fv3
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2010
Registration
Statement No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Republic of the Marshall Islands
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4412
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N/A |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
85 Akti Miaouli Street
Piraeus, Greece 185 38
(011) +30 210 459 5000
(Address and telephone number of Registrants principal executive offices)
Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc.
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Island
P.O. Box 1405
Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
(011) +30 210 429 3223
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Todd E. Mason, Esq.
Kenneth R. Koch, Esq.
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris,
Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
The Chrysler Center
666 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 935-3000 (telephone number)
(212) 983-3115 (facsimile number)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the
effective date of this registration statement.
If only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are being offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.
þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities
Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a
post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the
following box. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Maximum |
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Aggregate |
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Amount of |
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered (1) |
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Offering Price (2)(3) |
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Registration Fee |
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Common units representing limited partnership interests |
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(4) |
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(4) |
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Debt Securities |
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(4) |
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(4) |
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Total |
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$500,000,000.00 |
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$35,650.00 |
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(1) |
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There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of common units and
such indeterminate number of debt securities as shall have an aggregate initial
offering price not to exceed $500,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an
original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be
in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering
price not to exceed $500,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all
securities previously issued hereunder. |
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(2) |
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In United States dollars or the equivalent thereof in any other currency, currency
unit or units, or composite currency or currencies. |
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(3) |
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The proposed maximum aggregate offering prices per class of security will be
determined from time to time by the Registrant in connection with the issuance by
the Registrant of the securities registered hereunder. |
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(4) |
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Not required to be included in accordance with General Instruction II.F of Form F-3. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement
shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to
said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these
securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is
effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an
offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion,
Preliminary Prospectus dated November 2, 2010
PRELIMINARY
PROSPECTUS
$500,000,000
(LOGO)
Navios Maritime Partners L.P.
Common Units
Representing Limited Partnership Interests
Debt Securities
We may, from time to time, issue up to $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of common units
and/or debt securities. We will specify in an accompanying prospectus supplement the terms of the
securities. We may sell these securities to or through underwriters and also to other purchasers or
through agents. We will set forth the names of any underwriters or agents in the accompanying
prospectus supplement. Our common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
NMM. On November 1, 2010, the last reported sales price
of our common units on the NYSE was $18.99
per common unit.
Investing in our common units involves risks that are described in the Risk Factors section
beginning on page 7 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless it is accompanied by
a prospectus supplement.
The date of this prospectus is , 2010.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not, and the
underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone
provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and
the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where an
offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus
is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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F-1 |
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EX-23.1 |
EX-23.2 |
2
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf process, we
may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up
to a total dollar amount of U.S.$500,000,000. We have provided to you in this prospectus a general
description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a
prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. In
any applicable prospectus supplements, we may add to, update or change any of the information
contained in this prospectus.
References in this prospectus to Navios Maritime Partners L.P., the Company, we, our,
us or similar terms when used for periods prior to our initial public offering on November 16,
2007 refer to the assets of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., or Navios Holdings, and its vessels and
vessel-owning subsidiaries that were sold or contributed to Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and its
subsidiaries in connection with the initial public offering.
References in this prospectus to Navios Maritime Partners L.P., the Company, we, our,
us or similar terms when used in a present tense or for historical periods since November 16,
2007 refer to Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and its subsidiaries. References in this prospectus to
Navios Holdings refer, depending on the context, to Navios Holdings and its subsidiaries,
including Navios ShipManagement; provided, however, it shall not include Navios Maritime Partners
L.P. to the extent it may otherwise be deemed a subsidiary. Navios ShipManagement (an affiliate of
our general partner) manages the commercial and technical operation of our fleet pursuant to a
management agreement and provides administrative services to us pursuant to an administrative
services agreement. References in this prospectus supplement to our IPO refer to our initial
public offering, which was consummated on November 16, 2007.
You should read carefully this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the additional
information described below under the heading Where You Can Find More Information. You should
rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide
you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information,
you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction
where an offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this
prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
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SUMMARY
The following is only a summary. We urge you to read the entire prospectus, including the more
detailed financial statements, notes to the financial statements and other information incorporated
by reference from our other filings with the SEC. An investment in our securities involves risks.
Therefore, carefully consider the information provided under the heading Risk Factors beginning
on page 7.
Business Overview
We are an international owner and operator of drybulk vessels, formed in August 2007 by Navios
Holdings, a vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company with over 55 years of
operating history in the drybulk shipping industry. We completed our IPO of 10,000,000 common units
and the concurrent sale of 500,000 common units to a corporation owned by Angeliki Frangou, our
chairman and chief executive officer, on November 16, 2007. We used the proceeds of these sales of
approximately $193.3 million, plus $160.0 million funded from our revolving credit facility as
subsequently amended (the Credit Facility) to acquire our initial fleet of vessels. Our vessels
are chartered out under medium to long-term time charters with an average remaining term of
approximately 4.3 years to a strong group of counterparties, consisting of Cargill International
SA, COSCO Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Rio Tinto Shipping Pty Ltd., Augustea
Imprese Maritime, The Sanko Steamship Co., Ltd., Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha and Constellation Energy
Group.
Our Fleet
Our fleet consists of ten modern, active Panamax vessels, three Capesize vessels and one
Ultra-Handymax vessel. Our fleet of high quality dry cargo vessels has an average age of
approximately six years, which is significantly younger than the current industry average of about
14 years. 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. We
may from time to time purchase additional vessels, including vessels from Navios Holdings.
All of our current vessels operate under long-term time charters of three or more years at
inception with counterparties that we believe are creditworthy. Under certain circumstances we may
operate vessels in the spot market until the vessels are fixed under appropriate long-term
charters.
We use the expertise and reputation of Navios Holdings to pursue additional growth
opportunities in the Panamax and Capesize markets and in other drybulk shipping markets. We seek to
grow our fleet through purchasing additional vessels from Navios Holdings, selectively pursuing
open market acquisition opportunities and entering into long-term charter-in contracts. Pursuant to
the omnibus agreement we entered into with Navios Holdings, we have the right to purchase
additional Panamax and Capesize vessels from Navios Holdings when those vessels are fixed under
charters of three or more years upon the expiration of their current charters or upon completion of
their construction.
Navios Holdings manages the commercial and technical operation of our fleet through its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Navios ShipManagement Inc., or Navios ShipManagement. Navios Holdings has
an experienced management team with a long track record, a reputation for technical expertise in
managing and operating vessels, and strong relationships with leading charterers and shipyards. We
believe we will have stable and growing cash flows through the combination of the long-term nature
of our charters and our commercial and technical management agreement with Navios ShipManagement,
which provides for a fixed management fee through November 16, 2011.
The following table provides summary information about our fleet:
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Original Charter |
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Expiration Date/ |
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Original Charter |
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New Charter |
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Out Rate/ New |
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Expiration Date |
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Charter Out Rate |
Owned Vessels |
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Type |
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Built |
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Capacity (DWT) |
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(1) |
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per day (2) |
Navios Gemini S |
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Panamax |
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1994 |
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68,636 |
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February 2014 |
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$ |
24,225 |
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Navios Libra II |
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Panamax |
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1995 |
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70,136 |
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November 2010 |
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$ |
23,513 |
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November 2012 |
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$ |
18,525 |
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Navios Felicity |
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Panamax |
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1997 |
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73,867 |
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June 2013 |
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$ |
26,169 |
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Navios Galaxy I |
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Panamax |
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2001 |
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74,195 |
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February 2018 |
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$ |
21,937 |
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Navios Alegria |
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Panamax |
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2004 |
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76,466 |
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December 2010 |
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$ |
23,750 |
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January 2014 |
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$ |
16,984 |
(3) |
Navios Fantastiks |
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Capesize |
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2005 |
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180,265 |
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March 2011 |
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$ |
32,279 |
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February 2014 |
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$ |
36,290 |
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Navios Hope |
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Panamax |
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2005 |
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75,397 |
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August 2013 |
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$ |
17,562 |
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Navios Apollon |
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Ultra Handymax |
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2000 |
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52,073 |
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November 2012 |
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$ |
23,700 |
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Navios Sagittarius |
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Panamax |
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2006 |
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75,756 |
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November 2018 |
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$ |
26,125 |
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Navios Hyperion |
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Panamax |
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2004 |
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75,707 |
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April 2014 |
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$ |
37,953 |
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Navios Aurora II |
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Capesize |
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2009 |
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169,031 |
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November 2019 |
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$ |
41,325 |
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Navios Pollux |
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Capesize |
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2009 |
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180,727 |
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July 2019 |
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$ |
42,250 |
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Charter Rate |
Long-term Chartered-in Vessels |
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Type |
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Built |
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Capacity (DWT) |
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Expiration Date |
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per day |
Navios Prosperity (4) |
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Panamax |
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2007 |
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82,535 |
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July 2012 |
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$ |
24,000 |
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Navios Aldebaran (5) |
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Panamax |
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2008 |
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76,500 |
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March 2013 |
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$ |
28,391 |
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Represents the initial expiration date of the time charter and, if applicable, the new time charter expiration
date for the vessels with new time charters. |
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Net time charter-out rate per day (net of commissions). Represents the charter-out rate during the time
charter period prior to the time charter expiration date and, if applicable, the charter-out rate under the
new time charter. |
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Profit sharing 50% above $16,984/ day based on Baltic Panamax TC Average, calculated and settled every 15 days. |
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The Navios Prosperity is chartered-in for seven years starting from June 19, 2008 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 ($45.4 million based upon the exchange rate at September 30, 2010),
declining each year by 145 million Yen ($1.7 million based upon the exchange rate at September 30, 2010). |
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The Navios Aldebaran is chartered-in for seven years 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 ($43.0 million based upon the exchange rate at September 30, 2010) declining each year by 150 million Yen
($1.8 million based upon the exchange rate at September 30, 2010). |
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that our future prospects for success are enhanced by the following aspects of our
business:
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Stable and growing cash flows. We believe that the 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 provide visible future growth in our revenue and distributable cash flow. We believe
that our management agreement, which provides for a fixed management fee until November 16,
2011, will initially provide us with |
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predictable expenses. During the remaining one-year
term of the management agreement, from November 16, 2011 to November 16, 2012, we will
reimburse our manager for all of the costs and expenses it incurs in connection with the
management of our fleet, which may make our cash flows less predictable. |
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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. |
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High-quality, flexible fleet. Our fleet consists of ten modern, active Panamax vessels,
three Capesize vessels and one Ultra-Handymax vessel. Our fleet of high quality dry cargo
vessels has an average age of approximately six years, which is significantly younger than
the current industry average of about 14 years. 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. We believe that our
high-quality, flexible fleet provides us with a competitive advantage in the time charter
market, where vessel age, flexibility and quality are of significant importance in competing
for business. |
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Operating visibility through long-term charters with strong counterparties. Our vessels
are chartered out under medium to long-term time charters with an average remaining term of
approximately 4.3 years to a strong group of counterparties, consisting of Cargill
International SA, COSCO Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Rio Tinto
Shipping Pty Ltd., Augustea Imprese Maritime, The Sanko Steamship Co., Ltd., Daiichi Chuo
Kisen Kaisha and Constellation Energy Group. 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:
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Pursue stable cash flows through long-term charters for our fleet. We
intend to continue to utilize long-term, fixed-rate charters for our
existing fleet. Currently, the vessels in our fleet have an average
remaining charter duration of 4.3 years and have staggered charter
expirations with no more than three vessels subject to re-chartering
in any one year. We will seek to opportunistically re-charter our
vessels in order to add incremental stable cash flow and improve the
long-term charter terms. |
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Continue to grow and diversify our fleet of owned and chartered-in
vessels. We will 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 will
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. |
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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 plan 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. |
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Provide superior customer service by maintaining high standards of
performance, reliability and safety. Our customers seek |
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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. |
Corporate Information
We are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. We maintain our
principal executive offices at 85 Akti Miaouli Street, Piraeus, Greece 185 38. Our telephone number
at that address is (011) +30 210 459 5000. Our website address is www.navios-mlp.com. The
information on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
Although many of our business risks are comparable to those a corporation engaged in a similar
business would face, limited partner interests are inherently different from the capital stock of a
corporation. You should carefully consider the following risk factors together with all of the
other information included in this prospectus when evaluating an investment in our common units.
