20-F
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

(Mark One)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

OR

 

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report:                     

Commission file number: 1-33373

 

 

CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Republic of the Marshall Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus, 18537 Greece

+30 210 458 4950

(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices and company contact person)

 

 

Gerasimos (Jerry) Kalogiratos, j.kalogiratos@capitalmaritime.com

(Name and Email of company contact person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common units representing limited partnership interests   Nasdaq Global Select Market

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

127,246,692 Common Units

2,439,989 General Partner Units

12,983,333 Class B Convertible Preferred Units

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

YES                  NO   

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

YES                  NO   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES                  NO   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

YES                  NO   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  ☐        Accelerated filer  ☒        Non-accelerated filer  ☐        Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP  

  

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued  

by the International Accounting Standards Board

    
Other  

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statements item the registrant has elected to follow.

ITEM 17  ☐                 ITEM 18  ☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES                  NO   ☒

 

 

 


Table of Contents

CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

    
Item 1.   Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors      5  
Item 2.   Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable      5  
Item 3.   Key Information      5  
Item 4.   Information on the Partnership      49  
Item 4A.   Unresolved Staff Comments      65  
Item 5.   Operating and Financial Review and Prospects      66  
Item 6.   Directors, Senior Management and Employees      84  
Item 7.   Major Unitholders and Related-Party Transactions      90  
Item 8.   Financial Information      99  
Item 9.   The Offer and Listing      108  
Item 10.   Additional Information      108  
Item 11.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk      130  
Item 12.   Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities      131  

PART II

    
Item 13.   Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies      132  
Item 14.   Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds      132  
Item 15.   Controls and Procedures      132  
Item 16A.   Audit Committee Financial Expert      134  
Item 16B.   Code of Ethics      134  
Item 16C.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services      134  
Item 16D.   Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees      135  
Item 16E.   Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers      135  
Item 16F.   Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant      135  
Item 16G.   Corporate Governance      135  

PART III

    
Item 17.   Financial Statements      136  
Item 18.   Financial Statements      136  
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      136  
Item 19.   Exhibits      136  

SIGNATURE

    
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      F-1  

 

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ABOUT THIS REPORT

This annual report on Form 20-F (this “Annual Report”) should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included herein (the “Financial Statements”).

In this Annual Report:

 

   

the “Partnership,” “CPLP,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Capital Product Partners L.P. and, unless the context otherwise requires, its consolidated subsidiaries;

 

   

“Capital Maritime” or “CMTC” refer to Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., our sponsor;

 

   

“General Partner” refers to Capital GP L.L.C., our general partner; and

 

   

“Capital Ship Management” or the “Manager” refer to Capital Ship Management Corp., our manager.

TRANSACTION WITH DSS HOLDINGS L.P.

On November 27, 2018, we entered into a definitive transaction agreement with DSS Holdings L.P. (“DSS”), pursuant to which we agreed to combine our crude and product tanker business (the “Tanker Business”) with DSS’s businesses and operations in a share-for-share transaction (the “DSS Transaction”). The DSS Transaction was completed on March 27, 2019.

In connection with the DSS Transaction, among other things:

 

   

DSS paid to us a total amount of $319.7 million;

 

   

we amended our existing 2017 credit facility, prepaid an amount of $89.3 million thereunder, and fully repaid and retired outstanding loans under bilateral facilities, all of which translated into an aggregate repayment of our debt of $146.5 million plus accrued interest and breakage costs;

 

   

we redeemed and retired all outstanding Class B Convertible Preferred Units (the “Class B Units”) at 100% of par value for an aggregate redemption price of $119.5 million;

 

   

we spun off Diamond S Shipping Inc. (“DSSI”), a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary to which we contributed all of our 25 crude and product tankers, by way of a pro rata distribution to the holders of our common and general partner units;

 

   

DSSI combined with DSS’s businesses and operations and issued additional shares of common stock to DSS’s limited partners; and

 

   

we effected a reverse split of our common and general partner units, reducing the number of common units issued and outstanding from 127,246,692 to 18,178,100 common units and the number of general partner units issued and outstanding from 2,439,989 to 348,570 general partner units.

