F-3
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2009
Registration Statement No. [ ]
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
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(Primary Standard Industrial
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(I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization)
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Classification Code Number)
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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:
Kenneth R. Koch, Esq.
Todd E. Mason, 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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Proposed Maximum |
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Amount to be |
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Aggregate Offering |
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Aggregate |
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Amount of |
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Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered |
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Registered(1) |
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Price Per Unit(1) |
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Offering Price(1) |
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Registration Fee(2) |
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Common units representing limited partnership interests |
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Debt Securities |
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Total |
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$500,000,000.00 |
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$ |
19,650.00 |
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(1) |
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An indeterminate principal amount or number of our common units and debt securities may
be issued in primary offerings from time to time at indeterminate prices, with an aggregate
offering price not to exceed $500,000,000. |
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(2) |
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Estimated solely for purposes of determining the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 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 January 28, 2009
PROSPECTUS
$500,000,000
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 January 27, 2009, the last reported sales price of our common units on the NYSE was
$7.65 per common unit.
Investing in our common units involves risks that are described in the Risk Factors section
beginning on page 4 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 [ ] [ ], 2009.
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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i
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., Navios Partners, 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, or for historical periods prior to November
16, 2007 refer to Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Navios
ShipManagement Inc., or Navios ShipManagement. 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 referring to existing
credit facility, credit facility or similar terms
refer to our revolving credit facility, as will be amended on
January 2009.
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.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS 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,
2007 (the Annual Report); |
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our Current Report on Form 6-K/A reporting results for the fiscal
quarter ended September 30, 2008 filed on
January 28, 2009; |
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our Current Report on Form 6-K dated July 10, 2008, filed on July 10, 2008; |
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our Current Report on Form 6-K dated July 1, 2008, filed on July 2, 2008; |
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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 a part hereof after
the date of this prospectus but before the termination of the offering
by this prospectus; and |
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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. |
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:
85 Akti Miaouli Street
Piraeus, Greece 185 38
(011) +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.
iv
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 4.
Navios Maritime Partners L.P.
We
are an international owner and operator of Capesize and Panamax vessels, formed on
August 7, 2007 under the laws of Marshall Islands by Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (Navios
Holdings), a vertically integrated seaborne shipping and logistics company with over 50 years of
operating history in the drybulk shipping industry. Navios GP L.L.C. (the General Partner), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Navios Holdings, was also formed on that date to act as the general
partner of Navios Partners and received a 2% general partner interest. Our vessels are employed
under long-term time charters with an average remaining term of approximately 4.4 years to a strong
group of counterparties, consisting of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Cargill International SA, Ltd.,
Rio Tinto Shipping Pty Ltd., Augustea Atlantica SrL Charterers, The Sanko Steamship Co., Ltd. and
Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha.
In
connection with our IPO, on November 16, 2007, we acquired interests in five
wholly-owned subsidiaries of Navios Holdings, each of which owned a Panamax drybulk carrier, as
well as interests in three wholly-owned subsidiaries of Navios Holdings that operated and had
options to purchase three additional vessels in exchange for (a) all of the net estimated proceeds
of $193.3 million from the sale of 10,000,000 common units in the IPO and the sale of 500,000
common units in a concurrent private offering to a corporation owned by Navios Partners Chairman
and CEO, (b) $160.0 million drawn under a credit facility entered into in connection with our IPO,
(c) 7,621,843 subordinated units issued to Navios Holdings and (d) the issuance to the General
Partner of the 2% general partner interest and all incentive distribution rights in Navios
Partners. Initially, Navios Holdings had a 43.2% interest in Navios Partners, including the 2%
general partner interest.
After
the issuance on July 1, 2008 of 3,131,415 common units to Navios Holdings for the
acquisition of Navios Aurora I, and the issuance of additional general partner units, there are
currently outstanding: 13,631,415 common units, 7,621,843 subordinated units and 433,740 general
partner units. As of December 31, 2008, Navios Holdings owned a 51.6% interest in Navios Partners,
including the 2% general partner interest.
Navios
Partners is engaged in the seaborne transportation services of a wide range of
drybulk commodities including iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizer, chartering its vessels under
medium to long-term charters.
Our
fleet consists of eight modern, active Panamax vessels, one modern Capesize vessel and one
newbuild Capesize vessel, Navios TBN I, which we have agreed to purchase from Navios Holdings when
it is delivered, which is expected to occur in June 2009. Assuming delivery of Navios TBN I in June
2009, our fleet of high-quality Panamax and Capesize vessels will have an average age, weighted by
dead weight ton, of approximately 5.5 years in June 2009, which is significantly younger than the
current industry average of about 16 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. 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 have been fixed under appropriate
long-term charters.
1
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. 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, 2009.