If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, cash flows or
operating results could be materially adversely affected. In that case, we might not be able to pay
distributions on our common units, the trading price of our common units could decline, and you
could lose all or part of your investment.
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:
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the rates we obtain from our charters and the market for long-term charters when we
recharter our vessels; |
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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 November 2011; |
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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; |
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demand for drybulk commodities; |
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supply of drybulk vessels; |
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prevailing global and regional economic and political conditions; and |
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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:
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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; |
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interest rate fluctuations; |
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the cost of acquisitions, if any; |
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fluctuations in our working capital needs; |
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our ability to make working capital borrowings, including the payment of distributions to
unitholders; and |
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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 shipping industry may lead to decreases in
long-term 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 October 30, 2007 to September 30, 2010, the Baltic Exchanges
Panamax time charter average daily rates experienced a low of $3,537 and a high of $94,977.
Additionally, during the period from January 1, 2009 to
September 30, 2010, the Baltic Exchanges
Capesize time charter average daily rates experienced a low of $8,997 and a high of $93,197 and the
Baltic Dry Index experienced a low of 772 points and a high of 4,661 points. 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. Recent adverse economic, political, social or other
developments have decreased 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.
The demand for vessels has generally been influenced by, among other factors:
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global and regional economic conditions; |
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developments in international trade; |
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changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns, such as port congestion and canal
closures; |
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weather and crop yields; |
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armed conflicts and terrorist activities including piracy; |
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political developments; and |
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embargoes and strikes. |
The supply of vessel capacity has generally been influenced by, among other factors:
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the number of vessels that are in or out of service; |
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the scrapping rate of older vessels; |
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port and canal traffic and congestion; |
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the number of newbuilding deliveries; and |
8
Charter rates in the drybulk 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 industrys current charter rates 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 time charters are scheduled to expire on dates ranging from July 2012 to November
2019. 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 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 Facility and result in the
foreclosure on our mortgaged vessels.
Factors that influence vessel values include:
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number of newbuilding deliveries; |
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number of vessels scrapped or otherwise removed from the total fleet; |
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changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful life of vessels; |
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changes in global drybulk commodity supply; |
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types and sizes of vessels; |
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development of and increase in use of other modes of transportation; |
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cost of vessel acquisitions; |
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governmental or other regulations; |
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prevailing level of charter rates; and |
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general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry. |
If the market values of our owned vessels decrease, we may breach covenants contained in our
Credit Facility. We purchased our vessels from Navios Holdings based on market prices that were for certain vessels at
historically high levels. If we breach the Credit Facility covenants 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.
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.
9
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:
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the cost of our labor and materials; |
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the cost of suitable replacement vessels; |
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customer/market requirements; |
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increases in the size of our fleet; and |
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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. Any costs associated with scheduled
drydocking until November 2011 are included in a daily fee that we pay Navios ShipManagement Inc.,
a subsidiary of Navios Holdings referred to herein as Navios ShipManagement, under a management
agreement. The initial term of the management agreement is until November 2012 and provided for
daily fees of $4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,000 per owned Capesize vessel that were fixed
until November 2009. In October 2009, we fixed the rate with Navios ShipManagement for an
additional period of two years. The new management fees are: (a) $4,500 daily rate per owned
Ultra-Handymax vessel, (b) $4,400 daily rate per Panamax vessel and (c) $5,500 daily rate per
Capesize vessel until November 16, 2011. From November 2011 to November 2012, we expect that we
will reimburse Navios ShipManagement for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs
in connection with the management of our fleet, which may result in significantly higher fees for
that period. In the event our management agreement is not renewed, we will separately deduct
estimated capital expenditures associated with drydocking from our operating surplus in addition to
estimated replacement capital expenditures.
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
10
increase our interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional equity securities may
result in significant unitholder dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required
to meet our minimum quarterly distribution to unitholders, which could have a material adverse
effect on our ability to make cash distributions to unitholders.
Our debt levels may limit our flexibility in obtaining additional financing and in pursuing other
business opportunities and our interest rates under our Credit Facility may fluctuate and may
impact our operations.
Upon the closing of the IPO, we entered into our Credit Facility which, as amended in January
2010, provided us with the ability to borrow up to $206.5 million, of which $195.0 million was
outstanding as of December 31, 2009. Following additional amendments to the Credit Facility in
March and June 2010, the total borrowings as of November 1, 2010
are $271.5 million. We have the ability to
incur additional debt, subject to limitations in our Credit Facility. Our level of debt could have
important consequences to us, including the following:
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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; |
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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; |
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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 |
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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 Facility 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 Facility contains restrictive covenants, which may limit our business and financing
activities.
The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our Credit Facility and any future
credit facility 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 Facility requires the
consent of our lenders or limits our ability to, among other items:
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incur or guarantee indebtedness; |
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charge, pledge or encumber the vessels; |
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merge or consolidate; |
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change the flag, class or commercial and technical management of our vessels; |
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make cash distributions; |
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make new investments; and |
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sell or change the ownership or control of our vessels. |
11
Our Credit Facility also requires 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.
On January 11, 2010, we (a) amended our Credit Facility and (b) borrowed an additional amount
of $24.0 million to finance the acquisitions of the Navios Apollon, the Navios Sagittarius and the
Navios Hyperion. The amended Credit Facility agreement provides for (a) prepayment of $12.5 million
held in a pledged account, that took place on January 11, 2010, (b) a margin from 1.00% to 1.45%
depending on the loan to value ratio, (c) an increase in the minimum net worth of the Partnership
to $135.0 million, (d) the VMC (Value Maintenance Covenant) to be above 143% using charter free
values and (e) the minimum leverage covenant to be calculated using charter free values. The new
covenants have been applied since January 15, 2010.
In addition, our Credit Facility, as amended on January 11, 2010, requires us to:
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maintain minimum free consolidated liquidity (which may be in the form of undrawn
commitments under the Credit Facility) of at least $22.0 million per year (increasing by
$9.0 million per year on each of December 31, 2010, December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012
until it reaches $40.0 million, at which level it is required to be maintained thereafter); |
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maintain a ratio of EBITDA to interest expense of at least 2.00 : 1.00; and |
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maintain a ratio of total liabilities to total assets (as defined in our Credit Facility)
of less than 0.75 : 1.00. |
In
March 2010, we amended our Credit Facility to partially
finance the acquisition of a vessel.
In June 2010, an amendment to the Credit Facility provided for, among other things, a new margin
from 1.45% to 1.80% depending on the loan to value ratio.
Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions that are contained in our Credit
Facility 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 Facility,
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
Facility are secured by certain of our vessels, and if we are unable to repay borrowings under such
Credit Facility, 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 Facility prohibits 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 Facility include, among other things, the following:
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failure to pay any principal, interest, fees, expenses or other amounts when due; |
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failure to observe any other agreement, security instrument, obligation or covenant
beyond specified cure periods in certain cases; |
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default under other indebtedness; |
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an event of insolvency or bankruptcy; |
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material adverse change in the financial position or prospects of us or our general
partner; |
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failure of any representation or warranty to be materially correct; and |
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failure of Navios Holdings or its affiliates (as defined in the Credit Facility
agreement) to own at least 30% of us. |
12
We anticipate that any subsequent refinancing of our current debt or any new debt will have
similar restrictions.
We depend on Navios Holdings and its affiliates to assist us in operating and expanding our
business.
