question of fact to be determined based upon an analysis of contractual arrangements, including the management agreement and the administrative services agreement we will enter into with the Manager, and the way we conduct business or operations, all of which may change over time. Furthermore, the laws of Greece or any other country may change in a manner that causes that countrys taxing authorities to determine that we are carrying on business in such country and are subject to its taxation laws. Any foreign taxes imposed on us or any subsidiaries will reduce our cash available for distribution.
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Item 4. | Information on the Partnership |
A. History and Development of the Partnership
Navios Partners is an international owner and operator of dry cargo vessels, formed on August 7, 2007 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands by Navios Holdings, a vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company with over 55 years of operating history in the drybulk shipping industry. Navios GP L.L.C. (the General Partner), a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (Navios Holdings), was also formed on that date to act as the general partner of Navios Partners and received a 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners.
Navios Partners is engaged in the seaborne transportation services of a wide range of drybulk commodities including iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizer, chartering its vessels under medium to long-term charters. The operations of Navios Partners are managed by Navios ShipManagement Inc., a subsidiary of Navios Holdings (the Manager) from its offices in Piraeus, Greece, Singapore and Monaco.
Pursuant to the initial public offering (IPO) on November 16, 2007, Navios Partners entered into the following agreements:
(a) a management agreement with the Manager pursuant to which the Manager provides Navios Partners commercial and technical management services;
(b) an administrative services agreement with the Manager pursuant to which the Manager provides Navios Partners administrative services; and
(c) an omnibus agreement with Navios Holdings (Omnibus Agreement), governing, among other things, when Navios Partners and Navios Holdings may compete against each other as well as rights of first offer on certain drybulk carriers.
As of December 31, 2013, there were outstanding: 71,034,163 common units and 1,449,681 general partnership units. As of December 31, 2013 Navios Holdings owned a 21.6% interest in Navios Partners, which includes a 2% general partner interest.
Equity Offerings and Issuances
2014
On February 14, 2014, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 5,500,000 common units at $17.30 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $95.2 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including the underwriting discount and excluding offering costs estimated at $0.3 million were approximately $91.1 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 112,245 general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.9 million. On February 18, 2014, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering and issued 825,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. As a result of the exercise of the option, Navios Partners raised additional gross proceeds of $14.3 million and net proceeds, including the underwriting discount, of approximately $13.7 million and issued 16,837 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.3 million.
2013
On September 25, 2013, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 5,000,000 common units at $14.26 per unit and raised gross proceeds of $71.3 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including the underwriting discount and excluding offering costs of $0.2 million were $68.2 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 102,041 general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.5 million. On the same date, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering and issued 750,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. As a result of the exercise of the option, Navios Partners raised additional gross proceeds of $10.7 million. The net proceeds, including the underwriting discount, were approximately $10.2 million and Navios Partners issued 15,306 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.2 million.
On February 6, 2013, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 4,500,000 common units at $14.15 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $63.7 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including the underwriting discount and excluding offering costs of $0.2 million were approximately $60.8 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 91,837 general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.3 million. On the same date, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering and issued 675,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. As a result of the exercise of the option, Navios Partners raised additional gross proceeds of $9.6 million and net proceeds, including the underwriting discount, of approximately $9.1 million and issued 13,776 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.2 million.
2012
On May 8, 2012, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 4,600,000 common units at $15.68 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $72.1 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering were approximately $68.7 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 93,878 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.5 million.
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Vessel Acquisitions
On January 18, 2014, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Sun, a 2005-built Panamax vessel of 76,619 dwt, for a purchase price of $15.7 million paid in cash, which was held in escrow as of December 31, 2013.
On January 7, 2014, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios La Paix, a new building Ultra-Handymax vessel of 61,485 dwt, for a purchase price of $27.5 million in cash, which was partially held in escrow as of December 31, 2013.
In December 2013, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party and took delivery of five 2006 South Korean-built Post-Panamax container vessels of 6,800 TEU each, consisting of the Hyundai Hongkong, the Hyundai Singapore, the Hyundai Tokyo, the Hyundai Shanghai and the Hyundai Busan for an acquisition price of $275.0 million in cash consideration.
On October 11, 2013, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Harmony, an 82,790 dwt 2006 Japanese-built Panamax vessel, for an acquisition cost of $18.0 million in cash consideration.
On September 11, 2013, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Joy, a 181,389 dwt Japanese new-build Capesize vessel, for an acquisition cost of $47.5 million in cash consideration.
On July 27, 2012, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Helios, a 77,075 dwt Panamax vessel built in 2005, for an acquisition cost of $21.1 million in cash consideration.
On July 24, 2012, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Soleil, a 57,337 dwt Ultra-Handymax vessel built in 2009, for an acquisition cost of $21.1 million in cash consideration.
On June 15, 2012, Navios Partners acquired from Navios Holdings the Navios Buena Ventura, a 179,259 dwt Capesize vessel built in 2010, for a cash purchase price of $67.5 million of which $46.3 million was allocated to the vessel and $21.2 million allocated to the acquired time charter-out contract with favorable leases.
B. Business Overview
Introduction
We are an international owner and operator of drybulk and container vessels formed by Navios Holdings (NYSE: NM), a vertically integrated seaborne shipping company with over 60 years of operating history in the dry cargo shipping industry. Our vessels are generally chartered-out under medium to long-term time charters with an average remaining term of approximately three years to a strong group of counterparties, including Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Exelon Corporation (formerly Constellation Energy Group), Rio Tinto and Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd.
Our Fleet
Our fleet consists of 14 Panamax vessels, eight Capesize vessels, three Ultra-Handymax vessels and five Post-Panamax container vessels. Our fleet of high quality dry cargo vessels has an average age of approximately seven and eight years for drybulk and container vessels, respectively, which is significantly younger than the current industry average of about nine and eleven years for drybulk and container vessels, respectively (both industry average as of December 31, 2013). Panamax vessels are highly flexible vessels capable of carrying a wide range of drybulk commodities, including iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizer and of being accommodated in most major discharge ports, while Capesize vessels are primarily dedicated to the carriage of iron ore and coal. Ultra-Handymax vessels are similar to Panamax vessels although with less carrying capacity and generally have self-loading and discharging gear on board to accommodate undeveloped ports. Container vessels are specifically constructed to transport containerized cargo. We may from time to time purchase additional vessels, including vessels from Navios Holdings.
We generate revenues by charging our customers for the use of our vessels to transport their drybulk commodities. In general, the vessels in our fleet are chartered-out under time charters, which range in length from one to ten years at inception. From time to time, we operate vessels in the spot market until the vessels have been chartered under long-term charters.
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The following table provides summary information about our fleet as of March 20, 2014:
Owned Drybulk Vessels | Type | Built | Capacity (DWT) |
Charter Expiration Date |
Charter-Out Rate (1) | ||||||||||||||
Navios Apollon |
Ultra-Handymax | 2000 | 52,073 | July 2014 | $ | 13,500 | (2) | ||||||||||||
Navios Soleil |
Ultra-Handymax | 2009 | 57,337 | August 2014 | $ | 13,300 | |||||||||||||
Navios La Paix |
Ultra-Handymax | 2014 | 61,485 | December 2015 | $ | 6TC BSI +10% | (3) | ||||||||||||
Navios Gemini S |
Panamax | 1994 | 68,636 | May 2014 | $ | 11,163 | |||||||||||||
Navios Libra II |
Panamax | 1995 | 70,136 | September 2015 | $ | 12,000 | (2) | ||||||||||||
Navios Felicity |
Panamax | 1997 | 73,867 | May 2014 | $ | 12,000 | (4) | ||||||||||||
Navios Galaxy I |
Panamax | 2001 | 74,195 | February 2018 | $ | 21,937 | |||||||||||||
Navios Helios |
Panamax | 2005 | 77,075 | December 2014 | $ | 12,513 | |||||||||||||
Navios Hyperion |
Panamax | 2004 | 75,707 | April 2014 | $ | 10,213 | |||||||||||||
April 2015 | $ | 4TC BPI | (5) | ||||||||||||||||
Navios Alegria |
Panamax | 2004 | 76,466 | July 2014 | 14,013 | ||||||||||||||
Navios Orbiter |
Panamax | 2004 | 76,602 | April 2014 | $ | 10,688 | |||||||||||||
Navios Hope |
Panamax | 2005 | 75,397 | July 2014 | $ | 10,000 | |||||||||||||
Navios Sagittarius |
Panamax | 2006 | 75,756 | November 2018 | $ | 26,125 | |||||||||||||
Navios Harmony |
Panamax | 2006 | 82,790 | April 2014 | $ | 12,898 | |||||||||||||
Navios Sun |
Panamax | 2005 | 76,619 | February 2015 | $ | 13,063 | |||||||||||||
Navios Fantastiks |
Capesize | 2005 | 180,265 | March 2014 | $ | 14,678 | |||||||||||||
March 2015 | 20,425 | ||||||||||||||||||
Navios Aurora II |
Capesize | 2009 | 169,031 | November 2019 | $ | 41,325 | |||||||||||||
Navios Pollux |
Capesize | 2009 | 180,727 | April 2019 | $ | 40,888 | |||||||||||||
Navios Fulvia |
Capesize | 2010 | 179,263 | September 2015 | $ | 50,588 | |||||||||||||
Navios Melodia(6) |
Capesize | 2010 | 179,132 | September 2022 | $ | 29,356 | (7) | ||||||||||||
Navios Luz |
Capesize | 2010 | 179,144 | November 2020 | $ | 29,356 | (8) | ||||||||||||
Navios Buena Ventura |
Capesize | 2010 | 179,259 | October 2020 | $ | 29,356 | (8) | ||||||||||||
Navios Joy |
Capesize | 2013 | 181,389 | June 2016 | $ | 19,000 | (9) | ||||||||||||
Owned Container Vessels | Type | Built | TEU | Charter Expiration Date |
Charter-Out Rate (1) | ||||||||||||||
Hyundai Hongkong |
Container | 2006 | 6,800 | December 2023 | $ | 30,119 | |||||||||||||
Hyundai Singapore |
Container | 2006 | 6,800 | December 2023 | $ | 30,119 | |||||||||||||
Hyundai Tokyo |
Container | 2006 | 6,800 | December 2023 | $ | 30,119 | |||||||||||||
Hyundai Shanghai |
Container | 2006 | 6,800 | December 2023 | $ | 30,119 | |||||||||||||
Hyundai Busan |
Container | 2006 | 6,800 | December 2023 | $ | 30,119 |
Charter-in Drybulk Vessels | Type | Built | Capacity (DWT) |
Charter Date |
Charter-Out Rate (1) |
|||||||||
Navios Prosperity (10) |
Panamax | 2007 | 82,535 | May 2014 | $ | 12,000 | (4) | |||||||
Navios Aldebaran (11) |
Panamax | 2008 | 76,500 | June 2014 | $ | 11,000 | (12) |
(1) | Daily charter-out rate per day, net of commissions or net insurance or settlement proceeds, where applicable. |
(2) | Profit sharing 50% on the actual results above the period rates. |
(3) | The charter rate is based on the Supramax time charter Index plus 10% with a minimum rate of $9,500 net. |
(4) | Profit sharing: The owners will receive 100% of the first $1,500 in profits above the base rate and thereafter all profits will be split 50% to each party. |
(5) | The charter rate is based on the Panamax time charter Index. |
(6) | In January 2011, Korea Line Corporation (KLC) filed for receivership. The charter was affirmed and will be performed by KLC on its original terms, following an interim suspension period during which Navios Partners trades the vessel directly. |
(7) | Profit sharing 50% above $37,500/ day based on Baltic Exchange Capesize TC Average. |
(8) | Profit sharing 50% above $38,500/ day based on Baltic Exchange Capesize TC Average. |
(9) | The charterer has been granted an option to extend the charter for two optional years, the first at $22,325 (net) per day and the second at $25,650(net) per day. |
(10) | The Navios Prosperity is chartered-in for seven years until June 2014 and we have options to extend for two one-year periods. We have the option to purchase the vessel after June 2012 at a purchase price that is initially 3.8 billion Yen ($36.1 million based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2013) declining each year by 145 million Yen ($1.4 million based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2013). |
(11) | The Navios Aldebaran is chartered-in for seven years until March 2015 and we have options to extend for two one-year periods. We have the option to purchase the vessel after March 2013 at a purchase price that is initially 3.6 billion Yen ($34.2 million based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2013) declining each year by 150 million Yen ($1.4 million based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2013). |
(12) | Profit sharing: The owners will receive 100% of the first $2,500 in profits above the base rate and thereafter all profits will be split 50% to each party. |
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Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that our future prospects for success are enhanced by the following aspects of our business:
| Stable and growing cash flows. We believe that the medium to long-term, fixed-rate nature of our charters will provide a stable base of revenue. In addition, we believe that the potential opportunity to purchase additional vessels from Navios Holdings and through the secondary market provides visible future growth in our revenue and distributable cash flow. We believe that our management agreement, which has been extended until December 31, 2017, provides for a fixed management fee until December 31, 2015, will continue to provide us with predictable expenses. From January 2016 to December 2017, we expect that we will reimburse Navios ShipManagement (the Manager) for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet, which may make our cash flows less predictable. |
| Strong relationship with Navios Holdings. We believe our relationship with Navios Holdings and its affiliates provides us with numerous benefits that are key to our long-term growth and success, including Navios Holdings expertise in commercial management and Navios Holdings reputation within the shipping industry and its network of strong relationships with many of the worlds drybulk raw material producers, agricultural traders and exporters, industrial end-users, shipyards, and shipping companies. We also benefit from Navios Holdings expertise in technical management through its in-house technical manager, which provides efficient operations and maintenance for our vessels at costs significantly below the industry average for vessels of a similar age. Navios Holdings expertise in fleet management is reflected in Navios Holdings history of a low number of off-hire days and in its record of no material incidents giving rise to loss of life or pollution or other environmental liability. |
| High-quality, flexible fleet. Our fleet consists of 14 modern, Panamax vessels, eight modern Capesize vessels, three Ultra-Handymax vessels and five Post-Panamax container vessels. The average age of the vessels in our fleet is significantly lower than the average age of the world drybulk fleet. Our combined fleet had an average age of 6.9 years as of March 2014 (average age of 6.8 years for drybulk fleet and 7.7 years for containers fleet), compared to a current industry average age of about 9.3 years for the drybulk fleet and 10.9 years for the containers fleet (both industry averages as of December 31, 2013). Panamax vessels are highly flexible vessels capable of carrying a wide range of drybulk commodities, including iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizer, and of being accommodated in most major discharge ports. Ultra-Handymax vessels are similar to Panamax vessels although with less carrying capacity and generally have self-loading and discharging gear on board to accommodate undeveloped ports. Capesize vessels are primarily dedicated to the carriage of iron ore and coal. Post-Panamax container vessels are designed to carry manufactured, finished or semi-finished goods in steel shipping containers or specific routes. We believe that our high-quality, flexible fleet provides us with a competitive advantage in the drybulk and container time charter market, where vessel age, flexibility and quality are of significant importance in competing for business. |
| Operating visibility through long-term charters with strong counterparties. All of our vessels are chartered-out under medium to long-term time charters with average remaining charter duration of approximately three years to a strong group of counterparties consisting of, amongst others: Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Rio Tinto, Exelon Corporation (formerly Constellation Energy) and Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd. We believe our existing charter coverage with strong counterparties provides us with predictable contracted revenues and operating visibility. |
Business Strategies
Our primary business objective is to increase quarterly distributions per unit over time by executing the following strategies:
| Pursue stable cash flows through long-term charters for our fleet. We intend to continue to utilize medium to long-term, fixed-rate charters for our existing fleet. Currently, the vessels in our fleet have average remaining charter duration of approximately three years and have staggered charter expirations. We will seek to opportunistically re-charter our vessels in order to add incremental stable cash flow and improve the long-term charter terms. |
| Continue to grow and diversify our fleet of owned and chartered-in vessels. We seek to make strategic acquisitions to expand our fleet in order to capitalize on the demand for drybulk carriers in a manner that is accretive to distributable cash flow per unit. We have the right to purchase certain additional drybulk vessels currently owned or chartered-in by Navios Holdings when those vessels are fixed under long-term charters for a period of three or more years. In addition, we may seek to expand and diversify our fleet through the open market purchase of owned and chartered-in drybulk vessels with charters of three or more years. We believe that our long-term charters and financial flexibility will assist us to make additional accretive acquisitions. |
| Capitalize on our relationship with Navios Holdings and expand our charters with recognized charterers. We believe that we can use our relationship with Navios Holdings and its established reputation in order to obtain favorable long-term time charters and attract new customers. We will continue to increase the number of vessels we charter to our existing charterers, as well as enter into charter agreements with new customers, in order to develop a portfolio that is diverse from a customer, geographic and maturity perspective. |
| Provide superior customer service by maintaining high standards of performance, reliability and safety. Our customers seek transportation partners that have a reputation for high standards of performance, reliability and safety. We intend to use Navios Holdings operational expertise and customer relationships to further expand a sustainable competitive advantage with consistent delivery of superior customer service. |
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Our Customers
We provide or will provide seaborne shipping services under long-term time charters with customers that we believe are creditworthy. Currently, our major customers are: Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd, Navios Corporation and Samsun Logix. For the year ended December 31, 2013, these charterers accounted for 23.4%, 11.3%, 10.4% and 10.2%, respectively, of total revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2012, Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Samsun Logix accounted for 22.8%, 16.0% and 13.0%, respectively, of total revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2011, Cosco Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Samsun Logix accounted for approximately 22.2%, 18.5% and 13.2%, respectively, of total revenues. No other customers accounted for more than 10% of total revenue for any of the years presented.
Although we believe that if any one of our charters were terminated, we could recharter the related vessel at the prevailing market rate relatively quickly, the permanent loss of a significant customer or a substantial decline in the amount of services requested by a significant customer could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations if we were unable to recharter our vessel on a favorable basis due to then-current market conditions, or otherwise.
Competition
The drybulk shipping markets are extensive, diversified, competitive and highly fragmented, divided among approximately 1,730 independent drybulk carrier owners. The worlds active drybulk fleet consists of approximately 10,000 vessels, aggregating approximately 723 million dwt as of December 31, 2013. As a general principle, the smaller the cargo carrying capacity of a drybulk carrier, the more fragmented is its market, both with regard to charterers and vessel owner/operators. Even among the larger drybulk owners and operators, whose vessels are mainly in the larger sizes, only five companies are known to have fleets of 100 vessels or more: the two largest Chinese shipping companies, China Ocean Shipping and China Shipping Group and the three largest Japanese shipping companies, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Kawasaki Kisen and Nippon Yusen Kaisha. There are about 45 owners known to have fleets of between 30 and 100 vessels. However, vessel ownership is not the only determining factor of fleet control. Many owners of bulk carriers charter their vessels out for extended periods, not just to end users (owners of cargo), but also to other owner/operators and to tonnage pools. Such operators may, at any given time, control a fleet many times the size of their owned tonnage. Navios Holdings is one such operator; others include Cargill, Bocimar, Louis Dreyfus/Cetragpa, Torvald Klaveness and Swiss Marine.
The container shipping markets are extensive, diversified, competitive and fragmented, divided among approximately 619 liner operators and independent owners. The worlds active containership fleet consists of approximately 5,100 vessels, aggregating approximately 17.1 million TEU as of December 31, 2013. As a general principle, the smaller the cargo carrying capacity of a containership, the more fragmented is its market, both with regard to charterers and vessel owner/operators. Even among the larger liner companies and containership owners and operators, whose vessels are mainly in the larger sizes, only ten companies are known to control fleets of 80 vessels or more: AP Moller, Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), Peter Dohle, Evergreen, Pacific International Lines, COSCO, CP Offen, CMA CGM, Blue Star and China Shipping Group. There are about 40 owners known to control fleets of between 30 and 80 vessels. However, vessel ownership is not the only determining factor of fleet control. Liner companies, who control the movement of containers on land and at sea, own vessels directly and charter in vessels on short and long term charters. Many owners/managers of containerships charter their vessels out for extended periods but do not control the movement of any containers, the so called tonnage providers. Liner companies may, at any given time, control a fleet many times the size of their owned tonnage. AP Moller and MSC are such liner operators; whereas Peter Dohle, CP Offen and others including Navios Maritime Partners are tonnage providers.
It is likely that we will face substantial competition for long-term charter business from a number of experienced companies. Many of these competitors will have significantly greater financial resources than we do. It is also likely that we will face increased numbers of competitors entering into our transportation sectors, including in the drybulk sector. Many of these competitors have strong reputations and extensive resources and experience. Increased competition may cause greater price competition, especially for long-term charters.
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Time Charters
A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate. Under a time charter, the vessel owner provides crewing and other services related to the vessels operation, the cost of which is included in the daily rate and the customer is responsible for substantially all of the vessel voyage costs. All of the vessels in our fleet are hired out under time charters, and we intend to continue to hire out our vessels under time charters. The following discussion describes the material terms common to all of our time charters.
Basic Hire Rate
Basic hire rate refers to the basic payment from the customer for the use of the vessel. The hire rate is generally payable semi-monthly, in advance, in U.S. dollars as specified in the charter.
Expenses
In October 2011, Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing management agreement with the Manager until December 31, 2017 and fixed the rate for shipmanagement services of its owned fleet through December 31, 2013. The management fees we paid to the Manager were: (a) $4,650 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,550 daily rate per Panamax vessel; and (c) $5,650 daily rate per Capesize vessel. In October 2013, we fixed the rate with the Manager until December 31, 2015 at a daily rate of: (a) $4,000 per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,100 per Panamax vessel; (c) $5,100 per Capesize vessel effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015; and (d) $6,500 per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the date of delivery of such vessel to the Navios Partners owned fleet through December 31, 2015, while the term of the management agreement is until December 31, 2017. This fixed fee covers vessel operating expenses, which include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance. The Manager is directly responsible for providing all of these items and services. Intermediate and special survey expenses (including drydocking expenses) will be reimbursed at cost under the management agreement. From January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, we expect that we will reimburse the Manager for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet. The charterer generally pays the voyage expenses, which include all expenses relating to particular voyages, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions.
Off-hire
When the vessel is off-hire, the charterer generally is not required to pay the basic hire rate, and we are responsible for all costs. Prolonged off-hire may lead to vessel substitution or termination of the time charter. A vessel generally will be deemed off-hire if there is a loss of time due to, among other things:
| operational deficiencies; drydocking for repairs, maintenance or inspection; equipment breakdowns; or delays due to accidents, crewing strikes, certain vessel detentions or similar problems; or |
| the shipowners failure to maintain the vessel in compliance with its specifications and contractual standards or to provide the required crew. |
Under some of our charters, the charterer is permitted to terminate the time charter if the vessel is off-hire for an extended period, which is generally defined as a period of 90 or more consecutive off-hire days.
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Termination
We are generally entitled to suspend performance under the time charters covering our vessels if the customer defaults in its payment obligations. Under some of our time charters, either party may terminate the charter in the event of war in specified countries or in locations that would significantly disrupt the free trade of the vessel. Under some of our time charters covering our vessels require us to return to the charterer, upon the loss of the vessel, all advances paid by the charterer but not earned by us.
Classification, Inspection and Maintenance
Every sea going vessel must be classed by a classification society. The classification society certifies that the vessel is in class, signifying that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the rules of the classification society and complies with applicable rules and regulations of the vessels country of registry and the international conventions of which that country is a member. In addition, where surveys are required by international conventions and corresponding laws and ordinances of a flag state, the classification society will undertake them on application or by official order, acting on behalf of the authorities concerned.
The classification society also undertakes, on request, other surveys and checks that are required by regulations and requirements of the flag state. These surveys are subject to agreements made in each individual case or to the regulations of the country concerned. For maintenance of the class, regular and extraordinary surveys of hull, machinery (including the electrical plant) and any special equipment classed are required to be performed as follows:
| Annual Surveys: For seagoing ships, annual surveys are conducted for the hull and the machinery (including the electrical plant) and, where applicable, for special equipment classed, at intervals of 12 months from the date of commencement of the class period indicated in the certificate. |
| Intermediate Surveys: Extended annual surveys are referred to as intermediate surveys and typically are conducted two and a half years after commissioning and each class renewal. Intermediate surveys may be carried out on the occasion of the second or third annual survey. |
| Class Renewal Surveys: Class renewal surveys, also known as special surveys, are carried out for the ships hull, machinery (including the electrical plant), and for any special equipment classed, at the intervals indicated by the character of classification for the hull. At the special survey, the vessel is thoroughly examined, including audio-gauging, to determine the thickness of its steel structure. Should the thickness be found to be less than class requirements, the classification society would prescribe steel renewals. The classification society may grant a one-year grace period for completion of the special survey. Substantial amounts of money may have to be spent for steel renewals to pass a special survey if the vessel experiences excessive wear and tear. In lieu of the special survey every four or five years, depending on whether a grace period was granted, a ship owner has the option of arranging with the classification society for the vessels integrated hull or machinery to be on a continuous survey cycle, in which every part of the vessel would be surveyed within a five-year cycle. |
Management of Ship Operations, Administration and Safety
Navios Holdings provides, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Navios ShipManagement Inc., referred to as the Manager herein, expertise in various functions critical to our operations. Pursuant to a management agreement and an administrative services agreement with the Manager, we have access to human resources, financial and other administrative functions, including:
| bookkeeping, audit and accounting services; |
| administrative and clerical services; |
| banking and financial services; and |
| client and investor relations. |
Technical management services are also provided, including:
| commercial management of the vessel; |
| vessel maintenance and crewing; |
| purchasing and insurance; and |
| shipyard supervision. |
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For more information on the management agreement we have with the Manager and the administrative services agreement we have with the Manager, please read Item 7. Unitholders and Related Party Transactions.
Crewing and Staff
The Manager crews its vessels primarily with Filipino, Ukrainian, Polish, Russian, Indian and Georgian officers and Filipino, Georgian, and Ukrainian seamen. For these nationalities, officers and seamen are referred to the Manager by local crewing agencies. The Manager is also responsible for travel and payroll of the crew. The crewing agencies handle each seamans training. The Manager requires that all of its seamen have the qualifications and licenses required to comply with international regulations and shipping conventions.
Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance
General
The operation of any cargo vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, physical damage, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage, business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities, and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. The OPA, which imposes virtually unlimited liability upon owners, operators and demise charterers of any vessel trading in the United States exclusive economic zone for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has made liability insurance more expensive for ship owners and operators trading in the U.S. market. While we believe that our present insurance coverage is adequate, not all risks can be insured, and there can be no guarantee that any specific claim will be paid, or that we will always be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates.
Hull and Machinery and War Risk Insurances
We have marine hull and machinery and war risk insurance, which include coverage of the risk of actual or constructive total loss, for all of our owned vessels. Each of the owned vessels is covered up to at least fair market value, with a deductible of $0.1 million per Handymax and Panamax vessels and $0.2 million per Capesize vessels for the hull and machinery insurance. There are no deductibles for the war risk insurance. We have also arranged increased value insurance for all the owned vessels. Under the increased value insurance, in case of total loss of the vessel, we will be able to recover the sum insured under the increased value policy in addition to the sum insured under the hull and machinery policy. Increased value insurance also covers excess liabilities that are not recoverable in full by the hull and machinery policies by reason of under-insurance.
Protection and Indemnity Insurance
Protection and indemnity insurance is expected to be provided by mutual protection and indemnity associations, or P&I Associations, which will cover Navios Partners third-party liabilities in connection with the operation of its ships. This includes third-party liability and other related expenses of injury or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, loss or damage to cargo, claims arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third-party property, pollution arising from oil or other substances, and salvage, towing and other related costs, including wreck removal. Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual indemnity insurance, extended by protection and indemnity mutual associations.
Navios Partners protection and indemnity insurance coverage for oil pollution is limited to $1.0 billion per event. The 13 P&I Associations that comprise the International Group insure approximately 95% of the worlds commercial tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to reinsure each associations liabilities. Each vessel that Navios Partners acquires will be entered with P&I Associations of the International Group. Under the International Group reinsurance program for the current policy year, each P&I club in the International Group is responsible for the first $9.0 million of every claim. In every claim the amount in excess of $9.0 million and up to $80.0 million is shared by the clubs under a pooling agreement. Any claim in excess of $80.0 million is reinsured by the International Group under the General Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract. This policy currently provides an additional $2.0 billion of coverage for non-oil pollution claims. Further to this, overspill protection has been placed by the International Group for claims up to $1 billion in excess of $2.08 billion, i.e. $3.08 billion in total. For passengers and crew claims the overall limit is $3.0 billion any one event any one vessel with a sub-limit of $2.0 billion for passengers.
As a member of a P&I Association, which is a member of the International Group, Navios Partners will be subject to calls payable to the associations based on its claim records as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual associations, and members of the pool of P&I Associations comprising the International Group. The P&I Associations policy year commences on February 20th. Calls are levied by means of Estimated Total Premiums (ETP) and the amount of the final installment of the ETP varies according to the actual total premium ultimately required by the club for a particular policy year. Members have a liability to pay supplementary calls which might be levied by the board of directors of the club if the ETP is insufficient to cover amounts paid out by the club.
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Uninsured Risks
Not all risks are insured and not all risks are insurable. The principal insurable risks which nonetheless remain uninsured across our fleet are loss of hire and strikes, except in cases of loss of hire due to war or a piracy event. Specifically, Navios Partners does not insure these risks because the costs are regarded as disproportionate. These insurances provide, subject to a deductible, a limited indemnity for hire that would not be receivable by the shipowner for reasons set forth in the policy. Should a vessel on time charter, where the vessel is paid a fixed hire day by day, suffer a serious mechanical breakdown, the daily hire will no longer be payable by the charterer. The purpose of the loss of hire insurance is to secure the loss of hire during such periods. In the case of strikes insurance, if a vessel is being paid a fixed sum to perform a voyage and the ship becomes strike bound at a loading or discharging port, the insurance covers the loss of earnings during such periods. However, in some cases when a vessel is transiting high risk war and/or piracy areas Navios Partners arranges war loss of hire insurance for cover up to 270 days of detention/loss of time.
Credit Risk Insurance
We have insured certain of our long-term charter-out contracts until the end of 2016, either through an AA rated European Union insurance provider up to a maximum cash payment of $120.0 million initially or through a separate agreement with Navios Holdings up to a maximum cash payment of $20.0 million. Our agreements provide that if the charterer goes into payment default, the respective insurer will reimburse us for the charter payments under the terms of the cover (subject to applicable deductibles and other customary limitations for such type of insurance).
Regulation
Sources of applicable rules and standards
Shipping is one of the worlds most heavily regulated industries, and, in addition, it is subject to many industry standards. Government regulation significantly affects the ownership and operation of vessels. These regulations consist mainly of rules and standards established by international conventions, but they also include national, state, and local laws and regulations in force in jurisdictions where vessels may operate or are registered, and which are commonly more stringent than international rules and standards. This is the case particularly in the United States and, increasingly, in Europe.
A variety of governmental and private entities subject vessels to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include local port authorities (the U.S. Coast Guard, harbor masters or equivalent entities), classification societies, flag state administration (country vessel of registry), and charterers, particularly terminal operators. Certain of these entities require vessel owners to obtain permits, licenses, and certificates for the operation of their vessels. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require a vessel owner to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend operation of one or more of its vessels.
Heightened levels of environmental and quality concerns among insurance underwriters, regulators, and charterers continue to lead to greater inspection and safety requirements on all vessels and may accelerate the scrapping of older vessels throughout the industry. Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to stricter environmental standards. Vessel owners are required to maintain operating standards for all vessels that will emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of officers and crews and compliance with U.S. and international regulations.
The International Maritime Organization, or IMO, has adopted a number of international conventions concerned with ship safety and with preventing, reducing or controlling pollution from ships. These fall into two main categories, consisting firstly of those concerned generally with ship safety standards, and secondly of those specifically concerned with measures to prevent pollution.
Ship safety regulation
In the former category the primary international instrument is the Safety of Life at Sea Convention of 1974, as amended, or SOLAS, together with the regulations and codes of practice that form part of its regime. Much of SOLAS is not directly concerned with preventing pollution, but some of its safety provisions are intended to prevent pollution as well as promote safety of life and preservation of property. These regulations have been and continue to be regularly amended as new and higher safety standards are introduced with which we are required to comply.
An amendment of SOLAS introduced the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which has been effective since July 1998. Under the ISM Code the party with operational control of a vessel is required to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessels management with code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by the flag state for the vessel, under the ISM Code. Noncompliance with the ISM Code and other IMO regulations, such as the mandatory ship energy efficiency management plan (SEEMP) which is akin to a safety management plan and came into effect on 1 January 2013, may subject a ship owner to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels, and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. For example, the United States Coast Guard and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from trading in ports in the United States and European Union.
Another amendment of SOLAS, made after the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, introduced special measures to enhance maritime security, including the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code (ISPS Code).
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Our owned fleet maintains ISM and ISPS certifications for safety and security of operations. In addition, the Manager voluntarily implements and maintains certifications pursuant to the International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, for its office and ships covering both quality of services and environmental protection (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, respectively).
International regulations to prevent pollution from ships
In the second main category of international regulation, the primary instrument is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, or MARPOL, which imposes environmental standards on the shipping industry set out in Annexes I-VI of MARPOL. These contain regulations for the prevention of pollution by oil (Annex I), by noxious liquid substances in bulk (Annex II), by harmful substances in packaged forms within the scope of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (Annex III), by sewage (Annex IV), by garbage (Annex V), and by air emissions (Annex VI).
These regulations have been and continue to be regularly amended as new and higher standards of pollution prevention are introduced with which we are required to comply.
For example, MARPOL Annex VI, together with the NOx Technical Code established thereunder, sets limits on sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons. It also includes a global cap on the sulphur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls on emissions. Originally adopted in September 1997, Annex VI came into force in May 2005 and was amended in October 2008 (as was the NOx Technical Code) to provide for progressively more stringent limits on such emissions from 2010 onwards. The revised Annex VI provides, in particular, for a reduction of the global sulfur cap, initially to 3.5% (from the previous cap of 4.5%), with effect from January 1, 2012, then progressively reducing to 0.50% effective from January 1, 2020, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018; and the establishment of new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for marine engines, depending on their date of installation. We anticipate incurring costs in complying with these more stringent standards.
The revised Annex VI further allows for designation, in response to proposals from member parties, of Emission Control Areas (ECAs) that impose accelerated and/or more stringent requirements for control of sulfur oxide, particulate matter, and nitrogen oxide emissions. Thus far, ECAs have been formally adopted for the Baltic Sea area (limits Sox emissions only); the North Sea area including the English Channel (limiting Sox emissions only) and the North American ECA (which came into effect from August 1, 2012 limiting SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions). The United States Caribbean Sea ECA entered into force on January 1, 2013 and has been effective since January 1, 2014, limiting SOx, NOx and particulate matter emissions. For the currently-designated ECAs, much lower sulfur limits on fuel oil content are being phased in (1% from July 2010 and 0.1% from January 1, 2015). At its 65th session, the MEPC considered and agreed to proposed draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI regulation 13 on Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), to amend the date for the implementation of the so called Tier III standards within emission control areas (ECAs) to January 1, 2021, from the current effective date of January 1, 2016. NOx control requirements apply to installed marine diesel engines of over 130 kW output power, and different levels (Tiers) of control apply based on the ships construction date. Tier III controls apply only to specified ships while operating in ECAs designated to limit NOx emissions (currently the North American Emission Control Area and the United States Caribbean Sea Area). The draft amendments will be circulated for consideration at MEPC 66 in March 2014, with a view to adoption. These more stringent fuel standards, when fully in effect, are expected to require measures such as fuel switching, vessel modification adding distillate fuel storage capacity, or addition of exhaust gas cleaning scrubbers, to achieve compliance, and may require installation and operation of further control equipment at significant increased cost.
Greenhouse gas emissions
In February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force. Pursuant to the Kyoto Protocol, adopting countries are required to implement national programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, generally referred to as greenhouse gases, which are suspected of contributing to global warming. Currently, the greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping do not come under the Kyoto Protocol.