The following table provides summary information about our fleet:
FLEET PROFILE
Owned Vessels
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Charter |
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Rate per |
Vessels |
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Type |
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Built |
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DWT |
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Expiration Date (1) |
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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 2009 |
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$ |
19,523 |
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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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December 2010 |
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$ |
23,513 |
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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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April 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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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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March 2014 |
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$ |
36,290 |
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Navios Aurora I (3) |
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Panamax |
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2005 |
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75,397 |
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February 2009 |
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33,863 |
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April 2009 |
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3,000 |
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April 2010 |
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11,000 |
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September 2013 |
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17,000 |
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Owned Vessels to be delivered
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Charter |
Vessels |
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Type |
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Expected Delivery |
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DWT |
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Delivery date |
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Rate |
Navios TBN I (4) |
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Capesize |
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June 2009 |
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180,000 |
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June 2014 |
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$ |
47,400 |
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Long-term Chartered-in Vessels
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Charter |
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Purchase |
Vessels |
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Type |
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Built |
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DWT |
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Expiration Date |
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Rate |
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option |
Navios Prosperity |
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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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Yes (5) |
Navios Aldebaran |
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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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Yes (6) |
2
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(1) |
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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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(2) |
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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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(3) |
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In January 2009 Navios Partners and its counterparty to the Navios Aurora I charter party mutually
agreed for a lump sum amount of approximately $30.5 million to be received in the first quarter of 2009. Under a
new charter agreement, the balance of the aggregate value of the original contract will be allocated to the
period until its original expiration. |
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(4) |
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We have agreed to purchase Navios TBN I, when it is delivered in June 2009, from Navios Holdings for
$130.0 million, which we expect to fund through borrowings under our existing credit facility
and the issuance of additional common units at such time. |
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(5) |
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Navios Prosperity is chartered-in until June 2014 and we have options to extend for two
one-year periods. We have the option to purchase the vessel after July 2012 at a purchase
price that is initially 3.8 billion Japanese Yen ($42.1 million based
upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2008), declining pro rata by
145 million Japanese Yen ($1.60 million based upon the exchange rate
at December 31, 2008) per calendar
year. |
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(6) |
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Navios Aldebaran was delivered on March 17, 2008. Navios Aldebaran is chartered-in until
March 2015 and we have options to extend for two one-year periods. We have the option to
purchase the vessel after March 2013 at a purchase price that is
initially 3.6 billion Japanese Yen
($40.0 million based upon the exchange rate at December 31, 2008) declining pro rata by 150
million Japanese Yen ($1.65 million based upon the exchange rate at
December 31, 2008) per calendar
year. |
Additionally, we have the option to acquire a newbuild Capesize vessel, Navios TBN II, from
Navios Holdings upon delivery of such vessel to Navios Holdings which is expected to occur in
October 2009.
3
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, or any distribution following the establishment of cash
reserves and payment of fees and expenses. The amount of cash we can distribute on our common units
principally depends 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 2009; |
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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:
4
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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 and volatile 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 December 31, 2008, 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, 2008 to December 31, 2008, the Baltic Exchanges
Capesize time charter average daily rates experienced a low of $2,316 and a high of $233,988. 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. The demand for vessels, in general, has 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; |
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political developments; and |
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embargoes and strikes. |
In connection with the IPO, we entered into a share purchase agreement with a subsidiary of
Navios Holdings to purchase its interests in the subsidiary that owns the newbuilding Capesize
Navios TBN I at the pre-determined purchase price of $130.0 million. We will purchase from a
subsidiary of Navios Holdings its interests in the subsidiary that owns the newbuilding upon
delivery of the vessel to the subsidiary. Even if the market value of the Capesize declines by the
time the newbuilding is actually delivered to the vessel-owning subsidiary, we will still be
required to purchase the interests in that subsidiary at the price specified in the share purchase
agreement. As a result, we may pay substantially more for that vessel than we would pay if we were
to purchase that vessel from an unaffiliated third party.
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. A decline in the market value of
our vessels is a default under our existing credit facility of $295.0 million, or any other
prospective credit facility to which we become a party, affect our ability to refinance our
existing credit facility and/or limit our ability to obtain additional financing.
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 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, 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
6
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 December 2010 to
January 2018. 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 under any new contracts 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 existing 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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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, which are at historical highs; 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
existing credit facility. We purchased our vessels from Navios Holdings based on market prices
which were at historically high levels. If we breach such 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
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operating surplus, which may result in less cash available to unitholders than if actual
maintenance and replacement capital expenditures were deducted.
We must make substantial capital expenditures to maintain, over the long term, the operating
capacity of our fleet. These maintenance and replacement capital expenditures include capital
expenditures associated with drydocking a vessel, modifying an existing vessel or acquiring a new
vessel to the extent these expenditures are incurred to maintain the operating capacity of our
fleet.
These expenditures could increase as a result of changes in:
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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 2009 are included in a daily fee of $4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and
$5,000 per owned Capesize vessel that we pay Navios ShipManagement Inc., a subsidiary of Navios
Holdings, under a management agreement. The initial term of the management agreement is until
November 2012 and this fee is fixed until November 2009. From November 2009 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 prior to their delivery and generation of revenue.