Pursuant to a management agreement between us and Navios ShipManagement, ShipManagement
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 Navios ShipManagement, Navios ShipManagement provides to us significant administrative,
financial and other support services. Our operational success and ability to execute our growth
strategy depends significantly upon Navios ShipManagements satisfactory performance of these
services. Our business will be harmed if Navios ShipManagement fails to perform these services
satisfactorily, if Navios ShipManagement cancels either of these agreements, or if Navios
ShipManagement 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:
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renew existing charters upon their expiration; |
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obtain new charters; |
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successfully interact with shipyards during periods of shipyard construction constraints; |
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obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms; or |
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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:
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locating and acquiring suitable vessels; |
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identifying and consummating acquisitions or joint ventures; |
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integrating any acquired business successfully with our existing operations; |
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enhancing our customer base; |
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managing our expansion; and |
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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.
13
Our growth depends on continued growth in demand for drybulk commodities and the shipping of
drybulk cargoes.
Our growth strategy focuses on expansion in the drybulk shipping sector. Accordingly, our
growth depends on continued growth in world and regional demand for drybulk commodities and the
shipping of drybulk cargoes, which could be negatively affected by a number of factors, such as
declines in prices for drybulk commodities, or general political and economic conditions.
Reduced demand for drybulk commodities and the shipping of drybulk 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 and India have been the main driving
force behind the current increase in seaborne drybulk trade and the demand for drybulk carriers. 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:
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the operators environmental, health and safety record; |
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compliance with International Maritime Organization, or IMO, standards and the heightened
industry standards that have been set by some energy companies; |
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shipping industry relationships, reputation for customer service, technical and operating
expertise; |
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shipping experience and quality of ship operations, including cost-effectiveness; |
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quality, experience and technical capability of crews; |
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the ability to finance vessels at competitive rates and overall financial stability; |
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relationships with shipyards and the ability to obtain suitable berths; |
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construction management experience, including the ability to procure on-time delivery of
new vessels according to customer specifications; |
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willingness to accept operational risks pursuant to the charter, such as allowing
termination of the charter for force majeure events; and |
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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. 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 market cycle, when spot
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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:
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fail to realize anticipated benefits, such as new customer relationships, cost-savings or
cash flow enhancements; |
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be unable to hire, train or retain qualified shore and seafaring personnel to manage and
operate our growing business and fleet; |
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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; |
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incur or assume unanticipated liabilities, losses or costs associated with the business
or vessels acquired; or |
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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.
The completion and delivery of newbuildings could be delayed, cancelled or otherwise not
completed because of:
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quality or engineering problems; |
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changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory organization standards; |
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work stoppages or other labor disturbances at the shipyard; |
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bankruptcy or other financial crisis of the shipbuilder; |
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a backlog of orders at the shipyard; |
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political or economic disturbances; |
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weather interference or catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake or fire; |
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requests for changes to the original vessel specifications; |
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shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials, such as steel; |
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inability to finance the construction or conversion of the vessels; or |
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inability to obtain requisite permits or approvals. |
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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 or 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 nine month period ended September 30, 2010, we had ten charter counterparties, the
most significant of which were Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd, Cargill International S.A., Cosco Bulk
Carrier and the Sanko Steamship Co., and accounted for approximately 28.8%, 12.4%, 10.1% and 8.7%,
respectively, of total revenues. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, we had eight charter
counterparties, the most significant of which were Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Cargill International
S.A., The Sanko Steamship Co. Ltd., Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha and Augustea Imprese Maritime, and
accounted for approximately 34.3%, 18.8%, 13.0%, 9.6% and 9.3%, respectively, of our 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
Navios ShipManagement Inc. (the Manager) (which provides for a fixed management fee through
November 16, 2011) will provide us with a strong base of stable cash flows.
We could lose a customer or the benefits of a charter if:
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the customer fails to make charter payments because of its financial inability,
disagreements with us or otherwise; |
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the customer exercises certain rights to terminate the charter; |
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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 |
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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 that 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. In
addition, if a customer exercises any right to purchase a vessel to the extent we have granted any
such rights, we would not receive any further revenue from the vessel and may be unable to obtain a
substitute vessel and charter. This may cause us to receive decreased revenue and cash flows from
having fewer vessels operating in our fleet. Any replacement newbuilding would not generate
revenues during its construction, and we may be unable to charter any replacement vessel on terms
as favorable to us as those of the terminated charter. Any compensation under our charters for a
purchase of the vessels may not adequately compensate us for the loss of the vessel and related
time 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 our charter-out contracts through a AA+ rated
governmental agency of a European Union member state, which provides that if the charterer goes
into payment default, the insurer will reimburse us for the charter payments under the terms of the
policy (subject to applicable deductibles and other customary limitations for such insurance) for
the remaining term of the charter-out contract.
The risks and costs associated with vessels increase as the vessels age.
The vessels in our fleet have an average age of approximately six years and most drybulk
vessels have an expected life of approximately 25-28 years. We may acquire older vessels in the
future. 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
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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 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 our management agreement with Navios ShipManagement, only the costs of
routine drydocking repairs are included in the daily management fee of $4,500 per owned
Ultra-Handymax vessel, $4,400 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,500 per owned Capesize vessel, which
are fixed until November 2011. From November 2011 to November 2012, we expect that we will
reimburse Navios ShipManagement for all of the actual operating costs and expenses it incurs in
connection with the management of our fleet.
We are subject to various laws, regulations, and conventions, including environmental laws, that
could require significant expenditures both to maintain compliance with such laws and to pay for
any uninsured environmental liabilities resulting from a spill or other environmental disaster.
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. 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. Changes in 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. 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 profitably, particularly older vessels, during the remainder of their economic
lives. This could lead to significant asset write-downs.
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. For
example, in various jurisdictions legislation has been enacted, or is under consideration that
would impose more stringent requirements on air pollution and other ship emissions, including
emissions of greenhouse gases and ballast water discharged from vessels. We are required by various
governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses and certificates
with respect to our operations.
The operation of vessels is also affected by the requirements set forth in the 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. Non-compliance with the ISM Code 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 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. Currently, each of the
vessels in our owned fleet is ISM Code-certified. However, there can be no assurance that such
certification will be maintained indefinitely.
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, or the Bunker Convention. In 2001, the IMO adopted the 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 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
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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 September 30, 2010 it was in effect in 55 states. 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.
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 May 2010
oil spill at an offshore drilling rig in the gulf of Mexico.
U.S. federal legislation, including notably the
Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or the 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. The 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 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 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. For example, California regulations prohibit the discharge
of oil, require an oil contingency plan to 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.
Outside of the United States, other 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 referred to above. Rights to limit
liability under the 1976 Convention are forfeited when a spill is caused by a shipowners
intentional or reckless conduct. Certain states have ratified the IMOs 1996 Protocol to the 1976
Convention. The Protocol provides for substantially higher the liability limits to apply in those
jurisdictions than the limits set forth in the 1976 Convention, or the 1996 LLMC Protocol. Finally,
some jurisdictions are not a party to either the 1976 Convention or the 1996 LLMC Protocol, and,
therefore, a shipowners rights to limit liability for maritime pollution in such jurisdictions may
be uncertain.
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, and amended in 2009, 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 the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships, or 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.
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.
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,
and the senior management team of Navios Partners. 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
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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:
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on-board installation of automatic information systems, or AIS, to enhance
vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communications; |
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on-board installation of ship security alert systems; |
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the development of vessel security plans; and |
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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.
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:
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damage or destruction of vessel due to marine disaster such as a collision; |
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the loss of a vessel due to piracy and terrorism; |
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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; |
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environmental accidents as a result of the foregoing; and |
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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 its 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.
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
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of the country of registry of the vessel and with SOLAS. Our owned fleet is currently enrolled
with 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. 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.
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. In addition, the insurance that may be available to us
may be significantly more expensive than our existing coverage.
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 will 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, during the nine months
ended September 30, 2010, the value of the U.S. dollar increased by approximately 5.3% as compared
to the Euro. 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.
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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 recently 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. In 2008 and continuing through 2010, acts of piracy saw a
steep rise, particularly off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden. In December 2009, the M/V 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. If these piracy attacks result 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 have recently increased in
frequency, which 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.
The United States and other parts of the world are exhibiting deteriorating economic trends
and are currently in a recession. For example, the credit markets worldwide and in the United
States have experienced significant contraction, de-leveraging and reduced liquidity, and the
United States federal and state governments, as well as foreign governments, have implemented and
are considering a broad variety of governmental action and/or new regulation of the financial
markets. Securities and futures markets and the credit markets are subject to comprehensive
statutes, regulations and other requirements. The Securities and Exchange Commission, 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.
The uncertainty surrounding the future of the credit markets in the United States and the rest of
the world has resulted in reduced access to credit worldwide. Due to the fact that we may cover all
or a portion of the cost of vessel acquisition with debt financing, such uncertainty, combined with
restrictions imposed by our current debt, may hamper our ability to finance vessel or new business
acquisition.
We face risks attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in interest rates, and
instability in certain securities markets, among other factors. Major market disruptions and the
current adverse changes in market conditions and regulatory climate in the United States and
worldwide may adversely affect our business or impair our ability to borrow amounts under our
Credit Facility or any future financial arrangements. The current market conditions may last longer
than we anticipate. These recent and
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developing economic and governmental factors may have a material adverse effect on our results
of operations, financial condition or cash flows and could cause the price of our common units to
decline significantly.
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.
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, referred to herein as 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 allows 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 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 received 1,000,000 subordinated Series A units and was released
from the Omnibus Agreement restrictions for two years 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.
Unitholders have limited voting rights and our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of
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.
Our partnership agreement further restricts unitholders voting rights by providing that if
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 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 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
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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.
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 25.5% 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:
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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
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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; |
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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; |
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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; |
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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 a distribution on the subordinated units
or to make incentive distributions or to accelerate the expiration of the subordination
period; |
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our general partner is entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable costs incurred by it
and its affiliates for our benefit; |
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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 |
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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.
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.
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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:
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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; |
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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; |
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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; |
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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 |
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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 Navios ShipManagement 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 Navios ShipManagement, we pay a daily fee of
$4,500 per owned Ultra-Handymax vessel, $4,400 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,500 per owned
Capesize vessel for technical and commercial management services provided to us by Navios
ShipManagement for a period of two years ending November 16, 2011. The initial term of the
management agreement is until November 2012. This fee was originally fixed until November 2009 at
$4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,000 per owned Capesize vessel.