In December 2011, UN climate change talks took place in Durban and concluded with an agreement referred to as the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. In preparation for the Durban Conference, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) produced a briefing document, confirming the shipping industrys commitment to cut shipping emissions by 20% by 2020, with significant further reductions thereafter. The ICS called on the participants in the Durban Conference to give the IMO a clear mandate to deliver emissions reductions through market-based measures, for example a shipping industry environmental compensation fund. Notwithstanding the ICS request for global regulation of the shipping industry, the Durban Conference did not result in any proposals specifically addressing the shipping industrys role in climate change. The European Union announced in April 2007 that it planned to expand the European Union emissions trading scheme by adding vessels, and a proposal from the European Commission was expected if no global regime for reduction of seaborne emissions had been agreed by the end of 2011. As of January 31, 2013, the Commission has stopped short of proposing that emissions from ships be included in the EUs emissions-trading scheme (ETS). However, on October 1, 2012, it announced that it would propose measures to monitor verify and report on greenhouse-gas emissions from the shipping sector in early 2013. On June 28, 2013, the European Commission adopted a Communication setting out a strategy for progressively including greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport in the EUs policy for reducing its overall GHG emissions. The first step proposed by the Commission is an EU Regulation that would establish an EU-wide system for the
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monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from large ships starting in 2018. The draft Regulation is currently working its way through the various stages of the EU legislative process and will require approval from both the European Council and European Parliament before entering into force. This Regulation may be seen as indicative of an intention to maintain pressure on the international negotiating process. Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, European Union, or individual countries where we operate, including the U.S. that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases from vessels could require us to make significant financial expenditures we cannot predict with certainty at this time.
Other international regulations to prevent pollution
In addition to MARPOL, other more specialized international instruments have been adopted to prevent different types of pollution or environmental harm from ships. In February 2004, the IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention. The BWM Conventions implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits.
The BWM Convention will not enter into force until 12 months after it has been adopted by 30 states, the combined merchant fleets of which represent not less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the worlds merchant shipping. To date, there has not been sufficient adoption of this standard by member-states representing enough of the gross tonnage of the worlds fleet for it to take force. However, as of February 10, 2014, the Convention has been ratified by 38 states, representing 30,38% of the global merchant shipping fleets gross tonnage, and its entry-into-force with attendant compliance costs may therefore be anticipated in the foreseeable future.
European regulations
European regulations in the maritime sector are in general based on international law. However, since the Erika incident in 1999, the European Community has become increasingly active in the field of regulation of maritime safety and protection of the environment. It has been the driving force behind a number of amendments of MARPOL (including, for example, changes to accelerate the time-table for the phase-out of single hull tankers, and to prohibit the carriage in such tankers of heavy grades of oil), and if dissatisfied either with the extent of such amendments or with the time-table for their introduction it has been prepared to legislate on a unilateral basis. In some instances where it has done so, international regulations have subsequently been amended to the same level of stringency as that introduced in Europe, but the risk is well established that EU regulations may from time to time impose burdens and costs on ship owners and operators which are additional to those involved in complying with international rules and standards.
In some areas of regulation the EU has introduced new laws without attempting to procure a corresponding amendment of international law. Notably, it adopted in 2005 a directive on ship-source pollution, imposing criminal sanctions for pollution not only where this is caused by intent or recklessness (which would be an offence under MARPOL), but also where it is caused by serious negligence. The directive could therefore result in criminal liability being incurred in circumstances where it would not be incurred under international law. Experience has shown that in the emotive atmosphere often associated with pollution incidents, retributive attitudes towards ship interests have found expression in negligence being alleged by prosecutors and found by courts on grounds which the international maritime community has found hard to understand. Moreover, there is skepticism that the notion of serious negligence is likely to prove any narrower in practice than ordinary negligence. Criminal liability for a pollution incident could not only result in us incurring substantial penalties or fines but may also, in some jurisdictions, facilitate civil liability claims for greater compensation than would otherwise have been payable.
United States environmental regulations and laws governing civil liability for pollution
Environmental legislation in the United States merits particular mention as it is in many respects more onerous than international laws, representing a high-water mark of regulation with which ship owners and operators must comply, and of liability likely to be incurred in the event of non-compliance or an incident causing pollution.
U.S. federal legislation, including notably the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, establishes an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills, including bunker oil spills from drybulk vessels as well as cargo or bunker oil spills from tankers. OPA affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade in the United States, its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in United States waters, which includes the United States territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Under OPA, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are responsible parties and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or substantial threats of discharges, of oil from their vessels. In addition to potential liability under OPA as the relevant federal legislation, vessel owners may in some instances incur liability on an even more stringent basis under state law in the particular state where the spillage occurred.
Title VII of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004, or the CGMTA, amended OPA to require the owner or operator of any non-tank vessel of 400 gross tons or more, that carries oil of any kind as a fuel for main propulsion, including bunkers, to prepare and submit a response plan for each vessel on or before August 8, 2005. The vessel response plans must include detailed information on actions to be taken by vessel personnel to prevent or mitigate any discharge or substantial threat of such a discharge of ore from the vessel due to operational activities or casualties. OPA currently limits liability of responsible parties to the greater of $1,000 per gross ton or $0.85 million per containership that is over 300 gross tons. These amounts are periodically adjusted for inflation.
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These limits of liability do not apply if an incident was directly caused by violation of applicable United States federal safety, construction or operating regulations or by a responsible partys gross negligence or willful misconduct, or if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and assist in connection with oil removal activities.
In response to the Deepwater Horizon incident in the Gulf of Mexico, in 2010 the U.S. Congress has proposed, but has not formally adopted legislation that would amend OPA to mandate stronger safety standards and increased liability and financial responsibility for offshore drilling operations, but the bill did not seek to change the OPA liability limits applicable to vessels. While Congressional activity on this topic is expected to continue to focus on offshore facilities rather than on vessels generally, it cannot be known with certainty what form any such new legislative initiatives may take.
In addition, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances (other than oil) whether on land or at sea, contains a similar liability regime and provides for cleanup, removal and natural resource damages. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $0.5 million for vessels not carrying hazardous substances as cargo or residue, unless the incident is caused by gross negligence, willful misconduct, or a violation of certain regulations, in which case liability is unlimited.
We currently maintain, for each of our owned vessels, insurance coverage against pollution liability risks in the amount of $1.0 billion per incident. The insured risks include penalties and fines as well as civil liabilities and expenses resulting from accidental pollution. However, this insurance coverage is subject to exclusions, deductibles and other terms and conditions. If any liabilities or expenses fall within an exclusion from coverage, or if damages from a catastrophic incident exceed the $1.0 billion limitation of coverage per incident, our cash flow, profitability and financial position could be adversely impacted.
OPA requires owners and operators of all vessels over 300 gross tons, even those that do not carry petroleum or hazardous substances as cargo, to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet their potential liabilities under OPA. The U.S. Coast Guard has implemented regulations requiring evidence of financial responsibility in the amount of $1,300 per gross ton, which includes the OPA limitation on liability of $1,000 per gross ton and the CERCLA liability limit of $300 per gross ton for vessels not carrying hazardous substances as cargo or residue. Under the regulations, vessel owners and operators may evidence their financial responsibility by showing proof of insurance, surety bond, self-insurance or guaranty. These limits are also periodically revised. We believe our insurance coverage as described above meets the requirements of OPA.
Under OPA, an owner or operator of a fleet of vessels is required only to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility in an amount sufficient to cover the vessel in the fleet having the greatest maximum liability under OPA. Under the self-insurance provisions, the ship owner or operator must have a net worth and working capital, measured in assets located in the United States against liabilities located anywhere in the world, that exceeds the applicable amount of financial responsibility. We have complied with the U.S. Coast Guard regulations by providing a certificate of responsibility from third party entities that are acceptable to the U.S. Coast Guard evidencing sufficient self-insurance.
The U.S. Coast Guards regulations concerning certificates of financial responsibility provide, in accordance with OPA, that claimants may bring suit directly against an insurer or guarantor that furnishes certificates of financial responsibility. In the event that such insurer or guarantor is sued directly, it is prohibited from asserting any contractual defense that it may have had against the responsible party and is limited to asserting those defenses available to the responsible party and the defense that the incident was caused by the willful misconduct of the responsible party. Certain organizations, which had typically provided certificates of financial responsibility under pre-OPA laws, including the major protection and indemnity organizations have declined to furnish evidence of insurance for vessel owners and operators if they are subject to direct actions or required to waive insurance policy defenses. This requirement may have the effect of limiting the availability of the type of coverage required by the Coast Guard and could increase our costs of obtaining this insurance as well as the costs of our competitors that also require such coverage.
OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, and some states environmental laws impose unlimited liability for oil spills. In some cases, states which have enacted such legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining vessels owners responsibilities under these laws. We intend to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.
The United States Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in U.S. navigable waters and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for unauthorized discharges. The Clean Water Act also imposes substantial liability for the costs of
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removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under CERCLA. The EPA regulates the discharge of ballast water and other substances incidental to the normal operation of vessels in U.S. waters using a Vessel General Permit, or VGP, system pursuant to the CWA, in order to combat the risk of harmful organisms that can travel in ballast water carried from foreign ports. Compliance with the conditions of the VGP is required for commercial vessels 79 feet in length or longer (other than commercial fishing vessels.) On March 28, 2013 the EPA adopted the 2013 VGP which took effect on December 19, 2013. The 2013 VGP is valid for five years. This new 2013 VGP imposes a numeric standard to control the release of non-indigenous invasive species in ballast water discharges. In addition, through the CWA certification provisions that allow US states to place additional conditions on use of the VGP within state waters, a number of states have proposed or implemented a variety of stricter ballast water requirements including, in some states, specific treatment standards. Compliance with new U.S. federal and state requirements could require the installation of equipment on our vessels to treat ballast water before it is discharged or the implementation of other port facility disposal arrangements or procedures at potentially substantial cost, and/or otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. waters.
The Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the EPA to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds and other air contaminants. Our vessels are subject to CAA vapor control and recovery standards (VCS) for cleaning fuel tanks and conducting other operations in regulated port areas, and to CAA emissions standards for so-called Category 3 marine diesel engines operating in U.S. waters. In April 2010, EPA adopted regulations implementing the provision of MARPOL Annex VI regarding emissions from Category 3 marine diesel engines. Under these regulations, both U.S. and foreign-flagged ships must comply with the applicable engine and fuel standards of MARPOL Annex VI, including the stricter North America Emission Control Area (ECA) standards which took effect in August 2012, when they enter U.S. ports or operate in most internal U.S. waters including the Great Lakes. MARPOL Annex VI requirements are discussed in greater detail above under International regulations to prevent pollution from ships. We may incur costs to install control equipment on our vessels to comply with the new standards.
Also under the CAA, the U.S. Coast Guard has since 1990 regulated the safety of VCSs that are required under EPA and state rules. Our vessels operating in regulated port areas have installed VCSs that are compliant with EPA, state and U.S. Coast Guard requirements. On July 16, 2013, the U.S. Coast Guard adopted regulations that made its VCS requirements more compatible with new EPA and State regulations, reflected changes in VCS technology, and codified existing U.S. Coast Guard guidelines. We intend to comply with all applicable state and U.S. federal regulations in the ports where our vessels call.
Security Regulations
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or MTSA, came into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new chapter went into effect in July 2004, and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the newly created ISPS Code. Among the various requirements are:
| on-board installation of automatic information systems, or AIS, to enhance vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communications; |
| on-board installation of ship security alert systems; |
| the development of vessel security plans; and |
| compliance with flag state security certification requirements. |
Furthermore, additional security measures could be required in the future which could have a significant financial impact on us. The U.S. Coast Guard regulations, intended to be aligned with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board a valid International Ship Security Certificate, or ISSC, that attests to the vessels compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. We will implement the various security measures addressed by the MTSA, SOLAS and the ISPS Code and take measures for the vessels to attain compliance with all applicable security requirements within the prescribed time periods. Although management does not believe these additional requirements will have a material financial impact on our operations, there can be no assurance that there will not be an interruption in operations to bring vessels into compliance with the applicable requirements and any such interruption could cause a decrease in charter revenues. Furthermore, additional security measures could be required in the future which could have a significant financial impact on us.
International laws governing civil liability to pay compensation or damages
In 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or the Bunker Convention, which imposes strict liability on ship owners for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of bunker oil. The Bunker Convention defines bunker oil as any hydrocarbon mineral oil, including lubricating oil, used or intended to be used for the operation or propulsion of the ship, and any residues of such oil. The Bunker Convention also
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requires registered owners of ships over a certain size to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims of 1976, as amended, or the 1976 Convention). The Bunker Convention entered into force on November 21, 2008, and as of February 28, 2014 had 74 contracting states comprising approximately 90.72% of the gross tonnage of the worlds merchant fleet. In other jurisdictions liability for spills or releases of oil from ships bunkers continues to be determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.
Outside the United States, national laws generally provide for the owner to bear strict liability for pollution, subject to a right to limit liability under applicable national or international regimes for limitation of liability. The most widely applicable international regime limiting maritime pollution liability is the 1976 Convention. Rights to limit liability under the 1976 Convention are forfeited where a spill is caused by a shipowners intentional or reckless conduct. Some states have ratified the 1996 LLMC Protocol to the 1976 Convention, which provides for liability limits substantially higher than those set forth in the 1976 Convention to apply in such states. Finally, some jurisdictions are not a party to either the 1976 Convention or the 1996 LLMC Protocol, and, therefore, shipowners rights to limit liability for maritime pollution in such jurisdictions may be uncertain.
Taxation of the Partnership
United States Taxation
The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us. This discussion is based upon provisions of the Code, final and temporary regulations thereunder (Treasury Regulations), and administrative rulings and court decisions, all as in effect currently and during our year ended December 31, 2013 and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. The following discussion is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us.
Election to be Treated as a Corporation: We have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, we are subject to U.S. federal income tax on our income to the extent it is from U.S. sources or otherwise is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the Unites States as discussed below.
Taxation of Operating Income: Substantially all of our gross income is attributable to the transportation of drybulk and related products. For this purpose, gross income attributable to transportation (Transportation Income) includes income derived from, or in connection with, the use, the hiring for use, or the leasing for use (if any) of a vessel to transport cargo, or the performance of services directly related to the use of any vessel to transport cargo, and thus includes both time charter income and bareboat charter income (if any).
Transportation Income that is attributable to transportation that either begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end in the United States (U.S. Source International Transportation Income) is considered to be 50.0% derived from sources within the United States. Transportation Income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States (U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income) is considered to be 100.0% derived from sources within the United States. Transportation Income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. destinations is considered to be 100.0% derived from sources outside the United States. Transportation Income derived from sources outside the United States generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax.
We believe that we did not earn any U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and expect that we will not earn any such income for future years. However, certain of our activities gave rise to U.S. Source International Transportation Income, and future expansion of our operations could result in an increase in the amount of U.S. Source International Transportation Income, which generally would be subject to U.S. federal income taxation, unless the exemption from U.S. federal income taxation under Section 883 of the Code (the Section 883 Exemption) applied.
The Section 883 Exemption: In general, the Section 883 Exemption provides that if a non-U.S. corporation satisfies the requirements of Section 883 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (the Section 883 Regulations), it will not be subject to the net basis and branch profit taxes or the 4.0% gross basis tax described below on its U.S. Source International Transportation Income. The Section 883 Exemption applies only to U.S. Source International Transportation Income and does not apply to U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income. We qualify for the Section 883 Exemption if, among other matters, we meet the following three requirements:
| We are organized in a jurisdiction outside the United States that grants an equivalent exemption from tax to corporations organized in the United States with respect to the types of U.S. Source International Transportation Income that we earn (an Equivalent Exemption); |
| We satisfy the Publicly Traded Test (as described below) or the Qualified Shareholder Stock Ownership Test (as described below); and |
| We meet certain substantiation, reporting and other requirements. |
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We are organized under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The U.S. Treasury Department has recognized the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a jurisdiction that grants an Equivalent Exemption with respect to the type of income we have earned and are expected to earn. Consequently, our U.S. Source International Transportation Income (including for this purpose, any such income earned by our subsidiaries, that have elected to be disregarded as entities separate from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes) will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation provided we meet the Publicly Traded Test or the Qualified Shareholder Stock Ownership Test and we satisfy certain substantiation, reporting and other requirements.
In order to meet the Publicly Traded Test, the equity interests in the non-U.S. corporation at issue must be primarily traded and regularly traded on an established securities market either in the United States or in a jurisdiction outside the United States that grants an Equivalent Exemption. The Section 883 Regulations generally provide, in pertinent part, that a class of equity interests in a non-U.S. corporation will be considered to be primarily traded on an established securities market in a given country if the number of units of such class that are traded during any taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of units in such class that are traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country. Equity interests in a non-U.S. corporation will be considered to be regularly traded on an established securities market under the Section 883 Regulations provided one or more classes of such equity interests representing more than 50.0% of the aggregate vote and value of all of the outstanding equity interests in the non-U.S. corporation satisfy certain listing and trading volume requirements. These listing and trading volume requirements are satisfied with respect to a class of equity interests listed on an established securities market provided trades in such class are effected, other than in de minimis quantities, on such market on at least 60 days during the taxable year and the aggregate number of units in such class that are traded on such market or markets during the taxable year are at least 10% of the average number of units outstanding in that class during the taxable year (with special rules for short taxable years). In addition, a class of equity interests traded on an established securities market in the United States will be considered to satisfy the listing and trading volume requirements if the equity interests in such class are regularly quoted by dealers making a market in such class (within the meaning of the Section 883 Regulations). Notwithstanding these rules, a class of equity that would otherwise be treated as regularly traded on an established securities market will not be so treated if, for more than half of the number of days during the taxable year, one or more 5.0% unitholders (i.e., unitholders owning, actually or constructively, at least 5.0% of the vote and value of that class) own in the aggregate 50.0% or more of the vote and value of that class (the Closely Held Block Exception), unless the corporation can establish that a sufficient proportion of such 5.0% unitholders are Qualified Shareholders (as defined below) so as to preclude other persons who are 5.0% unitholders from owning 50.0% or more of the value of that class for more than half the days during the taxable year.
Because substantially all of our common units are and have been traded on the New York Stock Exchange, which is considered to be an established securities market, our common units are and have been primarily traded on an established securities market for purposes of the Publicly Traded Test.
Further, although the matter is not free from doubt, based upon our expected cash flow and distributions on our outstanding equity interests, we believe that our common units represented more than 50.0% of the total value of all of our outstanding equity interests, and we believe that we satisfied the trading volume requirements described previously for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2013. We believe that we did not lose eligibility for the Section 883 Exemption as a result of the Closely Held Block Exception for such year, and consequently, we believe we satisfied the Publicly Traded Test for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
While there can be no assurance that we will continue to satisfy the requirements for the Publicly Traded Test in the future, and our board of directors could determine that it is in our best interests to take an action that would result in our not being able to satisfy the Publicly Traded Test, we presently expect to continue to satisfy the requirements for the Publicly Traded Test and the Section 883 Exemption for future years. Please see below for a discussion of the consequences in the event we do not satisfy the Publicly Traded Test or otherwise fail to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption.
The Net Basis Tax and Branch Profits Tax: If we earn U.S. Source International Transportation Income and the Section 883 Exemption does not apply, the U.S. source portion of such income may be treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (Effectively Connected Income) if we have a fixed place of business in the United States and substantially all of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or, in the case of bareboat charter income (if any), is attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States.
We believe that, for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, none of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income was attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or received pursuant to bareboat charters. As a result, we believe that none of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income for such year would be treated as Effectively Connected Income even in the event we did not qualify for the Section 883 Exemption. However, there is no assurance that we will not earn income pursuant to regularly scheduled transportation or bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States in the future, which would result in such income being treated as Effectively Connected Income. In addition, any U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income may be treated as Effectively Connected Income. Any income we earn that is treated as Effectively Connected Income would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax (the highest statutory rate is currently 35.0%) as well as 30.0% branch profits tax imposed under Section 884 of the Code. In addition, a 30.0% branch interest tax could be imposed on certain interest paid or deemed paid by us.
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On the sale of a vessel that has produced Effectively Connected Income, we could be subject to the net basis corporate income tax as well as branch profits tax with respect to the gain recognized up to the amount of certain prior deductions for depreciation that reduced Effectively Connected Income. Otherwise, we would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain realized on the sale of a vessel, provided the gain is not attributable to an office or other fixed place of business maintained by us in the United States under U.S. federal income tax principles.
The 4.0% Gross Basis Tax: If the Section 883 Exemption does not apply and the net basis tax does not apply, we would be subject to a 4.0% U.S. federal income tax on the U.S. source portion of our gross U.S. Source International Transportation Income, without benefit of deductions.
Marshall Islands Taxation
Based on the opinion of Reeder and Simpson, P.C., our counsel as to matters of the law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, because we, our operating subsidiary and our controlled affiliates do not, and do not expect to, conduct business or operations in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, neither we nor our controlled affiliates will be subject to income, capital gains, profits or other taxation under current Marshall Islands law. As a result, distributions by our operating subsidiary and our controlled affiliates to us will not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation.
Other Tax Jurisdictions
Certain of Navios Partners subsidiaries are incorporated in countries which impose taxes, such as Malta, however such taxes are immaterial to Navios Partners operations.
In accordance with the currently applicable Greek law, foreign flagged vessels that are managed by Greek or foreign ship management companies having established an office in Greece are subject to duties towards the Greek state which are calculated on the basis of the relevant vessels tonnage. The payment of said duties exhausts the tax liability of the foreign ship owning company and the relevant manager against any tax, duty, charge or contribution payable on income from the exploitation of the foreign flagged vessel.
C. Organizational Structure
Please read exhibit 8.1 to this Annual Report for a list of our significant subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013.
Affiliates included in the financial statements accounted for under the equity method:
In the consolidated financial statements of Navios Partners, Navios Europe Inc. (Navios Europe), in which Navios Partners has an ownership interest of 5.0% is included as an affiliate and is accounted for under the equity method, for such periods during which Navios Europe was an affiliate of Navios Partners.
D. Property, plants and equipment
Other than our vessels, we do not have any material property, plants or equipment.
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Overview
We are an international owner and operator of dry cargo carriers, formed in August 2007 by Navios Holdings, a vertically integrated seaborne shipping company with over 60 years of operating history in the drybulk shipping industry. We completed our IPO on November 16, 2007.
In June 2013, Navios Partners completed the issuance of the Term Loan B facility. The Term Loan B facility bears an interest of LIBOR + 425 basis points and has a five-year term with 1.0% amortization profile and was issued at 98.0% (at a discount of $5.0 million). Navios Partners used the net proceeds of the Term Loan B facility to: i) prepay $101.6 million of the July 2012 Credit Facility; ii) fully repay the outstanding balance of $41.2 million of the August 2012 Credit Facility; iii) deposit $98.2 million to be held in escrow, to partially finance part of the acquisition of four new vessels; and iv) cover fees and expenses.
On November 1, 2013, Navios Partners completed the issuance of a $189.5 million add-on to its existing Term Loan B facility. The add-on to the Term Loan B facility bears an interest rate of LIBOR +425 basis points and has a five-year term, with a 1.0% amortization profile and was issued at 100%. Navios Partners used the net proceeds to partially finance the acquisition of five Post-Panamax container vessels.
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As of December 31, 2013, the outstanding balance of the Term Loan B facility including the add-on was $437.8 million, net of discount of $4.5 million, and it is repayable in 18 quarterly installments of $1.1 million, beginning in March 2014, with a final payment of $418.0 million, in June 2018.
In June 2013, Navios Partners amended the July 2012 Credit Facility and prepaid $101.6 million from the proceeds of the Term Loan B facility. The prepayment was applied in partial settlement of the next 16 installments. As of December 31, 2013, the outstanding balance was $100.0 million and is repayable in 16 installments, plus a final payment, in various amounts during the term of the July 2012 Credit Facility consisting of $0.5 million (five quarterly installments), $3.4 million (nine quarterly installments), $2.3 million (one quarterly installment) and $5.9 million (one quarterly installment), with a final payment of $58.2 million. The July 2012 Credit Facility bears interest at rates ranging from 180 to 205 bps per annum (depending on the loan amount compared to the security value) plus, depending on the length of the interest period, either LIBOR or the actual cost of funds. The refinancing of this facility was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with ASC470 Debt and an amount of $1.3 million was written-off from the deferred financing fees.
In June 2013, Navios Partners fully repaid the outstanding balance of $41.2 million of the August 2012 Credit Facility from the proceeds of the Term Loan B facility.
As of December 31, 2013, the total borrowings under the Navios Partners credit facilities were $533.3 million, net of original issue discount.
As of December 31, 2013, Navios Partners was in compliance with the financial covenants of its credit facilities.
Equity Offerings and Issuances
On February 14, 2014, Navios Partners completed an equity offering, pursuant to which it issued 5,500,000 common units at $17.30 per unit and raised gross proceeds of $95.2 million (excluding the general partner contribution) to fund its fleet expansion. On February 18, 2014, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the option previously granted to the unitholders in connection with the offering and issued 825,000 common units at $17.30 per unit and raised additional gross proceeds of $14.3 million.
On September 25, 2013, Navios Partners completed an equity offering, pursuant to which it issued 5,750,000 common units at $14.26 per unit and raised gross proceeds of $82.0 million (excluding the general partner contribution) to fund its fleet expansion.
On February 6, 2013, Navios Partners completed an equity offering, pursuant to which it issued 5,175,000 common units at $14.15 per unit and raised gross proceeds of $73.2 million (excluding the general partner contribution) to fund its fleet expansion.
During fiscal 2012, Navios Partners completed an equity offering, pursuant to which it issued a total amount of 4,600,000 common units and raised gross proceeds of $72.1 million (excluding the general partner contribution) to fund its fleet expansion.
As of March 20, 2014, there were outstanding: 77,359,163 common units and 1,578,763 general partnership units. Navios Holdings owns a 20.0% interest in Navios Partners, which includes the 2% general partner interest.
Please see Item 4. Information on the Partnership.
Fleet Development
On January 18, 2014, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Sun, a 2005-built Panamax vessel of 76,619 dwt, for a purchase price of $15.7 million paid in cash, which was held in escrow as of December 31, 2013.
On January 7, 2014, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios La Paix, a new building Ultra-Handymax vessel of 61,485 dwt, for a purchase price of $27.5 million paid in cash, which was held in escrow as of December 31, 2013.
In December 2013, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party five 2006 South Korean-built Post-Panamax container vessels of 6,800 TEU each, consisting of the Hyundai Hongkong, the Hyundai Singapore, the Hyundai Tokyo, the Hyundai Shanghai and the Hyundai Busan for total cash consideration of $275.0 million.
On October 11, 2013, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Harmony, an 82,790 dwt 2006 Japanese-built Panamax vessel, for an acquisition cost of $18.0 million in cash consideration.
On September 11, 2013, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Joy, a 181,389 dwt Japanese new-build Capesize vessel, for an acquisition cost of $47.5 million in cash consideration.
On June 15, 2012, Navios Partners acquired from Navios Holdings the Navios Buena Ventura, for a purchase price of $67.5 million.
45
Favorable lease terms recognized through this transaction amounted to $21.2 million for the Navios Buena Ventura and were related to the acquisition of the rights on the time charter-out contract of the vessel. The amount of $46.3 million for the Navios Buena Ventura was classified under vessels, net.
On July 24, 2012, Navios Partners acquired the Navios Soleil from an unrelated third party, for an acquisition cost of $21.1 million in cash consideration.
On July 27, 2012, Navios Partners acquired the Navios Helios from an unrelated third party, for an acquisition cost of $21.1 million in cash consideration.
The historical results discussed below, and the historical financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report, present operating results of the fleet for the periods beginning from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013.
Country of incorporation |
Statement of income | |||||||||
Company name |
Vessel name | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||
Libra Shipping Enterprises Corporation |
Navios Libra II | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Alegria Shipping Corporation |
Navios Alegria | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Felicity Shipping Corporation |
Navios Felicity | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Gemini Shipping Corporation |
Navios Gemini S | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Galaxy Shipping Corporation |
Navios Galaxy I | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Aurora Shipping Enterprises Ltd. |
Navios Hope | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Palermo Shipping S.A. |
Navios Apollon | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Fantastiks Shipping Corporation |
Navios Fantastiks | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Sagittarius Shipping Corporation |
Navios Sagittarius | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Hyperion Enterprises Inc. |
Navios Hyperion | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Chilali Corp. |
Navios Aurora II | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Surf Maritime Co. |
Navios Pollux | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Pandora Marine Inc. |
Navios Melodia | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Customized Development S.A. |
Navios Fulvia | Liberia | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Kohylia Shipmanagement S.A. |
Navios Luz | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 5/19 12/31 | |||||
Orbiter Shipping Corp. |
Navios Orbiter | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 5/19 12/31 | |||||
Floral Marine Ltd. |
Navios Buena Ventura |
Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 6/15 12/31 | | |||||
Golem Navigation Limited |
Navios Soleil | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 7/24 12/31 | | |||||
Kymata Shipping Co. |
Navios Helios | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 7/27 12/31 | | |||||
Joy Shipping Corporation |
Navios Joy | Marshall Is. | 9/11 12/31 | | | |||||
Micaela Shipping Corporation |
Navios Harmony | Marshall Is. | 10/11 12/31 | | | |||||
Pearl Shipping Corporation |
Navios Sun | Marshall Is. | | | | |||||
Velvet Shipping Corporation |
Navios La Paix | Marshall Is. | | | | |||||
Rubina Shipping Corporation |
Hyundai Hongkong | Marshall Is. | 12/4 12/31 | | | |||||
Topaz Shipping Corporation |
Hyundai Singapore | Marshall Is. | 12/4 12/31 | | | |||||
Beryl Shipping Corporation |
Hyundai Tokyo | Marshall Is. | 12/10 12/31 | | | |||||
Cheryl Shipping Corporation |
Hyundai Shanghai | Marshall Is. | 12/13 12/31 | | | |||||
Christal Shipping Corporation |
Hyundai Busan | Marshall Is. | 12/16 12/31 | | | |||||
Chartered-in vessels |
||||||||||
Prosperity Shipping Corporation |
Navios Prosperity | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Aldebaran Shipping Corporation |
Navios Aldebaran | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Other |
||||||||||
JTC Shipping and Trading Ltd (*) |
Holding Company | Malta | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Navios Maritime Partners L.P. |
N/A | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Navios Maritime Operating LLC |
N/A | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Navios Partners Finance (US) Inc. |
Co-Borrower | Delaware | 6/19 12/31 | | | |||||
Navios Partners Europe Finance Inc. |
Sub-Holding Company |
Marshall Is. | 6/04 12/31 | | |
(*) | Not a vessel-owning subsidiary and only holds right to a charter-in contract. |
46
Our Charters
We generate revenues by charging our customers for the use of our vessels to transport their dry cargos. In general, the vessels in our fleet are chartered-out under time charters, which range in length from one to ten years at inception. From time to time, we operate vessels in the spot market until the vessels have been chartered under long-term charters.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, our most significant counterparties were Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd, Navios Corporation and Samsun Logix, and which accounted for approximately 23.4%, 11.3%, 10.4% and 10.2%, respectively, of total revenues. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, our most significant counterparties were Cosco Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Samsun Logix, and which accounted for approximately 22.8%, 16.0% and 13.0%, respectively, of total revenues. We believe that the combination of the long-term nature of our charters (which provide for the receipt of a fixed fee for the life of the charter) and our management agreement with the Manager, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings (which provides for a fixed management fee until December 31, 2015), provides us with a strong base of stable cash flows.
Our revenues are driven by the number of vessels in the fleet, the number of days during which the vessels operate and our charter hire rates, which, in turn, are affected by a number of factors, including:
| the duration of the charters; |
| the level of spot and long-term market rates at the time of charter; |
| decisions relating to vessel acquisitions and disposals; |
| the amount of time spent positioning vessels; |
| the amount of time that vessels spend undergoing repairs and upgrades in drydock; |
| the age, condition and specifications of the vessels; and |
| the aggregate level of supply and demand in the drybulk shipping industry. |
Time charters are available for varying periods, ranging from a single trip (spot charter) to long-term which may be many years. In general, a long-term time charter assures the vessel owner of a consistent stream of revenue. Operating the vessel in the spot market affords the owner greater spot market opportunity, which may result in high rates when vessels are in high demand or low rates when vessel availability exceeds demand. We intend to operate our vessels in the long-term charter market. Vessel charter rates are affected by world economics, international events, weather conditions, strikes, governmental policies, supply and demand and many other factors that might be beyond our control.
We could lose a customer or the benefits of a charter if:
| the customer fails to make charter payments because of its financial inability, disagreements with us or otherwise; |
| the customer exercises certain rights to terminate the charter of the vessel; |
| the customer terminates the charter because we fail to deliver the vessel within a fixed period of time, the vessel is lost or damaged beyond repair, there are serious deficiencies in the vessel or prolonged periods of off-hire, or we default under the charter; or |
| a prolonged force majeure event affecting the customer, including damage to or destruction of relevant production facilities, war or political unrest prevents us from performing services for that customer. |
Under some of our time charters, either party may terminate the charter contract in the event of war in specified countries or in locations that would significantly disrupt the free trade of the vessel. Some of the time charters covering our vessels require us to return to the charterer, upon the loss of the vessel, all advances paid by the charterer but not earned by us.
47
Vessel Operations
Under our charters, our vessel manager is generally responsible for commercial, technical, health and safety and other management services related to the vessels operation, and the charterer is responsible for bunkering and substantially all of the vessel voyage costs, including canal tolls and port charges.
Under the management agreement we entered into with the Manager, the Manager bears all of our vessel operating expenses in exchange for the payment of fees as described below. Under this agreement, the Manager is responsible for commercial, technical, health and safety and other management services related to the vessels operation, including chartering, technical support and maintenance, insurance but costs associated with special surveys and related drydockings will be reimbursed by Navios Partners at cost at occurrence. In October 2011, Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing Management Agreement with the Manager until December 31, 2017 and fixed the rate for shipmanagement services of its owned fleet through December 31, 2013. The management fees we paid to the Manager were: (a) $4,650 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,550 daily rate per Panamax vessel; and (c) $5,650 daily rate per Capesize vessel. In October 2013, we fixed the rate with the Manager until December 31, 2015 at a daily rate of: (a) $4,000 per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,100 per Panamax vessel; (c) $5,100 per Capesize vessel effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015; and (d) $6,500 per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the date of delivery of such vessel to the Navios Partners owned fleet through December 31, 2015, while the term of the management agreement is until December 31, 2017. Extraordinary costs and expenses include fees and costs resulting from:
| time spent on insurance and salvage claims; |
| time spent vetting and pre-vetting the vessels by any charterers in excess of 10 days per vessel per year; |
| the deductible of any insurance claims relating to the vessels or for any claims that are within such deductible range; |
| the significant increase in insurance premiums which are due to factors such as acts of God outside the control of the Manager; |
| repairs, refurbishment or modifications, including those not covered by the guarantee of the shipbuilder or by the insurance covering the vessels, resulting from maritime accidents, collisions, other accidental damage or unforeseen events (except to the extent that such accidents, collisions, damage or events are due to the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Manager, its employees or its agents, unless and to the extent otherwise covered by insurance); |
| expenses imposed due to any improvement, upgrade or modification to, structural changes with respect to the installation of new equipment aboard any vessel that results from a change in, an introduction of new, or a change in the interpretation of, applicable laws, at the recommendation of the classification society for that vessel or otherwise; |
| costs associated with increases in crew employment expenses resulting from an introduction of new, or a change in the interpretation of, applicable laws or resulting from the early termination of the charter of any vessel; |
| any taxes, dues or fines imposed on the vessels or the Manager due to the operation of the vessels; |
| expenses incurred in connection with the sale or acquisition of a vessel such as inspections and technical assistance; and |
| any similar costs, liabilities and expenses that were not reasonably contemplated by us and the Manager as being encompassed by or a component of the fixed daily fees at the time the fixed daily fees were determined. |
Payment of any extraordinary fees or expenses to the Manager could significantly increase our vessel operating expenses and impact our results of operations.