In addition, we intend to finance the purchase of Navios TBN I, to be delivered in 2009, partly
with debt and partly by issuing additional equity securities. Depending on whether we finance our
expenditures through cash from operations or by issuing debt or equity securities, our ability to
8
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.
We have entered into an agreement to purchase the newbuilding Navios TBN I and related time
charter in June 2009 for $130.0 million. We intend to finance the purchase of Navios TBN I
partially with borrowings under our existing credit facility and partially by issuing additional
common units or other equity securities.
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. After borrowing under our existing credit facility to finance the
purchase of Navios TBN I in June 2009, we will have no borrowing capacity under such credit
facility unless we increase the size of the facility. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to
access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the
time of any such financing or offering as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from,
among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond
our control. Our failure to obtain the funds for necessary future capital expenditures could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our
ability to make cash distributions. Even if we successfully obtain necessary funds, the terms of
such financings could limit our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders. In addition,
incurring additional debt may significantly increase our
interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional 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 existing credit facility may fluctuate and
may impact our operations.
Upon the closing of the IPO, we entered into our existing credit facility which, as amended,
provided us with the ability to borrow up to $295.0 million, of
which $235.0 million was
outstanding as of December 31, 2008. We intend to borrow an additional $60.0 million to finance a
portion of the purchase price of Navios TBN I in June 2009. We do not have the funds or
availability under our existing credit facility to purchase the Navios TBN I and will need to
either raise the funds through the issuance of additional equity or debt securities to satisfy our
obligation. There can be no assurance we will be able to obtain such financing. We have the ability
to incur additional debt, subject to limitations in our existing 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 existing 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 effect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms, or at all.
Our existing credit facility contains restrictive covenants, which may limit our business and
financing activities.
The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our existing 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 existing 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 (including the acquisition of TBN I); and |
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sell or change the beneficial ownership or control of our vessels. |
Our existing credit facility also requires us to comply with the International Safety
Management Code or ISM Code, and the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, or ISPS
Code, and to maintain valid safety management certificates and documents of compliance at all
times.
In
addition, our existing credit facility 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 $13.0 million per
year (increasing by $9.0 million per year on each of December 31, 2009,
December 31, 2010, and December 31, 2011 until it reaches $40.0 million, at
which level it is required to be maintained thereafter) of which
certain amounts are required to be maintained in an account pledged
to the bank.; |
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maintain a ratio of EBITDA (as defined in our existing credit facility) to
interest expense of at least 2.00 to 1.00; and |
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maintain a ratio of total liabilities to total assets of less than 0.75 to 1.00. |
We
are also required to maintain an aggregate market value (charter
inclusive adjusted) of our financed vessels equal to
143% of the aggregate amount outstanding under our existing credit facility and a tangible net
worth of at least $100.0 million.
In January 2009 Navios Partners has agreed to amend the terms of its existing credit facility.
The amendment will be effective until January 15, 2010 and will provide for (a) repayment of $40.0
million in February 2009, (b) cash reserves into a pledged account with the agent bank as follows:
$2.5 million on January 31, 2009; $5.0 million on March 31, 2009; $7.5 million on June 30, 2009,
$10.0 million on September 30, 2009; $12.5 million on December 31, 2009 and (c) margin at 2.25% .
Further, the covenants will be amended (a) by reducing the minimum net worth to $100.0 million, (b)
by reducing the VMC (Value Maintenance Covenant) to be below 100% using charter free values and (c)
the minimum leverage covenant to be calculated using charter inclusive adjusted values until
December 31, 2009, while a new VMC is introduced based on charter attached valuations that should
be at 143%. The new revised covenants will be applied for 2008 year-end compliance purposes.
However, if we were required to use the original loan covenants on December 31, 2008 to test
compliance, we may not have been in compliance with certain covenants using charter free
valuations.
Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions that are contained in our existing
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
existing 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 existing credit facility will be 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 units. In addition, our existing 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 existing 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 to own at least 30% of us. |
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 a subsidiary of Navios Holdings, Navios
ShipManagement Inc., Navios 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. |
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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 vessel 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.
Our growth depends on the 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 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 pastincrease in seaborne drybulk trade and the demand for drybulk carriers. The
negative change in economic conditions in any Asian Pacific country, but particularly in China or
Japan, as well
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as India, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations, as well as our future prospects, by further 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.
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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
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. |
Delays, cancellations or non-completion of deliveries of newbuilding vessels could harm our
operating results.
One of our vessels, Navios TBN I is a newbuilding the delivery of which could be delayed, not
completed or cancelled, which would delay our receipt of revenues under the charters or other
contracts related to the vessel. 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.