The daily fee paid to Navios ShipManagement includes all costs incurred in providing certain
commercial and technical management services to us. While this fee is fixed until November 2011, we
expect that we will reimburse Navios ShipManagement for all of the actual operating costs and
expenses it incurs in connection with the management of our fleet until November 2012, which may
result in significantly higher fees that period. All of the fees we are required to pay to Navios
ShipManagement under the management agreement are payable without regard to our financial condition
or results of operations. In addition, Navios ShipManagement provides us with administrative
services, including the services of our officers and directors, pursuant to an administrative
services agreement which has an initial term until November 2012, and we reimburse Navios
ShipManagement for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with the
provision of those services. The fees and reimbursement of expenses to Navios ShipManagement 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, and even if public
unitholders are dissatisfied, they will be unable to remove our general partner without Navios
Holdings consent, unless Navios Holdings ownership share in us is decreased.
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.
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The unitholders will be unable initially to remove our general partner without its
consent because our general partner and its affiliates own sufficient units to be able to
prevent its removal. The vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of all outstanding common
and subordinated units voting together as a single class is required to remove the general
partner. Navios Holdings currently owns 25.5% of the total number of outstanding common and
subordinated units based on all outstanding limited, subordinated and general partner units. |
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If our general partner is removed without cause during the subordination period and
units held by our general partner and Navios Holdings are not voted in favor of that
removal, (i) all remaining subordinated units will automatically convert into common units,
(ii) any existing arrearages on the common units will be extinguished and (iii) our general
partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive
distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests
based on the fair market value of the interests at the time. A removal of our general
partner under these circumstances would adversely affect the common units by prematurely
eliminating their distribution and liquidation preference over the subordinated units, which
would otherwise have continued until we had met certain distribution and performance tests.
Any conversion of the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights would be
dilutive to existing unitholders. Furthermore, any cash payment in lieu of such conversion
could be prohibitively large. Cause is narrowly defined to mean that a court of competent
jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding our general partner liable
for actual fraud or willful or wanton misconduct in its capacity as our general partner.
Cause does not include most cases of charges of poor business decisions such as charges of
poor management of our business by the directors appointed by our general partner, so the
removal of our general partner because of the unitholders dissatisfaction with the general
partners decisions in this regard would most likely result in the termination of the
subordination period. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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 any class of units
then outstanding, any such 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 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. |
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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.
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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.
In establishing cash reserves, our board of directors may reduce the amount of cash available for
distribution to unitholders.
Our partnership agreement requires our general partner to deduct from operating surplus cash
reserves that it determines are necessary to fund our future operating expenditures. These reserves
also will affect the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders. Our board of
directors may establish reserves for distributions on the subordinated units, but only if those
reserves will not prevent us from distributing the full minimum quarterly distribution, plus any
arrearages, on the common units for the following four quarters. Our partnership agreement requires
our board of directors each quarter to deduct from operating surplus estimated maintenance and
replacement capital expenditures, as opposed to actual expenditures, which could reduce the amount
of available cash for distribution. The amount of estimated maintenance and replacement capital
expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by our board of
directors at least once a year, provided that any change must be approved by the conflicts
committee of our board of directors.
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.
At the end of the subordination period, assuming no additional issuances of common units and
conversion of our subordinated units into common units, Navios Holdings will own 11,927,477 common
units and 1,000,000 subordinated series A units, representing a 25.5% limited partner interest in
us based on all limited and general partner units.
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
26
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.
Tax Risks
In addition to the following risk factors, you should read Material Tax Consequences on page
__ 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 common units in the PFIC.
Based on our current and projected method of operation, and on opinion of counsel, we believe
that we will not be a PFIC for our 2010 taxable year, and we expect that we will not become a PFIC
with respect to any other taxable year. Our U.S. counsel, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and
Popeo, P.C., 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.
The preferential tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income are temporary, and the enactment
of previously proposed legislation could affect whether dividends paid by us constitute qualified
dividend income eligible for the preferential rate.
Certain of our distributions may be treated as qualified dividend income eligible for
preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax to U.S. individual unitholders (and certain other
U.S. unitholders). In the absence of legislation extending the term for these preferential tax
rates, all dividends received by such U.S. taxpayers in tax years beginning on January 1, 2011, or
later, will be taxed at graduated tax rates applicable to ordinary income.
In addition, legislation proposed in the U.S. Congress would, if enacted, deny the
preferential rate of U.S. federal income tax currently imposed on qualified dividend income with
respect to dividends received from a non-U.S. corporation, if the non-U.S. corporation is created
or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction that does not have a comprehensive income tax system.
Because the Marshall Islands imposes only limited taxes on entities organized under its laws, it is
likely that, if this legislation were enacted, the preferential tax rates would no longer be
applicable to distributions received from us. As of the date hereof, it is not possible to predict
with any certainty whether this proposed legislation will be enacted.
We may have to pay tax on U.S.-source income, which would reduce our earnings.
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Under the Internal Revenue Code, 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), 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, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., 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 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, including Greece, 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 Navios ShipManagement, 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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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements included in this prospectus which are not historical facts (including our financial
forecast and any other 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 prospectus. 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:
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forecasts of our ability to make cash distributions on the units; |
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forecasts of our future financial condition or results of operations and our future
revenues and expenses; |
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our anticipated growth strategies; |
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future charter hire rates and vessel values; |
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the repayment of debt; |
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our ability to access debt and equity markets; |
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planned capital expenditures and availability of capital resources to fund capital
expenditures; |
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future supply of, and demand for, drybulk commodities; |
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increases in interest rates; |
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our ability to maintain long-term relationships with major commodity traders; |
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our ability to leverage to our advantage Navios Holdings relationships and reputation in
the shipping industry; |
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our continued ability to enter into long-term, fixed-rate time charters; |
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our ability to maximize the use of our vessels, including the re-deployment or disposition
of vessels no longer under long-term time charter; |
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timely purchases and deliveries of newbuilding vessels; |
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future purchase prices of newbuildings and secondhand vessels; |
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our ability to compete successfully for future chartering and newbuilding opportunities; |
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the expected cost of, and our ability to comply with, governmental regulations, maritime
self-regulatory organization standards, as well as standard regulations imposed by our
charterers applicable to our business; |
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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 and for reimbursements for fees and costs of
our general partner; |
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the anticipated taxation of our partnership and distributions to our unitholders; |
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estimated future maintenance and replacement capital expenditures; |
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expected demand in the drybulk shipping sector in general and the demand for our Panamax,
Capesize and Ultra-Handymax vessels in particular; |
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our ability to retain key executive officers; |
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customers increasing emphasis on environmental and safety concerns; |
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future sales of our common units in the public market; and |
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our business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations. |
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 risks discussed in Risk
Factors, including those set forth below:
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a lack of sufficient cash to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units; |
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the cyclical nature of the international drybulk shipping industry; |
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fluctuations in charter rates for drybulk carriers; |
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the historically high numbers of newbuildings currently under construction in the drybulk
industry; |
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changes in the market values of our vessels and the vessels for which we have purchase
options; |
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an inability to expand relationships with existing customers and obtain new customers; |
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the loss of any customer or charter or vessel; |
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the aging of our fleet and resultant increases in operations costs; |
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damage to our vessels; and |
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general domestic and international political conditions, including wars and terrorism. |
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.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless we indicate otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we currently intend to
use the net proceeds from this offering for general partnership purposes, including future
acquisitions.
We may set forth additional information on the use of net proceeds from the sale of securities
we offer under this prospectus in a prospectus supplement relating to the specific offering.
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CAPITALIZATION
The table below sets forth the our capitalization and indebtedness as of September 30, 2010
(unaudited) on a historical basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the offering of
5,500,000 units and the issuance of 825,000 units following the exercise of the overallotment
option, which was completed on October 14, 2010.
On October 14, 2010, we completed our public offering of 5,500,000 common units at $17.65 per unit and raised
gross proceeds of approximately $97.1 million to fund our fleet expansion. The net proceeds of this offering,
including the underwriting discount and excluding estimated offering costs of $0.3 million were approximately
$92.7 million. Pursuant to this offering, we issued 112,245 additional general partnership units to our General
Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the general partnership units were $2.0 million. On the same date, we
completed the exercise of the overallotment option, previously granted to the underwriters in connection with the
offering of 5,500,000 common units, and issued 825,000 additional common units at the public offering price less
the underwriting discount. As a result of the exercise of the overallotment option, we raised additional gross
proceeds of $14.5 million and net proceeds of approximately $13.9 million. We issued 16,837 additional general
partnership units to our General Partner. The net proceeds from the issuance of the additional general partnership
units were $0.3 million.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2010 |
|
|
|
(In thousands of U.S. dollars) |
|
|
|
Actual |
|
|
As Adjusted |
|
Long-term Debt: |
|
$ |
271,500 |
|
|
$ |
271,500 |
|
|
Partners Capital: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Unitholders
(34,666,034 units
issued and outstanding
September 30, 2010 and 40,991,034 as adjusted) |
|
|
532,557 |
|
|
|
638,850 |
|
Subordinated
Unitholders (7,621,843
units issued and
outstanding September
30, 2010) |
|
|
(167,809 |
) |
|
|
(167,809 |
) |
General Partner
(883,428 units issued
and outstanding
September 30, 2010 and 1,012,510 as adjusted) |
|
|
(713 |
) |
|
|
1,565 |
|
Subordinated Series A
Unitholders (1,000,000
units issued and
outstanding September
30, 2010) |
|
|
6,082 |
|
|
|
6,082 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Partners Capital |
|
|
370,117 |
|
|
|
478,688 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Capitalization |
|
$ |
641,617 |
|
|
$ |
750,188 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON UNITS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
As
of November 1, 2010, there were 40,991,034 common units outstanding. Our common units began
trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 16, 2007 at an initial offering price of $20.00
per unit. Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NMM.