During the remaining term of the management agreement, we expect that we will reimburse the Manager for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet.
Administrative Services
Under the administrative services agreement we entered into with the Manager, we reimburse the Manager for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of the services under this agreement within 15 days after the Manager submits to us an invoice for such costs and expenses, together with any supporting detail that may be reasonably required. Under this agreement which expires in December 2017, the Manager provides significant administrative, financial and other support services to us.
Trends and Factors Affecting Our Future Results of Operations
We believe the principal factors that will affect our future results of operations are the economic, regulatory, political and
48
governmental conditions that affect the shipping industry generally and that affect conditions in countries and markets in which our vessels engage in business. Other key factors that will be fundamental to our business, future financial condition and results of operations include:
| the demand for seaborne transportation services; |
| the ability of Navios Holdings commercial and chartering operations to successfully employ our vessels at economically attractive rates, particularly as our fleet expands and our charters expire; |
| the effective and efficient technical management of our vessels; |
| Navios Holdings ability to satisfy technical, health, safety and compliance standards of major commodity traders; and |
| the strength of and growth in the number of our customer relationships, especially with major commodity traders. |
In addition to the factors discussed above, we believe certain specific factors will impact our combined and consolidated results of operations. These factors include:
| the charter hire earned by our vessels under our charters; |
| our access to capital required to acquire additional vessels and/or to implement our business strategy; |
| our ability to sell vessels at prices we deem satisfactory; |
| our level of debt and the related interest expense and amortization of principal; and |
| the level of any distribution on our common units. |
Please read Risk Factors for a discussion of certain risks inherent in our business.
A. Operating results
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2012
The following table presents consolidated revenue and expense information for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. This information was derived from the audited consolidated revenue and expense accounts of Navios Partners for the respective periods.
Year ended December 31, 2013 |
Year ended December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||
Time charter and voyage revenues (includes related party revenue of $23.7 million and $7.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively) | $ | 198,159 | $ | 205,435 | ||||
Time charter and voyage expenses |
(14,943 | ) | (12,937 | ) | ||||
Direct vessel expenses |
| (25 | ) | |||||
Management fees (entirely through related party transactions) |
(36,173 | ) | (31,689 | ) | ||||
General and administrative expenses |
(6,305 | ) | (5,555 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(77,505 | ) | (71,622 | ) | ||||
Interest expense and finance cost, net |
(16,910 | ) | (10,127 | ) | ||||
Interest income |
50 | 229 | ||||||
Other income |
13,730 | 22,598 | ||||||
Other expense |
(1,097 | ) | (409 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income |
$ | 59,006 | $ | 95,898 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Time charter and voyage revenues: Time charter and voyage revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased by $7.3 million or 3.5% to $198.2 million, as compared to $205.4 million for the same period in 2012. The decrease in time charter and voyage revenues was due to the decrease in time charter equivalent to $24,284 per day for the year ended December 31, 2013, from $28,907 per day for the year ended December 31, 2012. The above decrease was partially mitigated by the increase in time charter and voyage revenues due to the acquisitions of the Navios Buena Ventura on June 15, 2012, the Navios Soleil on July 24, 2012, the Navios Helios on July 27, 2012, the Navios Joy on September 11, 2013, the Navios Harmony on October 11, 2013 and the acquisition of five Post-Panamax container vessels in December 2013. As a result of the vessel acquisitions, available days of the fleet increased to 7,952 days for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to 7,002 days for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Time charter and voyage expenses: Time charter and voyage expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased by $2.0 million or 15.5% to $14.9 million, as compared to $12.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was mainly attributable to increase in voyage expenses incurred during the year.
49
Management Fees: Management fees for the year ended December 31, 2013, increased by $4.5 million or 14.2% to $36.2 million, as compared to $31.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was mainly attributable to the increased number of owned vessels in Navios Partners fleet.
Pursuant to the management agreement dated November 16, 2007, which was revised in October 2009 and 2011, the Manager, provided commercial and technical management services to Navios Partners vessels for a daily fee of: (a) $4,650 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,550 daily rate per Panamax vessel; and (c) $5,650 daily rate per Capesize vessel until December 31, 2013.
In October 2013, Navios Partners amended its existing management agreement with the Manager, a subsidiary of Navios Holdings, to fix the fees for ship management services of its owned fleet at: (a) $4,000 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,100 daily rate per Panamax vessel; (c) $5,100 daily rate per Capesize vessel effective from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015; and (d) $6,500 daily rate per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the delivery through December 31, 2015. Drydocking expenses under this agreement will be reimbursed at cost at occurrence.
General and administrative expenses: General and administrative expenses increased by $0.7 million or 13.5% to $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was mainly attributable to the increase in administrative expenses paid to the Manager due to the increased number of vessels in Navios Partners fleet.
Pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, the Manager provides administrative services and is reimbursed for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with these services. In October 2011, Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing Administrative Services Agreement with the Manager pursuant to the same terms, until December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the expenses charged by the Manager for administrative fees were $4.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively. The balance of $1.9 million and $1.7 million of general and administrative expenses, for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to legal and professional fees, as well as audit fees and directors fees.
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization amounted to $77.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $71.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase of $5.9 million was attributable to: (a) an increase in depreciation expense of $2.1 million due to the acquisitions of the Navios Buena Ventura, the Navios Soleil, the Navios Helios, the Navios Joy, the Navios Harmony and the acquisition of five Post-Panamax container vessels; (b) an increase in amortization expense of $7.0 million due to the favorable lease terms that were recognized in relation to the acquisition of the rights on the time charter-out contract of the Navios Buena Ventura; and (c) a $3.2 million partial acceleration of the Navios Melodia favorable lease. Depreciation of vessels is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 and 30 years for drybulk and container vessels, respectively, from the date the vessel was originally delivered from the shipyard. Intangible assets are amortized over the contract periods, which range from two to ten years.
Interest expense and finance cost, net: Interest expense and finance cost, net for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased by $6.8 million or 67.0% to $16.9 million, as compared to $10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was due to: (a) the write-off of deferred financing fees of $2.4 million due to loan prepayments; (b) the higher weighted average interest rate of 3.67% for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to 2.90% for the same period in 2012; and (c) the increase in the average outstanding loan balance to $353.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2013 from $314.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the outstanding loan balance under Navios Partners credit facilities was $533.3 million and $299.7 million, respectively.
Interest income: Interest income decreased by $0.2 million to $0.05 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Other income: Other income decreased by $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease was mainly due to a $22.5 million accounting effect from the restructuring of credit default insurance in November 2012 partially mitigated by $13.3 million compensation recognized in 2013 covering hire revenues for the suspension period in a drybulk charter contract until April 2016. Please read Note 20 of our financial statements.
Other expense: Other expense increased by $0.7 million to $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Net income: Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 amounted to $59.0 million compared to $95.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in net income of $36.9 million was due to the factors discussed above.
Operating surplus: Navios Partners generated operating surplus for the year ended December 31, 2013 of $125.5 million, compared to $148.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Operating Surplus is a non-GAAP financial measure used by certain investors to assist in evaluating a partnerships ability to make quarterly cash distributions (See Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Cash from Operating Activities contained herein).
Seasonality: Since Navios Partners vessels generally operate under long-term charters, the results of operations are not generally subject to the effect of seasonable variations in demand.
50
Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2011
The following table presents consolidated revenue and expense information for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. This information was derived from the audited consolidated revenue and expense accounts of Navios Partners for the respective periods.
Year ended December 31, 2012 |
Year ended December 31, 2011 |
|||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||
Time charter revenues (includes related party revenue of $7.4 million and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011) |
$ | 205,435 | $ | 186,953 | ||||
Time charter expenses |
(12,937 | ) | (13,473 | ) | ||||
Direct vessel expenses |
(25 | ) | (61 | ) | ||||
Management fees |
(31,689 | ) | (26,343 | ) | ||||
General and administrative expenses |
(5,555 | ) | (4,965 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(71,622 | ) | (63,971 | ) | ||||
Write-off of intangible asset |
| (3,979 | ) | |||||
Interest expense and finance cost, net |
(10,127 | ) | (9,244 | ) | ||||
Interest income |
229 | 821 | ||||||
Other income |
22,598 | 272 | ||||||
Other expense |
(409 | ) | (675 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income |
$ | 95,898 | $ | 65,335 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Time charter and voyage revenues: Time charter revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $18.4 million or 9.8% to $205.4 million, as compared to $187.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase was mainly attributable to the acquisitions of the Navios Luz and the Navios Orbiter on May 19, 2011, the acquisition of the Navios Buena Ventura on June 15, 2012, the acquisition of the Navios Soleil on July 24, 2012 and the acquisition of the Navios Helios on July 27, 2012. As a result of these vessel acquisitions, available days of the fleet increased to 7,002 days for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to 6,251 days the year ended December 31, 2011. TCE decreased to $28,907 per day for the year ended December 31, 2012, from $29,909 per day for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Time charter and voyage expenses: Time charter expenses for the year ended December 31, 2012 decreased by $0.6 million or 4.0% to $12.9 million, as compared to $13.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The decrease was mainly attributable to the decrease in off-hire charges of $0.4 million, a decrease in bunkers of $0.4 million and a decrease in other expenses of $0.2 million, mitigated by an increase in brokers expenses of $0.4 million.
Management fees: Management fees for the year ended December 31, 2012, increased by $5.4 million or 20.5% to $31.7 million, as compared to $26.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase was mainly attributable to the increased number of owned vessels in Navios Partners fleet and the increase in fixed management fees effective from November 17, 2011.
In accordance with the Management Agreement entered into by Navios Partners, the Manager provided all of Navios Partners owned vessels with commercial and technical management services for a daily fee of $4,550 per owned Panamax vessel, $5,650 per owned Capesize vessel and $4,650 per owned Ultra-Handymax vessel until December 31, 2013.
General and administrative expenses: General and administrative expenses increased by $0.6 million or 12.0% to $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase was mainly attributable to the increase in administrative expenses paid to the Manager due to the increased number of vessels in Navios Partners fleet.
Pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, the Manager provides administrative services and is reimbursed for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with these services. In October 2011, Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing Administrative Services Agreement with the Manager pursuant to the same terms, until December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the expenses charged by the Manager for administrative fees were $3.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively. The balance of $1.7 million and $1.5 million of general and administrative expenses, for the year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, relate to legal and professional fees, as well as audit fees and directors fees.
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization amounted to $71.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $64.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase of $7.6 million was attributable to: (a) an increase in depreciation expense of $3.0 million due to the acquisitions of the Navios Luz and the Navios Orbiter on May 19, 2011, the Navios Buena Ventura on June 15, 2012, the Navios Soleil on July 24, 2012, and the Navios Helios on July 27, 2012; and (b) an increase in amortization expense of $4.6 million due to the favorable and unfavorable lease terms that were recognized in relation to the acquisition of the rights on the time charter-out contracts of the vessels. Depreciation of vessels is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 and 30 years for drybulk and container vessels, respectively, from the date the vessel was originally delivered from the shipyard. Intangible assets are amortized over the contract periods, which range from three to 12 years.
51
Write-off of intangible asset: The Navios Apollon was off-hire due to an engine breakdown and therefore the charter-out contract was terminated. The net book value of the favorable lease term that was attached to the charter-out contract was $4.0 million and was written-off in the Statement of Income.
Interest expense and finance cost, net: Interest expense and finance cost, net for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased by $0.9 million or 9.8% to $10.1 million, as compared to $9.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase was mainly due to the higher weighted average interest rate of 2.90% for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to 2.62% for the year ended December 31, 2011, mitigated by the decrease in the weighted average balance outstanding of the credit facilities to $314.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $328.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the outstanding loan balance under Navios Partners credit facilities was $299.7 million and $326.1 million, respectively.
Interest income: Interest income decreased by $0.6 million to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Other income: Other income increased by $22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase was mainly due to the gain of $22.5 million related to the credit default insurance settlement. Please read Note 20 of our financial statements.
Other expense: Other expense decreased by $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011.
Net income: Net income for the year ended December 31, 2012 amounted to $95.9 million compared to $65.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase in net income of $30.6 million was due to the factors discussed above.
Operating surplus: Navios Partners generated operating surplus for the year ended December 31, 2012 of $148.9 million, compared to $115.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. Operating Surplus is a non-GAAP financial measure used by certain investors to assist in evaluating a partnerships ability to make quarterly cash distributions (See Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Cash from Operating Activities contained herein).
Seasonality: Since Navios Partners vessels generally operate under long-term charters, the results of operations are not generally subject to the effect of seasonable variations in demand.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Credit facilities
On July 31, 2012, Navios Partners entered into the July 2012 Credit Facility for $290.5 million. The July 2012 Credit Facility was entered into to refinance and merge Navios Partners two existing facilities at that time.
On August 8, 2012, Navios Partners entered into the August 2012 Credit Facility, and borrowed an amount of $44.0 million to partially finance the acquisitions of the Navios Buena Ventura, the Navios Helios and the Navios Soleil.
On June 27, 2013, Navios Partners and Navios Partners Finance (US) Inc., as co-borrowers, entered into the Term Loan B facility with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, Citibank, N.A., as documentation agent, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and the other lenders party thereto. The Term Loan B facility bears an interest of LIBOR + 425 basis points and has a five-year term with 1% amortization profile and was issued at 98.0% (at a discount of $5.0 million). Navios Partners used the net proceeds of the Term Loan B facility to: (i) prepay $101.6 million of the July 2012 Credit Facility; (ii) fully repay the outstanding balance of $41.2 million of the August 2012 Credit Facility; (iii) deposit $98.2 million to be held in escrow, to partially finance part of the acquisition of four new vessels and (iv) cover fees and expenses.
The Term Loan B facility is secured by first priority mortgages covering certain vessels owned by subsidiaries of Navios Partners, in addition to other collateral and is guaranteed by each subsidiary of Navios Partners. The Term Loan Agreement requires maintenance of a loan to value ratio of 0.8 to 1.0, and other restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type (subject to negotiated exceptions and baskets), including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, acquisitions and investments, restricted payments and dispositions. The Term Loan Agreement also provides for customary events of default.
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In June 2013, Navios Partners amended the July 2012 Credit Facility and prepaid $101.6 million from the proceeds of the Term Loan B facility. The prepayment was applied in partial settlement of the next 16 installments. As of December 31, 2013, the outstanding balance was $100.0 million and is repayable in 16 installments, plus a final payment, in various amounts during the term of the July 2012 Credit Facility consisting of $0.5 million (five quarterly installments), $3.4 million (nine quarterly installments), $2.3 million (one quarterly installment) and $5.9 million (one quarterly installment), with a final payment of $58.2 million. The July 2012 Credit Facility bears interest at rates ranging from 180 to 205 bps per annum (depending on the loan amount compared to the security value) plus, depending on the length of the interest period, either LIBOR or the actual cost of funds. The refinancing of this facility was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with ASC470 Debt and an amount of $1.3 million was written-off from the deferred financing fees.
On November 1, 2013, Navios Partners completed the issuance of a $189.5 million add-on to its existing Term Loan B facility. The add-on to the Term Loan B facility bears an interest rate of LIBOR +425 basis points and has a five year term, with a 1.0% amortization profile and was issued at 100%. Navios Partners used the net proceeds to partially finance the acquisition of five Post-Panamax container vessels.
As of December 31, 2013, the outstanding balance of the Term Loan B facility, including the add-on, was $437.8 million, net of discount of $4.5 million and it is repayable in 18 quarterly installments of $1.1 million, beginning in March 2014, with a final payment of $418.0 million in June 2018.
As of December 31, 2013, the total borrowings under the Navios Partners credit facilities were $533.3 million, net of original issue discount. As of December 31, 2013, Navios Partners was in compliance with the financial covenants of its credit facilities.
Amounts drawn under the July 2012 Credit Facility, as amended, are secured by first preferred mortgages on certain Navios Partners vessels and other collateral and are guaranteed by the respective vessel-owning subsidiary. The July 2012 Credit Facility contains a number of restrictive covenants that prohibit or limit Navios Partners from, among other things: incurring or guaranteeing indebtedness; entering into affiliate transactions; charging, pledging or encumbering the vessels; changing the flag, class, management or ownership of Navios Partners vessels; changing the commercial and technical management of Navios Partners vessels; selling or changing the beneficial ownership or control of Navios Partners vessels; and subordinating the obligations under the credit facilities to any general and administrative costs relating to the vessels, including the fixed daily fee payable under the management agreement. The July 2012 Credit Facility also requires compliance with a number of financial covenants, including Net Worth, debt coverage ratios and minimum liquidity. It is an event of default under the loan facilities if such covenants are not complied with.
The credit facilities also require us to comply with the ISM Code and ISPS Code and to maintain valid safety management certificates and documents of compliance at all times.
In addition, our credit facilities require us to:
| maintain a required security amount of over 140%; |
| maintain minimum free consolidated liquidity of at least the higher of $20.0 million and the aggregate of interest and principal falling due during the previous six months; |
| maintain a ratio of EBITDA to interest expense of at least 5.00 : 1.00; |
| maintain a ratio of total liabilities to total assets (as defined in our credit facilities) of less than 0.65 : 1.00; and |
| maintain a minimum net worth to $250.0 million. |
The credit facilities prohibit us from paying distributions to our unitholders or making new investments if, before and after giving effect to such distribution or investment we are not in compliance with the financial covenants described above or upon the occurrence of an event of default. Events of default under our credit facilities include:
| failure to pay any principal, interest fees, expenses or other amounts when due; |
| breach of certain undertakings, negative covenants and financial covenants contained in the credit facilities, any related security document or guarantee, including failure to maintain unencumbered title to any of the vessel-owning subsidiaries or any of the assets of the vessel-owning subsidiaries and failure to maintain proper insurance and in some cases subject to certain grace and due periods; |
| default under other indebtedness; |
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| any representation, warranty or statement made by us in the credit facilities or any drawdown notice thereunder or related security document or guarantee is untrue or misleading when made; |
| any of our or our subsidiaries assets are subject to any form of execution, attachment, arrest, sequestration or distress in that is not discharged within a specified period of time; |
| an event of insolvency or bankruptcy; |
| material adverse change in the financial position or prospects of us or our General Partner; |
| unlawfulness, non-effectiveness or repudiation of any material provision of our credit facilities, of any of the related finance and guarantee documents; |
| failure of effectiveness of security documents or guarantee; |
| instability affecting a country where the vessels are flagged; and |
| failure of Navios Holdings or its affiliates (as defined in the credit facilities agreements) to own at least 20% of us. |
Liquidity and Cash Sources and Uses
In addition to distributions on our units, our primary short-term liquidity needs are to fund general working capital requirements, cash reserve requirements as per our credit facilities and debt service, while our long-term liquidity needs primarily relate to expansion and investment capital expenditures and other maintenance capital expenditures and debt repayment. Expansion capital expenditures are primarily for the purchase or construction of vessels to the extent the expenditures increase the operating capacity of or revenue generated by our fleet, while maintenance capital expenditures primarily consist of drydocking expenditures and expenditures to replace vessels in order to maintain the operating capacity of or revenue generated by our fleet. Investment capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that are neither maintenance capital expenditures nor expansion capital expenditures.
We anticipate that our primary sources of funds for our short-term liquidity needs will be cash flows from operations. We believe that cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our existing short-term liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months. In addition, we filed a shelf registration statement on November 1, 2013, which was declared effective on January 15, 2014, under which we may sell any combination of securities (debt or equity) for up to a total of $500.0 million, approximately $390.6 million of which is currently available.
Generally, our long-term sources of funds derive from cash from operations, long-term bank borrowings and other debt or equity financings. Because we distribute our available cash, we expect that we will rely upon external financing sources, including bank borrowings and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund acquisitions and expansion and investment capital expenditures, including opportunities we may pursue under the Omnibus Agreement. We cannot assure you that we will be able to raise the size of our credit facilities or obtaining additional funds on favorable terms.
Cash deposits and cash equivalents in excess of amounts covered by government provided insurance are exposed to loss in the event of non-performance by financial institutions. Navios Partners does maintain cash deposits and equivalents in excess of government provided insurance limits. Navios Partners also minimizes exposure to credit risk by dealing with a diversified group of major financial institutions.
As of December 31, 2013, all of our facilities were fully drawn and the total borrowings under our credit facilities amounted to $533.3 million.
On May 8, 2012, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 4,600,000 common units at $15.68 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $72.1 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering were approximately $68.7 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 93,878 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.5 million.
On February 6, 2013, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 4,500,000 common units at $14.15 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $63.7 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including the underwriting discount and excluding offering costs at $0.2 million were approximately $60.8 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 91,837 general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.3 million. On the same date, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering and issued 675,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. As a result of the exercise of the option, Navios Partners raised additional gross proceeds of $9.6 million and net proceeds, including the underwriting discount, of approximately $9.1 million and issued 13,776 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.2 million.
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On September 25, 2013, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 5,000,000 common units at $14.26 per unit and raised gross proceeds of $71.3 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including the underwriting discount and excluding offering costs of $0.2 million were $68.2 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 102,041 general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.5 million. On the same date, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering and issued 750,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. As a result of the exercise of the option, Navios Partners raised additional gross proceeds of $10.7 million. The net proceeds, including the underwriting discount, were approximately $10.2 million and Navios Partners issued 15,306 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.2 million.
On February 14, 2014, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 5,500,000 common units at $17.30 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $95.2 million to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including the underwriting discount and excluding offering costs estimated at $0.3 million were approximately $91.1 million. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 112,245 general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1.9 million. On February 18, 2014, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering and issued 825,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. As a result of the exercise of the option, Navios Partners raised additional gross proceeds of $14.3 million and net proceeds, including the underwriting discount, of approximately $13.7 million and issued 16,837 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $0.3 million.
As of March 20, 2014, there were outstanding: 77,359,163 common units and 1,578,763 general partnership units. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the aggregate amount of cash distribution paid was $122.4 million, $106.9 million and $95.5 million, respectively.
Cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the year ended December 31, 2012:
The following table presents cash flow information for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. This information was derived from the audited consolidated statement of cash flows of Navios Partners for the respective periods.
Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
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(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 104,842 | $ | 179,081 | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(382,673 | ) | (109,698 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by/ (used in) financing activities |
281,045 | (85,329 | ) | |||||
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Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 3,214 | $ | (15,946 | ) | |||
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Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012:
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $74.2 million to $104.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to $179.1 million for the same period in 2012.
Net income decreased by $36.9 million to $59.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, from $95.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. In determining net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013, net income was adjusted for the effects of certain non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization of $77.5 million and $4.0 million amortization and write-off of deferred financing cost. For the year ended December 31, 2012, net income was adjusted for the effects of certain non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization of $71.6 million, $0.8 million amortization and write-off of deferred financing cost and $0.03 million amortization of deferred dry dock costs.
Accounts receivable increased by $8.5 million, from $7.8 million at December 31, 2012, to $16.3 million at December 31, 2013 due to the increase in amounts due from charterers.
Prepaid expenses and other current assets increased by $1.1 million, from $0.6 million at December 31, 2012, to $1.7 million at December 31, 2013.
Other long term assets decreased by $0.2 million, from $0.3 million at December 31, 2012, to $0.1 million at December 31, 2013.
Accounts payable increased by $1.1 million, from $2.1 million at December 31, 2012, to $3.2 million at December 31, 2013. The increase was attributed to the increase in brokers payable by $0.3 million and an increase in other payables by $1.0 million partially offset by the decrease in port agents and head owners payable by $0.2 million.
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Accrued expenses increased by $0.3 million from $3.6 million at December 31, 2012 to $3.9 million at December 31, 2013. The primary reason for the increase was an increase in accrued legal expenses by $0.9 million partially mitigated by a decrease in accrued loan interest by $0.2 million and a decrease in accrued voyage expenses by $0.4 million.
Deferred voyage revenue primarily relates to cash received from charterers prior to it being earned. Deferred voyage revenue, net of commissions decreased by $6.1 million from $9.1 million at December 31, 2012 to $3.0 million at December 31, 2013.
Amounts due to related parties decreased by $21.5 million, from $21.7 million at December 31, 2012, to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease in accrued management fees by $17.1 million, a decrease in accrued administrative expenses by $2.1 million and an decrease in other payables due to affiliated companies by $2.4 million.
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012:
Net cash used in investing activities was $382.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $109.7 million for the same period in 2012.
Cash used in investing activities of $382.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 was due to: (i) $98.2 million held in escrow for the acquisition of four vessels of which $47.0 million was released in September 2013 for the acquisition of the Navios Joy and $17.8 million was released in October 2013 for the acquisition of the Navios Harmony; (ii) $7.3 million paid as deposits for the acquisition of the vessels that was delivered to Navios Partners in January 2014; (iii) a $0.3 million loan granted to Navios Europe; (iv) $0.5 million for investment in Navios Europe; and (v) $341.2 million paid for the acquisition of the Navios Joy on September 11, 2013, the acquisition of the Navios Harmony on October 11, 2013 and the acquisition of five Post-Panamax container vessels in December 2013.
On June 15, 2012, Navios Partners acquired from Navios Holdings, the Navios Buena Ventura, for a purchase price of $67.5 million. Favorable lease terms recognized through this transaction amounted to $21.2 million and were related to the acquisition of the rights for the time charter-out contract of the vessel. The amount of $46.3 million for the Navios Buena Ventura was classified under vessels, net.
In July, 2012, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Soleil and the Navios Helios, for an acquisition cost of $21.1 million for each vessel in cash consideration.
Cash provided by/(used in) financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012:
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities increased by $366.4 million to $281.0 million inflow for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to $85.3 million outflow for the same period in 2012.
Cash provided by/(used in) financing activities of $281.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 was due to: (a) $148.0 million proceeds from the issuance of 10,925,000 common units in February 2013 and in September 2013, net of offering costs; (b) $3.2 million from the issuance of additional general partnership units; (c) $28.4 million decrease in restricted cash related to the amounts held in retention accounts in order to service debt as required by Navios Partners credit facilities; and (d) $434.5 million proceeds from the Term Loan B facility net of discount. This overall increase was partially mitigated by: (a) loan repayments and prepayment of long term debt, net of expenses of $201.4 million; (b) payment of a total cash distribution of $122.4 million; and (c) payment of $9.2 million of deferred financing cost relating to the July 2012 Credit Facility and the Term Loan B facility.
Cash used in financing activities of $85.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 was due to: (a) $68.6 million proceeds from the issuance of 4,600,000 common units in May 2012, net of offering costs; (b) $1.5 million from the issuance of additional general partnership units; and (c) proceeds of $44.0 million on August 8, 2012, under the August 2012 Credit Facility. This overall increase was partially offset by: (a) loan repayments of $70.3 million; (b) payment of a total cash distribution of $106.9 million; (c) payment of $1.1 million financing cost relating to the August 2012 Credit Facility of $44.0 million; and (d) an increase of $21.1 million in restricted cash related to the amounts held in retention accounts in order to service debt payments as required by Navios Partners credit facilities.
Cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the year ended December 31, 2011:
The following table presents cash flow information for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. This information was derived from the audited consolidated statement of cash flows of Navios Partners for the respective periods.
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
Year Ended December 31, 2011 |
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(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 179,081 | $ | 127,464 | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(109,698 | ) | (120,000 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
(85,329 | ) | (10,664 | ) | ||||
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Decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
$ | (15,946 | ) | $ | (3,200 | ) | ||
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Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011:
Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $51.6 million to $179.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to $127.5 million for the same period in 2011.
Net income increased by $30.6 million to $95.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, from $65.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. In determining net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2012, net income was adjusted for the effects of certain non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization of $71.6 million, $0.8 million amortization and write-off of deferred financing cost and $0.03 million amortization of deferred dry dock costs. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net income was adjusted for the effects of certain non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization of $64.0 million, a $4.0 million write-off of intangible assets, $0.5 million amortization of deferred financing cost and $0.06 million amortization of deferred dry dock costs.
Restricted cash increased from $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $29.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Restricted cash includes an amount of $28.7 million held in retention and pledged accounts as required by Navios Partners credit facilities and an amount of $0.8 million to guarantee a claim related to an owned vessel.
Accounts receivable increased by $2.9 million, from $4.8 million at December 31, 2011, to $7.7 million at December 31, 2012 due to the increase in amounts due from charterers.
Prepaid expenses and other current assets decreased by $1.6 million, from $2.2 million at December 31, 2011, to $0.6 million at December 31, 2012.
Other long term assets increased by $0.2 million, from $0.1 million at December 31, 2011, to $0.3 million at December 31, 2012.
Accounts payable increased by $0.1 million, from $2.0 million at December 31, 2011, to $2.1 million at December 31, 2012.
Accrued expenses increased by $0.6 million from $3.0 million at December 31, 2011 to $3.6 million at December 31, 2012. The primary reasons for the increase were a $0.2 million provision on loss in time charter in progress at the year-end, an increase in accrued voyage expenses by $0.9 million and an increase by $0.1 million in other accrued expenses, partially offset by a decrease in accrued loan interest of $0.6 million.
Deferred voyage revenue primarily relates to cash received from charterers prior to it being earned. Deferred voyage revenue, net of commissions decreased by $6.0 million from $15.1 million at December 31, 2011 to $9.1 million at December 31, 2012. Out of the $9.1 million at December 31, 2012, the amount of $4.2 million represents the short-term portion of unamortized deferred revenue received from the counterparty to the Navios Hope. Please read Note 10 of our financial statements.
Amounts due to related parties increased by $17.7 million, from $4.0 million at December 31, 2011, to $21.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in accrued management fees by $12.4 million, an increase in accrued administrative expenses by $1.2 million and an increase in other payables due to affiliated companies by $4.1 million.
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011:
Net cash used in investing activities was $109.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to $120.0 million for the same period in 2011.
On June 15, 2012, Navios Partners acquired from Navios Holdings the Navios Buena Ventura, for a purchase price of $67.5 million. Favorable lease terms recognized through this transaction amounted to $21.2 million for the Navios Buena Ventura and were related to the acquisition of the rights on the time charter-out contract of the vessel. The amount of $46.3 million for the Navios Buena Ventura was classified under vessels, net.
On July 24, 2012, Navios Partners acquired the Navios Soleil from an unrelated third party, for an acquisition cost of $21.1 million in cash consideration.
On July 27, 2012, Navios Partners acquired the Navios Helios from an unrelated third party, for an acquisition cost of $21.1 million in cash consideration.
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On May 19, 2011, Navios Partners acquired from Navios Holdings the Navios Luz, for a purchase price of $78.0 million, and the Navios Orbiter, for a purchase price of $52.0 million. The purchase price for the two vessels consisted of the issuance of 507,916 common units to Navios Holdings and cash of $120.0 million. Favorable lease terms recognized through this transaction amounted to $22.9 million for the Navios Luz and $20.9 million for the Navios Orbiter and were related to the acquisition of the rights on the time charter-out contracts of the vessels. The amounts of $55.1 million for the Navios Luz and the amount of $31.1 million for the Navios Orbiter were classified under vessels, net.
Cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011:
Net cash used in financing activities increased by $74.6 million to $85.3 million outflow for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $10.7 million for the same period in 2011.
Cash used in financing activities of $85.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 was due to: (a) $68.6 million proceeds from the issuance of 4,600,000 common units in May 2012, net of offering costs; (b) $1.5 million from the issuance of additional general partnership units; and (c) proceeds of $44.0 million on August 8, 2012, under the August 2012 Credit Facility. This overall increase was partially offset by: (a) loan repayments of $70.3 million; (b) payment of a total cash distribution of $106.9 million;(c) payment of $1.1 million financing costs relating to the August 2012 Credit Facility of $44.0 million; and (d) increase of $21.1 million in restricted cash related to the amounts held in retention accounts in order to service debt payments as required by Navios Partners credit facilities.
Cash used in financing activities of $10.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 was due to: (a) $86.3 million proceeds from the issuance of 4,600,000 common units in April 2011, net of offering costs; (b) $2.0 million from the issuance of additional general partnership units to the General Partner; and (c) proceeds of $35.0 million on May 27, 2011, under the May 2011 Credit Facility. This overall increase was offset by: (a) loan repayments of $30.5 million; (b) payment of $0.4 million financing costs relating to the May 2011 Credit Facility; (c) payment of a total cash distribution of $95.5 million; and (d) an increase of $7.6 million in restricted cash related to the amounts held in retention account in order to service debt payments and amounts held in pledged account as required by Navios Partners credit facilities.
Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Cash from Operating Activities
Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
Year Ended December 31, 2011 |
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(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 104,842 | $ | 179,081 | $ | 127,464 | ||||||
Net decrease in operating assets |
9,403 | 1,565 | 3,430 | |||||||||
Net increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities |
26,301 | (12,314 | ) | 2,982 | ||||||||
Net interest cost |
16,860 | 9,898 | 8,423 | |||||||||
Write-off of intangible asset |
| | (3,979 | ) | ||||||||
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs |
(4,035 | ) | (787 | ) | (530 | ) | ||||||
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EBITDA(1) |
$ | 153,371 | $ | 177,443 | $ | 137,790 | ||||||
Write-off of intangible asset |
| | 3,979 | |||||||||
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Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 153,371 | $ | 177,443 | $ | 141,769 | ||||||
Cash interest income |
49 | 262 | 801 | |||||||||
Cash interest paid |
(13,324 | ) | (9,957 | ) | (8,131 | ) | ||||||
Maintenance and replacement capital expenditures |
(14,593 | ) | (18,869 | ) | (18,569 | ) | ||||||
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Operating Surplus |
$ | 125,503 | $ | 148,879 | $ | 115,870 | ||||||
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(1) |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
Year Ended December 31, 2011 |
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(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 104,842 | $ | 179,081 | $ | 127,464 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
$ | (382,673 | ) | $ | (109,698 | ) | $ | (120,000 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities |
$ | 281,045 | $ | (85,329 | ) | $ | (10,664 | ) |
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA represents net income plus interest and finance costs plus depreciation and amortization and income taxes.
Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA plus the non-cash charge for the write-off of the intangible asset associated with the Navios Apollon charter-out contract.
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EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are presented because Navios Partners believes that EBITDA is a basis upon which liquidity can be assessed and present useful information to investors regarding Navios Partners ability to service and/or incur indebtedness, pay capital expenditures, meet working capital requirements and pay dividends. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered a substitute for net income, cash flow from operating activities and other operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or as a measure of profitability or liquidity.
While EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are frequently used as a measure of operating results and the ability to meet debt service requirements, the definition of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.
EBITDA decreased by approximately $24.1 million to $153.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, as compared to $177.4 million for the same period in 2012. The decrease in EBITDA was due to a $7.3 million decrease in revenue, a $2.0 million increase in time charter and voyage expenses due to an increase in voyage expenses incurred, a $4.5 million increase in management fees due to the increased number of vessels, a $0.7 million increase in general and administrative expenses, a $8.9 million decrease in other income and a $0.7 million increase in other expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA increased by $35.6 million to $177.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to $141.8 million for the same period in 2011. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was due to an $18.4 million increase in revenue following the acquisitions of the five vessels at various times through July 2012 of the Navios Luz, the Navios Orbiter, the Navios Buena Ventura, the Navios Soleil and the Navios Helios, a $0.6 million decrease in time charter expenses, a $22.3 million increase in other income mainly from the credit default insurance settlement and a $0.3 million decrease in other expense. The above increase was partially offset by a $5.4 million increase in management fees and a $0.6 million increase in general and administrative expenses as a result of the increased number of vessels in Navios Partners fleet.
Operating Surplus
Operating Surplus represents net income adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash interest expense and estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures. Maintenance and replacement capital expenditures are those capital expenditures required to maintain over the long term the operating capacity of, or the revenue generated by, Navios Partners capital assets.