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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. |
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, 2008, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd, Cargill
International S.A., Sanko Steamship Co., Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha, and Augustea Imprese Maritime
accounted for approximately 24.2%, 23.4%, 16.2%, 12.4% and 10.2%, respectively, of our total
revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2007, Cargill International S.A., The Sanko Steamship
Co., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Augustea Imprese Maritime and Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha accounted
for approximately 30.0%, 22.0%, 17.0%, 13.5% and 9.4% respectively, of our total revenues. Upon
delivery of Navios TBN I, we will have ten charters with seven customers.
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 |
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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
suchcustomer, time charter or vessel.
The risks and costs associated with vessels increase as the vessels age.
Assuming delivery of Navios TBN I in June 2009, the vessels in our fleet will have an average
age of approximately 5.5 years in June 2009, 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 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.
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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, the costs of
drydocking repairs are included in the daily management fee of $4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and
$5,000 per owned Capesize vessel which is fixed until November 2009. From November 2009 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. The failure of a shipowner or bareboat charterer to comply 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.
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.
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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 Bunker Convention, which
imposes strict liability on shipowners for pollution damage and response costs incurred in
contracting states as a result of discharges, or threatened discharges of bunker oil from all
classes of ships including drybulk vessels. The Bunker Convention also requires registered owners
of ships over a certain size to maintain insurance to cover their liability for pollution damage in
an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international
limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the Convention on
Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976, as amended, or the 1976 Convention). The Bunker
Convention became effective in contracting states on November 21, 2008. In non-contracting states,
liability for such bunker oil pollution typically is determined by the national or other domestic
laws in the jurisdiction where the spillage occurs.
In the United States, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, establishes an extensive
regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills,
including bunker oil spills from drybulk vessels as well as cargo or bunker oil spills from
tankers. 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 the 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.
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 where 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. Finally, some jurisdictions are not
a party to either the 1976 Convention or the Protocol of 1996, and, therefore, a shipowners
rights to limit liability for maritime pollution in such jurisdictions may be uncertain.
In 2005, the European Union adopted a directive on ship-source pollution, imposing criminal
sanctions for intentional, reckless or seriously negligent pollution discharges by ships. The
directive could result in criminal liability being incurred in circumstances where it would not be
incurred under international law as set out in the International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships, or the MARPOL Convention. Criminal liability for an oil 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
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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 may be subject to costs to comply with similar regulations which may be adopted in
the future in response to terrorism.
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of initiatives
intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the Maritime Transportation Security Act
of 2002, or MTSA, came into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the
U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements
aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in
December 2002, amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS,
created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new
chapter went into effect in July 2004, and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels
and port authorities, most of which are contained in the newly created International Ship and Port
Facilities Security Code, or 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, by July 1, 2004, 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
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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 of the country of registry of
the vessel and the United Nations Safety of Life at Sea Convention. Our owned fleet is currently
enrolled with Nippon Kaiji Kiokai and Bureau Veritas.
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
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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 it was 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.
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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 rises or falls in value can increase or decrease,
making our income susceptible to fluctuation. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2008,
the value of the U.S. dollar increased by approximately 4.4% 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.
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 Gulf of Aden and 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.
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.
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
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 government, state governments and foreign governments have implemented and are
considering a broad variety of governmental action and/or new regulation of the financial markets.
Securities and
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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.
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
existing credit facility or any future financial arrangements. The current market conditions may
last longer than we anticipate. These recent and 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.
Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us
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 our IPO, Navios Holdings and its controlled affiliates (other than us, our general
partner and our subsidiaries) generally agreed not to acquire or own Panamax or Capesize drybulk
carriers under time charters of three or more years without the consent of our general partner. The
omnibus agreement, however, contains significant exceptions that allow Navios Holdings or any of
its controlled affiliates to compete with us under specified circumstances which could harm our
business.
Unitholders have limited voting rights and our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of
unitholders owning more than 4.9% of our common units.
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Holders of common units have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business. We
will 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 will be elected on a staggered basis and will 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 662/3% 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 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 currently owns the 2.0% general partner interest and a 49.6% limited partner
interest in us, which includes both common and subordinated units, 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 as such they have fiduciary duties to Navios Holdings that
may cause them to pursue business strategies that disproportionately benefit Navios Holdings or
which otherwise are not in the best interests of us or our unitholders. Conflicts of interest may
arise between Navios Holdings and its 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 contrary to our interests; |
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our general partner and our board of directors are allowed to take
into account the interests of |
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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 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 conducts businesses and activities of its 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
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 Holdings and its affiliates. Each of our Chief
Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer is also an executive officer of Navios Holdings.