Historical Prices
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for
our common units, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, for the periods indicated. The last
reported sale price of common units on the New York Stock Exchange on
November 1, 2010 was $18.99
per common unit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price Range |
|
|
|
High |
|
|
Low |
|
Year Ended: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
$ |
15.80 |
|
|
$ |
6.39 |
|
December 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
18.85 |
|
|
$ |
3.36 |
|
December 31, 2007* |
|
$ |
19.45 |
|
|
$ |
17.40 |
|
Quarter Ended: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2010 |
|
$ |
18.48 |
|
|
$ |
15.23 |
|
June 30, 2010 |
|
$ |
20.03 |
|
|
$ |
14.81 |
|
March 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
17.20 |
|
|
$ |
14.50 |
|
December 31, 2009 |
|
$ |
15.80 |
|
|
$ |
11.80 |
|
September 30, 2009 |
|
$ |
13.20 |
|
|
$ |
9.15 |
|
June 30, 2009 |
|
$ |
11.27 |
|
|
$ |
7.96 |
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price Range |
|
|
|
High |
|
|
Low |
|
March 31, 2009 |
|
$ |
8.71 |
|
|
$ |
6.39 |
|
December 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
8.08 |
|
|
$ |
3.36 |
|
Month Ended: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
18.96 |
|
|
$ |
17.93 |
|
September 30, 2010 |
|
$ |
18.58 |
|
|
$ |
17.63 |
|
August 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
18.48 |
|
|
$ |
16.94 |
|
July 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
18.40 |
|
|
$ |
15.23 |
|
June 30, 2010 |
|
$ |
16.14 |
|
|
$ |
14.92 |
|
May 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
18.20 |
|
|
$ |
14.81 |
|
April 30, 2010 |
|
$ |
20.03 |
|
|
$ |
17.87 |
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Period commenced on November 13, 2007. |
Quarterly Distributions
Our unitholders are entitled under our partnership agreement to receive a quarterly
distribution to the extent we have sufficient cash on hand to pay the distribution after we
establish cash reserves and pay fees and expenses. Although we intend to continue to make strategic
acquisitions and to take advantage of our unique relationship with Navios Holdings in a prudent
manner that is accretive to our unitholders and to long-term distribution growth there is no
guarantee that we will pay a 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 and other
factors. We will be prohibited from making any distributions to unitholders if it would cause an
event of default, or an event of default is existing, under the terms of our existing credit
facility.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the approximate amounts of cash
distributions that we have declared and paid:
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions for Quarter Ended |
|
Amount of Cash Distributions |
|
Cash Distributions per Unit |
September 30, 2010
|
|
$21.0 million
|
|
$0.42 per unit |
June 30, 2010
|
|
$18.3 million
|
|
$0.42 per unit |
March 31, 2010
|
|
$18.0 million
|
|
$0.415 per unit |
December 31, 2009
|
|
$15.1 million
|
|
$0.41 per unit |
September 30, 2009
|
|
$11.6 million
|
|
$0.405 per unit |
June 30, 2009
|
|
$10.1 million
|
|
$0.40 per unit |
March 31, 2009
|
|
$8.7 million
|
|
$0.40 per unit |
December 31, 2008
|
|
$8.7 million
|
|
$0.40 per unit |
September 30, 2008
|
|
$8.3 million
|
|
$0.385 per unit |
June 30, 2008
|
|
$6.5 million
|
|
$0.35 per unit |
March 31, 2008
|
|
$6.5 million
|
|
$0.35 per unit |
December 31, 2007*
|
|
$3.2 million
|
|
$0.175 per unit |
|
|
|
* |
|
Prorated for the period from November 16, 2007 to December 31, 2007. |
32
THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable
prospectus supplements, summarize all the material terms and provisions of the various types of
securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to
any securities the particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement. If we
indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the
terms we have summarized below. We will also include information in the prospectus supplement,
where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations, if any, relating
to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.
We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:
|
|
|
common units; and/or |
|
|
|
|
debt securities. |
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by
a prospectus supplement.
COMMON UNITS
The Units
The common units and the subordinated units represent limited partner interests in us. The
holders of units are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and exercise the rights
and privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement.
For a description of the relative rights and privileges of holders of common units and
subordinated units in and to partnership distributions, please read the sections Our Cash
Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions herein and How We Make Cash Distributions
in the prospectus dated November 12, 2007 included in our registration statement on Form F-1, as
amended, initially filed with the SEC on October 26, 2007 and incorporated by reference in our
Annual Report. For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our
partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read The Partnership Agreement in such
prospectus.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Duties
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company serves as registrar and transfer agent for the
common units. We pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common units, except
the following, which must be paid by unitholders:
|
|
|
surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, taxes and other governmental
charges; |
|
|
|
|
special charges for services requested by a holder of a common unit; and |
|
|
|
|
other similar fees or charges. |
There is no charge to unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will
indemnify the transfer agent, its agents and each of their stockholders, directors, executive
officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or
omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence
or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
Resignation or Removal
The transfer agent may resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us. The resignation or
removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a successor transfer
agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If a successor has not
33
been appointed or has not accepted its appointment within 30 days after notice of the
resignation or removal, our general partner may, at the direction of our board of directors, act as
the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.
Transfer of Common Units
By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of
common units shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred
when such transfer and admission is reflected in our books and records. Each transferee:
|
|
|
represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to become bound by
our partnership agreement; |
|
|
|
|
automatically agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and is deemed to have
executed, our partnership agreement; and |
|
|
|
|
gives the consents and approvals contained in our partnership agreement. |
A transferee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred
common units automatically upon the recording of the transfer on our books and records. Our general
partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than
quarterly. We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute
owner. In that case, the beneficial holders rights are limited solely to those that it has against
the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee
holder.
Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfer of
securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee
the right to become a limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units. Until a
common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the recordholder
of the unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock
exchange regulations.
DEBT SECURITIES
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any
applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt
securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will
apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer, we will describe the particular terms
of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If
we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any debt securities we offer under that
prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.
The debt securities we may offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus will be either senior
debt securities or subordinated debt securities. We will issue the senior notes under the senior
indenture, which we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the senior indenture. We will
issue the subordinated notes under the subordinated indenture, which we will enter into with a
trustee to be named in the subordinated indenture. We use the term indentures to refer to both
the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture. The indentures will be qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act. We use the term debenture trustee to refer to either the senior trustee or
the subordinated trustee, as applicable.
The following summaries of material provisions of any series of debt securities and the
indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of
the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities.
General
We will describe in each prospectus supplement the following terms relating to a series of
notes:
|
|
|
the title; |
|
|
|
|
any limit on the amount that may be issued; |
|
|
|
|
whether or not we will issue the series of notes in global form, the terms and who the
depository will be; |
34
|
|
|
the maturity date; |
|
|
|
|
the annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the
rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the
regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates; |
|
|
|
|
whether or not the notes will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt; |
|
|
|
|
the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt; |
|
|
|
|
the place where payments will be made; |
|
|
|
|
our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral
period; |
|
|
|
|
the date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the
series of notes pursuant to any optional redemption provisions; |
|
|
|
|
the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any
mandatory sinking fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holders option to
purchase, the series of notes; |
|
|
|
|
whether the indenture will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or will require us to
maintain any asset ratios or reserves; |
|
|
|
|
whether we will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness; |
|
|
|
|
a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax considerations
applicable to the notes; |
|
|
|
|
the denominations in which we will issue the series of notes, if other than denominations
of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; and |
|
|
|
|
any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the
debt securities. |
Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of notes may be
convertible into or exchangeable for common units or other securities of ours. We will include
provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our
option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of common units or other
securities of ours that the holders of the series of notes receive would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
The indentures do not contain any covenant which restricts our ability to merge or
consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our
assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations
under the indentures or the notes, as appropriate.
Events of Default under the Indenture
The following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of notes
that we may issue:
|
|
|
if we fail to pay interest when due and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for
payment has not been extended or deferred; |
|
|
|
|
if we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due and the time for payment has
not been extended or delayed; |
|
|
|
|
if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the notes or the
indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of notes, and our
failure continues for 90 days after we receive notice from the debenture trustee or holders
of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of the applicable
series; and |
35
|
|
|
if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur as to us. |
If an event of default with respect to notes of any series occurs and is continuing, the
debenture trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
notes of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the debenture trustee if notice is given
by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if
any, due and payable immediately.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes of an affected series
may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except
defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless
we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any such waiver
shall cure the default or event of default.
Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur
and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights
or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable
series of notes, unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes of any series will have the
right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to
the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with
respect to the notes of that series, provided that:
|
|
|
the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable
indenture; and |
|
|
|
|
subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the debenture trustee need not take
any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the
holders not involved in the proceeding. |
A holder of the notes of any series will only have the right to institute a proceeding under
the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:
|
|
|
the holder has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a continuing event of
default with respect to that series; |
|
|
|
|
the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of that
series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the
debenture trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and |
|
|
|
|
the debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of that series
other conflicting directions within 60 days after the notice, request and offer. |
These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of notes if we default in the
payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the notes.
We will periodically file statements with the debenture trustee regarding our compliance with
specified covenants in the indentures.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
We and the debenture trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with
respect to specific matters, including:
|
|
|
to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; and |
|
|
|
|
to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of
notes of any series. |
In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of notes may be changed
by us and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of each series that is affected. However, we
and the debenture trustee may only make the following changes with the consent of each holder of
any outstanding notes affected:
36
|
|
|
extending the fixed maturity of the series of notes; |
|
|
|
|
reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of
interest, or any premium payable upon the redemption of any notes; or |
|
|
|
|
reducing the percentage of notes, the holders of which are required to consent to any
amendment. |
Discharge
Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect
to one or more series of debt securities, except for obligations to:
|
|
|
register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series; |
|
|
|
|
replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series; |
|
|
|
|
maintain paying agencies; |
|
|
|
|
hold monies for payment in trust; |
|
|
|
|
compensate and indemnify the trustee; and |
|
|
|
|
appoint any successor trustee. |
In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or
government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest
on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.