Operating Surplus is a quantitative measure used in the publicly-traded partnership investment community to assist in evaluating a partnerships ability to make quarterly cash distributions. Operating Surplus is not required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should not be considered a substitute for net income, cash flow from operating activities and other operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or as a measure of profitability or liquidity.
Borrowings
Navios Partners long-term third party borrowings are reflected in its balance sheet as Long-term debt. As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, long-term debt amounted to $528.0 million and $276.0 million, respectively. The current portion of long-term debt amounted to $5.4 million and $23.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, all of our facilities were fully drawn.
Capital Expenditures
During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we financed our capital expenditures with cash flow from operations, the incurrence of bank debt, owners contribution and equity raisings. Capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $382.7 million, $109.7 million and $120.0 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2013, expansion capital expenditures of $382.7 million related to the acquisition of the Navios Joy in September 2013, the acquisition of the Navios Harmony in October 2013 and the acquisition of five Post-Panamax container vessels in December 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2012, expansion capital expenditures of $109.7 million related to the acquisition of the Navios Buena Ventura in June 2012 and the acquisition of the Navios Helios and the Navios Soleil in July 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2011, expansion capital expenditures of $120.0 million related to the acquisition of the Navios Luz and the Navios Orbiter in May 2011.
Maintenance for our vessels and expenses related to drydocking were included in the fee we pay our Manager under the management agreement. In October 2011, Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing Management Agreement with the Manager until December 31, 2017 and fixed the rate for shipmanagement services of its owned fleet through December 31, 2013. The management fees were: (a) $4,650 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,550 daily rate per Panamax vessel; and (c) $5,650 daily rate per Capesize vessel. In October 2013, Navios Partners amended its existing management agreement with the Manager, a subsidiary of Navios Holdings, to fix the fees for ship management services of its owned fleet at: (a) $4,000 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,100 daily rate per Panamax vessel; (c) $5,100 daily rate per Capesize vessel effective from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015; and (d) $6,500 daily rate per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the delivery through December 31, 2015. Drydocking expenses under this agreement will be reimbursed by Navios Partners at cost at occurrence.
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Replacement Reserve
Our annual replacement reserve for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $14.6 million and $18.9 million, respectively, for replacing our vessels at the end of their useful lives.
The amount for estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures attributable to future vessel replacement was based on the following assumptions: (i) current market price to purchase a five year old vessel of similar size and specifications; (ii) a 25-year useful life for drybulk vessels and a 30-year useful life for container vessels; and (iii) a relative net investment rate.
Our Board of Directors, with the approval of the conflicts committee, may determine that one or more of our assumptions should be revised, which could cause our Board of Directors to increase or decrease the amount of estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures. The actual cost of replacing the vessels in our fleet will depend on a number of factors, including prevailing market conditions, charter hire rates and the availability and cost of financing at the time of replacement. We may elect to finance some or all of our maintenance and replacement capital expenditures through the issuance of additional common units which could be dilutive to existing unitholders.
Possible Acquisitions of Other Vessels
Although we do not currently have in place any agreements relating to acquisitions of other vessels (other than our options to purchase the Navios Prosperity and the Navios Aldebaran, which we currently charter-in), we assess potential acquisition opportunities on a regular basis. Pursuant to our Omnibus Agreement with Navios Holdings, as amended in June 2009, we will have the opportunity to purchase additional drybulk vessels from Navios Holdings when those vessels are fixed under charters of three or more years upon their expiration of their current charters or upon completion of their construction. Subject to the terms of our loan agreements, we could elect to fund any future acquisitions with equity or debt or cash on hand or a combination of these forms of consideration. Any debt incurred for this purpose could make us more leveraged and increase our debt service obligations or could subject us to additional operational or financial restrictive covenants.
C. Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.
Not applicable.
D. Trend information
Our results of operations depend primarily on the charter hire rates that we are able to realize for our vessels, which depend on the demand and supply dynamics characterizing the drybulk market at any given time. For other trends affecting our business please see other discussions in Item 5-Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
F. Contractual Obligations and Contingencies
The following table summarizes our long-term contractual obligations as of December 31, 2013:
Payments due by period (Unaudited) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 1 year |
1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years |
Total | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loan obligations(1) (2) (3) |
$ | 6,373 | $ | 34,766 | $ | 496,659 | $ | | $ | 537,798 | ||||||||||
Operating lease obligations(4) |
$ | 6,594 | $ | 1,005 | $ | | $ | | $ | 7,599 | ||||||||||
Vessels deposits(5) |
$ | 36,167 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 36,167 | ||||||||||
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Total contractual obligations |
$ | 49,134 | $ | 35,771 | $ | 496,659 | $ | | $ | 581,564 | ||||||||||
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(1) | The amount identified does not include interest costs associated with the outstanding July 2012 Credit Facility which are based on LIBOR plus the costs of complying with any applicable regulatory requirements and a margin ranging from 1.80% to 2.05% per annum. |
(2) | The amount identified does not include interest costs associated with the outstanding Term Loan B facility which are based on 4.25% per annum plus LIBOR with a floor of 1.0%. |
(3) | The amount identified excludes the discount associated with the outstanding Term Loan B facility, of $4.5 million. |
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(4) | These amounts reflect future minimum commitments under charter-in contracts, net of commissions. As of December 31, 2013, Navios Partners had entered into charter-in agreements for two of its vessels (the Navios Prosperity and the Navios Aldebaran). The Navios Prosperity is a chartered-in vessel until June 2014 for seven years with options to extend for two one-year periods. Navios Partners has the option to purchase the Navios Prosperity after June 2012 at a purchase price that is initially 3.8 billion Japanese Yen ($36.1 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2013), declining pro rata each year by 145 million Japanese Yen ($1.4 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2013). The Navios Aldebaran is a chartered-in vessel for seven years until March 2015 with options to extend for two one-year periods. Navios Partners has the option to purchase the Navios Aldebaran after March 2013 at a purchase price that is initially 3.6 billion Japanese Yen ($34.2 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2013) declining pro rata each year by 150 million Japanese Yen ($1.4 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2013). |
(5) | Future remaining contractual installments for the Navios Partners vessels to be delivered on various dates through the first quarter of 2014. |
Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Partners will make available to Navios Europe (in each case, in proportion to their ownership interests in Navios Europe) revolving loans up to $24.1 million to fund working capital requirements (collectively, the Navios Revolving Loans). See Note 18 for the Investment in Navios Europe and respective ownership interests.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates in the application of our accounting policies based on the best assumptions, judgments and opinions of management. Following is a discussion of the accounting policies that involve a higher degree of judgment and the methods of their application that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments or uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. For a description of all of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to the Notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
As of December 31, 2013, Navios Partners owned a fleet of 26 vessels, with an aggregate carrying value of $1,145.6 million, including the carrying value of existing time charters on its fleet of vessels. On a vessel-by-vessel basis, as of December 31, 2013, the carrying value of 20 of Navios Partners vessels (including the carrying value of the time charter, if any, on the specified vessel) exceeded the estimated fair value of those same vessels (including the estimated fair value of the time charter, if any, on the specified vessel) by approximately $151.9 million in the aggregate (the unrealized loss).
As of December 31, 2012, Navios Partners owned a fleet of 19 vessels, with an aggregate carrying value of $881.8 million, including the carrying value of existing time charters on its fleet of vessels. On a vessel-by-vessel basis, as of December 31, 2012, the carrying value of 16 of Navios Partners vessels (including the carrying value of the time charter, if any, on the specified vessel) exceeded the estimated fair value of those same vessels (including the estimated fair value of the time charter, if any, on the specified vessel) by approximately $161.9 million in the aggregate (the unrealized loss).
A vessel-by-vessel summary as of December 31, 2013, follows (with an * indicating those individual vessels whose carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value, including the related time charter, if any):
Vessel name |
Date of Acquisition |
Purchase Price (1) |
Carrying Value as of December 31, 2013 (1) |
|||||||||
(In millions of U.S. dollars) | ||||||||||||
Navios Libra II |
11/16/2007 | $ | 26.3 | $ | 13.0 | * | ||||||
Navios Alegria |
11/16/2007 | 38.9 | 26.7 | * | ||||||||
Navios Felicity |
11/16/2007 | 31.3 | 17.5 | * | ||||||||
Navios Gemini S |
11/16/2007 | 24.3 | 11.9 | * | ||||||||
Navios Galaxy I |
11/16/2007 | 30.7 | 20.1 | |||||||||
Navios Hope |
07/01/2008 | 80.0 | 60.5 | * | ||||||||
Navios Apollon |
10/29/2009 | 32.0 | 18.2 | * | ||||||||
Navios Fantastiks |
05/02/2008 | 87.5 | 66.5 | * | ||||||||
Navios Sagittarius |
01/12/2010 | 59.4 | 40.9 | |||||||||
Navios Hyperion |
01/08/2010 | 63.0 | 28.0 | * | ||||||||
Navios Aurora II |
03/18/2010 | 110.3 | 84.4 | * | ||||||||
Navios Pollux |
05/21/2010 | 110.0 | 85.5 | * | ||||||||
Navios Melodia |
11/15/2010 | 78.8 | 65.4 | * | ||||||||
Navios Fulvia |
11/15/2010 | 98.2 | 70.8 | * | ||||||||
Navios Luz |
05/19/2011 | 78.0 | 66.7 | * | ||||||||
Navios Orbiter |
05/19/2011 | 52.0 | 28.8 | * | ||||||||
Navios Buena Ventura |
06/15/2012 | 67.5 | 61.1 | * | ||||||||
Navios Soleil |
07/24/2012 | 21.1 | 19.9 | |||||||||
Navios Helios |
07/27/2012 | 21.1 | 19.8 | |||||||||
Navios Joy |
09/11/2013 | 47.5 | 47.0 | |||||||||
Navios Harmony |
10/11/2013 | 18.0 | 17.8 | |||||||||
Hyundai Hongkong |
12/04/2013 | 55.2 | 55.0 | * | ||||||||
Hyundai Tokyo |
12/04/2013 | 55.1 | 55.0 | * | ||||||||
Hyundai Singapore |
12/10/2013 | 55.2 | 55.0 | * | ||||||||
Hyundai Shanghai |
12/13/2013 | 55.2 | 55.1 | * | ||||||||
Hyundai Busan |
12/16/2013 | 55.1 | 55.1 | * | ||||||||
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$ | 1,451.7 | $ | 1,145.7 | |||||||||
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(1) | All amounts include related time charter, if any. Although the aforementioned excess of carrying value over fair value represents an estimate of the loss that Navios Partners would sustain on a hypothetical disposition of those vessels as of December 31, 2013, the recognition of the unrealized loss absent a disposition (i.e. as an impairment) would require, among other things, that a triggering event had occurred and that the undiscounted cash flows attributable to the vessel are also less than the carrying value of the vessel (including the carrying value of the time charter, if any, on the specified vessel). |
Impairment of Long Lived Assets
Vessels, other fixed assets and other long lived assets held and used by Navios Partners are reviewed periodically for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a particular asset may not be fully recoverable. In accordance with accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, Navios Partners management evaluates the carrying amounts and periods over which long-lived assets are depreciated to determine if events or changes in circumstances have occurred that would require modification to their carrying values or useful lives. In evaluating useful lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, certain indicators of potential impairment, are reviewed such as undiscounted projected operating cash flows, vessel sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions.
Undiscounted projected net operating cash flows are determined for each vessel and compared to the vessel carrying value of the vessel and related carrying value of the intangible with respect to the time charter agreement attached to that vessel. Within the shipping industry, vessels are customarily bought and sold with a charter attached. The value of the charter may be favorable or unfavorable when comparing the charter rate to then current market rates. The loss recognized either on impairment (or on disposition) will reflect the excess of carrying value over fair value (selling price) for the vessel asset group.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, management concluded that events occurred and circumstances had changed, which indicated that potential impairment of Navios Partners long-lived assets may exist. These indicators included continued deterioration in the spot market, and the related, impact of the current drybulk sector has on managements expectation for future revenues. As a result, an impairment assessment of long-lived assets was performed.
Navios Partners determined undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for each vessel and compared it to the vessels carrying value together with the carrying value of the related intangible. The significant factors and assumptions used in the undiscounted projected net operating cash flow analysis included: determining the projected net operating cash flows by considering the charter revenues from existing time charters for the fixed fleet days (Navios Partners remaining charter agreement rates) and an estimated daily time charter equivalent for the unfixed days (based on a combination of the Navios Partners remaining charter agreement rates and the 10-year average historical one year time charter rates adjusted for outliers) over the remaining economic life of each vessel, net of brokerage and address commissions and excluding days of scheduled off-hires, management fees fixed until December 2015 and thereafter assuming an annual increase of 3.0% and utilization rate of 98.6% based on the fleets historical performance. The assessment concluded that step two of the impairment analysis was not required and no impairment of vessels and the intangible assets existed as of December 31, 2013, as the undiscounted projected net operating cash flows exceeded the carrying value.
In connection with its annual impairment testing on its vessels as of December 31, 2013, the Company performs sensitivity analysis on the most sensitive and/or subjective assumptions that have the potential to affect the outcome of the test, principally the projected charter rate used to forecast future cash flows for unfixed days. In that regard, there would continue to be no impairment required to be recognized on any of the Companys vessels when assuming a decline in the 10-year average (of the one-year charter rate for similar vessels), which is the rate that the Company uses to forecast future cash flows for unfixed days, ranging from 33.10% to 87.59% (depending on the vessel).
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In addition, the Company compared the ten-year historical average (of the one-year charter rate for similar vessels), with current rates for five-year, three-year and one-year charters (for similar vessels). A comparison of the ten-year historical average (of the one-year charter rate) and the current rates for five-year, three-year and one-year charters (for similar vessels) follows (as of December 31, 2013):
Current Time Charter Rates of Various Terms (for Similar Vessels) vs. Ten-year Historical Average (of the One-Year Charter Rate) |
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5-Year Average | 3-Year Average | 1-Year Average | ||||||||||
(% above (below) the 10-Year average) | ||||||||||||
Ultra-Handymax |
-36.9 | % | -48.6 | % | -55.7 | % | ||||||
Panamax |
-38.4 | % | -54.6 | % | -61.1 | % | ||||||
Capesize |
-49.9 | % | -66.1 | % | -66.2 | % |
As disclosed elsewhere, the Companys fleet includes 20 vessels for which the carrying value (including the carrying value of the time charter, if any, on the specified vessel) exceeds the estimated fair value of those same vessels (including the estimated fair value of the time charter, if any, on the specified vessel) by approximately $151.9 million in the aggregate (the unrealized loss). If testing for impairment using current rates for five-year (for similar vessels) in lieu of the ten-year historical average, none of Navios Partners vessels would have carrying values in excess of their projected undiscounted future cash flows. If testing for impairment using current rates for five-year, three-year and one-year charters historical average (of the one-year charter rate for similar vessels) in lieu of the ten-year historical average (of the one-year charter rate for similar vessels), Navios Partners estimates that 1, 2 and 6 of its vessels, respectively, would have carrying values in excess of their projected undiscounted future cash flows.
As of December 31, 2013, the 10-year historical average rates for its vessels (which naturally varies by type of vessel) used in determining future cash flows for purposes of its impairment analysis were less than 5% higher than the Companys daily time charter equivalent rate achieved in fiscal year 2013 of $24,284 per day. For vessels under fixed contract as of December 31, 2013, the actual charter contract rates vary from a minimum of $8,906 net per day to a maximum of $50,588 net per day.
In the event that impairment would occur, the fair value of the related asset would be determined and an impairment charge would be recorded to operations calculated by comparing the assets carrying value to its fair value. Fair value is estimated primarily through the use of third-party valuations performed on an individual vessel basis.
Although management believes the underlying assumptions supporting this assessment are reasonable, if charter rate trends and the length of the current market downturn, vary significantly from our forecasts, management may be required to perform step two of the impairment analysis in the future that could expose Navios Partners to material impairment charges in the future.
No impairment loss was recognized for any of the periods presented.
Vessels
Vessels are stated at historical cost, which consists of the contract price and any material expenses incurred upon acquisition (improvements and delivery expenses). Vessels acquired in an asset acquisition or in business combination are recorded at fair value. Subsequent expenditures for major improvements and upgrading are capitalized, provided they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels. Expenditures for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
Depreciation is computed using the straight line method over the useful life of the vessels, after considering the estimated residual value. Management estimates the residual values of our drybulk and container vessels based on a scrap value of $340 per lightweight ton, as we believe these levels are common in the shipping industry. Management estimates the useful life of our vessels to be 25 and 30 years from the drybulk and container vessels original construction, respectively. However, when regulations place limitations over the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, its useful life is re-estimated to end at the date such regulations become effective.
Deferred Drydock and Special Survey Costs
Our vessels are subject to regularly scheduled dry docking and special surveys which are carried out every 36 or 60 months to coincide with the renewal of the related certificates issued by the classification societies, unless a further extension is obtained in rare cases and under certain conditions. In October 2013, Navios Partners amended its existing management agreement with the Manager, a subsidiary of Navios Holdings, to fix the fees for ship management services of its owned fleet at: (a) $4,000 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,100 daily rate per Panamax vessel; (c) $5,100 daily rate per Capesize vessel effective from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015; and (d) $6,500 daily rate per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the delivery through December 31, 2015. Drydocking expenses under this agreement will be reimbursed by Navios Partners at cost at occurrence.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recorded when services are rendered, under a signed charter agreement or other evidence of an arrangement, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Revenue is generated from time charter of vessels.
Voyage revenues for the transportation of cargo are recognized ratably over the estimated relative transit time of each voyage. Voyage expenses are recognized as incurred. A voyage is deemed to commence when a vessel is available for loading and is deemed to end upon the completion of the discharge of the current cargo. Estimated losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses become evident. Under a voyage charter, a vessel is provided for the transportation of specific goods between specific ports in return for payment of an agreed upon freight per ton of cargo.
Revenues from time chartering of vessels are accounted for as operating leases and are thus recognized on a straight line basis as the average minimum lease revenue over the rental periods of such charter agreements, as service is performed. A time charter involves
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placing a vessel at the charterers disposal for a period of time during which the charterer uses the vessel in return for the payment of a specified daily hire rate. Under time charters, operating costs such as for crews, maintenance and insurance are typically paid by the owner of the vessel.
Revenues from profit-sharing are calculated at an agreed percentage of the excess of the charterers average daily income over an agreed amount and accounted for on an accrual basis based on provisional amounts.
Revenues are recorded net of address commissions. Address commissions represent a discount provided directly to the charterers based on a fixed percentage of the agreed upon charter rate. Since address commissions represent a discount (sales incentive) on services rendered by Navios Partners and no identifiable benefit is received in exchange for the consideration provided to the charterer, these commissions are presented as a reduction of revenue.
Item 6. | Directors, Senior Management and Employees |
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth information regarding our current directors and senior management:
Name |
Age | Position | ||
Angeliki Frangou |
49 | Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||
Efstratios Desypris |
40 | Chief Financial Officer | ||
George Achniotis |
49 | Executive Vice President-Business Development and Director | ||
Shunji Sasada |
56 | Director | ||
Serafeim Kriempardis |
66 | Director (Class III) | ||
Robert Pierot |
56 | Director (Class I) | ||
John Karakadas |
51 |
Director (Class I) | ||
Dimitris Papastefanou Gkouras |
62 |
Director (Class II) | ||
Vasiliki Papaefthymiou |
45 | Secretary |
Biographical information with respect to each of our current directors and our executive officers is set forth below. The business address for our directors and executive officers is 7 Avenue de Grande Bretagne, Monte Carlo, MC 98000 Monaco.
Angeliki Frangou has been our Chairman and CEO since August 2007. In addition, Ms. Frangou has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NM), our sponsor, since August 2005, and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: NNA), an affiliated corporation. Ms. Frangou has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Navios South American Logistics Inc. since its inception in December 2007. Previously, Ms. Frangou served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of International Shipping Enterprises Inc., which acquired Navios Holdings. From 1990 until August 2005, Ms. Frangou was the Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Enterprises Management S.A. and its predecessor company, which specialized in the management of dry cargo vessels. Ms. Frangou is the Chairman of IRF European Finance Investments Ltd., listed on the SFM of the London Stock Exchange. From September 2012 to June 2013, Ms. Frangou served as a Board member of Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Ms. Frangou is Member of the Board of the United Kingdom Mutual Steam Ship Assurance Association (Bermuda) Limited, Vice Chairman of China Classification Society Mediterranean Committee, a member of the International General Committee and of the Hellenic and Black Sea Committee of Bureau Veritas, as well as a member of Greek Committee of Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. Since July 2013, Ms. Frangou has been a Member of the Board of Visitors of the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science. Ms. Frangou received a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, summa cum laude, from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a masters degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University.
Stratos Desypris is Chief Financial Officer of Navios Maritime Partners L.P. since January 2010. In addition Mr. Desypris is the Chief Financial Controller of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc, Navios Partners sponsor, since May 2006. He also serves as a Director and the SVP- Strategic Planning of Navios South American Logistics Inc and as a Director in Navios Europe. Before joining Navios Group, Mr. Desypris worked for 9 years in the accounting profession, most recently as manager of the audit department at Ernst & Young in Greece. Mr. Desypris started his career as an auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co. in 1997. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Piraeus.
George Achniotis was appointed to our Board of Directors in August 2007 and he has been our Executive Vice President-Business Development since February 2008. Mr. Achniotis has been Navios Holdings Chief Financial Officer since April 12, 2007. Prior to being appointed Chief Financial Officer of Navios Holdings, Mr. Achniotis served as Senior Vice President Business Development of Navios Holdings from August 2006 to April 2007. Prior to joining Navios Holdings, Mr. Achniotis was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1999 to August 2006. Mr. Achniotis holds a Bachelors of Science degree in engineering from the University of Manchester and he is a member of the institute of chartered accountants in England and Wales. Mr. Achniotis is also a member of the institute of certified accountants in Cyprus.
Shunji Sasada was appointed to our Board of Directors in August 2007. Mr. Sasada has been Chief Operating Officer of Navios Holdings since July 2007. Prior to July 2007, Mr. Sasada was Senior Vice President Fleet Development of Navios Holdings from October 1, 2005 to July 2007. Mr. Sasada joined Navios Holdings in May 1997. Mr. Sasada started his shipping career in 1981 in
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Japan with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. In 1991, Mr. Sasada joined Trinity Bulk Carriers as its chartering manager as well as subsidiary board member representing MOSK as one of the shareholders. Mr. Sasada is the member of the North American Committee of Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. Mr. Sasada is a graduate of Keio University, Tokyo, with a B.A. degree in business.
Serafeim Kriempardis was appointed to our Board of Directors in December 2009. Mr. Kriempardis previously served as the Head of Shipping of Piraeus Bank from 2007 to 2009 and as the Head of Shipping of Emporiki Bank of Greece from 1999 to 2007. Prior to serving as Head of Shipping at Emporiki Bank, Mr. Kriempardis served in the Project Finance and Corporate and Feasibility departments of the bank. Mr. Kriempardis is an accountant by training and holds a Bachelors degree in Economics from the Athens University of Economics and Business and a Diploma in Management from the McGill University of Canada.
Robert Pierot was appointed to our Board of Directors in October 2007. Since 1979, Mr. Pierot has been engaged in brokering the sale and purchase of a variety of marine assets ranging from United States US Flag inland waterway marine assets, both United States and non-United States Flagged vessels ranging from large bulk carriers, tankers, container vessels and vessels that are used to service the offshore oil and gas exploration and production facilities. Currently, Mr. Pierot serves as director and principal of Jacq. Pierot Jr. & Sons, Inc., a privately held shipbrokers firm based in New York. Mr. Pierot served as a board member for Chiles Offshore prior to its sale to another U.S. publicly traded offshore drilling rig company. Additionally, Mr. Pierot serves as a member of the United States Department of Transportations Shipbuilding Subcommittee, the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council. Since 1980, Mr. Pierot has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce and previously served as Chairman of the Board from mid 2011 to mid 2013.
John Karakadas was appointed to our Board of Directors in October 2007. Mr. Karakadas is the Senior Managing Partner of AESION LLC, an international turnaround and restructuring firm. From 2005 to 2011, Mr. Karakadas has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SingularLogic, a European software vendor and information technology services provider listed on the Athens Exchange. In parallel, from April 2007 until 2009, Mr. Karakadas has served as Executive Director and Deputy CEO of Marfin Investment Group, an Athens Exchange listed Investment Company In 2011, from the position of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Olympic Air, he led the successful turnaround process following its privatization. Also, since 2004, he has served on the Board of Directors of Greek Information Technology Holdings S.A. During the period between 2002 and 2003, Mr. Karakadas was the CEO of Tchibo GmbH. Prior to that time, from 1999 to 2000, Mr. Karakadas was President, Asia Pacific, of Burger King, based in Sydney, Australia. Mr. Karakadas received a B.B.A. in Industrial Management from Kent State University. Mr. Karakadas also serves on our Audit Committee and is an independent director.
Dimitris Papastefanou Gkouras was appointed to our Board of Directors in June 2013. From 2007 until 2012, Mr. Papastefanou Gkouras served as Credit Director of Shipping for Marfin Egnatia Bank as well as a member of the banks Greek and International Credit Committees. Prior to his position with Marfin Egnatia Bank, Mr. Papastefanou Gkouras served in various managing and advisory roles within the corporate and shipping finance sectors, including stints with Greek and other European banks, including Credit Commercial de France. Mr. Papastefanou Gkouras received a B.A. in Economics and History from American College of GreeceDeree in Athens, Greece and a diploma in Economic Analysis from the University of Kent, England. Mr. Papastefanou Gkouras also serves on our Audit Committee and is an independent director.
Vasiliki Papaefthymiou was appointed our Secretary in August 2007. Ms. Papaefthymiou has been Executive Vice President Legal and a member of Navios Holdings board of directors since August 25, 2005, and prior to that was a member of the board of directors of ISE. Ms. Papaefthymiou has served as general counsel for Maritime Enterprises Management S.A. since October 2001, where she has advised the company on shipping, corporate and finance legal matters. Ms. Papaefthymiou provided similar services as general counsel to Franser Shipping from October 1991 to September 2001. Ms. Papaefthymiou received her undergraduate degree from the Law School of the University of Athens and a Master degree in Maritime Law from Southampton University in the United Kingdom. Ms. Papaefthymiou is admitted to practice law before the Bar in Piraeus, Greece.
B. Compensation
Reimbursement of Expenses of Our General Partner
Our General Partner does not receive any management fee or other compensation for services from us, although it will be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred on our behalf. In addition, we reimburse the Manager and certain affiliates for expenses incurred pursuant to the management agreement and administrative services agreement we entered into with the Manager. Our General Partner and its other affiliates are reimbursed for expenses incurred on our behalf. These expenses include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the conduct of our business and allocable to us, as determined by our General Partner. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 no amounts were paid to the General Partner.
Officers Compensation
We and our General Partner were formed in August 2007. Because our officers including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer are employees of Navios Holdings, their compensation is set and paid by Navios Holdings, and we reimburse Navios Holdings for time they spend on partnership matters pursuant to the administrative services agreement. Under the terms of the administrative agreement, we reimburse Navios Holdings for the actual costs and expenses it incurs in providing administrative
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support services to us. The amount of our reimbursements to Navios Holdings for the time of our officers depends on an estimate of the percentage of time our officers spent on our business and is based on a percentage of the salary and benefits that Navios Holdings pays to such officers. Our officers, and officers and employees of affiliates of our General Partner, may participate in employee benefit plans and arrangements sponsored by Navios Holdings, our General Partner or their affiliates, including plans that may be established in the future. Our board of directors may establish such plans without the approval of our limited partners. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the fee charged by the Manager for administrative services was $4.4 million, $3.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively.
Compensation of Directors
Our officers or officers of Navios Holdings who also serve as our directors do not receive additional compensation for their service as directors. Each non-management director receives compensation for attending meetings of our board of directors, as well as committee meetings. Non-management directors receive a director fee of $45,000 per year. Ms. Frangou receives a fee of $150,000 per year for acting as a director and as our Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of our audit committee and our conflicts committee receives an additional fee of $20,000 per year. In addition, each director is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending meetings of the board of directors or committees. Each director is fully indemnified by us for actions associated with being a director to the extent permitted under Marshall Islands law.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, aggregate annual compensation paid to our current non-management executive directors was $0.2 million and $0.15 million was paid to Ms. Frangou for acting as a director and as our Chairman of the Board. For the year ended December 31, 2012, aggregate annual compensation paid to our current non-management executive directors was $0.2 million and $0.15 million was paid to Ms. Frangou for acting as a director and as our Chairman of the Board. For the year ended December 31, 2011 the aggregate annual compensation paid to our current non-management executive directors was $0.2 million and $0.15 million was paid to Ms. Frangou for acting as a director and as our Chairman of the Board.
C. Board Practices
Our partnership agreement provides that our General Partner has delegated to our board of directors the authority to oversee and direct our operations, management and policies on an exclusive basis and such delegation will be binding on any successor general partner of the partnership. Our General Partner, Navios GP L.L.C., is wholly owned by Navios Holdings. Our executive officers manage our day-to-day activities consistent with the policies and procedures adopted by our board of directors. All of our executive officers and three of our directors also are executive officers, directors and/or affiliates of Navios Holdings and our Chief Executive Officer is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Acquisition and Navios Holdings.
Following our first annual meeting of unitholders in 2008, our board of directors consisted of seven members, three persons who were appointed by our General Partner in its sole discretion and four who were elected by the common unitholders. Directors appointed by our general partner serve as directors for terms determined by our general partner. Directors elected by our common unitholders are divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. Two of the four directors elected by our common unitholders were designated as the Class I elected directors and will serve until our annual meeting of unitholders in 2015, as their term was renewed for three years during our 2012 annual meeting of unitholders; one of the four directors was designated as the Class II elected director and will serve until our annual meeting of unitholders in 2016 as the term was renewed for three years during our 2013 annual meeting of unitholders; and the remaining director was designated as our Class III elected director and will serve until our annual meeting of unitholders in 2014. At each subsequent annual meeting of unitholders, directors will be elected to succeed the class of directors whose terms have expired by a plurality of the votes of the common unitholders. Directors elected by our common unitholders will be nominated by the board of directors or by any limited partner or group of limited partners that holds at least 10% of the outstanding common units.
We have two committees: an audit committee and a conflicts committee. With respect to our corporate governance, there are several significant differences between us and a domestic issuer in that the New York Stock Exchange does not require a listed limited partnership like us to have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating/corporate governance committee.
Three independent members of our board of directors serve on a conflicts committee to review specific matters that the board believes may involve potential conflicts of interest. The conflicts committee determines if the resolution of the conflict of interest is fair and reasonable to us. The members of the conflicts committee may not be officers or employees of our general partner or directors, officers or employees of its affiliates, and must meet the independence standards established by the New York Stock Exchange to serve on an audit committee of a board of directors and certain other requirements. Any matters approved by the conflicts committee are conclusively deemed to be fair and reasonable to us, approved by all of our partners, and not a breach by our directors, our general partner or its affiliates of any duties any of them may owe us or our unitholders. The members of our conflicts committee are Messrs. John Karakadas, Serafeim Kriempardis and Dimitris Papastefanou Gkouras.
In addition, we have an audit committee of two independent directors. One of the members of the audit committee is an audit committee financial expert for purposes of SEC rules and regulations. The audit committee, among other things, reviews our external financial reporting, engages our external auditors and oversees our internal audit activities and procedures and the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. Our audit committee is comprised of Messrs. John Karakadas, Dimitris Papastefanou Gkouras and Serafeim Kriempardis and our audit committee financial expert is Mr. Kriempardis.
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Employees of the Manager, a subsidiary of Navios Holdings, provide assistance to us and our operating subsidiaries pursuant to the management agreement and the administrative services agreement.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Angeliki Frangou, and our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Efstratios Desypris, allocate their time between managing our business and affairs and the business and affairs of Navios Holdings, and our Chief Executive Officer is also the Chief Executive Officer of Navios Acquisition and Navios Holdings. While the amount of time each of them allocate between our business and the business of Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition varies from time to time depending on various circumstances and the respective needs of the business, such as their relative levels of strategic activities, we anticipate that each of them will allocate approximately one quarter of their time to our business.
Our officers and other individuals providing services to us or our subsidiaries may face a conflict regarding the allocation of their time between our business and the other business interests of Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition. We intend to cause our officers to devote as much time to the management of our business and affairs as is necessary for the proper conduct of our business and affairs.
Our General Partner owes a fiduciary duty to our unitholders, subject to limitations. Our General Partner is liable, as General Partner, for all of our debts (to the extent not paid from our assets), except for indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly non-recourse to it. Whenever possible, the partnership agreement directs that we should incur indebtedness or other obligations that are non-recourse to our General Partner.
Whenever our General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take an action in its individual capacity rather than in its capacity as our General Partner, it is entitled to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or any limited partner, and is not required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by our partnership agreement or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law. Specifically, our General Partner will be considered to be acting in its individual capacity if it exercises its call right, pre-emptive rights or registration rights, consents or withholds consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership, appoints any directors or votes for the appointment of any director, votes or refrains from voting on amendments to our partnership agreement that require a vote of the outstanding units, voluntarily withdraws from the partnership, transfers (to the extent permitted under our partnership agreement) or refrains from transferring its units, general partner interest or incentive distribution rights or votes upon the dissolution of the partnership. Actions of our General Partner, which are made in its individual capacity, are made by Navios Holdings as sole member of our General Partner.
D. Employees
Employees of the Manager provide assistance to us and our operating subsidiaries pursuant to the management agreement and the administrative services agreement; therefore Navios Partners does not employ additional staff.
The Manager crews its vessels primarily with Ukrainian, Polish, Filipino, Russian, Indian and Georgian officers and Filipino, Georgian, and Ukrainian seamen. For these nationalities, officers and seamen are referred to the Manager by local crewing agencies. The crewing agencies handle each seamans training while the Manager handles their travel and payroll. Navios Holdings requires that all of its seamen have the qualifications and licenses required to comply with international regulations and shipping conventions.
The Manager also provides on-shore advisory, operational and administrative support to us pursuant to service agreements. Please see Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions.
E. Unit Ownership
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership, as of March 20, 2014, of our units by each of our officers and directors and by all of our directors and officers as a group. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purposes. Under SEC rules, a person or entity beneficially owns any units that the person or entity has the right to acquire as of May 19, 2014 (60 days after March 20, 2014) through the exercise of any unit option or other right. The percentage disclosed under Common Units Beneficially Owned is based on all outstanding common units (77,359,163), not including general partner units (1,578,763). Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity has sole voting and investment power (or shares such powers with his or her spouse) with respect to the units set forth in the following table. Information for certain holders is based on information delivered to us.
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Identity of Person or Group
Common Units Owned |
Percentage of Common Units Owned |
|||||||
Angeliki Frangou(1)(2) |
500,000 | * | ||||||
Efstratios Desypris |
| | ||||||
George Achniotis |
* | * | ||||||
Robert Pierot |
* | * | ||||||
Shunji Sasada |
* | * | ||||||
Serafeim Kriempardis |
| | ||||||
John Karakadas |
| | ||||||
Dimitris Papastefanou Gkouras |
| | ||||||
Vasiliki Papaefthymiou |
| | ||||||
All directors and officers as a group (9 persons) (2)(3) |
570,000 | * |
* | Less than 1% |
(1) | Held through Amadeus Maritime S.A., a corporation owned by Angeliki Frangou, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. |
(2) | Excludes units owned by Navios Holdings, on the board of which serves our Chief Executive Officer, Angeliki Frangou and our Secretary Vasiliki Papaefthymiou, as well as our directors, Shunji Sasada. In addition, Ms. Frangou is Navios Holdings President and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Papaefthymiou is Navios Holdings Executive Vice President Legal and Mr. Achniotis is Navios Holdings Chief Financial Officer. |
(3) | Each director, executive officer and key employee, beneficially owns less than one percent of the outstanding common units. |
Item 7. | Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions |
A. Major Unitholders
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership as of March 20, 2014, of our common units by each person we know to beneficially own more than 5% of the common units. The number of units beneficially owned by each person is determined under SEC rules and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under SEC rules, a person beneficially owns any units as to which the person has or shares voting or investment power. In addition, a person beneficially owns any units that the person or entity has the right to acquire as of May 19, 2014 (60 days after March 20, 2014) through the exercise of any unit option or other right. The percentage disclosed under Common Units Beneficially Owned is based all outstanding common units (78,937,926), which includes the general partner units (1,578,763).