Our partnership agreement limits our general partners and our directors fiduciary duties to our
unitholders and restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our general
partner or our directors.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the standards to which our general
partner and directors would otherwise be held by Marshall Islands law. For example, our partnership agreement:
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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, 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 be 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
$4,000 per owned Panamax vessel and $5,000 per owned Capesize vessel for technical and commercial
management services provided to us by Navios ShipManagement. The initial term of the management
agreement is until November 2012 and this fee is fixed until November 2009. 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 2009, 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 higher fees
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that period. Certain associated costs, including oil-related costs such as lubricants, and
crewing costs have fluctuated significantly in the past, increasing the uncertainty of our
expenses. 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.
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 upon completion of the
IPO 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 49.6% of the total number of
outstanding common and subordinated 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
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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.
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.
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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 10,753,258 common
units, representing a 49.6% limited partner interest in us.
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 in 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
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provides that for a period of three years from the date of the impermissible
distribution, limited partners who received the distribution and who knew at the time of the
distribution that it violated Marshall Islands law will be liable to the limited partnership for
the distribution amount. Assignees who become substituted limited partners are liable for the
obligations of the assignor to make contributions to the partnership that are known to the assignee
at the time it became a limited partner and for unknown obligations if the liabilities could be
determined from the partnership agreement. Liabilities to partners on account of their partnership
interest and liabilities that are non-recourse to the partnership are not counted for purposes of
determining whether a distribution is permitted.
Tax Risks
In addition to the following risk factors, you should read
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations and Non-U.S. Tax Considerations on pages [ ] and [ ], respectively, for a
more complete discussion of the expected material U.S. federal and non-U.S. income tax
considerations relating to us and the ownership and disposition of common units.
U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a passive foreign investment company, which could have
adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. unitholders.
A non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be
treated as a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes
if at least 75.0% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of passive
income, or at least 50.0% of the average value of the entitys assets produce or are held for the
production of those types of passive income. For purposes of these tests, passive income
generally includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property, and
rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in
connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income
derived from the performance of services does not constitute passive income. U.S. unitholders of
a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income
derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC, and the gain, if any, they
derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC.
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 2008 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.
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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. In addition, legislation has been proposed that, if
enacted, would eliminate the preferential tax rate with respect to dividends paid after December
31, 2007, thereby causing such dividends to be taxed at ordinary income rates. As of
the date hereof, it is not possible to predict with any certainty whether any of this proposed
legislation will be enacted.
We may have to pay tax on U.S. source income, which would reduce our earnings.
Under 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 after this
offering. 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% U.S. federal gross income tax with respect to our U.S. source shipping income
or, if
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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 (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) 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 have 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.
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,
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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 and Capesize 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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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:
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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 Cash
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
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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 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.
37
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:
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the title; |
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any limit on the amount that may be issued; |
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whether or not we will issue the series of notes in global form, the terms and who the
depository will be; |
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the maturity date; |
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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; |
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whether or not the notes will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt; |
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the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt; |
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the place where payments will be made; |
38
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our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length
of any such deferral period; |
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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; |
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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; |
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whether the indenture will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or
will require us to maintain any asset ratios or reserves; |
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whether we will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness; |
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a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax
considerations applicable to the notes; |
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the denominations in which we will issue the series of notes, if other
than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; and |
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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:
39
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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; |
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if we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due and the time for
payment has not been extended or delayed; |
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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 |
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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:
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the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law
or the applicable indenture; and |
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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:
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the holder has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a
continuing event of default |
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with respect to that series; |
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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 |
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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:
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to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; and |
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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:
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extending the fixed maturity of the series of notes; |
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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 |
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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:
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register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series; |
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replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series; |
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maintain paying agencies; |
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hold monies for payment in trust; |
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compensate and indemnify the trustee; and |
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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:
42
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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 |
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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.
43
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.
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
44
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.
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.
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.
46
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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 |
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 |
% |
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON UNITS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
As
of January 27, 2009, there were 13,631,415 common units outstanding. Our common units began trading on the New York Stock Exchange
on November 16, 2007 at an initial offering price of $19.00 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
January 27, 2009 was $7.65 per
common unit.
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Price Range |
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High |
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Low |
Year Ended: |
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December 31, 2008 |
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$ |
18.85 |
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$ |
3.36 |
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December 31, 2007* |
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$ |
19.45 |
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$ |
17.40 |
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Quarter Ended: |
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March 31, 2009 (through
January 27, 2009) |
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$ |
8.49 |
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$ |
6.39 |
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December 31, 2008 |
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$ |
8.7 |
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$ |
3.10 |
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September 30, 2008 |
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$ |
14.61 |
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$ |
6.97 |
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June 30, 2008 |
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$ |
15.26 |
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$ |
13.81 |
|
March 31, 2008 |
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$ |
18.85 |
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$ |
13.83 |
|
December 31, 2007* |
|
$ |
19.45 |
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$ |
17.40 |
|
Month Ended: |
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January 31, 2009 (through
January 27, 2009) |
|
$ |
8.49 |
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$ |
6.39 |
|
December 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
7.14 |
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$ |
4.13 |
|
November 30, 2008 |
|
$ |
7.74 |
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$ |
3.36 |
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Price Range |
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|
High |
|
Low |
October 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
7.68 |
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$ |
4.72 |
|
September 30, 2008 |
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$ |
12.23 |
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$ |
6.63 |
|
August 31, 2008 |
|
$ |
12.00 |
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$ |
11.17 |
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* |
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Period commenced on November 16, 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.