Form, Exchange and Transfer
We will issue the notes of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and,
unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and
any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue notes of a series in
temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on
behalf of, The Depository Trust Company or another depository named by us and identified in a
prospectus supplement with respect to that series.
At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations
applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of
the notes of any series can exchange the notes for other notes of the same series, in any
authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set
forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the notes may present the notes for
exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed
thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security
registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless
otherwise provided in the notes that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will make no
service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any
taxes or other governmental charges.
We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer
agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any notes. We may at
any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or
approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be
required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the notes of each series.
If we elect to redeem the notes of any series, we will not be required to:
|
|
|
issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any notes of that series during a period
beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of
redemption of any notes that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of
business on the day of the mailing; or |
37
|
|
|
register the transfer of or exchange any notes so selected for redemption, in whole or in
part, except the unredeemed portion of any notes we are redeeming in part. |
Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee
The debenture trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default
under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the
applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the debenture trustee must use
the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own
affairs. Subject to this provision, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of
the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of notes unless it is offered
reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of
the interest on any notes on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the notes, or
one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record
date for the interest.
We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the notes of a particular series at
the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the
applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check which we will mail to the
holder. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate
trust office of the debenture trustee in the City of New York as our sole paying agent for payments
with respect to notes of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any
other paying agents that we initially designate for the notes of a particular series. We will
maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the notes of a particular series.
All money we pay to a paying agent or the debenture trustee for the payment of the principal
of or any premium or interest on any notes which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after
such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder
of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indentures and the notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the Republic of Marshall Islands, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
Subordination of Subordinated Notes
The subordinated notes will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of
payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement.
The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of subordinated notes which we may issue. It
also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global
securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who
have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee
maintain for this purpose as the holders of those securities. These persons are the legal holders
of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial
interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as indirect holders of those
securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in
securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.
Book-Entry Holders
We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable
prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities
registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on
38
behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositarys book-entry system.
These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial
interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.
Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of
that security. Securities issued in global form will be registered in the name of the depositary or
its participants. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the
depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the
depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn
pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its
participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they
are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.
As a result, investors in a book-entry security will not own securities directly.
Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other
financial institution that participates in the depositarys book-entry system or holds an interest
through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be
indirect holders, and not holders, of the securities.
Street Name Holders
We may terminate a global security or issue securities in non-global form. In these
cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in street name.
Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or
other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a
beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.
For securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks,
brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the
holders of those securities, and we will make all payments on those securities to them. These
institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners,
but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally
required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not
holders, of those securities.
Legal Holders
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee and of any third
parties employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not
have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or
by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect
holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.
For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further
responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with
depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass the payment or notice along to the indirect
holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend
an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a
particular provision of the indenture or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek
approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how
the holders contact the indirect holders is the responsibility of the holders.
Special Considerations for Indirect Holders
If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in
book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:
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how it handles securities payments and notices; |
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whether it imposes fees or charges; |
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how it would handle a request for the holders consent, if ever required; |
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whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a
holder, if that is permitted in the future; |
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how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need
for holders to act to protect their interests; and |
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if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositarys rules and procedures will affect these matters. |
Global Securities
A global security is a security held by a depositary which represents one or any other
number of individual securities. Generally, all securities represented by the same global
securities will have the same terms.
Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we
deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The
financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify
otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New
York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other
than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations
arise. We describe those situations below under Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be
Terminated. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole
registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will
be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be
held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an
account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security
is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect
holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.
If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will
be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all
times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the
securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer
be held through any book-entry clearing system.
Special Considerations for Global Securities
As an indirect holder, an investors rights relating to a global security will be
governed by the account rules of the investors financial institution and of the depositary, as
well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a
holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.
If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be
aware of the following:
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An investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her
name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her
interest in the securities, except in the special situations we
describe below; |
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An investor will be an indirect holder and must look to
his or her own bank or broker for payments on the
securities and protection of his or her legal rights
relating to the securities, as we describe under Legal
Ownership of Securities above; |
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An investor may not be able to sell interests in the
securities to some insurance companies and to other
institutions that are required by law to own their
securities in non-book-entry form; |
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An investor may not be able to pledge his or her
interest in a global security in circumstances where
certificates representing the securities must be
delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the
pledge in order for the pledge to be effective; |
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The depositarys policies, which may change from time to
time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and
other matters relating to an investors interest in a
global security. We and any applicable trustee have no
responsibility for any aspect of the depositarys
actions or for its records of ownership interests in a
global security. We and the trustee also do not
supervise the depositary in any way; |
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The depositary may, and we understand that DTC will,
require that those who purchase and sell interests in a
global security within its book-entry system use
immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may
require you to do so as well; and |
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Financial institutions that participate in the
depositarys book-entry system, and through which an
investor holds its interest in a global security, may
also have their own policies affecting payments, notices
and other matters relating to the securities. There may
be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of
ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not
responsible for the actions of any of those
intermediaries. |
Special Situations When a Global Security Will be Terminated
In a few special situations described below, the global security will terminate and
interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After
that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to
the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their
interests in securities transferred to their own name, so that they will be direct holders. We have
described the rights of holders and street name investors above.
The global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:
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if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to
continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another
institution to act as depositary within 90 days; |
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if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or |
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if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that
global security and has not been cured or waived. |
The prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security
that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement.
When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is
responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.
41
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time
to time:
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through dealers or agents to the public or to investors; |
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to underwriters for resale to the public or to investors; |
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directly to investors; or |
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through a combination of such methods. |
We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of the offering of securities,
including:
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the name or names of any agents, dealers or underwriters; |
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the purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from
the sale; |
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any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from
us; |
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any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents or
underwriters compensation; |
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any initial public offering price; |
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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
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any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed. |
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be
deemed to be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they
receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents
and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and
agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform
services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.
Certain persons that participate in the distribution of the securities may engage in
transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities, including
over-allotment, stabilizing and short-covering transactions in such securities, and the imposition
of penalty bids, in connection with an offering. Certain persons may also engage in passive market
making transactions as permitted by Rule 103 of Regulation M. Passive market makers must comply
with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In
general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest
independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market
makers bid, however, the passive market makers bid must then be lowered when certain purchase
limits are exceeded.
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OUR CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS
You should read the following discussion of our cash distribution policy and restrictions on
distributions in conjunction with specific assumptions included in this section. In addition, you
should read Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors for information regarding statements
that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and certain risks inherent in our
business.
General
Cash Distribution Policy
Our cash distribution policy reflects a basic judgment that our unitholders will be 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:
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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. |
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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 may 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. |
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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. |
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Under Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a
distribution to you 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. |
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Our distribution policy will be affected by restrictions on distributions under our
existing credit facility which contains material financial tests and covenants that must be
satisfied and we will not pay any distributions that will cause us to violate our existing
credit facility or other debt instruments. Should we be unable to satisfy these restrictions
included in the existing credit facility or if we are otherwise in default under our existing
credit facility, our ability to make cash distributions to you, notwithstanding our cash
distribution policy, would be materially adversely affected. |
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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.
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Percentage Allocations of Available Cash from Operating Surplus
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.
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Marginal Percentage Interest |
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Total Quarterly |
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in Distributions |
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Distribution |
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General |
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Target Amount |
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Unitholders |
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Partner |
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Minimum Quarterly Distribution |
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0.35 |
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98.0 |
% |
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2.0 |
% |
First Target Distribution |
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up to $0.4025 |
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98.0 |
% |
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2.0 |
% |
Second Target Distribution |
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above $0.4025 up to $0.4375 |
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85.0 |
% |
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15.0 |
% |
Third Target Distribution |
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above $0.4375 up to $0.525 |
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75.0 |
% |
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25.0 |
% |
Thereafter |
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above $0.525 |
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50.0 |
% |
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50.0 |
% |
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MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations that may
be relevant to prospective unitholders and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is
the opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., 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, or the Code, U.S.
Treasury Regulations, and current 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 or a court, possibly with retroactive effect.
Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences of unit ownership 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, for investment purposes). The following discussion does not
comment on all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation which may be important to particular
unitholders in light of their individual circumstances, such as unitholders 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 to persons that will hold the units as part of a straddle,
hedge, conversion, constructive sale, or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, to partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax
purposes or their partners or to persons that have a functional currency other than the U.S.
dollar, 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 and the activities of the partnership. 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 or will be requested from Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, regarding
any matter affecting us or prospective unitholders. 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 U.S. state or local, estate, gift
or alternative minimum tax considerations concerning the ownership or disposition of common units.
Each prospective unitholder is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal,
state, local, and other tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of common units.
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 share of our income, but rather will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on distributions received from us and dispositions of units as described below. For a
further discussion of our treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, please see pages 46 to 49
of our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, which is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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 owns
less than 10.0% of our common units and that:
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is an individual U.S. citizen or resident (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), |
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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, |
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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its
source, or |
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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 U.S. persons 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 U.S. person. |
Distributions
Subject to the discussion below of the rules applicable to passive foreign investment
companies, or PFICs, 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
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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 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. For U.S. foreign tax credit
purposes, dividends received with respect to the common units will be treated as foreign source
income and generally will be treated as passive category income.
Dividends received with respect to our common units by a U.S. Holder who is an individual,
trust or estate (a U.S. Individual Holder) generally will be treated as qualified dividend
income that is taxable to such U.S. Individual Holder at preferential capital gain tax rates
(through 2010), provided that: (i) our common units are readily tradable on an established
securities market in the United States (such as the New York Stock Exchange where our common units
are traded); (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 U.S. Individual 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 U.S. Individual 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 U.S. Individual Holder. In the absence of legislation extending the term of the
preferential tax rates for qualified dividend income, all dividends received by a taxpayer in tax
years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, will be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income.
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 unitholders adjusted tax
basis (or fair market value upon the unitholders 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 unitholders adjusted tax basis (or fair market value). 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 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 (Please read Material U.S. Federal
Income Tax Considerations U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders Distributions).