Common Units Beneficially Owned |
||||||||
Number | Percentage | |||||||
Name of Beneficial Owner |
||||||||
Navios Holdings(1)(2) |
14,223,763 | 18.0 | % |
(1) | Excludes the 2.0% general partner interest held by our general partner, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings. |
(2) | Navios Holdings is a U.S. public company controlled by its board of directors, which consists of the following seven members: Angeliki Frangou, Vasiliki Papaefthymiou, Ted Petrone, Spyridon Magoulas, John Stratakis, George Malanga and Efstathios Loizos. |
Our majority unitholders have the same voting rights as our other unitholders except as follows: each outstanding common unit is entitled to one vote on matters subject to a vote of common unitholders. However, to preserve our ability to be exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 883 of the Code, i at any time, any person or group owns beneficially more than 4.9% of any class of units then outstanding, any such units owned by that person or group in excess of 4.9% may not be voted. The voting rights of any such unitholders in excess of 4.9% will effectively be redistributed pro rata among the other unitholders holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of such class of units. Our General Partner, its affiliates and persons who acquired common units with the prior approval of our board of directors will not be subject to this 4.9% limitation except with respect to voting their common units in the election of the elected directors.
B. Related Party Transactions
As of December 31, 2013, Navios Holdings, the sole member of our General Partner, owned 14,223,763 common units, representing an 19.6% limited partner interest in us based on all outstanding common units. Navios Holdings ability, as sole member of our General Partner, to control the appointment of three of the seven members of our board of directors and to approve certain significant actions we may take and its ownership of all of the outstanding subordinated units and its right to vote the subordinated units as a separate class on certain matters, means that Navios Holdings, together with its affiliates, has the ability to exercise influence regarding our management.
Navios Europe
Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Partners will make available to Navios Europe (in each case, in proportion to their ownership interests in Navios Europe) revolving loans up to $24.1 million to fund working capital requirements (collectively, the Navios Revolving Loans). See Note 18 for the Investment in Navios Europe and respective ownership interests.
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The Navios Revolving Loans earn a 12.7% preferred distribution and are repaid from Free Cash Flow (as defined in the loan agreement) to the fullest extent possible at the end of each quarter. There are no covenant requirements or stated maturity dates.
As of December 31, 2013, Navios Partners portion of the outstanding amount relating to its investment in Navios Europe (5.0% of the $10.0 million) was $0.5 million, under caption Investment in affiliates and the outstanding amount relating to the Navios Revolving Loans capital is $0.3 million, under caption Loan receivable from affiliates. As of December 31, 2013, the amount undrawn from the revolving facility was $18.5 million, of which Navios Partners was committed to fund $0.9 million.
Share Purchase Agreements
On May 19, 2011, we entered into a share purchase agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings pursuant to which we agreed to acquire the capital stock of the subsidiary that owns the vessel Navios Orbiter, for a purchase price of $52.0 million.
On May 19, 2011, we entered into a share purchase agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings pursuant to which we agreed to acquire the capital stock of the subsidiary that owns the vessel Navios Luz, for a purchase price of $78.0 million.
On June 14, 2012, we entered into a share purchase agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings pursuant to which we agreed to acquire the capital stock of the subsidiary that owns the vessel the Navios Buena Ventura, for a purchase price of $67.5 million.
Registration Rights Agreements
On April 30, 2008, in connection with the share purchase agreement for the Navios Hope, we entered into a registration rights agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings pursuant to which that subsidiary has the right, subject to some conditions, to require us to file one or more registration statements covering the resale of the common units issued in connection with the acquisition of the Navios Hope.
On March 18, 2010, in connection with the share purchase agreement for the Navios Aurora II, we entered into a registration rights agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings pursuant to which that subsidiary has the right, subject to some conditions, to require us to file one or more registration statements covering the resale of the common units issued in connection with the acquisition of the Navios Aurora II.
Omnibus Agreement
At the closing of the IPO, we entered into the Omnibus Agreement with Navios Holdings, our General Partner and our operating subsidiary. The following discussion describes certain provisions of the Omnibus Agreement.
Noncompetition
Under the Omnibus Agreement, Navios Holdings agreed, and caused its controlled affiliates (other than us, our General Partner and our subsidiaries) to agree, not to acquire or own Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers under charter for three or more years. This restriction does not prevent Navios Holdings or any of its controlled affiliates (other than us and our subsidiaries) from:
(1) | acquiring or owning Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers under charters for less than three years; |
(2) | acquiring a Panamax or Capesize drybulk carrier under charter for three or more years after the closing of the IPO if Navios Holdings offers to sell to us the vessel for fair market value or (y) putting a Panamax or Capesize drybulk carrier that Navios Holdings owns under charter for three or more years if Navios Holdings offers to sell the vessel to us for fair market value at the time it is chartered for three or more years and, in each case, at each renewal or extension of that charter for three or more years; |
(3) | acquiring a Panamax or Capesize drybulk carrier under charter for three or more years as part of the acquisition of a controlling interest in a business or package of assets and owning those vessels; provided, however, that: |
(a) | if less than a majority of the value of the total assets or business acquired is attributable to those Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers and related charters, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Navios Holdings, Navios Holdings must offer to sell such Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers and related charters to us for their fair market value plus any additional tax or other similar costs to Navios Holdings that would be required to transfer the Panamax and Capesize drybulk carriers and related charters to us separately from the acquired business; and |
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(b) | if a majority or more of the value of the total assets or business acquired is attributable to the Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers and related charters, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Navios Holdings, Navios Holdings shall notify us in writing, of the proposed acquisition. We shall, not later than the 15th calendar day following receipt of such notice, notify Navios Holdings if we wish to acquire such Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers and related charters forming part of the business or package of assets in cooperation and simultaneously with Navios Holdings acquiring the non-Panamax or non-Capesize drybulk carriers and related charters forming part of that business or package of assets. If we do not notify Navios Holdings of our intent to pursue the acquisition within 15 calendar days, Navios Holdings may proceed with the acquisition as provided in (a) above. |
(4) | acquiring a non-controlling interest in any company, business or pool of assets; |
(5) | acquiring or owning any Panamax or Capesize drybulk carrier and related charter if we do not fulfill our obligation, under any existing or future written agreement, to purchase such vessel in accordance with the terms of any such agreement; |
(6) | acquiring or owning Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers under charter for three or more years subject to the offers to us described in paragraphs (2) and (3) above pending our determination whether to accept such offers and pending the closing of any offers we accept; |
(7) | providing ship management services relating to any vessel whatsoever, including to Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers owned by the controlled affiliates of Navios Holdings; or |
(8) | acquiring or owning Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers under charter for three or more years if we have previously advised Navios Holdings that we consent to such acquisition, operation or charter. |
Under the Omnibus Agreement, Navios Holdings will not be prohibited from operating chartered-in Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers under charter-out contracts for three or more years, so long as immediately prior to the time such vessel is proposed to be put under such charter-out contract, Navios Holdings offers such charter-out opportunity to us in the event that (i) we have a Panamax or Capesize drybulk carrier that is available and comparable to Navios Holdings chartered-in vessel and (ii) it is acceptable to the charter customer.
If Navios Holdings or any of its controlled affiliates (other than us or our subsidiaries) acquires or owns Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers pursuant to any of the exceptions described above, it may not subsequently expand that portion of its business other than pursuant to those exceptions.
In addition, under the Omnibus Agreement we agreed, and caused our subsidiaries to agree, to acquire, own, operate or charter Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers with charters of three or more years only (any vessels that are not Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers will in the following be referred to as the Non-Panamax and Non-Capesize Drybulk Carriers). This restriction will not:
(1) | prevent us or any of our subsidiaries from acquiring a Non-Panamax or Non-Capesize Drybulk Carrier and any related charters as part of the acquisition of a controlling interest in a business or package of assets and owning and operating or chartering those vessels, provided, however, that: |
(a) | if less than a majority of the value of the total assets or business acquired is attributable to a Non-Panamax or Non-Capesize Drybulk Carrier and related charter, as determined in good faith by us; we must offer to sell such Non-Panamax or Non-Capesize Drybulk Carrier and related charter to Navios Holdings for their fair market value plus any additional tax or other similar costs to us that would be required to transfer the Non-Panamax and Non-Capesize Drybulk Carrier and related charter to Navios Holdings separately from the acquired business; and |
(b) | if a majority or more of the value of the total assets or business acquired is attributable to a Non-Panamax or Non-Capesize Drybulk Carrier and related charter, as determined in good faith by us; we shall notify Navios Holdings in writing of the proposed acquisition. Navios Holdings shall, not later than the 15th calendar day following receipt of such notice, notify us if it wishes to acquire the Non-Panamax or Non-Capesize Drybulk Carrier forming part of the business or package of assets in cooperation and simultaneously with us acquiring the Panamax or Capesize Drybulk Carrier under charter for three or more years forming part of that business or package of assets. If Navios Holdings does not notify us of its intent to pursue the acquisition within 15 calendar days, we may proceed with the acquisition as provided in (a) above. |
(2) | prevent us or any of our subsidiaries from owning, operating or chartering a Non-Panamax or Non-Capesize Drybulk Carrier subject to the offer to Navios Holdings described in paragraph (2) above, pending its determination whether to accept such offer and pending the closing of any offer it accepts; or |
(3) | prevent us or any of our subsidiaries from acquiring, operating or chartering a Non-Panamax or Non-Capesize Drybulk Carrier if Navios Holdings has previously advised us that it consents to such acquisition, operation or charter. |
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If we or any of our subsidiaries owns, operates and charters Non-Panamax or Non-Capesize Drybulk Carriers pursuant to any of the exceptions described above, neither we nor such subsidiary may subsequently expand that portion of our business other than pursuant to those exceptions.
Upon a change of control of us or our General Partner, the noncompetition provisions of the Omnibus Agreement will terminate immediately. Upon a change of control of Navios Holdings, the noncompetition provisions of the Omnibus Agreement will terminate at the time that is the later of one year following the change of control and the date on which all of our outstanding subordinated units have converted to common units; provided, however, that in no event will the noncompetition provisions of the Omnibus Agreement terminate upon a change of control of Navios Holdings prior to the date that is four years following the date of the Omnibus Agreement.
On June 9, 2009, Navios Holdings relieved Navios Partners from its obligation to purchase the Capesize vessel Navios Bonavis upon its delivery to Navios Holdings. Navios Holdings was released from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions for two years until June 29, 2011 in connection with acquiring vessels from third parties (but not from the requirement to offer to sell to Navios Partners qualifying vessels in Navios Holdings existing fleet). Pursuant to our release from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions, in June 2009, we waived our rights of first refusal with Navios Acquisition with respect to an acquisition opportunity until the earlier of: (a) the consummation of a business combination by Navios Acquisition; (b) the liquidation of Navios Acquisition; and (c) June 2011.
In addition, concurrently with the successful consummation of the initial business combination by Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, or Navios Acquisition, on May 28, 2010, because of the overlap between Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and us, with respect to possible acquisitions under the terms of our Omnibus Agreement, we entered into a business opportunity right of first refusal agreement which provides the types of business opportunities in the marine transportation and logistics industries, we, Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition must share with each other.
Rights of First Offer
Under the Omnibus Agreement, we and our subsidiaries will grant to Navios Holdings a right of first offer on any proposed sale, transfer or other disposition of any of our Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers and related charters or any Non-Panamax or Non-Capesize Drybulk Carriers and related charters owned or acquired by us. Likewise, Navios Holdings agreed (and caused its subsidiaries to agree) to grant a similar right of first offer to us for any Panamax or Capesize drybulk carrier under charter for three or more years it might own. These rights of first offer do not apply to a (a) sale, transfer or other disposition of vessels between any affiliated subsidiaries, or pursuant to the terms of any charter or other agreement with a charter party or (b) merger with or into, or sale of substantially all of the assets to, an unaffiliated third-party.
Prior to engaging in any negotiation regarding any vessel disposition with respect to a Panamax or Capesize drybulk carrier under charter for three or more years with a non-affiliated third-party or any Non-Panamax or Non-Capesize Drybulk Carrier and related charter, we or Navios Holdings, as the case may be, will deliver a written notice to the other party setting forth the material terms and conditions of the proposed transaction. During the 15-day period after the delivery of such notice, we and Navios Holdings will negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement on the transaction. If we do not reach an agreement within such 15-day period, we or Navios Holdings, as the case may be, will be able within the next 180 calendar days to sell, transfer, dispose or re-charter the vessel to a third party (or to agree in writing to undertake such transaction with a third party) on terms generally no less favorable to us or Navios Holdings, as the case may be, than those offered pursuant to the written notice.
Upon a change of control of us or our general partner, the right of first offer provisions of the Omnibus Agreement will terminate immediately. Upon a change of control of Navios Holdings, the right of first offer provisions of the Omnibus Agreement will terminate at the time that is the later of one year following the change of control and the date on which all of our outstanding subordinated units have converted to common units; provided, however, that in no event will the right of first offer provisions of the Omnibus Agreement terminate upon a change of control of Navios Holdings prior to the date that is four years following the date of the Omnibus Agreement.
Indemnification
Under the Omnibus Agreement, Navios Holdings has agreed to indemnify us after the closing of the IPO for a period of five years against certain environmental and toxic tort liabilities to the extent arising prior to the closing date of the IPO. Liabilities resulting from a change in law after the closing of the IPO are excluded from the environmental indemnity. There is an aggregate cap of $5.0 million on the amount of indemnity coverage provided by Navios Holdings for these environmental and toxic tort liabilities. No claim may be made unless the aggregate dollar amount of all claims exceeds $500,000, in which case Navios Holdings is liable for claims only to the extent such aggregate amount exceeds $500,000.
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Navios Holdings will also indemnify us for liabilities related to:
| certain defects in title to the assets contributed or sold to us and any failure to obtain, prior to the closing of the IPO, certain consents and permits necessary to conduct our business, which liabilities arise within three years after the closing of the IPO; and |
| certain income tax liabilities attributable to the operation of the assets contributed to us prior to the time they were contributed. |
Amendments
The Omnibus Agreement may not be amended without the prior approval of the conflicts committee of our board of directors if the proposed amendment will, in the reasonable discretion of our board of directors, adversely affect holders of our common units.
Similar Agreement with Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation
In connection with the initial public offering of Navios Acquisition, because of the overlap between Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and us, with respect to possible acquisitions under the terms of our Omnibus Agreement, we had entered into a business opportunity right of first refusal agreement, which provided that, commencing on June 25, 2008 and extending until the earlier of the consummation of an initial business combination by Navios Acquisition or its liquidation, we, Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition would share business opportunities in the marine transportation and logistics industries.
On June 9, 2009, Navios Holdings relieved Navios Partners from its obligation to purchase the Capesize vessel Navios Bonavis upon its delivery to Navios Holdings. Navios Holdings was released from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions for two years in connection with acquiring vessels from third parties until June 29, 2011 (but not from the requirement to offer to sell to Navios Partners qualifying vessels in Navios Holdings existing fleet). Pursuant to our release from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions, in June 2009, we had waived our rights of first refusal with Navios Acquisition with respect to an acquisition opportunity until the earlier of: (a) the consummation of a business combination by Navios Acquisition; (b) the liquidation of Navios Acquisition; and (c) June 2011. Such waiver ended with the successful consummation of the initial business combination by Navios Acquisition, on May 28, 2010, when we entered into the business opportunity right of first offer agreement.
The Acquisition Omnibus Agreement
We have entered into the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement with Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition. The following discussion describes certain provisions of the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement.
Noncompetition
We and Navios Holdings agreed not to acquire, charter-in or own Liquid Shipment Vessels (as hereinafter defined). For purposes of the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement, Liquid Shipment Vessels means vessels intended primarily for the sea-going shipment of liquid products, including chemical and petroleum-based products, except for container vessels and vessels that will be employed primarily in operations in South America. This restriction will not prevent Navios Holdings or any of its controlled affiliates or Navios Partners (other than Navios Acquisition and its subsidiaries) from:
(1) | acquiring a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) from Navios Acquisition for fair market value; |
(2) | acquiring a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) as part of the acquisition of a controlling interest in a business or package of assets and owning those vessels; provided, however, that: |
(a) | if less than a majority of the value of the total assets or business acquired is attributable to a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) and related charters, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, must offer to sell a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) and related charters to Navios Acquisition for their fair market value plus any additional tax or other similar costs to Navios Holdings that would be required to transfer a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) and related charters to Navios Acquisition separately from the acquired business; and |
(b) | if a majority or more of the value of the total assets or business acquired is attributable to a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) and related charters, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, Navios Holdings or Partners, as the case may be, shall notify Navios Acquisition in writing, of the proposed acquisition. Navios Acquisition shall, not later than the 15th calendar day following receipt of such notice, notify Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, if Navios Acquisition wishes to acquire such a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) and related charters forming part of the business or package of assets in cooperation and simultaneously with Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, acquiring a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) and related charters forming part of that business or package of assets. If Navios Acquisition does not notify Navios Holdings of its intent to pursue the acquisition within 15 calendar days, Navios Holdings may proceed with the acquisition as provided in (a) above. |
(3) | acquiring a non-controlling interest in any company, business or pool of assets; |
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(4) | acquiring or owning a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) and related charter if Navios Acquisition does not fulfill its obligation, under any existing or future written agreement, to purchase such vessel in accordance with the terms of any such agreement; |
(5) | acquiring or owning a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) subject to the offers to Navios Acquisition described in paragraphs (3) and (4) above pending our determination whether to accept such offers and pending the closing of any offers we accept; |
(6) | providing ship management services relating to any vessel whatsoever, including to a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) owned by the controlled affiliates of Navios Holdings; or |
(7) | acquiring or owning a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) if Navios Acquisition has previously advised Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, that Navios Acquisition consents to such acquisition, or if Navios Acquisition have been offered the opportunity to purchase such vessel pursuant to the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement and failed to do so. |
If Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, or any of their respective controlled affiliates (other than Navios Acquisition or its subsidiaries) acquires or owns a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) pursuant to any of the exceptions described above, it may not subsequently expand that portion of its business other than pursuant to those exceptions.
In addition, under the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement, Navios Acquisition has agreed, and will cause its subsidiaries to agree, not to acquire, own, operate or charter drybulk carriers (Drybulk Carriers). Pursuant to an agreement between them, Navios Holdings and Navios Partners may be entitled to a priority over each other depending on the class and charter length of any Drybulk Carrier. This restriction will not:
(1) | prevent Navios Acquisition or any of its subsidiaries from acquiring a Drybulk Carrier(s) and any related charters as part of the acquisition of a controlling interest in a business or package of assets and owning and operating or chartering those vessels; provided, however, that: |
(a) | if less than a majority of the value of the total assets or business acquired is attributable to a Drybulk Carrier(s) and related charter(s), as determined in good faith by Navios Acquisition, Navios Acquisition must offer to sell such Drybulk Carrier(s) and related charter to Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, for their fair market value plus any additional tax or other similar costs to Navios Acquisition that would be required to transfer the Drybulk Carrier(s) and related charter(s) to Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, separately from the acquired business; and |
(b) | if a majority or more of the value of the total assets or business acquired is attributable to a Drybulk Carrier(s) and related charter(s), as determined in good faith by Navios Acquisition, Navios Acquisition shall notify Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, in writing of the proposed acquisition. Navios Holdings or Navios Partners, as the case may be, shall, not later than the 15th calendar day following receipt of such notice, notify Navios Acquisition if it wishes to acquire the Drybulk Carrier(s) forming part of the business or package of assets in cooperation and simultaneously with Navios Acquisition acquiring the Non-Drybulk Carrier assets forming part of that business or package of assets. If Navios Holdings and Navios Partners do not notify Navios Acquisition of its intent to pursue the acquisition within 15 calendar days, Navios Acquisition may proceed with the acquisition as provided in (a) above. |
(2) | prevent Navios Acquisition or any of its subsidiaries from owning, operating or chartering a Drybulk Carrier(s) subject to the offer to Navios Holdings or Navios Partners described in paragraph (1) above, pending its determination whether to accept such offer and pending the closing of any offer it accepts; or |
(3) | prevent Navios Acquisition or any of its subsidiaries from acquiring, operating or chartering a Drybulk Carrier(s) if Navios Holdings and Navios Partners have previously advised Navios Acquisition that it consents to such acquisition, operation or charter, or if they have previously been offered the opportunity to purchase such Drybulk Carrier(s) and have declined to do so. |
If Navios Acquisition or any of its subsidiaries owns, operates and charters Drybulk Carriers pursuant to any of the exceptions described above, neither Navios Acquisition nor such subsidiary may subsequently expand that portion of its business other than pursuant to those exceptions.
Rights of First Offer
Under the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement, Navios Acquisition and its subsidiaries will grant to Navios Holdings and Navios Partners, as the case may be, a right of first offer on any proposed sale, transfer or other disposition of any of its Drybulk Carriers and
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related charters owned or acquired by Navios Acquisition. Likewise, Navios Holdings and Navios Partners will agree (and will cause its subsidiaries to agree) to grant a similar right of first offer to Navios Acquisition for any Liquid Shipment Vessels it might own. These rights of first offer will not apply to a (a) sale, transfer or other disposition of vessels between any affiliated subsidiaries, or pursuant to the terms of any charter or other agreement with a counterparty, or (b) merger with or into, or sale of substantially all of the assets to, an unaffiliated third party.
Prior to engaging in any negotiation regarding any vessel disposition with respect to a Liquid Shipment Vessel(s) with a non-affiliated third party or any Drybulk Carrier(s) and related charter, we, Navios Holdings, or Navios Acquisition, as the case may be, will deliver a written notice to the other parties setting forth the material terms and conditions of the proposed transaction. During the 15-day period after the delivery of such notice, we, Navios Holdings or Navios Acquisition, as the case may be, will negotiate in good faith to reach an agreement on the transaction. If Navios Acquisition does not reach an agreement within such 15-day period, we or Navios Holdings or Navios Acquisition, as the case may be, will be able within the next 180 calendar days to sell, transfer or dispose of the vessel to a third party (or to agree in writing to undertake such transaction with a third party) on terms generally no less favorable to us or Navios Holdings, as the case may be, than those offered pursuant to the written notice.
Upon a change of control of us, the noncompetition and the right of first offer provisions of the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement will terminate immediately as to Navios Partners, but shall remain binding on Navios Acquisition and Navios Holdings. Upon a change of control of Navios Holdings, the noncompetition and the right of first offer provisions of the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement shall terminate; provided, however, that in no event shall the noncompetition and the rights of first refusal terminate upon a change of control of Navios Holdings prior to the fourth anniversary of the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement. Upon a change of control of Navios Acquisition, the noncompetition and the right of first offer provisions of the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement will terminate immediately as to all parties of the Acquisition Omnibus Agreement.
Management Agreement
At the closing of the IPO, we entered into a management agreement, as amended, with the Manager, a subsidiary of Navios Holdings, pursuant to which the Manager has agreed to provide certain commercial and technical management services to us. These services are provided in a commercially reasonable manner in accordance with customary ship management practice and under our direction. The Manager provides these services to us directly but may subcontract for certain of these services with other entities, including other Navios Holdings subsidiaries.
The commercial and technical management services include:
| the commercial and technical management of the vessel: managing day-to-day vessel operations including negotiating charters and other employment contracts with respect to the vessels and monitoring payments thereunder, ensuring regulatory compliance, arranging for the vetting of vessels, procuring and arranging for port entrance and clearance, appointing counsel and negotiating the settlement of all claims in connection with the operation of each vessel, appointing adjusters and surveyors and technical consultants as necessary, and providing technical support, |
| vessel maintenance and crewing: including supervising the maintenance and general efficiency of vessels, and ensuring the vessels are in seaworthy and good operating condition, arranging our hire of qualified officers and crew, arranging for all transportation, board and lodging of the crew, negotiating the settlement and payment of all wages, and |
| purchasing and insurance: purchasing stores, supplies and parts for vessels, arranging insurance for vessels (including marine hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance and war risk and oil pollution insurance). |
In October 2011, Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing management agreement with the Manager until December 31, 2017 and fixed the rate for shipmanagement services of its owned fleet through December 31, 2013. The management fees we paid to the Manager were: (a) $4,650 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,550 daily rate per Panamax vessel; and (c) $5,650 daily rate per Capesize vessel. In October 2013, we fixed the rate with the Manager until December 31, 2015 at a daily rate of: (a) $4,000 per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,100 per Panamax vessel; (c) $5,100 per Capesize vessel effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015; and (d) $6,500 per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the date of delivery of such vessel to the Navios Partners owned fleet through December 31, 2015, while the term of the management agreement is until December 31, 2017.
Intermediate and special survey expenses (including drydocking expenses) will be reimbursed at cost under the management agreement. From January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, we expect that we will reimburse the Manager for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet.
The management agreement may be terminated prior to the end of its initial term by us upon 120 days notice if there is a change of control of the Manager, or by the Manager upon 120 days notice if there is a change of control of us or our general partner. In addition, the management agreement may be terminated by us or by the Manager upon 120 days notice if:
| the other party breaches the agreement; |
| a receiver is appointed for all or substantially all of the property of the other party; |
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| an order is made to wind up the other party; |
| a final judgment or order that materially and adversely affects the other partys ability to perform the management agreement is obtained or entered and not vacated or discharged; or |
| the other party makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, files a petition in bankruptcy or liquidation or commences any reorganization proceedings. |
Furthermore, at any time after the first anniversary of the management agreement, the management agreement may be terminated prior to the end of its initial term by us or by the Manager upon 365 days notice for any reason other than those described above.
In addition to the fixed daily fees payable under the management agreement, the management agreement provides that the Manager is entitled to reasonable supplementary remuneration for extraordinary fees and costs resulting from:
| time spent on insurance and salvage claims; |
| time spent vetting and pre-vetting the vessels by any charterers in excess of 10 days per vessel per year; |
| the deductible of any insurance claims relating to the vessels or for any claims that are within such deductible range; |
| the significant increase in insurance premiums which are due to factors such as acts of God outside the control of the Manager; |
| repairs, refurbishment or modifications, including those not covered by the guarantee of the shipbuilder or by the insurance covering the vessels, resulting from maritime accidents, collisions, other accidental damage or unforeseen events (except to the extent that such accidents, collisions, damage or events are due to the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Manager, its employees or its agents, unless and to the extent otherwise covered by insurance); |
| expenses imposed due to any improvement, upgrade or modification to, structural changes with respect to the installation of new equipment aboard any vessel that results from a change in, an introduction of new, or a change in the interpretation of, applicable laws, at the recommendation of the classification society for that vessel or otherwise; |
| costs associated with increases in crew employment expenses resulting from an introduction of new, or a change in the interpretation of, applicable laws or resulting from the early termination of the charter of any vessel; |
| any taxes, dues or fines imposed on the vessels or the Manager due to the operation of the vessels; |
| expenses incurred in connection with the sale or acquisition of a vessel such as inspections and technical assistance; and |
| any similar costs, liabilities and expenses that were not reasonably contemplated by us and the Manager as being encompassed by or a component of the fixed daily fees at the time the fixed daily fees were determined. |
Under the management agreement, neither we nor the Manager are liable for failure to perform any of our or its obligations, respectively, under the management agreement by reason of any cause beyond our or its reasonable control.
In addition, the Manager has no liability for any loss arising in the course of the performance of the commercial and technical management services under the management agreement unless and to the extent that such loss is proved to have resulted solely from the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Manager or its employees, in which case (except where such loss has resulted from the Manager s intentional personal act or omission and with knowledge that such loss would probably result) the Managers liability is limited to $3.0 million for each incident or series of related incidents.
Further, under our management agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the Manager and its employees and agents against all actions which may be brought against them under the management agreement including, without limitation, all actions brought under the environmental laws of any jurisdiction, or otherwise relating to pollution or the environment, and against and in respect of all costs and expenses they may suffer or incur due to defending or settling such action; provided, however that such indemnity excludes any or all losses which may be caused by or due to the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Manager or its employees or agents, or any breach of the management agreement by the Manager.
Administrative Services Agreement
At the closing of the IPO, we entered into an administrative services agreement, as amended, with the Manager, pursuant to which the Manager has agreed to provide certain administrative management services to us. The agreement has an initial term expiring in December 2017.
The administrative services agreement may be terminated prior to the end of its term by us upon 120 days notice if there is a change of control of the Manager or by the Manager upon 120 days notice if there is a change of control of us or our General Partner. In addition, the administrative services agreement may be terminated by us or by the Manager upon 120 days notice if:
| the other party breaches the agreement; |
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| a receiver is appointed for all or substantially all of the property of the other party; |
| an order is made to wind up the other party; |
| a final judgment or order that materially and adversely affects the other partys ability to perform the management agreement is obtained or entered and not vacated or discharged; or |
| the other party makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, files a petition in bankruptcy or liquidation or commences any reorganization proceedings. |
Furthermore, the administrative services agreement may be terminated by us or by the Manager upon 365 days notice for any reason other than those described above.
The administrative services include:
| bookkeeping, audit and accounting services: assistance with the maintenance of our corporate books and records, assistance with the preparation of our tax returns and arranging for the provision of audit and accounting services; |
| legal and insurance services: arranging for the provision of legal, insurance and other professional services and maintaining our existence and good standing in necessary jurisdictions; |
| administrative and clerical services: assistance with office space, arranging meetings for our common unitholders pursuant to the partnership agreement, arranging the provision of IT services, providing all administrative services required for subsequent debt and equity financings and attending to all other administrative matters necessary to ensure the professional management of our business; |
| banking and financial services: providing cash management including assistance with preparation of budgets, overseeing banking services and bank accounts, arranging for the deposit of funds, negotiating loan and credit terms with lenders and monitoring and maintaining compliance therewith; |
| advisory services: assistance in complying with United States and other relevant securities laws; |
| client and investor relations: arranging for the provision of, advisory, clerical and investor relations services to assist and support us in our communications with our common unitholders; |
| integration of any acquired businesses; and |
| client and investor relations. |
We reimburse the Manager for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of these services within 15 days after the Manager submits to us an invoice for such costs and expenses, together with any supporting detail that may be reasonably required.
Under the administrative services agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the Manager and its employees against all actions which may be brought against them under the administrative services agreement including, without limitation, all actions brought under the environmental laws of any jurisdiction, and against and in respect of all costs and expenses they may suffer or incur due to defending or settling such actions; provided, however that such indemnity excludes any or all losses which may be caused by or due to the fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Manager or its employees or agents.
Common Unit Purchase Agreement between Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and Amadeus Maritime S.A.
In connection with the IPO, we entered into a common unit purchase agreement with Amadeus Maritime S.A. (Amadeus Maritime), a corporation wholly-owned by Ms. Angeliki Frangou, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which we sold 500,000 common units to Amadeus Maritime at a price per unit equal to the public offering price.
General and Administrative Expenses
We have entered into an administrative services agreement with the Manager, pursuant to which the Manager has agreed to provide certain administrative management services to us. Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing Administrative Services Agreement with the Manager pursuant to the same terms, until December 31, 2017. Total general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $4.4 million, $3.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively.
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Management Fees
Pursuant to the management agreement dated November 16, 2007, the Manager provided commercial and technical management services to our vessels. In October 2009, we fixed the rate with the Manager for a period of two years until November 2011. The management fees we paid to the Manager were: (a) $4,500 daily rate per owned Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,400 daily rate per owned Panamax vessel; and (c) $5,500 daily rate per owned Capesize vessel until November 16, 2011. In October 2011, Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing management agreement with the Manager until December 31, 2017 and fixed the rate for shipmanagement services of its owned fleet through December 31, 2013. The new management fees were: (a) $4,650 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4,550 daily rate per Panamax vessel; and (c) $5,650 daily rate per Capesize vessel. In October 2013, Navios Partners amended its existing management agreement the Manager to fix the fees for ship management services of its owned fleet at: (a) $4,000 per Ultra-Handymax vessel, (b) $4,100 per Panamax vessel, (c) $5,100 per Capesize vessel effective from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015 and (d) $6,500 per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the delivery through December 31, 2015. Drydocking expenses under this agreement will be reimbursed by Navios Partners at cost at occurrence.
Total management fees for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $36.2 million, $31.7 million and $26.3 million, respectively.
Other
On November 15, 2012, Navios Holdings and Navios Partners entered into an agreement by which Navios Holdings will provide supplemental credit default insurance with a maximum cash payment of $20.0 million. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has not put forth any claims to Navios Holdings in connection with this supplemental insurance.
Item 8. | Financial Information |
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Consolidated Financial Statements: See Item 18.
Legal Proceedings
Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we are not at present party to any legal proceedings or aware of any proceedings against us, or contemplated to be brought against us, that would have a material effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We maintain insurance policies with insurers in amounts and with coverage and deductibles as our board of directors believes are reasonable and prudent. We expect that these claims would be covered by insurance, subject to customary deductibles. Those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.
Cash Distribution Policy
Rationale for Our Cash Distribution Policy
Our cash distribution policy reflects a basic judgment that our unitholders are better served by our distributing our cash available (after deducting expenses, including estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures and reserves) rather than retaining it. Because we believe we will generally finance any expansion capital expenditures from external financing sources, we believe that our investors are best served by our distributing all of our available cash. Our cash distribution policy is consistent with the terms of our partnership agreement, which requires that we distribute all of our available cash quarterly (after deducting expenses, including estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures and reserves).
Limitations on Cash Distributions and Our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy
There is no guarantee that unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from us. Our distribution policy is subject to certain restrictions and may be changed at any time, including:
| Our unitholders have no contractual or other legal right to receive distributions other than the obligation under our partnership agreement to distribute available cash on a quarterly basis, which is subject to the broad discretion of our board of directors to establish reserves and other limitations. |
| While our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our available cash, our partnership agreement, including provisions requiring us to make cash distributions contained therein, may be amended. Although during the subordination period, with certain exceptions, our partnership agreement could not be amended without the approval of non-affiliated common unitholders, our partnership agreement can be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units after the subordination period has ended. Upon the closing of the IPO, Navios Holdings did not own any of our outstanding common units and owned 100.0% of our outstanding subordinated units. |
| Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions we pay under our cash distribution policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our board of directors, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement. |
| Under Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution to our unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. |
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| We may lack sufficient cash to pay distributions to our unitholders due to decreases in net revenues or increases in operating expenses, principal and interest payments on outstanding debt, tax expenses, working capital requirements, maintenance and replacement capital expenditures or anticipated cash needs. |
| Our distribution policy is affected by restrictions on distributions under our credit facilities that we entered into in connection with the closing of the IPO. Specifically, our credit facilities contains material financial tests that must be satisfied and we will not pay any distributions that will cause us to violate our credit facilities or other debt instruments. Should we be unable to satisfy these restrictions included in our credit facilities or if we are otherwise in default under our credit facilities, our ability to make cash distributions to unitholders, notwithstanding our cash distribution policy, would be materially adversely affected. |
| If we make distributions out of capital surplus, as opposed to operating surplus, such distributions will constitute a return of capital and will result in a reduction in the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus. |
Our ability to make distributions to our unitholders depends on the performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. The ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us may be restricted by, among other things, the provisions of existing and future indebtedness, applicable partnership and limited liability company laws and other laws and regulations.