Following the completion of our IPO on November 16, 2007, the following cash distributions have
been declared and paid:
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Distributions for Quarter |
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Amount of Cash |
|
|
Ended |
|
Distributions |
|
Cash Distributions per Unit |
September 30, 2008
|
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$8.3 million
|
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$0.385 per unit |
June 30, 2008
|
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$6.5 million
|
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$0.35 per unit |
March 31, 2008
|
|
$6.5 million**
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|
$0.35 per unit |
December 31, 2007*
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$3.2 million
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$0.175 per unit |
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* |
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Prorated for the period from November 16, 2007 to December 31, 2007. |
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** |
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Rounded up. |
48
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations that may
be relevant to 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 Code, 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, 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, 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 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 shares 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.
49
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 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 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 nontaxable return of capital to the
extent of the U.S. Holders tax basis in its common units 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 on which we expect our
common units to be 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
50
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.
In addition, under legislation proposed in the U.S. Congress, the preferential rate of federal
income tax currently imposed on qualified dividend income would be denied 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 foreign country that does not have a comprehensive income tax system. Because the
Marshall Islands imposes only limited taxes on corporations organized under its laws, it is likely
that, if this legislation were enacted, the preferential tax rates imposed on qualified dividend
income would no longer be applicable to dividends received from us. Legislation has also been
proposed that, if enacted, would limit the preferential tax rate to dividends paid on or before
December 31, 2007. 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. As of the date
hereof, it is not possible to predict with any certainty whether any of this legislation will be
enacted.
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 ConsiderationsU.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. HoldersDistributions). 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
51
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 would
not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income generally would constitute passive
income unless we were treated as deriving our rental income in the active conduct of a trade or
business under the applicable rules.
Based on our current and projected methods of 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
income or assets, respectively, and (2) so long as our income from time charters exceeds 25% 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% 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 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. 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.
52
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 an
election to treat us as a Qualified Electing Fund, which we refer to as a QEF election. As an
alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a mark-to-market
election with respect to our common units, as discussed below.
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 QEF election or a mark-to-market election for that year (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% 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:
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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; |
53
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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; |
54
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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.
Tax Consequences of Ownership of Debt Securities
A description of the material federal income tax consequences of the registration, ownership
and disposition of debt securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the
offering of any debt securities.
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.
SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL 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
55
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 CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue,
13th Floor, New York, NY 10011, 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 Marshall Islands would (1) recognize or enforce against
us, our general partners 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 officers in
original actions brought in the Marshall Islands, based on these laws.
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 of Navios Maritime Partners L.P. incorporated in this
prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007,
have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports 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, 2007 and August 8, 2007 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.
56
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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$ |
19,650 |
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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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* |
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Accounting fees and expenses |
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* |
|
Printing and engraving costs |
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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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$ |
19,650 |
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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. |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-3 regarding the securities
covered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information found in the
registration statement. For further information regarding us and the securities offered in this
prospectus, you may wish to review the full registration statement, including its exhibits. In
addition, we file annual, quarterly and other reports with and furnish information to the SEC. You
may inspect and copy any document we file with or furnish to the SEC at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates
or from the SECs website on the Internet at www.sec.gov free of charge. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on public reference rooms.
We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and, in
accordance therewith, are required to file with the SEC annual reports on Form 20-F within six
months of our fiscal year-end, and provide to the SEC other material information on Form
6-K. These reports and other information may be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC or obtained from the SECs website as provided above.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt under the Securities Exchange Act from, among other
things, certain rules prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our directors
and principal unitholders and the executive officers of our general partner are exempt from the
reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange
Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and
financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities
are registered under the Exchange Act, including the filing of quarterly reports or current reports
on Form 8-K. However, we furnish or make available to our unitholders annual reports containing our
audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and make available
to our unitholders quarterly reports containing our unaudited interim financial information for the
first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year.
57
We make our periodic reports as well as other information filed with or furnished to the SEC
available, free of charge, through our website, at www.navios-mlp.com, as soon as reasonably
practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to
the SEC.
58
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 of Navios GP L.L.C. present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Navios GP L.L.C. (the Company) at December 31, 2007 and
August 8, 2007, 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
January 27, 2009
F-2
NAVIOS GP L.L.C.
BALANCE SHEET
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
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December 31, |
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August 8, |
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Note |
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2007 |
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2007 |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets |
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Cash |
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$ |
1 |
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$ |
1 |
|
Investment in Navios Maritime Partners L.P. |
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32 |
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0 |
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Total current assets |
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33 |
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1 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
33 |
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1 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Members Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.