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.
Certain U.S. Holders (including individuals) may be eligible for preferential rates of U.S. federal
income tax in respect of long-term capital gains. A U.S. Holders ability to deduct capital losses
is subject to limitations. Such capital gain or loss generally will be treated as U.S. source
income or loss, as applicable, for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
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:
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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 |
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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 will not
constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income generally will 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 operation, and an opinion of counsel, we believe
that we will not be a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. Our U.S. counsel, Mintz, Levin, Cohn,
Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., is of the opinion that (1) the income we receive from time
chartering activities and assets engaged in generating such income should not be treated as passive
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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 its 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 believes that there is substantial analogous legal authority supporting our
position consisting of the Code, legislative history, case law and IRS pronouncements concerning
the characterization of income derived from time charters as services income for other tax
purposes. However, there is no legal authority directly on point, and we are not obtaining a ruling
from the IRS on this issue. 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. 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, a U.S.
Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes a
timely filed 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, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a
mark-to-market election with respect to our common units, as discussed below. In addition, if we
are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be subject to new annual reporting requirements under section
1298(f) of the Code.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election (an Electing Holder), he must report for U.S.
federal income tax purposes his pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if
any, for our taxable years that end with or within his taxable year, regardless of whether or not
the Electing Holder received distributions from us in that year. The Electing Holders adjusted tax
basis in the common units will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and
profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that were previously taxed will result in a
corresponding reduction in the Electing Holders adjusted tax basis in common units and will not be
taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on
the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units. A U.S. Holder makes a QEF election
with respect to any year that we are a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with his U.S. federal income
tax return. If contrary to our expectations, we determine that we are treated as a PFIC for any
taxable year, we will provide each U.S. Holder with the information necessary to make the QEF
election described above.
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 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 his 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.
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 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 the units. Under these special rules:
47
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the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably
over the Non-Electing Holders aggregate holding period
for the common units; |
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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 |
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the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years
would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in
effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year,
and an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit
would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax
attributable to each such other taxable year. |
These penalties would not apply to a qualified pension, profit sharing or other retirement
trust or other tax-exempt organization that did not borrow money or otherwise utilize leverage in
connection with its acquisition of our common units. 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 units.
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. If you are a partner in a partnership (or an entity or arrangement treated as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) 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.
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. 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 is not 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, if the non-corporate U.S.
Holder:
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fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; |
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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 |
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in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. |
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.
Effective for tax years beginning after March 18, 2010, Code section 6038D requires that
individuals who are U.S. Holders and who hold specified foreign financial assets (as defined),
including a foreign corporations units whose aggregate value exceeds $50,000 during the tax year
(and which assets are not held in an account maintained by a U.S. financial institution, as
defined) must
48
attach to their tax returns for the year certain specified information. An individual who
fails to timely furnish the required information may be subject to a penalty. U.S. Holders who are
individuals should consult their own tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations.
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, and because all documentation related to this offering will
be executed outside of 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 PROSPECTIVE 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.
49
LEGAL MATTERS
Reeder & Simpson P.C., Marshall Islands counsel, will provide us with an opinion as to the
legal matters in connection with the securities we are offering.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and managements assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report
on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 have been so incorporated in reliance on the
report of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, given on
the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The
balance sheets of Navios GP L.L.C. as of December 31, 2009 and
2008 included in this Prospectus have
been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., an independent
registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
EXPENSES
The following table sets forth the main costs and expenses, other than the underwriting
discounts and commissions and the financial advisory fee, in connection with this offering, which
we will be required to pay.
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U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee |
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$ |
35,650 |
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Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. filing fee |
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* |
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New York Stock Exchange listing fee |
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* |
|
Legal fees and expenses |
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* |
|
Accounting fees and expenses |
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* |
|
Printing and engraving costs |
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* |
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Transfer agent fees |
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* |
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Miscellaneous |
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* |
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Total |
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$ |
35,650 |
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* |
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Amounts to be provided in a prospectus supplement or in a Current Report on Form 6-K
subsequently incorporated by reference into this prospectus. |
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus information that we file
with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually
including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents filed
separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this
prospectus. Information that we later provide to the SEC, and which is deemed to be filed with
the SEC, automatically will update information previously filed with the SEC, and may replace
information in this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below:
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our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 filed on
February 23, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on March 3, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on March 26, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on April 8, 2010; |
50
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on April 28, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on April 28, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on April 30, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on May 6, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on May 25, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on June 11, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on July 22, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on July 22, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on July 26, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on July 27, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on October 7, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on October 8, 2010; |
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our Report on Form 6-K filed on October 15, 2010; |
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our Reports on Form 6-K filed on October 27, 2010; |
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all subsequent reports on Form 20-F shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into
this prospectus and deemed to be part hereof after the date of this prospectus but before
the termination of the offering by this prospectus; |
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our reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC after the date of this prospectus only to
the extent that the forms expressly state that we incorporate by reference in this
prospectus; and |
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the description of our common units contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A
filed on November 7, 2007, including any subsequent amendments or reports filed for the
purpose of updating such description. |
These reports contain important information about us, our financial condition and our results of
operations.
You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC
through its public reference facilities or its website at the addresses provided above. You also
may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus (excluding exhibits
to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in this document),
at no cost by visiting our Internet website at www.capitalpplp.com, or by writing or calling us at
the following address:
Navios Maritime Partners L.P.
85 Akti Miaouli Street, Piraeus, Greece 185 38
Attn: Corporate Secretary
(+30) 210 459 5000
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this
prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with
any information. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference or provided
in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on
the front of each document.
51
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Government Filings
As required by the securities Act of 1933, we filed a registration statement on Form F-3
relating to the securities offered by this prospectus with the Commission. This prospectus is a
part of that registration statement, which includes additional information. You should refer to the
registration statement and its exhibits for additional information. Whenever we make reference in
this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the references are not
necessarily complete and you should refer to the exhibits attached to the registration statement
for copies of the actual contract, agreements or other document.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act, applicable to
foreign private issuers. We, as a foreign private issuer, are exempt from the rules under the
Securities Exchange Act prescribing certain disclosure and procedural requirements for proxy
solicitations, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting
and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Securities Exchange
Act, with respect to their purchases and sales of common units. In addition, we are not required to
file annual, quarterly and current reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or
as promptly as United States companies whose securities are registered under the Securities
Exchange Act. However, we anticipate filing with the SEC, within 180 days after the end of each
fiscal year, an annual report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an
independent accounting firm. We also anticipate furnishing quarterly reports on Form 6-K containing
unaudited interim financial information for the first three quarters of each fiscal year, within 75
days after the end of such quarter.
You may read and copy any document we file or furnish with the SEC at reference facilities at
100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed
rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC
20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public
reference facilities. You can review our SEC filings and the registration statement by accessing
the SECs internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
Documents may also be inspected at the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 1735
K Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20006.
Information provided by the Company
We will furnish holders of our common units with annual reports containing audited financial
statements and corresponding reports by our independent registered public accounting firm, and
intend to furnish quarterly reports containing selected unaudited financial data for the three
first quarters of each fiscal year. The audited financial statements will be prepared in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles and those reports will include a
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects section for the relevant periods. As a foreign
private issuer, we were exempt from the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders. While we intend to
furnish proxy statements to any shareholder in accordance with the rule of the NYSE, those proxy
statements are not expected to conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the
Exchange Act. In addition as a foreign issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange
Act relating to short swing profit reporting and liability.
This prospectus is only part of a Registration Statement on Form F-3 that we have filed with
the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and therefore omits certain information
contained in the Registration Statement. We have also filed exhibits and schedules with the
Registration Statement that are excluded from this prospectus, and you should refer to the
applicable exhibit or schedule for a complete description of any statement referring to any
contract or other document. You may:
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inspect a copy of the Registration Statement, including the exhibits and schedules, |
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without charge at the public reference room, |
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obtain a copy from the SEC upon payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC, or |
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obtain a copy from the SECs web site or our web site. |
52
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES AND
INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
We are organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands as a limited partnership. Our general
partner is organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands as a limited liability company. The
Marshall Islands has a less developed body of securities laws as compared to the United States and
provides protections for investors to a significantly lesser extent.
Most of our directors and the directors and officers of our general partner and those of our
subsidiaries are residents of countries other than the United States. Substantially all of our and
our subsidiaries assets and a substantial portion of the assets of our directors and the directors
and officers of our general partner are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be
difficult or impossible for United States investors to effect service of process within the United
States upon us, our directors, our general partner, our subsidiaries or the directors and officers
of our general partner or to realize against us or them judgments obtained in United States courts,
including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the
United States or any state in the United States. However, we have expressly submitted to the
jurisdiction of the U.S. federal and New York state courts sitting in the City of New York for the
purpose of any suit, action or proceeding arising under the securities laws of the United States or
any state in the United States, and we have appointed the Trust Company of the Marshall Islands,
Inc., Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Island, P.O. Box 1405, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960, to
accept service of process on our behalf in any such action.
Reeder & Simpson P.C., our counsel as to Marshall Islands law, has advised us that there is
uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Republic of the Marshall Islands would (1) recognize or
enforce against us, our general partner or our general partners directors or officers judgments of
courts of the United States based on civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and
state securities laws or (2) impose liabilities against us, our directors, our general partner or
our general partners directors and officers in original actions brought in the Marshall Islands,
based on these laws.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
We have obtained directors and officers liability insurance against any liability asserted
against such person incurred in the capacity of director or officer or arising out of such status,
whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person.
53
INDEX TO NAVIOS GP L.L.C. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Members of Navios GP L.L.C.:
In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Navios GP L.L.C. (the
Company) at December 31,
2009 and December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our
audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheets are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the balance sheets, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We
believe that our audits of the balance sheets provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.
Athens, Greece
November 2, 2010
F-2
NAVIOS GP L.L.C.
BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands of U.S. dollars)
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
Note |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2008 |
|
ASSETS |
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|
|
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|
|
|
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|
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|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in Navios Maritime Partners L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,916 |
|
|
|
1,052 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,916 |
|
|
|
1,052 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,917 |
|
|
$ |
1,053 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
Liabilities and members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Amounts due to related parties |
|
|
2 |
|
|
$ |
2,548 |
|
|
$ |
406 |
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Total liabilities |
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|
|
|
|
|
2,548 |
|
|
|
406 |
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|
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Commitments and contingencies |
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|
|
|
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|
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|
|
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|
Members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,368 |
|
|
|
646 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,369 |
|
|
|
647 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,917 |
|
|
$ |
1,053 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets
F-3
NAVIOS GP L.L.C.
AUDITED NOTES TO THE BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands of U.S. dollars)
NOTE 1: NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Navios GP L.L.C. (the Company), a Marshall Islands limited liability company, was formed on
August 7, 2007 to become the general partner of Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (Navios Partners).
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (Navios Holdings). On
August 8, 2007, Navios Maritime contributed $1 to the Company in exchange for a 100.0% ownership
interest.
On July 1, 2008, the Company acquired 63,906 general partnership units in order to maintain its
2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units amounted to
$918.
On May 8, 2009, the Company acquired 71,429 general partnership units in order to maintain its
2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units amounted to
$737.
On June 9, 2009, the Company acquired 20,408 general partnership units in order to maintain its
2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units amounted to
$207.
On September 23, 2009, the Company acquired 57,143 general partnership units in order to
maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the
units amounted to $698.
On October 15, 2009, the Company acquired 7,355 general partnership units in order to maintain
its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units
amounted to $90.
On November 24, 2009, the Company acquired 81,633 general partnership units in order to
maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the
units amounted to $1,216.
The Companys investment in the Partnership for its 2.0% general partner interest amounted to
$3,916 at December 31, 2009 and $1,052 as of December 31, 2008. The Company held 671,708 general
partnership units as of December 31, 2009 and 433,740 as of December 31, 2008.
NOTE 2: RELATED PARTIES
Balance due to related parties: Balance due to related parties as at December 31, 2009 is
$2,548, and consists of a payable amount of $3,867 paid by Navios
Holdings on behalf of the Company relating to the acquisition of 301,874 general partnership units and a receivable amount of
$1,319 relating to investment income.
Balance due to related parties as at December 31, 2008 is $406, and consists of a payable
amount of $918 paid by Navios Holdings on behalf of the Company relating to the acquisition of
63,906 general partnership units and a receivable amount of $512 relating to investment income.
F-4
NOTE 3: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On February 8, 2010, the Company acquired 82,143 general partnership units in order to
maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the
units amounted to $1,274.
On March 18, 2010, the Company acquired 23,964 general partnership units in order to
maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the
units amounted to $408.
On May 5, 2010, the Company acquired 105,613 general partnership units in order to
maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the
units amounted to $1,884.
On
October 14, 2010, the Company acquired 129,082 general partnership units to the in
order to maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of
the units amounted to $2,278.
F-5
NAVIOS GP L.L.C.
BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note |
|
|
2010
(Unaudited) |
|
|
December 31,
2009 |
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in Navios Maritime Partners L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,039 |
|
|
|
3,916 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,039 |
|
|
|
3,916 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,040 |
|
|
$ |
3,917 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts due to related parties |
|
|
2 |
|
|
$ |
4,823 |
|
|
$ |
2,548 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,823 |
|
|
|
2,548 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,216 |
|
|
|
1,368 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,217 |
|
|
|
1,369 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7,040 |
|
|
$ |
3,917 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets
F-6
NAVIOS GP L.L.C.
UNAUDITED NOTES TO THE BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
NOTE 1: NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Navios GP
L.L.C. (the Company), a Marshall Islands limited liability company, was formed on
August 7, 2007 to become the general partner of Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (Navios Partners).
The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Maritime Holdings
Inc. (Navios Holdings). On
August 8, 2007, Navios Maritime contributed $1 to the Company in exchange for a 100.0% ownership
interest.
On July 1, 2008, the Company acquired 63,906 general partnership units in order to maintain its
2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units amounted to
$918.
On May 8, 2009, the Company acquired 71,429 general partnership units in order to maintain its
2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units amounted to
$737.
On June 9, 2009, the Company acquired 20,408 general partnership units in order to maintain its
2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units amounted to
$207.
On September 23, 2009, the Company acquired 57,143 general partnership units in order to
maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the
units amounted to $698.
On October 15, 2009, the Company acquired 7,355 general partnership units in order to maintain
its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units
amounted to $90.
On November 24, 2009, the Company acquired 81,633 general partnership units in order to
maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the
units amounted to $1,216.
On February 8, 2010, the Company acquired 82,143 general partnership units in order to maintain
its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units
amounted to $1,274.
On March 18, 2010, the Company acquired 23,964 general partnership units in order to maintain
its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units
amounted to $408.
On May 5, 2010, the Company acquired 105,613 general partnership units in order to maintain its
2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the units amounted to
$1,884.
The Companys investment in the Partnership for its 2.0% general partner interest amounted to
$7,039 at September 30, 2010 and $3,916 as of December 31, 2009. The Company held 883,428 general
partnership units as of September 30, 2010 and 671,708 as of December 31, 2009.
NOTE 2: RELATED PARTIES
Balance due to related parties: Included in the current liabilities as at September 30, 2010
is an amount of $4,823 which represents the current account payable to Navios Holdings and its
subsidiaries. The balance consists of a payable amount of $7,433 relating to the acquisition of
513,594 general partnership units and a receivable amount of $2,610 relating to investment income.
F-7
Balance due to related parties as at December 31, 2009 is $2,548, and consists of a payable
amount of $3,867 paid by Navios Holdings on behalf of the Company relating to the acquisition
of 301,874 general partnership units and a receivable amount of $1,319 relating to investment
income.
NOTE 3: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On
October 14, 2010, the Company acquired 129,082 general partnership units in order to
maintain its 2% general partner interest in Navios Partners. The total acquisition cost of the
units amounted to $2,278.
F-8
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 9 of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Revised Partnership Act provides as follows:
Indemnification. Subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its
partnership agreement, a partnership may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless
any partner or other person from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.
We generally indemnify our directors and officers and the other affiliates of our general
partner to the fullest extent permitted by the law against all losses, claims, damages or similar
events and the description of such indemnification is contained in our prospectus dated November
12, 2007 and included in our registration statement on Form F-1, as amended, initially filed with
the SEC on October 26, 2007 incorporated herein by this reference.
Item 9. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Exhibits.
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description of Document |
|
|
|
5.1*
|
|
Opinion of Reeder & Simpson P.C. regarding legality of the securities being registered |
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A. (Filed herewith) |
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers
S.A. (Filed herewith) |
|
|
|
23.3*
|
|
Consent of Reeder & Simpson P.C. (to be included in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration
Statement on Form F-3). |
|
|
|
24.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (Included on signature page). |
|
|
|
* |
|
To be filed by amendment. |
Item 10. Undertakings.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial
statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a
continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the prospectus,
by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph
(a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at
least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the
II-1
foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not
be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act or Rule 3-19 of this chapter if such financial statements and information are
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant
to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in the Form F-3.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)shall be deemed to be
part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and
included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part
of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule
415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration
statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness
or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the
prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is
at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the
registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that
prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration
statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document
incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that
is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior
to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration
statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document
immediately prior to such effective date; or
(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act
of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The undersigned registrant
undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this
registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the
purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following
communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered
to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the
offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the
undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing
material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of
the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned
registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to section
13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the
prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to
security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and
meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X
are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom
the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by
reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is,
II-2
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding)
is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled
by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
(j) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of
determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust
Indenture Act (Act) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission
under section 305(b)2 of the Act.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form F-3 to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Piraeus,
Country of Greece on the 2nd day
of November, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAVIOS MARITIME PARTNERS L.P.
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Angeliki Frangou
|
|
|
|
Name: |
Angeliki Frangou |
|
|
|
Title: |
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer |
|
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The registrant and each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Angeliki
Frangou his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign and file any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement, and any registration statement (including any amendments thereto) for this offering that
is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises,
as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Angeliki Frangou
Angeliki Frangou
|
|
Chairman
of the Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
November 2, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Efstratios Desypris
Efstratios Desypris
|
|
Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
November 2, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
November 2, 2010 |
George Achniotis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
November 2, 2010 |
Shunji Sasada |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
November 2, 2010 |
Serafeim Kriempardis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
November 2, 2010 |
Michael Sarris |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
November 2, 2010 |
Robert Pierot |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
|
|
November 2, 2010 |
John Karakadas |
|
|
|
|
II-4
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRANT
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, a duly authorized
representative of Navios Maritime Partners L.P. in the United States, has signed the Registration
Statement in the City of Newark, State of Delaware on the 2nd day of
November, 2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Donald J. Puglisi
|
|
|
|
Name: |
Donald J. Puglisi |
|
|
|
Title: |
Managing Director |
|
II-5
Exhibit Index
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description of Document |
5.1*
|
|
Opinion of Reeder & Simpson P.C. regarding legality of the securities being registered |
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A. (Filed herewith) |
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A. (Filed herewith) |
|
|
|
23.3*
|
|
Consent of Reeder & Simpson P.C. (to be included in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration
Statement on Form F-3). |
|
|
|
24.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (Included on signature page). |
|
|
|
* |
|
To be filed by amendment. |
II-6
exv23w1
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby
consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of
Navios Maritime Partners L.P. of our report dated November 2, 2010 relating to the balance sheets of Navios GP L.L.C., which appear in such Registration
Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Registration
Statement.
PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.
Athens, Greece
November 2, 2010
exv23w2
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of
our report dated February 26, 2010, relating to the consolidated financial statements, and the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Navios Maritime
Partners L.P.s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009. We also consent to
the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Registration Statement.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
S.A.
Athens, Greece
November 2, 2010