Minimum Quarterly Distribution
We intend to distribute to the holders of common units and subordinated units on a quarterly basis at least the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.35 per unit, or $1.40 per unit per year, to the extent we have sufficient cash on hand to pay the distribution after we establish cash reserves and pay fees and expenses. The amount of available cash from operating surplus needed to pay the minimum quarterly distribution for four quarters on all units outstanding and the related distribution on the 2.0% general partner interest (not including subordinated Series A units that are not eligible to receive distributions until the third anniversary of their issuance, at which point they will automatically convert into common units and receive distributions in accordance with all other common units) is approximately $110.5 million. There is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units and subordinated units in any quarter. Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions paid under our policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our board of directors, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement. We are prohibited from making any distributions to unitholders if it would cause an event of default, or an event of default exists, under our existing credit facilities.
During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 the aggregate amount of cash distribution paid was $122.4 million, $106.9 million and $95.5 million, respectively.
On January 24, 2014, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended December 31, 2013 of $0.4425 per unit. The distribution was paid on February 14, 2014 to all holders of record of common and general partner units on February 10, 2014. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $32.6 million.
Subordination period
During the subordination period, which has expired, the common units had the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.35 per unit, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. Distribution arrearages do not accrue on the subordinated units. The purpose of the subordinated units was to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there would be available cash to be distributed on the common units. As of January 1, 2012 all subordinated units held by Navios Holdings (except for the Subordinated Series A Units) were converted into common units as per the conditions and terms set forth in our Partnership Agreement.
Subordinated Series A units
On June 9, 2009, Navios Holdings relieved Navios Partners from its obligation to purchase the Capesize vessel Navios Bonavis for $130.0 million and, upon delivery of the Navios Bonavis to Navios Holdings, Navios Partners was granted a 12-month option to purchase the vessel for $125.0 million. In return, Navios Holdings had received 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units, which were recognized as non-cash compensation expense in Navios Partners statement of income. The subordinated Series A units were not eligible to receive distributions until the third anniversary of their issuance, at which point they would automatically convert into common units and receive distributions in accordance with all other common units. As of June 29, 2012, all subordinated Series A units were converted into common units.
Incentive Distribution Rights
Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from Operating Surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. Our general partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in the partnership agreement. Except for transfers of incentive distribution rights to an affiliate or another entity as part of
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our general partners merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of substantially all of its assets to such entity, the approval of a majority of our common units (excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates), voting separately as a class, generally is required for a transfer of the incentive distribution rights to a third party prior to December 31, 2017.
The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of the additional available cash from Operating Surplus among the unitholders and our general partner up to the various target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions are the percentage interests of the unitholders and our general partner in any available cash from Operating Surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column Total Quarterly Distribution Target Amount, until available cash from Operating Surplus we distribute reaches the next target distribution level, if any. The percentage interests shown for the unitholders and our general partner for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests shown for our general partner assume that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and assume our general partner has not transferred the incentive distribution rights.
Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions |
||||||||||
Total Quarterly Distribution Target Amount |
Common Unitholders |
General Partner |
||||||||
Minimum Quarterly Distribution |
$0.35 | 98 | % | 2 | % | |||||
First Target Distribution |
up to $0.4025 | 98 | % | 2 | % | |||||
Second Target Distribution |
above $0.4025 up to $0.4375 | 85 | % | 15 | % | |||||
Third Target Distribution |
above $0.4375 up to $0.525 | 75 | % | 25 | % | |||||
Thereafter |
above $0.525 | 50 | % | 50 | % |
B. Significant Changes
No significant changes have occurred since the date of the annual financial statements included herein.
Item 9. | The Offer and Listing |
Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (or NYSE) under the symbol NMM. The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales prices for our common units on the NYSE for each of the periods indicated:
Price Range | ||||||||
High | Low | |||||||
Year Ended: |
||||||||
December 31, 2013 |
$ | 19.45 | $ | 12.84 | ||||
December 31, 2012 |
$ | 16.94 | $ | 11.59 | ||||
December 31, 2011 |
$ | 21.38 | $ | 11.31 | ||||
December 31, 2010 |
$ | 20.03 | $ | 14.50 | ||||
December 31, 2009 |
$ | 15.80 | $ | 6.39 | ||||
Quarter Ended: |
||||||||
March 31, 2014 (through March 20, 2014) |
$ | 19.20 | $ | 16.78 | ||||
December 31, 2013 |
$ | 19.45 | $ | 14.24 | ||||
September 30, 2013 |
$ | 15.22 | $ | 13.81 | ||||
June 30, 2013 |
$ | 15.21 | $ | 13.59 | ||||
March 31, 2013 |
$ | 14.84 | $ | 12.84 | ||||
December 31, 2012 |
$ | 15.78 | $ | 12.11 | ||||
September 30, 2012 |
$ | 15.23 | $ | 13.16 | ||||
June 30, 2012 |
$ | 16.73 | $ | 11.59 | ||||
March 31, 2012 |
$ | 16.94 | $ | 15.00 | ||||
Month Ended: |
||||||||
March 31, 2014 (through March 20, 2014) |
$ | 19.20 | $ | 17.29 | ||||
February 28, 2014 |
$ | 18.40 | $ | 16.78 | ||||
January 31, 2014 |
$ | 19.13 | $ | 18.06 | ||||
December 31, 2013 |
$ | 19.45 | $ | 16.55 | ||||
November 30, 2013 |
$ | 17.00 | $ | 15.97 | ||||
October 31, 2013 |
$ | 15.63 | $ | 14.24 | ||||
September 30, 2013 |
$ | 14.93 | $ | 14.14 |
Item 10. | Additional Information |
A. Share Capital
Not applicable.
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B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
The information required to be disclosed under Item 10.B is incorporated by reference to the following sections of the prospectus included in our Registration Statement on Form F-1 filed with the SEC on November 14, 2007: The Partnership Agreement, Description of the Common Units The Units, Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties, How we make Cash Distributions and Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.
On June 10, 2009, we executed the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Navios Partners. The Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership designated a new series of subordinated units as Subordinated Series A Units (the Series A Units).
On January 1, 2012, in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement, all of the then outstanding subordinated units converted into 7,621,843 shares of common units (conversion excluded the subordinated Series A units) and on June 29, 2012, the outstanding subordinated Series A units converted into 1,000,000 shares of common units.
C. Material Contracts
The following is a summary of each material contract, other than material contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party, for the two years immediately preceding the date of this Annual Report, each of which is included in the list of exhibits in Item 19. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects Trends and Factors Affecting Our Future Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources credit facilities for a summary of certain contract terms.
| Facility Agreement for a $260.0 million revolving credit and term loan facility, by and among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG, dated November 15, 2007. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Supplemental Agreement dated June 25, 2008, by and among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG relating to the credit facility dated November 15, 2007. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Supplemental Agreement dated January 30, 2009, by and among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG relating to the credit facility dated November 15, 2007 (as amended by an agreement dated June 25, 2008) for a loan facility of up to $295.0 million. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Third Supplemental Agreement dated January 11, 2010, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG relating to the credit facility dated November 15, 2007 (as amended by agreements dated June 25, 2008 and January 30, 2009). Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Fourth Supplemental Agreement dated March 30, 2010, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG relating to the credit facility dated November 15, 2007 (as amended by agreements dated June 25, 2008, January 30, 2009 and January 11, 2010). Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Fifth Supplemental Agreement dated June 1, 2010, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG relating to the credit facility dated November 15, 2007 (as amended by agreements dated June 25, 2008, January 30, 2009, January 11, 2010 and March 30, 2010). Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Sixth Supplemental Agreement dated December 13, 2010, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG relating to the credit facility dated November 15, 2007 (as amended by agreements dated June 25, 2008, January 30, 2009, January 11, 2010, March 30, 2010 and June 1, 2010). Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Seventh Supplemental Agreement dated May 31, 2011, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG relating to the credit facility dated November 15, 2007 (as amended by agreements dated June 25, 2008, January 30, 2009, January 11, 2010, March 30, 2010, June 1, 2010 and December 13, 2010). Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Eighth Supplemental Agreement dated September 30, 2011, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG relating to the credit facility dated November 15, 2007 (as amended by agreements dated June 25, 2008, January 30, 2009, January 11, 2010, March 30, 2010, June 1, 2010, December 13, 2010 and May 31, 2011). Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
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| Ninth Supplemental Agreement dated March 30, 2012, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank AG relating to the credit facility dated November 15, 2007 (as amended by agreements dated June 25, 2008, January 30, 2009, January 11, 2010, March 30, 2010, June 1, 2010, December 13, 2010, May 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011). Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Facility Agreement for a $35.0 million term loan facility, dated May 27, 2011, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank SE. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Supplemental Agreement, dated December 4, 2012, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank SE relating to the $290.45 million term loan facility, dated July 31, 2012. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Supplemental Agreement, dated March 27, 2013, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank SE relating to the $290.45 million term loan facility, dated July 31, 2012 to revise the lender majority vote requirement and expand the definition of Security Value. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Facility Agreement for a $44.0 million term loan facility, dated July 31, 2012, among Navios Partners, Commerzbank AG and DVB Bank SE. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Credit Agreement, dated June 27, 2013, among Navios Partners, Navios Partners Finance (US) Inc., as co-borrowers, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, Citibank, N.A., as documentation agent, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and the other lenders party thereto, for $250.0 million term loan facility. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Incremental Amendment No. 1, dated October 31, 2013, to the Credit Agreement, dated June 27, 2013, among Navios Partners, Navios Partners Finance (US) Inc., as co-borrowers, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, Citibank, N.A., as documentation agent, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and the other lenders party thereto, for $250.0 million term loan facility. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Incremental Amendment No. 2, dated November 1, 2013, to the Credit Agreement, dated June 27, 2013, among Navios Partners, Navios Partners Finance (US) Inc., as co-borrowers, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, Citibank, N.A., as documentation agent, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and the other lenders party thereto, for $250.0 million term loan facility. Please read Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Omnibus Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2007, among Navios Holdings, Navios GP LLC, Navios Maritime Operating LLC., and Navios Partners. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Amendment to Omnibus Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2009, among Navios Holdings, Navios GP LLC, Navios Maritime Operating LLC., and Navios Partners, relating to the Omnibus Agreement dated November 16, 2007. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Management Agreement dated November 16, 2007, between Navios Partners and Navios ShipManagement. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Amendment to Management Agreement dated October 29, 2009, between Navios Partners and Navios ShipManagement relating to the Management Agreement dated November 16, 2007. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Amendment No. 2 to Management Agreement dated October 21, 2011, between Navios Partners and Navios ShipManagement relating to the Management Agreement dated November 16, 2007. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Amendment No. 3 to Management Agreement dated October 30, 2013, between Navios Partners and Navios ShipManagement relating to the Management Agreement dated November 16, 2007. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
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| Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2007, between Navios Partners and Navios ShipManagement. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Amendment No. 1, dated October 21, 2011, to the Administrative Services Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2007, between Navios Partners and Navios ShipManagement. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Acquisition Omnibus Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2007, among Navios Partners, Navios Acquisition and Navios Holdings. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Registration Rights Agreement dated April 30, 2008. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
| Waiver to Right of First Refusal and Corporate Opportunities Agreement, dated June 29, 2009, by Navios Partners. Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms. |
D. Exchange controls
We are not aware of any governmental laws, decrees or regulations, including foreign exchange controls, in the Marshall Islands, Liberia, Malta, the countries of incorporation of Navios Partners and its subsidiaries that restrict the export or import of capital, or that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our securities.
We are not aware of any limitations on the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote our securities imposed by the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or our Certificate of Formation and Limited Partnership Agreement.
E. Taxation of Holders
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to beneficial owners of our common units and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Thompson Hine LLP, our U.S. counsel, insofar as it relates to matters of U.S. federal income tax law and legal conclusions with respect to those matters. The opinion of our counsel is dependent on the accuracy of representations made by us to them, including descriptions of our operations contained herein.
This discussion is based upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code), U.S. Treasury Regulations, and administrative rulings and court decisions, all as in effect or in existence on the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a court, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences of ownership of our common units to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to we, our or us are references to Navios Maritime Partners L.P.
The following discussion applies only to beneficial owners of common units that own the common units as capital assets (generally, property held for investment purposes). The following discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation which may be important to particular beneficial owners of common units in light of their individual circumstances, such as (i) beneficial owners of common units subject to special tax rules (e.g ., banks or other financial institutions, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance companies, broker-dealers, tax-exempt organizations and retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and tax-deferred accounts, or former citizens or long-term residents of the United States) or that will hold the common units as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale, or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes or their partners, (iii) U.S. Holders (as defined below) that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar or (iv) beneficial owners of common units that own 10% or more (by vote or value) of our common units, all of whom may be subject to tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized below. If a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common units, the tax treatment of its partners generally will depend upon the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common units, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences to you of the partnerships ownership of our common units.
No ruling has been obtained or will be requested from the IRS, regarding any matter affecting us or holders of our common units. The opinions and statements made herein may be challenged by the IRS and, if so challenged, may not be sustained upon review in a court.
This discussion does not contain information regarding any state or local, estate, gift or alternative minimum tax considerations concerning the ownership or disposition of common units.
Each beneficial owner of our common units should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, and other tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of common units.
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Election to Be Treated as a Corporation
We have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Consequently, among other things, U.S. Holders (as defined below) will not directly be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their shares of our income, but rather will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on distributions received from us and dispositions of common units as described below.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
As used herein, the term U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of our common units that:
| is an individual U.S. citizen or resident (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), |
| a corporation (or other entity that is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States or any of its political subdivisions, |
| an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or |
| a trust if (i) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) the trust has a valid election in effect under current U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person. |
Distributions
Subject to the discussion below of the rules applicable to a passive foreign investment company (a PFIC), any distributions to a U.S. Holder made by us with respect to our common units generally will constitute dividends, which will be taxable as ordinary income or qualified dividend income as described in more detail below, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holders tax basis in its common units on a dollar-for-dollar basis, and thereafter as capital gain, which will be either long-term or short-term capital gain depending upon whether the U.S. Holder held the common units for more than one year. U.S. Holders that are corporations generally will not be entitled to claim a dividend received deduction with respect to distributions they receive from us. Dividends received with respect to the common units will be treated as foreign source income and generally will be treated as passive category income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
Dividends received with respect to our common units by a U.S. Holder who is an individual, trust or estate (a non-corporate U.S. Holder) generally will be treated as qualified dividend income that is taxable to such non-corporate U.S. Holder at preferential capital gain tax rates, provided that: (i) our common units are traded on an established securities market in the United States (such as the New York Stock Exchange where our common units are traded) and are readily tradeable on such an exchange; (ii) we are not a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (which we do not believe we are, have been or will be, as discussed below); (iii) the non-corporate U.S. Holder has owned the common units for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common units become ex-dividend (and has not entered into certain risk limiting transactions with respect to such common units); and (iv) the non-corporate U.S. Holder is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Any dividends paid on our common units that are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a non-corporate U.S. Holder. In addition, a 3.8% tax may apply to certain investment income. See Medicare Tax below.
Special rules may apply to any amounts received in respect of our common units that are treated as extraordinary dividends. In general, an extraordinary dividend is a dividend with respect to a common unit that is equal to or in excess of 10.0% of a U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis (or fair market value upon the U.S. Holders election) in such common unit. In addition, extraordinary dividends include dividends received within a one-year period that, in the aggregate, equal or exceed 20.0% of a U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis (or fair market value) in a common unit. If we pay an extraordinary dividend on our common units that is treated as qualified dividend income, then any loss recognized by a U.S. Individual Holder from the sale or exchange of such common units will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of such dividend.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Units
Subject to the discussion of PFICs below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units 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. Holders adjusted tax basis in such units. The U.S. Holders initial tax basis in the common units generally will be the U.S. Holders purchase price for the common units and that tax basis will be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of any distributions on the common units that are treated as non-taxable returns of capital (as discussed under Distributions above). Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holders holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition.
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A corporate U.S. Holders capital gains, long-term and short-term, are taxed at ordinary income tax rates. If a corporate U.S. Holder recognizes a loss upon the disposition of our common units, such U.S. Holder is limited to using the loss to offset other capital gain. If a corporate U.S. Holder has no other capital gain in the tax year of the loss, it may carry the capital loss back three years and forward five years.
Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders are subject to the favorable tax rate of a maximum of 20%. In addition, a 3.8% tax may apply to certain investment income. See Medicare Tax below. A non-corporate U.S. Holder may deduct a capital loss resulting from a disposition of our common units to the extent of capital gains plus up to $3,000 ($1,500 for married individuals filing separate tax returns) and may carry forward a long-term capital loss indefinitely.
PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences
In general, we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which the holder held our common units, either:
| at least 75.0% of our gross income (including the gross income of our vessel-owning subsidiaries) 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 |
| at least 50.0% of the average value of the assets held by us (including the assets of our vessel-owning subsidiaries) during such taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. |
Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection with the performance of services would not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income generally would constitute passive income unless we were treated as deriving our rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business under the applicable rules.
Based on our current and projected methods of operations, and an opinion of counsel, we believe that we will not be a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. Our U.S. counsel, Thompson Hine LLP, is of the opinion that (1) the income we receive from the time chartering activities and assets engaged in generating such income should not be treated as passive income or assets, respectively, and (2) so long as our income from time charters exceeds 25.0% of our gross income for each taxable year after our initial taxable year and the value of our vessels contracted under time charters exceeds 50.0% of the average value of our assets for each taxable year after our initial taxable year, we should not be a PFIC. This opinion is based on representations and projections provided to our counsel by us regarding our assets, income and charters, and its validity is conditioned on the accuracy of such representations and projections.
Our counsels opinion is based principally on their conclusion that, for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from the time chartering activities of our wholly-owned subsidiaries should constitute services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, such income should not constitute passive income, and the assets that we or our subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular, the vessels we or our subsidiaries own that are subject to time charters, should not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we are or have been a PFIC. We expect that all of the vessels in our fleet will be engaged in time chartering activities and intend to treat our income from those activities as non-passive income, and the vessels engaged in those activities as non-passive assets, for PFIC purposes.
Our counsel has advised us that there is a significant amount of legal authority consisting of the Code, legislative history, IRS pronouncements and rulings supporting our position that the income from our time chartering activities constitutes services income (rather than rental income). There is, however, no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing whether income from time chartering activities is services income or rental income. Moreover, in a case not interpreting the PFIC rules, Tidewater Inc. v. United States, 565 F.3d 299 (5th Cir. 2009), the Fifth Circuit held that the vessel time charters at issue generated predominantly rental income rather than services income. However, the IRS stated in an Action on Decision (AOD 2010-001) that it disagrees with, and will not acquiesce to, the way that the rental versus services framework was applied to the facts in the Tidewater decision, and in its discussion stated that the time charters at issue in Tidewater would be treated as producing services income for PFIC purposes. The IRSs AOD, however, is an administrative action that cannot be relied upon or otherwise cited as precedent by taxpayers.
The opinion of our counsel is not binding on the IRS or any court. Thus, while we have received an opinion of our counsel in support of our position, there is a possibility that the IRS or a court could disagree with this position and the opinion of our counsel. In addition, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, we cannot assure you that the nature of our operations will not change in the future.
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder owned our common units, the U.S. Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a Qualified Electing Fund, which we refer to as a QEF election. As an alternative to making a QEF election, the U.S. Holder should be able to make a mark-to-market election with respect to our common units, as discussed below. In addition, starting in 2013, if we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder owned our common units, the U.S. Holder generally would be required to file IRS Form 8621 with the U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax return for each year to report the U.S. Holders ownership of such common units. In the event a U.S. Holder does not file IRS Form 8621, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes of such U.S. Holder for the related tax year will not close before the date which is three years after the date on which such report is filed.
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It should also be noted that, if we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year in which a U.S. Holder owned our common units and any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries were also a PFIC, the U.S. Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election (any such U.S. Holder, an Electing Holder), the Electing Holder must report for U.S. federal income tax purposes its pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if any, for our taxable year that ends with or within the Electing Holders taxable year, regardless of whether or not the Electing Holder received any distributions from us in that year. Such income inclusions would not be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. The Electing Holders adjusted tax basis in our common units will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions to the Electing Holder of our earnings and profits that were previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the Electing Holders adjusted tax basis in our common units and will not be taxed again once distributed. The Electing Holder would not, however, be entitled to a deduction for its pro rata share of any losses that we incur with respect to any year. An Electing Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units.
Even if a U.S. Holder makes a QEF election for one of our taxable years, if we were a PFIC for a prior taxable during which the U.S. Holder owned our common units and for which the U.S. Holder did not make a timely QEF election, the U.S. Holder would also be subject to the more adverse rules described below under Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election. However, under certain circumstances, a U.S. Holder may be permitted to make a retroactive QEF election with respect to us for any open taxable years in the U.S. Holders holding period for our common units in which we are treated as a PFIC. Additionally, to the extent that any of our subsidiaries is a PFIC, a U.S. Holders QEF election with respect to us would not be effective with respect to the U.S. Holders deemed ownership of the stock of such subsidiary and a separate QEF election with respect to such subsidiary would be required.
A U.S. Holder makes a QEF election with respect to any year that we are a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with the U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax return. If, contrary to our expectations, we were to determine that we are treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, we would notify all U.S. Holders and would provide all necessary information to any U.S. Holder that requests such information in order to make the QEF election described above with respect to us and the relevant subsidiaries. A QEF election would not apply to any taxable year for which we are not a PFIC, but would remain in effect with respect to any subsequent taxable year for which we are a PFIC, unless the IRS consents to the revocation of the election.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Mark-to-Market Election
If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we anticipate, our common units were treated as marketable stock, then, as an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a mark-to-market election with respect to our common units, provided the U.S. Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and related Treasury Regulations. 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 U.S. Holders common units at the end of the taxable year over the holders adjusted tax basis in the common units. The U.S. Holder also would be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the common units over the fair market value thereof 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. Holders tax basis in the U.S. Holders common units would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss recognized. Gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common units would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included in income by the U.S. Holder. A mark-to-market election would not apply to our common units owned by a U.S. Holder in any taxable year during which we are not a PFIC, but would remain in effect with respect to any subsequent taxable year for which we are a PFIC, unless our common units are no longer treated as marketable stock or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election.
Even if a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election for one of our taxable years, if we were a PFIC for a prior taxable during which the U.S. Holder owned our common stock and for which the U.S. Holder did not make a timely mark-to-market election, the U.S. Holder would also be subject to the more adverse rules described below under Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election. Additionally, to the extent that any of our subsidiaries is a PFIC, a mark-to-market election with respect to our common units would not apply to the U.S. Holders deemed ownership of the stock of such subsidiary.
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Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election
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 (i.e., the taxable year in which the U.S. Holders holding period commences), whom we refer to as a Non-Electing Holder, would be subject to special rules resulting in increased tax liability with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on our common units in a taxable year in excess of 125.0% of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holders holding period for the common units), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units. Under these special rules:
| the excess distribution and any gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holders aggregate holding period for the common units; |
| the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any year prior to the year we were first treated as a PFIC with respect to the Non-Electing Holder would be taxed as ordinary income; and |
| 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. |
If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and a Non-Electing Holder who is an individual dies while owning our common units, such holders successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such common units. Additionally, to the extent that any of our subsidiaries is a PFIC, the foregoing consequences would apply to the U.S. Holders deemed receipt of any excess distribution on, or gain deemed realized on the disposition of, the stock of such subsidiary deemed owned by the U.S. Holder.
Medicare 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, will generally be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. Holders net investment income for a taxable year and (ii) the excess of the U.S. Holders modified adjusted gross income for such taxable year over $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of joint filers). For these purposes, net investment income will generally include dividends paid with respect to our common units and net gain attributable to the disposition of our common units not held in a trade or business, but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such income or net gain.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
A beneficial owner of our common units (other than a partnership or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not a U.S. Holder is a Non-U.S. Holder.
Distributions
Distributions we pay to a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business. If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business, our distributions will be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent they constitute income effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holders U.S. trade or business (and a corporate Non-U.S. Holder may also be subject to U.S. federal branch profits tax). However, distributions paid to a Non-U.S. Holder who is engaged in a trade or business may be exempt from taxation under an income tax treaty if the income arising from the distribution is not attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder.
Disposition of Units
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on any gain resulting from the disposition of our common units provided the Non-U.S. Holder is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business. A Non-U.S. Holder that is engaged in a U.S. trade or business will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the event the gain from the disposition of units is effectively connected with the conduct of such U.S. trade or business (provided, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder entitled to the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States, such gain also is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment). However, even if not engaged in a U.S. trade or business, individual Non-U.S. Holders may be subject to tax on gain resulting from the disposition of our common units if they are present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which those units are disposed and meet certain other requirements.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, payments to a non-corporate U.S. Holder of distributions or the proceeds of a disposition of common units will be subject to information reporting. These payments to a non-corporate U.S. Holder also may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28%), if the non-corporate U.S. Holder:
| fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; |
| is notified by the IRS that he has failed to report all interest or corporate distributions required to be reported on his U.S. federal income tax returns; or |
| in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. |
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A U.S. Holder generally is required to certify its compliance with the backup withholding rules on IRS Form W-9.
Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying their status on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or W-8IMY, as applicable.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, a unitholder generally may obtain a credit for any amount withheld against his liability for U.S. federal income tax (and obtain a refund of any amounts withheld in excess of such liability) by filing a U.S. federal income tax return with the IRS.
Individual U.S. Holders (and to the extent specified in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, certain individual Non-U.S. Holders and certain U.S. Holders that are entities) that hold specified foreign financial assets, including our common units, whose aggregate value exceeds $75,000 at any time during the taxable year or $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year (or such higher amounts as prescribed by applicable Treasury Regulations) are required to file a report on IRS Form 8938 with information relating to the assets for each such taxable year. Specified foreign financial assets would include, among other things, our common units, unless such common units are held in an account maintained by a U.S. financial institution (as defined). 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 should consult their own tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations under this legislation.
NON-UNITED STATES TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Marshall Islands Tax Consequences
The following discussion is based upon the opinion of Reeder & Simpson P.C., our counsel as to matters of the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the current laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands applicable to persons who do not reside in, maintain offices in or engage in business in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Because we and our subsidiaries do not and do not expect to conduct business or operations in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law you will not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation or withholding on distributions, including upon distribution treated as a return of capital, we make to you as a unitholder. In addition, you will not be subject to Marshall Islands stamp, capital gains or other taxes on the purchase, ownership or disposition of common units, and you will not be required by the Republic of the Marshall Islands to file a tax return relating to your ownership of common units.
EACH UNITHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS OWN TAX, LEGAL AND OTHER ADVISORS REGARDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF OWNERSHIP OF COMMON UNITS UNDER THE UNITHOLDERS PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
F. Dividends and paying agents
Not applicable.
G. Statements by experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on display
We file reports and other information with the SEC. These materials, including this annual report and the accompanying exhibits, may be inspected and copied at the public facilities maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, or from the SECs website http://www.sec.gov. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1 (800) SEC-300 and you may obtain copies at prescribed rates.
I. Subsidiary information
Not applicable.
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Item 11. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks |
Foreign Exchange Risk
Our functional and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. We engage in worldwide commerce with a variety of entities. Although our operations may expose us to certain levels of foreign currency risk, our transactions are predominantly U.S. dollar denominated. Transactions in currencies other than U.S. dollar are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the date of each transaction. Differences in exchange rates during the period between the date a transaction denominated in a foreign currency is consummated and the date on which it is either settled or translated, are recognized. Expenses incurred in foreign currencies against which the U.S. Dollar falls in value can increase thereby decreasing our income or vice versa if the U.S. dollar increases in value. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2013, the value of U.S. dollar decreased by approximately 4.0% as compared to the Euro.
Interest Rate Risk
Borrowings under our credit facilities bear interest at rate based on a premium over U.S.$ LIBOR. Therefore, we are exposed to the risk that our interest expense may increase if interest rates rise. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we paid interest on our outstanding debt at a weighted average interest rate of 3.7%, 2.9% and 2.6%, respectively. A 1% increase in LIBOR would have increased our interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, by $3.5 million, $2.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of trade accounts receivable. We closely monitor our exposure to customers for credit risk. We have policies in place to ensure that we trade with customers with an appropriate credit history.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, our most significant counterparties were Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd, Navios Corporation and Samsun Logix, and which accounted for approximately 23.4%, 11.3%, 10.4% and 10.2%, respectively, of total revenues. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, our most significant counterparties were Cosco Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Samsun Logix, and which accounted for approximately 22.8%, 16.0% and 13.0%, respectively, of total revenues. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, our most significant counterparties were Cosco Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Samsun Logix, and which accounted for approximately 22.2%, 18.5% and 13.2%, respectively, of total revenues. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of total revenue for any of the years presented. Although we do not obtain rights to collateral, we maintain counterparty insurance which we re-assess on a quarterly basis to help reduce our credit risk.
To mitigate this risk we have insured certain of our long-term charter-out contracts of the drybulk vessels for credit default occurring until the end of 2016, either through a AA rated European Union insurance provider up to a maximum cash payment of $120.0 million initially or through a separate agreement with Navios Holdings up to a maximum cash payment of $20.0 million. Our agreements provide that if the charterer goes into payment default, the respective insurer will reimburse us for the charter payments under the terms of the cover (subject to applicable deductibles and other customary limitations for such type of insurance).
Inflation
Inflation has had a minimal impact on vessel operating expenses, drydocking expenses and general and administrative expenses. Our management does not consider inflation to be a significant risk to direct expenses in the current and foreseeable economic environment.
Item 12. | Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities |
Not applicable.
Item 13. | Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies |
None.
Item 14. | Material Modifications to the Rights of Unitholders and Use of Proceeds |
None.
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Item 15. | Controls and Procedures |
A. Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The management of Navios Partners, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation, pursuant to Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2013. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2013.
Disclosure controls and procedures means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms and that such information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
B. Managements annual report on internal control over financial reporting
The management of Navios Partners is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Navios Partners internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP).
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Navios Partners management assessed the effectiveness of Navios Partners internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control Integrated Framework (1992). Based on its assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2013, Navios Partners internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
Navios Partners independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on Navios Partners internal control over financial reporting.
C. Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm
Navios Partners independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on Navios Partners internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on Page F-2 of the consolidated financial statements.
D. Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There have been no changes in internal controls over financial reporting (identified in connection with managements evaluation of such internal controls over financial reporting) that occurred during the year covered by this annual report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Navios Partners internal controls over financial reporting.
Item 16A. | Audit Committee Financial Expert |
Navios Partners Audit Committee consists of two independent directors, Serafeim Kriempardis and John Karakadas. The Board of Directors has determined that Serafeim Kriempardis qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined in the instructions of Item 16A of Form 20-F. Mr. Kriempardis is independent under applicable NYSE and SEC standards.
Item 16B. | Code of Ethics |
Navios Partners has adopted a code of ethics applicable to officers, directors and employees that complies with applicable guidelines issued by the SEC. The Navios Partners Code of Corporate Conduct and Ethics is available for review on Navios Partners website at www.navios-mlp.com.
Item 16C. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
Audit Fees
Our principal Accountants for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A. The audit fees for the audit of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees
There were no audit-related fees billed in 2013 and 2012.
89
Tax Fees
There were no tax fees billed in 2013 and 2012.
Other Fees
There were no other fees billed in 2013 and 2012.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, replacement, compensation, evaluation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors. As part of this responsibility, the audit committee pre-approves the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditors in order to assure that they do not impair the auditors independence from Navios Partners. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent auditors may be pre-approved.
The Audit Committee separately pre-approved all engagements and fees paid to our principal accountant in 2013.
Item 16D. | Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees |
Not applicable.
Item 16E. | Purchases of Units by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers |
None.
Please read Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions.
Item 16F. | Change in Registrants Certifying Accountant |
Not applicable.
Item 16G. | Corporate Governance |
Pursuant to an exception for foreign private issuers, we are not required to comply with the corporate governance practices followed by U.S. companies under the NYSE listing standards. However, we have voluntarily adopted all of the NYSE required practices, except we do not have (i) a majority of independent board members, (ii) a compensation committee consisting of independent directors, (iii) a compensation committee charter specifying the purpose and responsibilities of the compensation committee, (iv) a nominating/governance committee consisting of independent directors or (v) a nominating/governance committee charter specifying the purpose and responsibilities of the nominating/governance committee. Instead, all compensation and nomination/governance decisions, other than those nominating decisions dictated by our Partnership Agreement, are currently made by a majority of our independent board members.
Item 16H. | Mine Safety Disclosures |
Not applicable.
Item 17. | Financial Statements |
Not applicable.
Item 18. | Financial Statements |
The financial information required by this Item together with the related report of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, thereon is filed as part of this annual report on Pages F-1 through F-27.
Item 19. | Exhibits |
1.1 | Certificate of Limited Partnership of Navios Maritime Partners L.P.(1) | |
1.2 | Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Navios Maritime Partners L.P.(2) | |
1.3 | Certificate of Formation of Navios GP L.L.C.(1) | |
1.4 | Limited Liability Company Agreement of Navios GP L.L.C.(1) |
90
1.5 | Certificate of Formation of Navios Maritime Operating L.L.C.(1) | |
1.6 | Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Navios GP L.L.C.(1) | |
1.7 | Limited Liability Company Agreement of Navios Operating L.L.C.(1) | |
4.1 | Omnibus Agreement(1) | |
4.2 | Management Agreement with Navios ShipManagement Inc.(1) | |
4.3 | Administrative Services Agreement with Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.(1) | |
4.4 | Form of First Contribution and Conveyance Agreement(1) | |
4.5 | Form of Second Contribution and Conveyance Agreement(1) | |
4.6 | Form of Share Purchase Agreement for Navios TBN I(1) | |
4.7 | Form of Share Purchase Agreement for Navios TBN II(1) | |
4.8 | Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility Agreement(3) | |
4.9 | Common Unit Purchase Agreement between Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and Amadeus Maritime S.A.(1) | |
4.10 | Share Purchase Agreement for Navios Hope(4) | |
4.11 | Registration Rights Agreement(4) | |
4.12 | Supplemental Agreement, dated June 15, 2008, to the Facility Agreement(5) | |
4.13 | Supplemental Agreement, dated January 30, 2009, to the Facility Agreement(6) | |
4.14 | Amendment to Omnibus Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2009, relating to the Omnibus Agreement(7) | |
4.15 | Amendment to Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2009, between Anemos Holdings and Navios Maritime Partners L.P. relating to the Share Purchase Agreement(7) | |
4.16 | Waiver to Right of First Refusal and Corporate Opportunities Agreement, dated June 29, 2009, by Navios Maritime Partners L.P.(7) | |
4.17 | Amendment to Management Agreement, dated October 29, 2009, between Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and Navios ShipManagement Inc. relating to the Management Agreement(8) | |
4.18 | Supplemental Agreement, dated January 11, 2010, to the Facility Agreement(9) | |
4.19 | Supplemental Agreement, dated March 30, 2010, to the Facility Agreement(10) | |
4.20 | Supplemental Agreement, dated June 1, 2010, to the Facility Agreement(11) | |
4.21 | Supplemental Agreement, dated December 13, 2010, to the Facility Agreement(12) | |
4.22 | Supplemental Agreement, dated May 31, 2011, to the Facility Agreement(13) | |
4.23 | Supplemental Agreement, dated September 30, 2011, to the Facility Agreement (14) | |
4.24 | Supplemental Agreement, dated March 30, 2012, to the Facility Agreement(16) | |
4.25 | Facility Agreement for $35.0 million term loan facility, dated May 27, 2011(13) | |
4.26 | Facility Agreement for $290.45 million term loan facility, dated July 31, 2012(17) | |
4.27 | Supplemental Agreement, dated December 4, 2012, to Facility Agreement for $290.45 million term loan facility, dated July 31, 2012(18) | |
4.28 | Supplemental Agreement, dated March 27, 2013, to Facility Agreement for $290.45 million term loan facility, dated July 31, 2012(19) | |
4.29 | Facility Agreement for $44.0 million term loan facility, dated August 8, 2012(17) | |
4.30 | Credit Agreement for $250.0 million term loan facility, dated June 27, 2013(20) | |
4.31 | Incremental Amendment No. 1, dated October 31, 2013, to the Credit Agreement for a $250.0 million term loan facility, dated June 27, 2013(21) |
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4.32 | Incremental Amendment No. 2, dated November 1, 2013, to the Credit Agreement for a $250.0 million term loan facility, dated June 27, 2013(21) | |
4.33 | Amendment No. 1 to Administrative Services Agreement with Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., dated October 21, 2011(15) | |
4.34 | Amendment No. 2 to Management Agreement, dated October 29, 2009, between Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and Navios ShipManagement Inc. relating to the Management Agreement, dated October 21, 2011(15) | |
4.35 | Amendment No. 3, dated October 30, 2013, to the Management Agreement, dated November 16, 2007, between Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and Navios ShipManagement Inc. (21) | |
4.36 | Acquisition Omnibus Agreement(22) | |
8.1 | List of Subsidiaries of Navios Maritime Partners L.P.* | |
12.1 | Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer* | |
12.2 | Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer* | |
13.1 | Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Executive Officer* | |
15.1 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.* |
(1) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Companys Registration Statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-146972) as filed with the SEC and hereby incorporated by reference to the Annual Report. |
(2) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on July 14, 2009 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(3) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on November 26, 2007 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(4) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on July 2, 2008 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(5) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on July 10, 2008 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(6) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on February 25, 2009 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(7) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on July 14, 2009 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(8) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on October 30, 2009 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(9) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on January 26, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(10) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on April 8, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(11) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on June 11, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(12) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on March 1, 2011 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(13) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on June 8, 2011 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(14) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on October 5, 2011 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(15) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on October 24, 2011 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(16) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on April 9, 2012 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(17) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on September 5, 2012 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(18) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on January 31, 2013 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(19) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on May 2, 2013 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(20) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on July 11, 2013 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(21) | Previously filed as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K filed on November 7, 2013 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
(22) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Companys Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed on March 15, 2013 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
* | Filed herewith. |
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Navios Maritime Partners L.P. hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.