F-3
NAVIOS GP L.L.C.
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. (the
Partnership). The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.
(Navios Maritime). On August 8, 2007, Navios Maritime contributed $1 to the Company in exchange
for a 100.0% ownership interest. The Companys investment in the Partnership for its 2.0% general
partner interest amounted to $32 as of December 31, 2007. There have been no other transactions
involving the Company as of December 31, 2007.
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash deposits held on
call with banks.
(b) Investment in an affiliate: Investment in an affiliate is an investment in an entity over
which the Company has significant influence, but which it does not exercise control. This type of
investment is accounted for by the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the Company
records an investment in the stock of an affiliate at cost, and adjusts the carrying amount for its share of the earnings or losses of
the affiliate subsequent to the date of investment and reports the recognized earnings or losses in
income. Dividends received from an affiliate reduce the carrying amount of the investment. When the
Companys share of losses in an affiliate equals or exceeds its interest in the affiliate, the
Company does not recognize further losses, unless the Company has incurred obligations or made
payments on behalf of the affiliate.
NOTE 3: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On
July 1, 2008, the Company acquired additional 63,906 general partnership units in order to
maintain its 2% general partner interest in the Partnership. The total acquisition cost of the
units amounted to $918.
F-4
NAVIOS GP L.L.C.
BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands of U.S. Dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
Note |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
Investment in Navios Maritime Partners L.P. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,032 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,033 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,033 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Members Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts due to related parties |
|
|
|
|
|
|
573 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
573 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
459 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
460 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and members equity |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,033 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these balance sheets.
F-5
NAVIOS GP L.L.C.
UNAUDITED NOTES TO THE BALANCE SHEETS
(In 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. (the
Partnership). The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.
(Navios Maritime). 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 additional 63,906 general
partnership units in order to maintain its 2% general partnership
interest in the Partnership. The total acquisition cost of the units
amounted to $918.
The Companys investment in the Partnership for its 2.0% general partner interest amounted to
$1,032 at September 30, 2008. There have been no other transactions involving the Company as of
September 30, 2008.
NOTE 2: RELATED PARTIES
Balance due to related parties: Included in the current liabilities as at September 31, 2008
is an amount of $573 which represents the current liabilities due to Navios Holdings and its
subsidiaries. The balance consists of a payable amount of $918 which
was paid by Navios Holdings
on behalf of General Partner relating to the acquisition of 63,906 general partnership units and a
receivable amount of $512 for the receipt of the Partnerships dividend by Navios Holding on behalf of General Partner of the investment income
from dividends of Navios Partners amounting to $345.
F-6
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.
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
1.1*
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement |
|
|
|
1.2**
|
|
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Navios Maritime Partners L.P. |
|
|
|
1.3**
|
|
First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Navios
Maritime Partners L.P. |
|
|
|
1.4**
|
|
Certificate of Formation of Navios GP L.L.C. |
|
|
|
1.5**
|
|
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Navios GP L.L.C. |
|
|
|
1.6**
|
|
Certificate of Formation of Navios Operating GP L.L.C. |
|
|
|
1.7**
|
|
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Navios GP L.L.C. |
|
|
|
1.8**
|
|
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Navios Operating GP L.L.C. |
|
|
|
4.1**
|
|
Omnibus Agreement |
|
|
|
4.2**
|
|
Management Agreement with Navios ShipManagement |
|
|
|
4.3**
|
|
Administrative Services Agreement with Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. |
|
|
|
4.4**
|
|
Form of First Contribution and Conveyance Agreement |
|
|
|
4.5**
|
|
Form of Second Contribution and Conveyance Agreement go under 4s or 10s |
|
|
|
4.6**
|
|
Form of Share Purchase Agreement for Navios TBN I |
|
|
|
4.7**
|
|
Form of Share Purchase Agreement for Navios TBN II |
|
|
|
4.8***
|
|
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility Agreement |
|
|
|
4.9**
|
|
Common Unit Purchase Agreement between Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and
Amadeus Maritime S.A. |
|
|
|
5.1*
|
|
Opinion of Reeder and Simpson, P.C. as to the legality of the securities
being registered |
|
|
|
8.1*
|
|
Opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. relating to
tax matters |
|
|
|
8.2*
|
|
Opinion of Reeder and Simpson, P.C. relating to tax matters |
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consents of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A. |
|
|
|
23.2*
|
|
Consent of Reeder and Simpson, P.C. (contained in Exhibit 5.1 and 8.2) |
|
|
|
23.3*
|
|
Consent of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. (contained
in Exhibit 8.1) |
|
|
|
24.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (included on signature page) |
|
|
|
99.1****
|
|
Share Purchase Agreement for Navios Aurora I |
II-1
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
99.2**** |
|
Registration Rights Agreement |
|
|
|
* |
|
To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K of the registrant
that is incorporated by reference into this registration statement. |
|
** |
|
Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrants registration statement on Form F-1 (File
No. 333-146972) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by
reference in our Annual Report. |
|
*** |
|
Previously filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 26, 2007 and incorporated by reference in our Annual Report. |
|
**** |
|
Previously filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on July 2, 2008 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
Item 10.
Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
a. To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
b. To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the
registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease
in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes
in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering
price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration
statement;
c. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) of this section do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained
in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant
pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in the
II-2
registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)
that is part of the 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 of 1933 need not be furnished, provided that the
registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial
statements required pursuant to this paragraph 4 and other information necessary to ensure that
all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial
statements. Notwithstanding the 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 of 1933 or § 210.3-19 of this chapter if such
financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished
to the Securities and Exchange 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
II-3
or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document
immediately prior to such effective date.
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:
a. Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the
offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
b. 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;
c. 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
d. Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned
registrant to the purchaser.
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 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.
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 Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
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 of 1939 in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and
Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
II-4
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 28th day
of January, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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) |
|
January 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michael McClure
Michael McClure |
|
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer) |
|
January 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ George Achniotis
George Achniotis
|
|
Director
|
|
January 28, 2009 |
II-5
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
/s/ Shunji Sasada
Shunji Sasada
|
|
Director
|
|
January 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Leonidas Korres
Leonidas Korres
|
|
Director
|
|
January 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Efstathios Loizos
Efstathios Loizos
|
|
Director
|
|
January 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robert Pierot
Robert Pierot
|
|
Director
|
|
January 28, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ John Karakadas
John Karakadas
|
|
Director
|
|
January 28, 2009 |
II-6
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
28th day of January, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Donald J. Puglisi
|
|
|
|
Name: |
Donald J. Puglisi |
|
|
|
Title: |
Managing Director
Authorized Representative in the United States |
|
II-7
Exhibit Index
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
1.1*
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement |
|
|
|
1.2**
|
|
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Navios Maritime Partners L.P. |
|
|
|
1.3**
|
|
First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Navios
Maritime Partners L.P. |
|
|
|
1.4**
|
|
Certificate of Formation of Navios GP L.L.C. |
|
|
|
1.5**
|
|
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Navios GP L.L.C. |
|
|
|
1.6**
|
|
Certificate of Formation of Navios Operating GP L.L.C. |
|
|
|
1.7**
|
|
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Navios GP L.L.C. |
|
|
|
1.8** |
|
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Navios Operating GP L.L.C. |
|
4.1** |
|
Omnibus Agreement |
|
|
|
4.2**
|
|
Management Agreement with Navios ShipManagement |
|
|
|
4.3**
|
|
Administrative Services Agreement with Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. |
|
|
|
4.4**
|
|
Form of First Contribution and Conveyance Agreement |
|
|
|
4.5**
|
|
Form of Second Contribution and Conveyance Agreement go under 4s or 10s |
|
|
|
4.6**
|
|
Form of Share Purchase Agreement for Navios TBN I |
|
|
|
4.7**
|
|
Form of Share Purchase Agreement for Navios TBN II |
|
|
|
4.8***
|
|
Revolving Credit and Term Loan Facility Agreement |
|
|
|
4.9**
|
|
Common Unit Purchase Agreement between Navios Maritime Partners L.P. and
Amadeus Maritime S.A. |
|
|
|
5.1*
|
|
Opinion of Reeder and Simpson, P.C. as to the legality of the securities
being registered |
|
|
|
8.1*
|
|
Opinion of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. relating to
tax matters |
|
|
|
8.2*
|
|
Opinion of Reeder and Simpson, P.C. relating to tax matters |
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consents of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A. |
|
|
|
23.2*
|
|
Consent of Reeder and Simpson, P.C. (contained in Exhibit 5.1 and 8.2) |
|
|
|
23.3*
|
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Consent of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. (contained
in Exhibit 8.1) |
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24.1
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Power of Attorney (included on signature page) |
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99.1****
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Share Purchase Agreement for Navios Aurora I |
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99.2****
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Registration Rights Agreement |
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* |
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To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K of the registrant
that is incorporated by reference into this registration statement. |
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** |
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Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrants registration statement on Form F-1 (File
No. 333-146972) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by
reference in our Annual Report. |
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*** |
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Previously filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 26, 2007 and incorporated by reference in our Annual Report. |
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**** |
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Previously filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on July 2, 2008 and hereby incorporated by reference. |
EX-23.1
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 reports dated February 11, 2008 and September 20, 2007 relating to the consolidated financial
statements, which appear in Navios Maritime Partners L.P.s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year
ended December 31, 2007. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such
Registration Statement.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Athens, Greece
January 27, 2009
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of our reports dated
January 27, 2009 and August 13, 2007 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
Athens, Greece
January 27, 2009