Navios Maritime Partners L.P. | ||
/s/ Angeliki Frangou | ||
By: | Angeliki Frangou | |
Its: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Date: March 21, 2014
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F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Partners of Navios Maritime Partners L.P.:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in partners capital and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and its subsidiaries (the Company) at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).The Companys management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Managements annual report on internal control over financial reporting, appearing in Item 15(b) of the Companys 2013 Annual Report on Form 20-F. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.
Athens, Greece
March 21, 2014
F-2
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit data)
Notes | December 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
||||||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
3 | $ | 35,346 | $ | 32,132 | |||||||
Restricted cash |
3 | 1,177 | 29,529 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
4 | 16,298 | 7,778 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
5 | 1,663 | 594 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total current assets |
54,484 | 70,033 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Vessels, net |
6 | 1,026,153 | 721,391 | |||||||||
Deposits for vessels acquisitions |
7,271 | | ||||||||||
Deferred financing costs, net |
8,463 | 2,767 | ||||||||||
Other long term assets |
94 | 282 | ||||||||||
Investment in affiliates |
18 | 500 | | |||||||||
Loans receivable from affiliates |
17 | 280 | | |||||||||
Intangible assets |
7 | 119,405 | 160,479 | |||||||||
Restricted cash |
33,429 | | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total non-current assets |
1,195,595 | 884,919 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,250,079 | $ | 954,952 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL |
||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||||||
Accounts payable |
8 | $ | 3,171 | $ | 2,090 | |||||||
Accrued expenses |
9 | 3,876 | 3,599 | |||||||||
Deferred voyage revenue |
2,997 | 9,112 | ||||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
10 | 5,358 | 23,727 | |||||||||
Amounts due to related parties |
17 | 204 | 21,748 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total current liabilities |
15,606 | 60,276 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Long-term debt, net of current portion and discount |
10 | 527,966 | 275,982 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total non-current liabilities |
527,966 | 275,982 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total liabilities |
543,572 | 336,258 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Commitments and contingencies |
15 | | | |||||||||
Partners capital: |
||||||||||||
Common Unitholders (71,034,163 and 60,109,163 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively) |
12 | 702,478 | 616,604 | |||||||||
General Partner (1,449,681 and 1,226,721 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively) |
12 | 4,029 | 2,090 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total partners capital |
706,507 | 618,694 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total liabilities and partners capital |
$ | 1,250,079 | $ | 954,952 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
Notes | Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
Year Ended December 31, 2011 |
|||||||||||||
Time charter and voyage revenues (includes related party revenue of $23,738, $7,357 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively) | 13,17 | $ | 198,159 | $ | 205,435 | $ | 186,953 | |||||||||
Time charter and voyage expenses |
(14,943 | ) | (12,937 | ) | (13,473 | ) | ||||||||||
Direct vessel expenses |
| (25 | ) | (61 | ) | |||||||||||
Management fees (entirely through related parties transactions) |
17 | (36,173 | ) | (31,689 | ) | (26,343 | ) | |||||||||
General and administrative expenses |
17 | (6,305 | ) | (5,555 | ) | (4,965 | ) | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
6,7 | (77,505 | ) | (71,622 | ) | (63,971 | ) | |||||||||
Write-off of intangible asset |
7 | | | (3,979 | ) | |||||||||||
Interest expense and finance cost, net |
10 | (16,910 | ) | (10,127 | ) | (9,244 | ) | |||||||||
Interest income |
50 | 229 | 821 | |||||||||||||
Other income |
20 | 13,730 | 22,598 | 272 | ||||||||||||
Other expense |
(1,097 | ) | (409 | ) | (675 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 59,006 | $ | 95,898 | $ | 65,335 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per unit (see note 19):
Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
Year Ended December 31, 2011 |
||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 59,006 | $ | 95,898 | $ | 65,335 | ||||||
Weighted average units outstanding (basic and diluted) |
||||||||||||
Common unit holders |
66,317,588 | 58,008,617 | 45,409,807 | |||||||||
Subordinated unit holders |
| | 7,621,843 | |||||||||
Subordinated Series A unit holders |
| | 1,000,000 | |||||||||
Earnings per unit (see Note 19): |
||||||||||||
Common unit (basic and diluted) |
$ | 0.84 | $ | 1.61 | $ | 1.33 | ||||||
Subordinated unit (basic and diluted) |
$ | | $ | | $ | 0.46 | ||||||
Subordinated Series A unit (basic and diluted) |
$ | | $ | | $ | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)
Notes | Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
Year Ended December 31, 2011 |
|||||||||||||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 59,006 | $ | 95,898 | $ | 65,335 | ||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
6,7 | 77,505 | 71,622 | 63,971 | ||||||||||||
Write-off of intangible asset |
7 | | | 3,979 | ||||||||||||
Amortization and write-off of deferred financing cost |
4,035 | 787 | 530 | |||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred dry dock costs |
| 25 | 61 | |||||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Net increase in restricted cash |
(2 | ) | (3 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||||
Increase in accounts receivable |
(8,520 | ) | (2,943 | ) | (3,899 | ) | ||||||||||
(Increase)/decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(1,069 | ) | 1,583 | 396 | ||||||||||||
(Decrease)/increase in other long term assets |
188 | (202 | ) | 75 | ||||||||||||
Increase in accounts payable |
1,081 | 68 | 946 | |||||||||||||
Increase in accrued expenses |
277 | 613 | 1,045 | |||||||||||||
Decrease in deferred voyage revenue |
(6,115 | ) | (6,038 | ) | (6,417 | ) | ||||||||||
(Decrease)/increase in amounts due to related parties |
(21,544 | ) | 17,671 | 1,444 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
104,842 | 179,081 | 127,464 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||||||
Acquisition of vessels |
6 | (341,193 | ) | (46,307 | ) | | ||||||||||
Acquisition of vessels from related parties |
| (42,198 | ) | (76,220 | ) | |||||||||||
Deposits for acquisition of vessels |
(7,271 | ) | | | ||||||||||||
Acquisition of intangibles from related parties |
| (21,193 | ) | (43,780 | ) | |||||||||||
Investment in affiliates |
(500 | ) | | | ||||||||||||
Loans receivable from affiliates |
(280 | ) | | | ||||||||||||
Increase in restricted cash |
(98,179 | ) | | | ||||||||||||
Release of restricted cash for vessel acquisitions |
64,750 | | | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(382,673 | ) | (109,698 | ) | (120,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash distributions paid |
19 | (122,382 | ) | (106,878 | ) | (95,499 | ) | |||||||||
Net proceeds from issuance of general partner units |
12 | 3,167 | 1,472 | 2,052 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common units, net of offering costs |
12 | 148,022 | 68,563 | 86,288 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from long term debt |
10 | 434,500 | 44,000 | 35,000 | ||||||||||||
Net decrease/(increase) in restricted cash |
10 | 28,354 | (21,058 | ) | (7,642 | ) | ||||||||||
Repayment of long-term debt and payment of principal |
10 | (201,412 | ) | (70,340 | ) | (30,450 | ) | |||||||||
Debt issuance costs |
(9,204 | ) | (1,088 | ) | (413 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities |
281,045 | (85,329 | ) | (10,664 | ) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
3,214 | (15,946 | ) | (3,200 | ) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
32,132 | 48,078 | 51,278 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 35,346 | $ | 32,132 | $ | 48,078 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
||||||||||||||||
Cash paid for interest |
$ | 13,324 | $ | 9,957 | $ | 8,131 | ||||||||||
Issuance of common units to Navios Holdings related to the acquisition of the Navios Luz and the Navios Orbiter in May 2011 |
$ | | $ | | $ | 9,960 |
F-5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS CAPITAL
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit data)
Limited Partners | Subordinated | Total |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subordinated | Series A | Partners | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General Partner | Common Unitholders | Unitholders | Unitholders | Capital | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Units | Units | Units | Units | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance December 31, 2010 |
1,028,599 | $ | 1,685 | 41,779,404 | $ | 651,965 | 7,621,843 | $ | (168,229 | ) | 1,000,000 | $ | 6,082 | $ | 491,503 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cash distribution paid |
| (3,068 | ) | | (79,169 | ) | | (13,262 | ) | | | (95,499 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of units for vessel acquisitions |
10,366 | 204 | 507,916 | 9,960 | | | | | 10,164 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common units, net of offering costs |
| | 4,600,000 | 86,288 | | | | | 86,288 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of general partners units |
93,878 | 1,848 | | | | | | | 1,848 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| 1,307 | | 60,506 | | 3,522 | | | 65,335 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance December 31, 2011 |
1,132,843 | $ | 1,976 | 46,887,320 | $ | 729,550 | 7,621,843 | $ | (177,969 | ) | 1,000,000 | $ | 6,082 | $ | 559,639 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Cash distribution paid |
| (3,690 | ) | | (103,188 | ) | | | | | (106,878 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of subordinated units into common units |
| | 7,621,843 | (177,969 | ) | (7,621,843 | ) | 177,969 | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conversion of subordinated Series A units into common units |
| | 1,000,000 | 6,082 | | | (1,000,000 | ) | (6,082 | ) | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common units, net of offering costs |
| | 4,600,000 | 68,563 | | | | | 68,563 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of general partners units |
93,878 | 1,472 | | | | | | | 1,472 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| 2,332 | | 93,566 | 95,898 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance December 31, 2012 |
1,226,721 | $ | 2,090 | 60,109,163 | $ | 616,604 | | $ | | | $ | | $ | 618,694 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash distribution paid |
| (4,285 | ) | | (118,097 | ) | | | | | (122,382 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common units, net of offering costs (see note 12) |
| | 10,925,000 | 148,022 | | | | | 148,022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of general partners units (see note 12) |
222,960 | 3,167 | | | | | | | 3,167 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| 3,057 | | 55,949 | 59,006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance December 31, 2013 |
1,449,681 | $ | 4,029 | 71,034,163 | $ | 702,478 | | $ | | | $ | | $ | 706,507 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
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|
|
F-6
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
NOTE 1 DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Navios Partners is an international owner and operator of dry cargo vessels, formed on August 7, 2007 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands by Navios Holdings, a vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company with over 60 years of operating history in the drybulk shipping industry. Navios GP L.L.C. (the General Partner), a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (Navios Holdings), was also formed on that date to act as the general partner of Navios Partners and received a 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners.
Navios Partners is engaged in the seaborne transportation services of a wide range of drybulk commodities including iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizer, chartering its vessels under medium to long-term charters. The operations of Navios Partners are managed by Navios ShipManagement Inc., a subsidiary of Navios Holdings (the Manager) from its offices in Piraeus, Greece, Singapore and Monaco.
Pursuant to the initial public offering (IPO) on November 16, 2007, Navios Partners entered into the following agreements:
(a) a management agreement with the Manager pursuant to which the Manager provides Navios Partners commercial and technical management services;
(b) an administrative services agreement with the Manager pursuant to which the Manager provides Navios Partners administrative services; and
(c) an omnibus agreement with Navios Holdings (Omnibus Agreement), governing, among other things, when Navios Partners and Navios Holdings may compete against each other as well as rights of first offer on certain drybulk carriers.
As of December 31, 2013, there were outstanding: 71,034,163 common units and 1,449,681 general partnership units. As of December 31, 2013, Navios Holdings owned a 21.6% interest in Navios Partners, which includes a 2% general partner interest.
NOTE 2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) | Basis of presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). |
(b) | Principles of consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Navios Partners wholly owned subsidiaries incorporated under the laws of Marshall Islands, Malta, and Liberia from their dates of incorporation or, for chartered-in vessels, from the dates charter-in agreements were in effect. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in Navios Partners consolidated financial statements. |
Navios Partners also consolidates entities that are determined to be variable interest entities as defined in the accounting guidance, if it determines that it is the primary beneficiary. A variable interest entity is defined as a legal entity where either (a) equity interest holders as a group lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest, including decision making ability and an interest in the entitys residual risks and rewards, (b) the equity holders have not provided sufficient equity investment to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, or (c) the voting rights of some investors are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or both and substantially all of the entitys activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.
Subsidiaries: Subsidiaries are those entities in which Navios Partners has an interest of more than one half of the voting rights or otherwise has power to govern the financial and operating policies of each subsidiary.
F-7
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the following entities and chartered-in vessels:
Country of | Statement of income | |||||||||
Company name |
Vessel name | incorporation | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||
Libra Shipping Enterprises Corporation |
Navios Libra II | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Alegria Shipping Corporation |
Navios Alegria | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Felicity Shipping Corporation |
Navios Felicity | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Gemini Shipping Corporation |
Navios Gemini S | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Galaxy Shipping Corporation |
Navios Galaxy I | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Aurora Shipping Enterprises Ltd. |
Navios Hope | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Palermo Shipping S.A. |
Navios Apollon | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Fantastiks Shipping Corporation |
Navios Fantastiks | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Sagittarius Shipping Corporation |
Navios Sagittarius | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Hyperion Enterprises Inc. |
Navios Hyperion | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Chilali Corp. |
Navios Aurora II | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Surf Maritime Co. |
Navios Pollux | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Pandora Marine Inc. |
Navios Melodia | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Customized Development S.A. |
Navios Fulvia | Liberia | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Kohylia Shipmanagement S.A. |
Navios Luz | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 5/19 12/31 | |||||
Orbiter Shipping Corp. |
Navios Orbiter | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 5/19 12/31 | |||||
Floral Marine Ltd. |
Navios Buena Ventura |
Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 6/15 12/31 | | |||||
Golem Navigation Limited |
Navios Soleil | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 7/24 12/31 | | |||||
Kymata Shipping Co. |
Navios Helios | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 7/27 12/31 | | |||||
Joy Shipping Corporation |
Navios Joy | Marshall Is. | 9/11 12/31 | | | |||||
Micaela Shipping Corporation |
Navios Harmony | Marshall Is. | 10/11 12/31 | | | |||||
Pearl Shipping Corporation |
Navios Sun | Marshall Is. | | | | |||||
Velvet Shipping Corporation |
Navios La Paix | Marshall Is. | | | | |||||
Rubina Shipping Corporation |
Hyundai Hongkong | Marshall Is. | 12/4 12/31 | | | |||||
Topaz Shipping Corporation |
Hyundai Singapore | Marshall Is. | 12/4 12/31 | | | |||||
Beryl Shipping Corporation |
Hyundai Tokyo | Marshall Is. | 12/10 12/31 | | | |||||
Cheryl Shipping Corporation |
Hyundai Shanghai | Marshall Is. | 12/13 12/31 | | | |||||
Christal Shipping Corporation |
Hyundai Busan | Marshall Is. | 12/16 12/31 | | | |||||
Chartered-in vessels |
||||||||||
Prosperity Shipping Corporation |
Navios Prosperity | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Aldebaran Shipping Corporation |
Navios Aldebaran | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Other |
||||||||||
JTC Shipping and Trading Ltd (*) |
Holding Company | Malta | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Navios Maritime Partners L.P. |
N/A | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Navios Maritime Operating LLC |
N/A | Marshall Is. | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | 1/01 12/31 | |||||
Navios Partners Finance (US) Inc. |
Co-Borrower | Delaware | 6/19 12/31 | | | |||||
Navios Partners Europe Finance Inc. |
Sub-Holding Company |
Marshall Is. | 6/04 12/31 | | |
(*) | Not a vessel-owning subsidiary and only holds right to a charter-in contract. |
F-8
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
(c) | Equity method investments: Affiliates are entities over which the Company generally has between 20% and 50% of the voting rights, or over which the Company has significant influence, but it does not exercise control. Investments in these entities are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the Company records an investment in the stock of an affiliate at cost, and adjusts the carrying amount for its share of the earnings or losses of the affiliate subsequent to the date of investment and reports the recognized earnings or losses in income. Dividends received from an affiliate reduce the carrying amount of the investment. The Company recognizes gains and losses in earnings for the issuance of shares by its affiliates, provided that the issuance of such shares qualifies as a sale of such shares. When the Companys share of losses in an affiliate equals or exceeds its interest in the affiliate, the Company does not recognize further losses, unless the Company has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the affiliate. |
Navios Partners evaluates its investments with equity method, for other than temporary impairment, on a quarterly basis. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the carrying value, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.
(d) | Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. On an on-going basis, management evaluates the estimates and judgments, including those related to future drydock dates, the selection of useful lives for tangible assets, expected future cash flows from long-lived assets to support impairment tests, provisions necessary for accounts receivables, provisions for legal disputes, and contingencies. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions and/or conditions. |
(e) | Cash and Cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, deposits held on call with banks, and other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. |
(f) | Restricted Cash: Restricted cash includes an amount of $346 held in retention and pledged accounts as required by Navios Partners credit facilities and an amount of $831 to guarantee a claim related to an owned vessel. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the restricted cash held in retention accounts was $1,177 and $29,529, respectively. Long-term restricted cash as of December 31, 2013 was $33,429 and related to amounts held in escrow, to partially finance a portion of the acquisition of vessels. |
(g) | Accounts Receivable, net: The amount shown as accounts receivable, net at each balance sheet date includes receivables from charterers for hire, freight and demurrage billings, net of a provision for doubtful accounts. At each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $613 and $458, respectively. |
(h) | Vessels, net: Vessels are stated at historical cost, which consists of the contract price and any material expenses incurred upon acquisition (improvements and delivery expenses). Vessels acquired in an asset acquisition or in a business combination are recorded at fair value. Subsequent expenditures for major improvements and upgrading are capitalized, provided they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels. Expenditures for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. |
Depreciation is computed using the straight line method over the useful life of the vessels, after considering the estimated residual value. Management estimates the residual values of our drybulk vessels based on a scrap value cost of steel times the weight of the ship noted in lightweight ton (LWT). Residual values are periodically reviewed and revised to recognize changes in conditions, new regulations or other reasons. Revisions of residual values affect the depreciable amount of the vessels and affects depreciation expense in the period of the revision and future periods. Prior to December 31, 2012, management estimated the residual values of its vessels based on a scrap rate of $285 per LWT. Effective January 1, 2013, following managements reassessment after considering current market trends for scrap rates and ten-year average historical scrap rates of the residual values of the Companys vessels, the estimated scrap value per LWT was increased to $340. This change in accounting estimate of scrap value did not materially affect the statement of income and the earnings per unit of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2013.
F-9
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
Management estimates the useful life of drybulk and container vessels to be 25 and 30 years, respectively, from the vessels original construction. However, when regulations place limitations over the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, its useful life is re-estimated to end at the date such regulations become effective.
(i) | Deferred Drydock and Special Survey costs: Navios Partners vessels are subject to regularly scheduled dry docking and special surveys which are carried out every 36 or 60 months to coincide with the renewal of the related certificates issued by the classification societies, unless a further extension is obtained in rare cases and under certain conditions. |
The costs of dry docking and special surveys was included in the daily management fee of $4.65 per owned Ultra-Handymax vessel, $4.55 per owned Panamax vessel and $5.65 per owned Capesize vessel through December 31, 2013. In October 2013, Navios Partners amended its existing Management Agreement with the Manager, a subsidiary of Navios Holdings, to fix the fees for ship management services of its owned fleet at: (a) $4.00 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4.10 daily rate per Panamax vessel; (c) $5.10 daily rate per Capesize vessel effective from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015; and (d) $6.50 daily rate per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the delivery through December 31, 2015. Drydocking expenses under this agreement will be reimbursed by Navios Partners at cost at occurrence.
(j) | Impairment of long lived assets: Vessels, other fixed assets and other long lived assets held and used by Navios Partners are reviewed periodically for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a particular asset may not be fully recoverable. In accordance with accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, Navios Partners management evaluates the carrying amounts and periods over which long-lived assets are depreciated to determine if events or changes in circumstances have occurred that would require modification to their carrying values or useful lives. In evaluating useful lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, certain indicators of potential impairment, are reviewed such as undiscounted projected operating cash flows, vessel sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions. |
Undiscounted projected net operating cash flows are determined for each vessel and compared to the vessel carrying value of the vessel and related carrying value of the intangible with respect to the time charter agreement attached to that vessel. Within the shipping industry, vessels are customarily bought and sold with a charter attached. The value of the charter may be favorable or unfavorable when comparing the charter rate to then current market rates. The loss recognized either on impairment (or on disposition) will reflect the excess of carrying value over fair value (selling price) for the vessel asset group.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, management concluded that events occurred and circumstances had changed, which indicated that potential impairment of Navios Partners long-lived assets may exist. These indicators included continued deterioration in the spot market, and the related, impact of the current drybulk sector has on managements expectation for future revenues. As a result, an impairment assessment of long-lived assets was performed.
Navios Partners determined undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for each vessel and compared it to the vessels carrying value together with the carrying value of the related intangible. The significant factors and assumptions used in the undiscounted projected net operating cash flow analysis included: determining the projected net operating cash flows by considering the charter revenues from existing time charters for the fixed fleet days (Navios Partners remaining charter agreement rates) and an estimated daily time charter equivalent for the unfixed days (based on a combination of the Navios Partners remaining charter agreement rates and the 10-year average historical one year time charter rates adjusted for outliers) over the remaining economic life of each vessel, net of brokerage and address commissions and excluding days of scheduled off-hires, management fees fixed until December 2013 and thereafter assuming an annual increase of 3.0% and utilization rate of 98.6% based on the fleets historical performance. The assessment concluded that step two of the impairment analysis was not required and no impairment of vessels and the intangible assets existed as of December 31, 2013, as the undiscounted projected net operating cash flows exceeded the carrying value.
In the event that impairment would occur, the fair value of the related asset would be determined and an impairment charge would be recorded to operations calculated by comparing the assets carrying value to its fair value. Fair value is estimated primarily through the use of third-party valuations performed on an individual vessel basis.
Although management believes the underlying assumptions supporting this assessment are reasonable, if charter rate trends and the length of the current market downturn, vary significantly from our forecasts, management may be required to perform step two of the impairment analysis in the future that could expose Navios Partners to material impairment charges in the future.
No impairment loss was recognized for any of the periods presented.
F-10
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
(k) | Deferred Financing Cost: Deferred financing costs include fees, commissions and legal expenses associated with obtaining credit facilities. These costs are amortized over the life of the related facility using the effective interest rate method, and are included in interest expense. Amortization expense and write-offs of deferred financing cost for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $4,035, $787 and $530, respectively. |
(l) | Intangible assets and liabilities: Navios Partners intangible assets and liabilities consist of favorable lease terms and unfavorable lease terms. When intangible assets or liabilities associated with the acquisition of a vessel are identified, they are recorded at fair value. Fair value is determined by reference to market data and the discounted amount of expected future cash flows. Where charter rates are higher than market charter rates, an asset is recorded, being the difference between the acquired charter rate and the market charter rate for an equivalent vessel. Where charter rates are less than market charter rates, a liability is recorded, being the difference between the assumed charter rate and the market charter rate for an equivalent vessel. The determination of the fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities requires Navios Partners to make significant assumptions and estimates of many variables including market charter rates, expected future charter rates, the level of utilization of its vessels and its weighted average cost of capital. The use of different assumptions could result in a material change in the fair value of these items, which could have a material impact on Navios Partners financial position and results of operations. |
The amortizable value of favorable and unfavorable leases is amortized over the remaining life of the lease term and the amortization expense is included in the statement of income in the depreciation and amortization line item. The amortizable value of favorable leases would be considered impaired if their fair market values could not be recovered from the future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset. Management, after considering various indicators, performed on impairment test which included intangible assets as described in paragraph (j) above. As of December 31, 2013, there was no impairment of intangible assets.
(m) | Foreign currency translation: Navios Partners functional and reporting currency is the U.S. Dollar. Navios Partners engages in worldwide commerce with a variety of entities. Although, its operations may expose it to certain levels of foreign currency risk, its transactions are predominantly U.S. dollar denominated. Additionally, Navios Partners wholly-owned vessel subsidiaries transacted a nominal amount of their operations in Euros; however, all of the subsidiaries primary cash flows are U.S. dollar denominated. Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the date of each transaction. Differences in exchange rates during the period between the date a transaction denominated in a foreign currency is consummated and the date on which it is either settled or translated, are recognized in the statement of operations. The foreign currency exchange (losses)/gains recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of income, in other income or expense, for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $(13), $(1) and $(4), respectively. |
(n) | Provisions: Navios Partners, in the ordinary course of its business, is subject to various claims, suits and complaints. Management, in consultation with internal and external advisors, will provide for a contingent loss in the financial statements if the contingency had been incurred and the likelihood of loss is deemed to be probable at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In accordance with the accounting for contingencies, if Navios Partners has determined that the reasonable estimate of the loss is a range and there is no best estimate within the range, Navios Partners will accrue the lower amount of the range. Navios Partners, through the management agreement, participates in Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance coverage plans provided by mutual insurance societies known as P&I clubs. Under the terms of these plans, participants may be required to pay additional premiums to fund operating deficits incurred by the clubs (additional calls). Obligations for additional calls are accrued annually based on announcements made by the board of Directors of each Club at the end of each policy year pertaining to collection of any additional calls for the closed policy year/s.. Services such as the ones described above are provided by the Manager under the management agreement and included as part of the daily fee of $4.55 for each Panamax vessel, $5.65 for each Capesize vessel and $4.65 for each Ultra-Handymax vessel through December 31, 2013. |
(o) | Segment Reporting: Navios Partners reports financial information and evaluates its operations by charter revenues and not by the length of ship employment for its customers. Navios Partners does not use discrete financial information to evaluate operating results for each type of charter. Management does not identify expenses, profitability or other financial information by charter type. As a result, management reviews operating results solely by revenue per day and operating results of the fleet and thus Navios Partners has determined that it operates under one reportable segment. |
F-11
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
(p) | Revenue and Expense Recognition: |
Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recorded when services are rendered, under a signed charter agreement or other evidence of an arrangement, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. Revenue is generated from time charter of vessels.
Voyage revenues for the transportation of cargo are recognized ratably over the estimated relative transit time of each voyage. Voyage expenses are recognized as incurred. A voyage is deemed to commence when a vessel is available for loading and is deemed to end upon the completion of the discharge of the current cargo. Estimated losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses become evident. Under a voyage charter, a vessel is provided for the transportation of specific goods between specific ports in return for payment of an agreed upon freight per ton of cargo.
Revenues from time chartering of vessels are accounted for as operating leases and are thus recognized on a straight line basis as the average minimum lease revenue over the rental periods of such charter agreements, as service is performed. A time charter involves placing a vessel at the charterers disposal for a period of time during which the charterer uses the vessel in return for the payment of a specified daily hire rate. Under time charters, operating costs such as for crews, maintenance and insurance are typically paid by the owner of the vessel.
Revenues from profit-sharing are calculated at an agreed percentage of the excess of the charterers average daily income over an agreed amount and accounted for on an accrual basis based on provisional amounts.
Revenues are recorded net of address commissions. Address commissions represent a discount provided directly to the charterers based on a fixed percentage of the agreed upon charter rate. Since address commissions represent a discount (sales incentive) on services rendered by Navios Partners and no identifiable benefit is received in exchange for the consideration provided to the charterer, these commissions are presented as a reduction of revenue.
Time Charter and Voyage Expenses: Time charter and voyage expenses comprise all expenses related to each particular voyage, including time charter hire paid and bunkers, port charges, canal tolls, cargo handling, agency fees and brokerage commissions. Time charter expenses are expensed over the period of the time charter and voyage expenses are recognized as incurred.
Management fees: Pursuant to the Management Agreement dated November 16, 2007, which was revised in October 2009 and 2011, the Manager, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings, provides commercial and technical management services to Navios Partners vessels for a daily fee of: (a) $4.65 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4.55 daily rate per Panamax vessel; and (c) $5.65 daily rate per Capesize vessel until December 31, 2013.
In October 2013, Navios Partners amended its existing Management Agreement with the Manager, a subsidiary of Navios Holdings, to fix the fees for ship management services of its owned fleet at: (a) $4.00 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4.10 daily rate per Panamax vessel; (c) $5.10 daily rate per Capesize vessel effective from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015; and (d) $6.50 daily rate per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the delivery through December 31, 2015. Drydocking expenses under this agreement will be reimbursed at cost at occurrence.
General and administrative expenses: Pursuant to the Administrative Services agreement dated November 16, 2007, the Manager also provides administrative services to Navios Partners, which include bookkeeping, audit and accounting services, legal and insurance services, administrative and clerical services, banking and financial services, advisory services, client and investor relations and other. The Manager is reimbursed for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of these services. Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing Administrative Services Agreement with the Manager pursuant to the same terms, until December 31, 2017.
Deferred Voyage Revenue: Deferred voyage revenue primarily relates to cash received from charterers prior to it being earned. These amounts are recognized as revenue over the voyage or charter period. In January 2009, Navios Partners and its counterparty to the Navios Hope charter party mutually agreed for a lump sum amount of approximately $30,443, of which Navios Partners received, net of expenses, an amount of $29,589 in February 2009. Under a new charter agreement, the balance of the aggregate value of the original contract will be allocated to the period until its original expiration. The amount of $30,443 has been recognized as deferred revenue and amortized over the life of the vessels contract through August 2013.
As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the deferred voyage revenue of $2,997 and $9,112, respectively, included the unamortized amount of the lump sum amount related to the Navios Hope of $0 and $4,230, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, each of the current and long-term portion of the lump sum amount for the Navios Hope was zero.
F-12
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
Prepaid Voyage Costs: Prepaid voyage costs relate to cash paid in advance for expenses associated with voyages. These amounts are recognized as expense over the charter period.
Inventory: Inventories, which are comprised of bunkers due to freight voyages, are valued at the lower of cost or market value as determined on the first-in, first-out basis.
(q) | Financial Instruments: Financial instruments carried on the balance sheet include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivables and accounts payables, other receivables and other liabilities and long-term debt. The particular recognition methods applicable to each class of financial instrument are disclosed in the applicable significant policy description of each item, or included below as applicable. |
Financial risk management: Navios Partners activities expose it to a variety of financial risks including fluctuations in future freight rates, time charter hire rates, and fuel prices, credit and interest rates risk. Risk management is carried out under policies approved by executive management. Guidelines are established for overall risk management, as well as specific areas of operations.
Credit risk: Navios Partners closely monitors its exposure to customers and counter-parties for credit risk. Navios Partners has entered into the management agreement with the Manager, pursuant to which the Manager agreed to provide commercial and technical management services to Navios Partners. When negotiating on behalf of Navios Partners various vessel employment contracts, the Manager has policies in place to ensure that it trades with customers and counterparties with an appropriate credit history.
Financial instruments that potentially subject Navios Partners to concentrations of credit risk are accounts receivable and cash and cash equivalents. Navios Partners does not believe its exposure to credit risk is likely to have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, Navios Partners customers representing 10% or more of total revenue were Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd, Navios Corporation and Samsun Logix, which accounted for 23.4%, 11.3%, 10.4% and 10.2%, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2012, Navios Partners customers representing 10% or more of total revenue were Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Samsun Logix, which accounted for 22.8%, 16.0% and 13.0%, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2011, Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and Samsun Logix accounted for 22.2%, 18.5% and 13.2%, respectively, of total revenue. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of total revenue for any of the years presented.
Foreign exchange risk: Foreign currency transactions are translated into the measurement currency rates prevailing at the dates of transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the consolidated statements of income.
(r) | Cash Distribution: As per the Partnership Agreement, within 45 days following the end of each quarter, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such quarter shall be distributed to the partners as of the record date selected by the Board of Directors. |
Available Cash: Generally means, for each fiscal quarter, all cash on hand at the end of the quarter:
| less the amount of cash reserves established by the board of directors to: |
| provide for the proper conduct of the business (including reserve for Maintenance and Replacement Capital Expenditures) |
| comply with applicable law, any of Navios Partners debt instruments, or other agreements; or |
| provide funds for distributions to the unitholders and to the general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters; |
| plus all cash on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter. Working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under any revolving credit or similar agreement used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners. |
F-13
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
Available Cash is a quantitative measure used in the publicly traded partnership investment community to assist in evaluating a partnerships ability to make quarterly cash distributions. Available Cash is not required by US GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other indicator of Navios Partners performance required by US GAAP.
Maintenance and Replacement Capital Expenditures: Maintenance and Replacement capital expenditures are those capital expenditures required to maintain over the long term the operating capacity of or the revenue generated by Navios Partners capital assets, and expansion capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that increase the operating capacity of or the revenue generated by the capital assets. To the extent, however, that capital expenditures associated with acquiring a new vessel increase the revenues or the operating capacity of our fleet, those capital expenditures would be classified as expansion capital expenditures. As at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Maintenance and Replacement capital expenditures reserve approved by the Board of Directors was $14,593, $18,869 and $18,569, respectively.
NOTE 3 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents consist of the following:
December 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Cash on hand and at banks |
$ | 35,079 | $ | 18,180 | ||||
Short term deposits and highly liquid funds |
267 | 13,952 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 35,346 | $ | 32,132 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Short term deposits and highly liquid funds relate to amounts held in banks for general financing purposes. As of December 31, 2013, Navios Partners held time deposits of $0 and money market funds of $267 with duration of less than three months. As of December 31, 2012, Navios Partners held time deposits of $13,129 and money market funds of $823 with duration of less than three months.
Cash deposits and cash equivalents in excess of amounts covered by government-provided insurance are exposed to loss in the event of non-performance by financial institutions. Navios Partners does maintain cash deposits and equivalents in excess of government-provided insurance limits. Navios Partners also minimizes exposure to credit risk by dealing with a diversified group of major financial institutions.
Restricted cash, as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, included an amount held as security in the form of a letter of guarantee related to an owned vessel in the amount of $831 and $829, respectively. In addition, at each of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, restricted cash included $346 and $28,700, respectively, which related to amounts held in retention accounts as required by certain of Navios Partners credit facilities. As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 the short-term restricted cash held in retention accounts was $1,177 and $29,529, respectively. Long-term restricted cash as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, was $33,429 and $0, respectively which related to amounts held in escrow, to partially finance a portion of the purchase price of vessels to be delivered in 2014.
F-14
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
NOTE 4 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
Accounts receivable consist of the following:
December 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Accounts receivable |
$ | 16,911 | $ | 8,236 | ||||
Less: Provision for doubtful receivables |
(613 | ) | (458 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Accounts receivable, net |
$ | 16,298 | $ | 7,778 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Charges to provisions for doubtful accounts are summarized as follows:
Allowance for doubtful receivables |
Balance at beginning of period |
Charges to costs and expenses |
Amount utilized |
Balance at end of period |
||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2013 |
$ | (458 | ) | $ | (155 | ) | $ | | $ | (613 | ) | |||||
Year ended December 31, 2012 |
$ | (49 | ) | $ | (409 | ) | $ | | $ | (458 | ) | |||||
Year ended December 31, 2011 |
$ | (49 | ) | $ | | $ | | $ | (49 | ) |
NOTE 5 PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
December 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Prepaid voyage costs |
$ | 431 | $ | 252 | ||||
Inventory |
1,166 | | ||||||
Other |
66 | 342 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets |
$ | 1,663 | $ | 594 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Inventories, which are comprised of bunkers due to freight voyages, are valued at the lower of cost or market value as determined on the first-in, first-out basis.
NOTE 6 VESSELS AND OTHER FIXED ASSETS
Vessels |
Cost | Accumulated Depreciation |
Net Book Value |
|||||||||
Balance December 31, 2011 |
$ | 764,905 | $ | (97,692 | ) | $ | 667,213 | |||||
Additions |
88,505 | (34,327 | ) | 54,178 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance December 31, 2012 |
$ | 853,410 | $ | (132,019 | ) | $ | 721,391 | |||||
Additions |
341,193 | (36,431 | ) | 304,762 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance December 31, 2013 |
$ | 1,194,603 | $ | (168,450 | ) | $ | 1,026,153 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-15
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
To date, for each of the vessels purchased from Navios Holdings, the vessel acquisition was effected through the acquisition of all of the capital stock of the vessel-owning companies, which held the ownership and other contractual rights and obligations related to each of the acquired vessels, including the vessel and a charter-out contract. Management accounted for each acquisition as an asset acquisition. At the transaction date, the purchase price approximated the fair value of the assets acquired, which was determined based on a combination of methodologies including discounted cash flow analyses and independent valuation analyses. The consideration paid, for each of these transactions, was allocated between the intangible assets (favorable lease term) and the vessel value.
In December 2013, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party five 2006 South Korean-built Post-Panamax container vessels of 6,800 TEU each, consisting of the Hyundai Hongkong, the Hyundai Singapore, the Hyundai Tokyo, the Hyundai Shanghai and the Hyundai Busan for a total cash consideration of $275,000. Navios Partners allocated the total consideration to the fair value of the vessels, as these were the only assets acquired. There was no existing debt, charters or technical and commercial management agreements assumed, therefore, Navios Partners concluded that the acquisition of the Post-Panamax container vessels was an asset acquisition under ASC 805.
On October 11, 2013, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Harmony, an 82,790 dwt 2006 Japanese-built Panamax vessel, for an acquisition cost of $17,955 in cash consideration.
On September 11, 2013, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Joy, a 181,389 dwt Japanese new-build Capesize vessel, for an acquisition cost of $47,467 in cash consideration.
On July 27, 2012, Navios Partners acquired the Navios Helios from unrelated party, a 77,075 dwt Panamax vessel built in 2005, for an acquisition cost of $21,128 in cash consideration.
On July 24, 2012, Navios Partners acquired the Navios Soleil from unrelated party, a 57,337 dwt Ultra-Handymax vessel built in 2009, for an acquisition cost of $21,070 in cash consideration.
On June 15, 2012, Navios Partners acquired the Navios Buena Ventura from Navios Holdings for a purchase price of $67,500 of which $46,307 was allocated to the vessel and $21,193 allocated to the acquired time charter-out contract with favorable leases.
Deposits for vessel acquisition represent deposits for vessels to be delivered in the future. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, Navios Partners vessel deposits amounted to $7,271 and $0, respectively.
NOTE 7 INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND UNFAVORABLE LEASE TERMS
Intangible assets and unfavorable lease terms as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consist of the following:
Cost | Accumulated Amortization |
Net Book Value | ||||||||||
Total favorable lease terms charter-out December 31, 2011 |
$ | 227,335 | $ | (50,754 | ) | $ | 176,581 | |||||
Additions |
21,193 | (37,295 | ) | (16,102 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total favorable lease terms charter-out December 31, 2012 |
$ | 248,528 | $ | (88,049 | ) | $ | 160,479 | |||||
Additions |
| (37,869 | ) | (37,869 | ) | |||||||
Accelerated amortization |
| (3,205 | ) | (3,205 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total favorable lease terms charter-out December 31, 2013 |
$ | 248,528 | $ | (129,123 | ) | $ | 119,405 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization expense of favorable and unfavorable lease terms for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is presented in the following table:
Year Ended | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
December 31, 2011 |
||||||||||
Unfavorable lease terms |
$ | | $ | | $ | 665 | ||||||
Favorable lease terms charter-out |
(37,869 | ) | (37,295 | ) | (33,311 | ) | ||||||
Acceleration of intangible asset |
(3,205 | ) | | | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
$ | (41,074 | ) | $ | (37,295 | ) | $ | (32,646 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-16
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
The aggregate amortization of the intangibles for the 12-month periods ended December 31 is estimated to be as follows:
Year |
Amount | |||
2014 |
$ | 26,442 | ||
2015 |
21,169 | |||
2016 |
17,234 | |||
2017 |
17,526 | |||
2018 |
17,210 | |||
2019 and thereafter |
19,824 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 119,405 | |||
|
|
In relation to Navios Partners new suspension agreement, entered into in June 2013, the amount of $3,205 of the Navios Melodia favorable lease term that corresponded to the suspension period until April 2016 has been accounted for accelerated amortization in the statement of income under the caption of Depreciation and amortization. The remaining favorable lease term intangible will continue to be amortized once the suspension period ends in April 2016.
Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized using the straight line method over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual value of zero. The weighted average useful lives are 7.7 years for favorable lease terms charter-out.
NOTE 8 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Accounts payable as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consist of the following:
December 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Creditors |
$ | 1,194 | $ | 496 | ||||
Brokers |
1,681 | 1,342 | ||||||
Insurances |
171 | 138 | ||||||
Professional and legal fees |
125 | 114 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total accounts payable |
$ | 3,171 | $ | 2,090 | ||||
|
|
|
|
NOTE 9 ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consist of the following:
December 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Accrued voyage expenses |
$ | 1,979 | $ | 2,410 | ||||
Accrued loan interest |
579 | 780 | ||||||
Accrued legal and professional fees |
1,318 | 409 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total accrued expenses |
$ | 3,876 | $ | 3,599 | ||||
|
|
|
|
NOTE 10 BORROWINGS
Borrowings as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 consist of the following:
December 31, 2013 |
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
Term Loan B facility |
$ | 437,778 | $ | | ||||
Credit facilities |
100,020 | 299,709 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total borrowings |
$ | 537,798 | $ | 299,709 | ||||
Less: Unamortized discount |
(4,474 | ) | | |||||
Less: current portion, net of unamortized discount |
(5,358 | ) | (23,727 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discount |
$ | 527,966 | $ | 275,982 | ||||
|
|
|
|
F-17
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
In June 2013, Navios Partners completed the issuance of the $250,000 Term Loan B facility. The Term Loan B facility bears an interest rate of LIBOR + 425 basis points and has a five-year term with 1.0% amortization profile and was issued at 98.0% (at a discount of $5,000). Navios Partners used the net proceeds of the Term Loan B facility to: i) prepay $101,614 of the July 2012 Credit Facility; ii) fully repay the outstanding balance of $41,225 of the August 2012 Credit Facility; iii) deposit $98,179 to be held in escrow, to partially finance part of the acquisition of four new vessels, of which $47,000 was released in September 2013 for the acquisition of the Navios Joy and $17,750 was released in October 2013 for the acquisition of the Navios Harmony; and iv) cover fees and expenses.
On November 1, 2013, Navios Partners completed the issuance of a $189,500 add-on to its existing Term Loan B facility. The add-on to the Term Loan B facility bears an interest rate of LIBOR +425 basis points and has a five year term, with a 1.0% amortization profile and was issued at 100%. Navios Partners used the net proceeds to partially finance the acquisition of five Post-Panamax container vessels.
As of December 31, 2013, the outstanding balance of the Term Loan B facility including the add-on was $437,778, net of discount of $4,474 and it is repayable in 18 quarterly installments of $1,097, beginning in March 2014, with a final payment $418,032 in June 2018.
The Term Loan B facility is secured by first priority mortgages covering certain vessels owned by subsidiaries of Navios Partners, in addition to other collateral and is guaranteed by each subsidiary of Navios Partners. The Term Loan Agreement requires maintenance of a loan to value ratio of 0.8 to 1.0, and other restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type (subject to negotiated exceptions and baskets), including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, acquisitions and investments, restricted payments and dispositions. The Term Loan Agreement also provides for customary events of default.
In June 2013, Navios Partners amended the July 2012 Credit Facility and prepaid $101,614 from the proceeds of the Term Loan B facility. The prepayment was applied in partial settlement of the next 16 installments. As of December 31, 2013, the outstanding balance was $100,020 and is repayable in 16 installments, plus a final payment, in various amounts during the term of the July 2012 Credit Facility consisting of $496 (five quarterly installments), $3,456 (nine quarterly installments), $2,346 (one quarterly installment) and $5,867 (one quarterly installment) with a final payment of $58,223. The July 2012 Credit Facility bears interest at rates ranging from 180 to 205 bps per annum (depending on the loan amount compared to the security value) plus, depending on the length of the interest period, either LIBOR or the actual cost of funds. The refinancing of this facility was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with ASC470 Debt and an amount of $1,319 was written-off from the deferred financing fees.
In June 2013, Navios Partners fully repaid the outstanding balance of $41,225 of the August 2012 Credit Facility from the proceeds of the Term Loan B facility. The refinancing of this facility was accounted for as a debt extinguishment in accordance with ASC470 Debt and the remaining unamortized balance of $707 was written-off from the deferred financing fees.
As of December 31, 2013, the total borrowings under the Navios Partners credit facilities were $533,324, net of original issue discount.
As of December 31, 2013, Navios Partners was in compliance with the financial covenants of its credit facilities.
Amounts drawn under the July 2012 Credit Facility are secured by first preferred mortgages on certain Navios Partners vessels and other collateral and are guaranteed by the respective vessel-owning subsidiary. The July 2012 Credit Facility contains a number of restrictive covenants that prohibit or limit Navios Partners from, among other things: incurring or guaranteeing indebtedness; entering into affiliate transactions; charging, pledging or encumbering the vessels; changing the flag, class, management or ownership of Navios Partners vessels; changing the commercial and technical management of Navios Partners vessels; selling or changing the beneficial ownership or control of Navios Partners vessels; and subordinating the obligations under the credit facilities to any general and administrative costs relating to the vessels, including the fixed daily fee payable under the management agreement. The July 2012 Credit Facility also requires compliance with a number of financial covenants, including: (i) maintain a required security amount of over 140%; (ii) minimum free consolidated liquidity of at least the higher of $20,000 and the aggregate of interest and principal falling due during the previous six months; (iii) maintain a ratio of EBITDA to interest expense of at least 5.00 : 1.00; (iv) maintain a ratio of total liabilities to total assets (as defined in our credit facilities) of less than 0.65 : 1.00; and (v) maintain a minimum net worth to $250,000. It is an event of default under the loan facilities if such covenants are not complied with.
F-18
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
The maturity table below reflects the principal payments due under its credit facilities for the 12-month periods ended December 31:
Year |
Amount | |||
2014 |
$ | 6,373 | ||
2015 |
14,142 | |||
2016 |
20,624 | |||
2017 |
76,436 | |||
2018 |
420,223 | |||
2019 and thereafter |
| |||
|
|
|||
$ | 537,798 | |||
|
|
NOTE 11 FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying value amounts of many of Navios Partners financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable and amounts due to related parties approximate their fair value due primarily to the short-term maturity of the related instruments.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for interest bearing deposits approximate their fair value because of the short maturity of these investments.
Borrowings: The carrying amount of the floating rate loans approximates its fair value.
The estimated fair values of the Navios Partners financial instruments are as follows:
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||||||||||||
Book Value | Fair Value | Book Value | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 35,346 | $ | 35,346 | $ | 32,132 | $ | 32,132 | ||||||||
Restricted cash |
$ | 34,606 | $ | 34,606 | $ | 29,529 | $ | 29,529 | ||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
$ | 16,298 | $ | 16,298 | $ | 7,778 | $ | 7,778 | ||||||||
Loans receivable from related parties |
$ | 780 | $ | 780 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | (3,171 | ) | $ | (3,171 | ) | $ | (2,090 | ) | $ | (2,090 | ) | ||||
Amounts due to related parties |
$ | (204 | ) | $ | (204 | ) | $ | (21,748 | ) | $ | (21,748 | ) | ||||
Term Loan B facility |
$ | (433,304 | ) | $ | (440,514 | ) | $ | | $ | | ||||||
Other long-term debt |
$ | (100,020 | ) | $ | (100,020 | ) | $ | (299,709 | ) | $ | (299,709 | ) |
Fair Value Measurements
The estimated fair value of our financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized based upon the fair value hierarchy, are as follows:
Level I: Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that we have the ability to access. Valuation of these items does not entail a significant amount of judgment.
Level II: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level I that are observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date.
Level III: Inputs that are unobservable. The Company did not use any Level 3 inputs as of December 31, 2013.
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 Using | ||||||||||||||||
Total | Level I | Level II | Level III | |||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 35,346 | $ | 35,346 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Restricted cash |
$ | 34,606 | $ | 34,606 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Loans receivable from related parties |
$ | 780 | $ | 780 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Term Loan B facility(1) |
$ | (440,514 | ) | $ | | $ | (440,514 | ) | $ | | ||||||
Other long-term debt (1) |
$ | (100,020 | ) | $ | | $ | (100,020 | ) | $ | |
(1) | The fair value of the Companys debt is estimated based currently available debt with similar contract terms, interest rate and remaining maturities as well as taking into account our creditworthiness. |
F-19
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
NOTE 12 ISSUANCE OF UNITS
On February 6, 2013, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 4,500,000 common units at $14.15 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $63,675 to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including the underwriting discount and excluding offering costs of $195 were approximately $60,840. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 91,837 general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1,299. On the same date, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering and issued 675,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. As a result of the exercise of the option, Navios Partners raised additional gross proceeds of $9,551. The net proceeds, including the underwriting discount, were approximately $9,126 and issued 13,776 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $195.
On September 25, 2013, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 5,000,000 common units at $14.26 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $71,300 to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including the underwriting discount and excluding offering costs of $179 were approximately $68,200. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 102,041 general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1,455. On the same date, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering and issued 750,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. As a result of the exercise of the option, Navios Partners raised additional gross proceeds of $10,695. The net proceeds, including the underwriting discount, were approximately $10,230 and issued 15,306 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $218.
NOTE 13 SEGMENT INFORMATION
Navios Partners reports financial information and evaluates its operations by charter revenues. Navios Partners does not use discrete financial information to evaluate operating results for each type of charter. As a result, management reviews operating results solely by revenue per day and operating results of the fleet and thus Navios Partners has determined that it operates under one reportable segment.
The following table sets out operating revenue by geographic region for Navios Partners reportable segment. Revenue is allocated on the basis of the geographic region in which the customer is located. Drybulk and container vessels operate worldwide. Revenues from specific geographic region which contribute over 10% of total revenue are disclosed separately.
Revenue by Geographic Region
Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
Year Ended December 31, 2011 |
||||||||||
Europe |
$ | 48,906 | $ | 29,658 | $ | 24,436 | ||||||
Asia |
119,776 | 151,608 | 147,642 | |||||||||
North America |
21,334 | 15,968 | 7,218 | |||||||||
Australia |
8,143 | 8,201 | 7,657 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total |
$ | 198,159 | $ | 205,435 | $ | 186,953 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vessels operate on a worldwide basis and are not restricted to specific locations. Accordingly, it is not possible to allocate the assets of these operations to specific countries.
F-20
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
NOTE 14 INCOME TAXES
Marshall Islands, Malta and Liberia do not impose a tax on international shipping income. Under the laws of Marshall Islands, Malta and Liberia, the countries of the vessel-owning subsidiaries incorporation and vessels registration, the vessel-owning subsidiaries are subject to registration and tonnage taxes which have been included in vessel operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
As of January 1, 2013, foreign flagged vessels that are managed by Greek or foreign ship management companies in Greece are subject to Greek tonnage tax. The payment of tonnage tax exhausts the tax liability of the foreign ship owning company against any tax, duty, charge or contribution payable on income from the exploitation of the foreign flagged vessel.
Pursuant to Section 883 of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States, U.S. source income from the international operation of ships is generally exempt from U.S. income tax if the company operating the ships meets certain incorporation and ownership requirements. Among other things, in order to qualify for this exemption, the company operating the ships must be incorporated in a country which grants an equivalent exemption from income taxes to U.S. corporations. All the vessel-owning subsidiaries satisfy these initial criteria. In addition, these companies must meet an ownership test. The management of Navios Partners believes that this ownership test was satisfied prior to the IPO by virtue of a special rule applicable to situations where the ship operating companies are beneficially owned by a publicly traded company. Although not free from doubt, management also believes that the ownership test will be satisfied based on the trading volume and ownership of Navios Partners units, but no assurance can be given that this will remain so in the future.
NOTE 15 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Navios Partners is involved in various disputes and arbitration proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Provisions have been recognized in the financial statements for all such proceedings where Navios Partners believes that a liability may be probable, and for which the amounts are reasonably estimable, based upon facts known at the date the financial statements were prepared. Management believes, the ultimate disposition of these matters will be immaterial individually and in the aggregate to Navios Partners financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
In January 2011, Korea Line Corporation (KLC) which is the charterer of the Navios Melodia filed for receivership. The charter contract was affirmed and will be performed by KLC on its original terms, following an interim suspension period during which Navios Partners trades the vessel directly.
As of December 31, 2013, Navios Partners had commitments for future remaining contractual deposits for the vessels to be delivered on various dates through the first quarter of 2014. The future minimum commitments for the 12-month periods ended December 31, of Navios Partners under its charter-in contracts, net of commissions and for vessel deliveries are as follows:
Amount | ||||
2014 |
$ | 42,761 | ||
2015 |
1,005 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 43,766 | |||
|
|
NOTE 16 LEASES
The future minimum contractual lease income (charter-out rates are presented net of commissions) as of December 31, 2013, is as follows:
Amount | ||||
2014 |
190,896 | |||
2015 |
161,767 | |||
2016 |
138,128 | |||
2017 |
134,662 | |||
2018 |
126,303 | |||
2019 and thereafter |
369,381 | |||
|
|
|||
$ | 1,121,137 | |||
|
|
F-21
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
NOTE 17 TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES AND AFFILIATES
Management fees: Pursuant to the management agreement dated November 16, 2007 (the Management Agreement), which was revised in October 2009, the Manager, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings, provides commercial and technical management services to Navios Partners vessels for a daily fee of: (a) $4.5 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4.4 daily rate per Panamax vessel; and (c) $5.5 daily rate per Capesize vessel for the two-year period that ended on November 16, 2011. In October 2011, Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing Management Agreement with the Manager until December 31, 2017 and fixed the rate for shipmanagement services of its owned fleet through December 31, 2013 for a daily fee: (a) $4.65 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4.55 daily rate per Panamax vessel; and (c) $5.65 daily rate per Capesize vessel.
In October 2013, Navios Partners amended its existing Management Agreement the Manager, a subsidiary of Navios Holdings, to fix the fees for ship management services of its owned fleet at: (a) $4.00 daily rate per Ultra-Handymax vessel; (b) $4.10 daily rate per Panamax vessel; (c) $5.10 daily rate per Capesize vessel effective from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015; and (d) $6.50 daily rate per Post-Panamax container vessel effective from the delivery through December 31, 2015. Drydocking expenses under this agreement will be reimbursed by Navios Partners at cost at occurrence.
This daily fee covers all of the vessels operating expenses, including the cost of dry dock and special surveys. Total management fees for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $36,173, $31,689 and $26,343, respectively.
General and administrative expenses: Pursuant to the administrative services agreement dated November 16, 2007, the Manager also provides administrative services to Navios Partners, which include bookkeeping, audit and accounting services, legal and insurance services, administrative and clerical services, banking and financial services, advisory services, client and investor relations and other. The Manager is reimbursed for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of these services. Navios Partners extended the duration of its existing Administrative Services Agreement with the Manager pursuant to the same terms, until December 31, 2017.
Total general and administrative expenses charged by Navios Holdings for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $4,366, $3,883 and $3,447, respectively.
Balance due to related parties: Included in the current liabilities as of December 31, 2013 was an amount of $204, which represented the current account payable to Navios Holdings and its subsidiaries. The balance mainly consisted of other payables amounting to $204. Amounts due to related parties as of December 31, 2012 was $21,748 mainly relating to management fees and administrative expenses.
Vessel Chartering: In February 2012, Navios Partners entered into a charter with a subsidiary of Navios Holdings for the Navios Apollon. The term of this charter is approximately two years commencing in February 2012, at a daily rate of $12.5 net per day for the first year and $13.5 net per day for the second year, plus 50/50 profit sharing based on actual earnings. For this charter, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the total revenue of Navios Partners from Navios Holdings amounted to $4,625, $4,091 and $0, respectively.
In May 2012, Navios Partners entered into a charter with a subsidiary of Navios Holdings for the Navios Prosperity. The term of this charter is approximately one year with two six-month extension options granted to Navios Holdings, commencing in May 2012, at a daily rate of $12 net per day plus profit sharing the first $1.5 in profits above the base rate and thereafter all profits will be split 50% to each party. For this charter, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the total revenue of Navios Partners from Navios Holdings amounted to $4,401, $2,364 and $0, respectively.
In September 2012, Navios Partners entered into a charter with a subsidiary of Navios Holdings for the Navios Libra. The term of this charter is approximately three years commencing in October 2012, at a daily rate of $12 net per day plus 50/50 profit sharing based on actual earnings. For this charter, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 the total revenue of Navios Partners from Navios Holdings amounted to $4,471, $902 and $0, respectively.
In May 2013, Navios Partners entered into a charter with a subsidiary of Navios Holdings for the Navios Felicity. The term of this charter is approximately one year commencing in May 2013, at a daily rate of $12 net per day plus 50/50 profit sharing based on actual earnings. For this charter, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the total revenue of Navios Partners from Navios Holdings amounted to $2,848, $0 and $0, respectively.
F-22
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
In May 2013, Navios Partners entered into a charter with a subsidiary of Navios Holdings for the Navios Aldebaran. The term of this charter is approximately six months commencing in June 2013, at a daily rate of $11 net per day plus profit sharing the first $2.5 in profits above the base rate and thereafter all profits will be split 50% to each party. For this charter, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the total revenue of Navios Partners from Navios Holdings amounted to $2,293, $0 and $0, respectively.
In July 2013, Navios Partners entered into a charter with a subsidiary of Navios Holdings for the Navios Hope. The term of this charter is approximately one year commencing in July 2013, at a daily rate of $10 net per day. For this charter, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the total revenue of Navios Partners from Navios Holdings amounted to $1,874, $0 and $0, respectively.
In July 2013, Navios Partners entered into a charter with a subsidiary of Kleimar N.V for the Navios Pollux. For this charter, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the total revenue of Navios Partners from Navios Holdings amounted to $1,509, $0 and $0, respectively.
In July 2013, Navios Partners entered into a charter with a subsidiary of Kleimar N.V for the Navios Melodia. The term of this charter is approximately four months which commenced in July 2013, at a daily rate of $15 net per day. For this charter, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the total revenue of Navios Partners from Navios Holdings amounted to $1,717, $0 and $0, respectively.
Revolving Loans to Navios Europe: Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Partners will make available to Navios Europe (in each case, in proportion to their ownership interests in Navios Europe) revolving loans up to $24,100 to fund working capital requirements (collectively, the Navios Revolving Loans). See Note 18 for the Investment in Navios Europe and respective ownership interests.
The Navios Revolving Loans earn a 12.7% preferred distribution and are repaid from Free Cash Flow (as defined in the loan agreement) to the fullest extent possible at the end of each quarter. There are no covenant requirements or stated maturity dates.
As of December 31, 2013, Navios Partners portion of the outstanding amount relating to portion of the investment in Navios Europe (5.0% of the $10,000) was $500, under caption Investment in affiliates and the outstanding amount relating to the Navios Revolving Loans capital is $280, under caption Loan receivable from affiliates. As of December 31, 2013, the amount undrawn from the revolving facility was $18,500, of which Navios Partners was committed to fund $925.
Others: Navios Partners has entered into an Omnibus Agreement with Navios Holdings pursuant to which Navios Holdings and its controlled affiliates (other than us, our general partner and our subsidiaries) generally agreed not to acquire or own Panamax or Capesize drybulk carriers under time charters of three or more years without the consent of our general partner. The Omnibus Agreement, however, contains significant exceptions that allow Navios Holdings or any of its controlled affiliates to compete with us under specified circumstances which could harm our business. In addition, concurrently with the successful consummation of the initial business combination by Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation, or Navios Acquisition, on May 28, 2010, because of the overlap between Navios Acquisition, Navios Holdings and us, with respect to possible acquisitions under the terms of our Omnibus Agreement, we entered into a business opportunity right of first refusal agreement which provides the types of business opportunities in the marine transportation and logistics industries, we, Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition must share with the each other.
On January 1, 2012, in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement, all of the outstanding subordinated units converted into 7,621,843 shares of common units. On June 29, 2012, in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement, the outstanding subordinated Series A units converted into 1,000,000 shares of common units. As of December 31, 2013, Navios Holdings held a total of 14,223,763 common units, representing a 19.6% common unit interest in Navios Partners and general partner interest of 2%.
On November 15, 2012, Navios Holdings and Navios Partners entered into an agreement by which Navios Holdings will provide supplemental credit default insurance with a maximum cash payment of $20,000. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had not put forth any claims to Navios Holdings in connection with this supplemental insurance.
F-23
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
NOTE 18 INVESTMENT IN NAVIOS EUROPE INC.
On October 9, 2013, Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Partners established Navios Europe and have ownership interests of 47.5%, 47.5% and 5.0%, respectively. On December 18, 2013, Navios Europe acquired ten vessels for aggregate consideration consisting of (i) cash consideration of $127,753 (which was funded with the proceeds of a $117,753 senior loan facility (the Senior Loan) and loans aggregating $10,000 from Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Partners (in each case, in proportion to their ownership interests in Navios Europe) (collectively, the Navios Term Loans) and (ii) the assumption of a junior participating loan facility (the Junior Loan) with a face amount of $173,367 and fair value of $71,929 as of December 31, 2013. In addition to the Navios Term Loans, Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Partners will also make available to Navios Europe (in each case, in proportion to their ownership interests in Navios Europe) revolving loans up to $24,100 to fund working capital requirements (collectively, the Navios Revolving Loans).
On an ongoing basis, Navios Europe is required to distribute cash flows (after payment of operating expenses, amounts due pursuant to the terms of the Senior Loan and repayments of the Navios Revolving Loans) according to a defined waterfall calculation as follows:
| First, Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Partners will each earn a 12.7% preferred distribution on the Navios Term Loans and the Navios Revolving Loans; |
| Second, any remaining cash is then distributed on an 80%/20% basis, respectively, between (i) the Junior Loan holder and (ii) the holders of the Navios Term Loans. The Navios Term Loan will be repaid from the future sale of vessels owned by Navios Europe and is deemed to be the initial investment by Navios Partners. |
Navios Partners evaluated its investment in Navios Europe under ASC 810 and concluded that Navios Europe is a VIE and that they are not the party most closely associated with Navios Europe and, accordingly, is not the primary beneficiary of Navios Europe based on the following:
| the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of Navios Europe are shared jointly between (i) Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Partners and (ii) and the Junior Loan holder; |
| while Navios Europes residual is shared on an 80%/20% basis, respectively, between (i) the Junior Loan holder and (ii) Navios Holdings, Navios Acquisition and Navios Partners, the Junior Loan holder is exposed to a substantial portion of Navios Europes risks and rewards. |
Navios Partners further evaluated its investment in the common stock of Navios Europe under ASC 323 and concluded that it has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of Navios Europe and, therefore, its investment in Navios Europe is accounted for under the equity method.
As of December 31, 2013, the estimated maximum potential loss by Navios Partners in Navios Europe would have been $780, which represents the Companys portion of the initial investment of $500 plus the Companys portion of the carrying balance of the Navios Revolving Loans of $280 and does not include the undrawn portion of the revolving loans.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, Navios Europe had minimal operations and therefore, the Company did not record any equity method investee income/ (loss).
As of December 31, 2013, the Navios Partners portion of the Navios Revolving Loan was $ 280.Refer to Note 17 for the terms of the Navios Revolving Loans.
NOTE 19 CASH DISTRIBUTIONS AND EARNINGS PER UNIT
The partnership agreement of Navios Partners requires that all available cash is distributed quarterly, after deducting expenses, including estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures and reserves. Distributions may be restricted by, among other things, the provisions of existing and future indebtedness, applicable partnership and limited liability company laws and other laws and regulations. The amount of the minimum quarterly distribution is $0.35 per unit or $1.40 per unit per year and is made in the following manner:
| First, 98% to all unitholders; |
F-24
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
Thereafter there is incentive distribution rights held by the General Partner, which are analyzed as follows:
Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions |
||||||||||
Total Quarterly Distribution Target Amount |
Common and Subordinated Unitholders |
General Partner |
||||||||
Minimum Quarterly Distribution |
$0.35 | 98 | % | 2 | % | |||||
First Target Distribution |
up to $0.4025 | 98 | % | 2 | % | |||||
Second Target Distribution |
above $0.4025 up to $0.4375 | 85 | % | 15 | % | |||||
Third Target Distribution |
above $0.4375 up to $0.525 | 75 | % | 25 | % | |||||
Thereafter |
above $0.525 | 50 | % | 50 | % |
On January 21, 2011, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended December 31, 2010 of $0.43 per unit. The distribution was paid on February 14, 2011 to all holders of record of common, subordinated and general partner units (not including holders of subordinated Series A units) on February 9, 2011. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $21,901.
On April 18, 2011, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended March 31, 2011 of $0.43 per unit. The distribution was paid on May 11, 2011 to all holders of record of common, subordinated and general partner units (not including holders of subordinated Series A units) on May 5, 2011. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $23,939.
On July 25, 2011, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended June 30, 2011 of $0.44 per unit. The distribution was paid on August 11, 2011 to all holders of record of common, subordinated and general partner units (not including holders of subordinated Series A units) on August 5, 2011. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $24,829.
On October 21, 2011, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended September 30, 2011 of $0.44 per unit. The distribution was paid on November 11, 2011 to all holders of record of common, subordinated and general partner units (not including holders of subordinated Series A units) on November 8, 2011. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $24,829.
On January 24, 2012, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended December 31, 2011 of $0.44 per unit. The distribution was paid on February 14, 2012 to all holders of record of common and general partner units (not including holders of subordinated Series A units) on February 9, 2012. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $24,829.
On April 25, 2012, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 of $0.44 per unit. The distribution was paid on May 14, 2012 to all holders of record of common and general partner units (not including holders of subordinated Series A units) on May 10, 2012. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $26,923.
On July 23, 2012, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended June 30, 2012 of $0.4425 per unit. The distribution was paid on August 13, 2012 to all holders of record of common and general partner units on August 8, 2012. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $27,563.
On October 18, 2012, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended September 30, 2012 of $0.4425 per unit. The distribution was paid on November 13, 2012 to all holders of record of common and general partner units on November 8, 2012. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $27,563.
On January 21, 2013, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended December 31, 2012 of $0.4425 per unit. The distribution was paid on February 14, 2013 to all holders of record of common and general partner units on February 8, 2013, which included the unitholders from the common unit offering in February 2013. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $29,936.
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NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
On April 22, 2013, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended March 31, 2013 of $0.4425 per unit. The distribution was paid on May 14, 2013 to all holders of record of common and general partner units on May 10, 2013. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $29,936.
On July 22, 2013, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended June 30, 2013 of $0.4425 per unit. The distribution was paid on August 13, 2013 to all holders of record of common and general partner units on August 8, 2013. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $29,936.
On October 25, 2013, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended September 30, 2013 of $0.4425 per unit. The distribution was paid on November 13, 2013 to all holders of record of common and general partner units on November 8, 2013. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $32,573.
Navios Partners calculates earnings per unit by allocating reported net income for each period to each class of units based on the distribution waterfall for available cash specified in Navios Partners partnership agreement. Basic earnings net income per unit is determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of units outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per unit is calculated in the same manner as net income per unit, except that the weighted average number of outstanding units increased to include the dilutive effect of outstanding unit options or phantom units. There were no options or phantom units outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
The calculations of the basic and diluted earnings per unit are presented below.
Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended December 31, 2012 |
Year Ended December 31, 2011 |
||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 59,006 | $ | 95,898 | $ | 65,335 | ||||||
Earnings attributable to: |
||||||||||||
Common unit holders |
55,949 | 93,566 | 60,506 | |||||||||
Subordinated unit holders |
| | 3,522 | |||||||||
Subordinated Series A unit holders |
| | | |||||||||
Weighted average units outstanding (basic and diluted) |
||||||||||||
Common unit holders |
66,317,588 | 58,008,617 | 45,409,807 | |||||||||
Subordinated unit holders |
| | 7,621,843 | |||||||||
Subordinated Series A unit holders |
| | 1,000,000 | |||||||||
Earnings per unit (basic and diluted): |
||||||||||||
Common unit holders |
$ | 0.84 | $ | 1.61 | $ | 1.33 | ||||||
Subordinated unit holders |
| $ | | $ | 0.46 | |||||||
Earnings per unit distributed (basic and diluted): |
||||||||||||
Common unit holders |
$ | 1.82 | $ | 1.79 | $ | 1.76 | ||||||
Subordinated unit holders |
| $ | | $ | 1.75 | |||||||
Loss per unit undistributed (basic and diluted): |
||||||||||||
Common unit holders |
$ | (0.98 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | $ | (0.43 | ) | |||
Subordinated unit holders |
| $ | | $ | (1.29 | ) |
NOTE 20 OTHER INCOME
In connection with a suspension agreement entered into in June 2013, Navios Partners received compensation of $13,333 covering hire revenues for the suspension period in a drybulk charter contract until April 2016. The suspension agreement was accounted for as a termination of an existing lease and, accordingly, the termination penalty of $13,333 was recognized in the statement of income under the caption Other income. As of December 31, 2013, $833 remained outstanding from the charterer and is included in Accounts Receivable. This remaining outstanding balance has been received in the first quarter of 2014.
F-26
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars except unit and per unit data)
NOTE 21 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On February 14, 2014, Navios Partners completed its public offering of 5,500,000 common units at $17.30 per unit and raised gross proceeds of approximately $95,150 to fund its fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering, including the underwriting discount and excluding offering costs estimated at $320 were approximately $91,135. Pursuant to this offering, Navios Partners issued 112,245 general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $1,942. On February 18, 2014, Navios Partners completed the exercise of the option previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the offering and issued 825,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discount. As a result of the exercise of the option, Navios Partners raised additional gross proceeds of $14,273 and net proceeds, including the underwriting discount, of approximately $13,670 and issued 16,837 additional general partnership units to its general partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $291.
On January 24, 2014, the Board of Directors of Navios Partners authorized its quarterly cash distribution for the three month period ended December 31, 2013 of $0.4425 per unit. The distribution was paid on February 14, 2014 to all holders of record of common and general partner units on February 10, 2014. The aggregate amount of the declared distribution was $32,573.
On January 18, 2014, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios Sun, a 2005-built Panamax vessel of 76,619 dwt, for a purchase price of $15,741 paid in cash, which was held in escrow as of December 31, 2013.
On January 7, 2014, Navios Partners acquired from an unrelated third party the Navios La Paix, a new building Ultra-Handymax vessel of 61,485 dwt, for a purchase price of $27,500 paid in cash, which was partially held in escrow as of December 31, 2013.
F-27