As of the date of this annual report, we own a fleet of 11 vessels, consisting of ten neo panamax container vessels and one drybulk vessel.

One of our objectives in pursuing the DSS Transaction was to divest our older assets, realign our charter coverage towards medium- to long-term charters and create the foundation for engaging in growth transactions that aim to be accretive to our distributable cash flow across different shipping segments.

In view of the DSS Transaction, we adopted a new annual common unit quarterly distribution guidance of $0.315 per common unit (on a reverse split-adjusted basis).

 

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MANAGEMENT BUY-OUT OF CAPITAL SHIP MANAGEMENT

Capital Ship Management, our Manager, is a privately held company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime.

In 2018, Capital Ship Management conducted a management buy-out led by its senior management. Since then, Capital Ship Management is no longer part of the group of companies controlled by Capital Maritime.

Some members of our Manager’s senior management are also current directors or officers of Capital Maritime.

In addition, Mr. Gerry Ventouris, an officer of our Manager and director and officer of Capital Maritime, serves as the chief operating officer of our General Partner and Mr. Gurpal Grewal, a technical director of our Manager, serves as one of our directors appointed by our General Partner.

CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OF OUR GENERAL PARTNER

Our General Partner is a private company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime.

In April 2019, Capital Maritime transferred all membership interests in our General Partner to Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis as part of a reallocation of various shipping interests and businesses among members of the Marinakis family.

Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, born in 1999, is the son of Evangelos M. Marinakis. Although not engaged in day-to-day management, Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis holds and oversees certain shipping interests on behalf of the Marinakis family.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Our disclosure and analysis in this Annual Report concerning our business, operations, cash flows, and financial position, including, among other things, the likelihood of our success in developing and expanding our business, include 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, financial condition and the markets in which we operate, and involve risks and uncertainties. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “might,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “likely,” “intend,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue,” “seek” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although these statements are based upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable based upon available information, including projections of revenues, operating margins, earnings, cash flows, working capital and capital expenditures, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that are described more fully in this Annual Report in “Item 3.D: Risk Factors” below. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this Annual Report and are not intended to give any assurance as to future results. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this Annual Report and include statements with respect to, among other things:

 

 

expectations regarding our ability to make distributions on our common units;

 

 

our ability to increase our cash available for distribution over time;

 

 

future sales of our units in the public market;

 

 

global economic outlook and growth;

 

 

outcome of trade disputes and sanction regimes currently in place or that may come into effect in the future;

 

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shipping conditions and fundamentals, including the balance of supply and demand, as well as trends and conditions in the newbuilding markets and scrapping of older vessels;

 

 

industry trends such as charter rates and factors affecting the chartering of vessels and vessel values;

 

 

our ability to operate and compete in various new markets;

 

 

our current and future business and growth strategies and other plans and objectives for future operations;

 

 

anticipated future acquisitions of vessels from Capital Maritime or third parties, including any of the four Samsung eco medium range product tankers in respect of which we have a right of first refusal;

 

 

our continued ability to enter into long-term, fixed-rate time charters with our charterers and to re-charter our vessels as their existing charters expire at attractive rates;

 

 

the relationships and reputation of Capital Ship Management and our General Partner, each under new ownership, in the shipping industry;

 

 

anticipated future chartering arrangements with Capital Maritime and third parties;

 

 

the ability of our charterers to meet their obligations under the terms of our charter agreements, including the timely payment of the hire or freight rates under the agreements;

 

 

the financial condition, viability and sustainability of our charterers, including their ability to obtain liquidity and access the capital markets;

 

 

our ability to maximize the use of our vessels;

 

 

our ability to compete successfully for future chartering and newbuilding opportunities;

 

 

our ability to access debt, credit and equity markets;

 

 

changes in the availability and costs of funding due to conditions in the bank market, capital markets and other factors;

 

 

our ability to service, refinance or repay our debt under the current terms of our credit facilities and settle any hedging arrangements we may have;

 

 

changes in interest rates;

 

 

planned capital expenditures and availability of capital resources to fund capital expenditures;

 

 

the expected lifespan and condition of our vessels;

 

 

the changes to the regulatory requirements applicable to the shipping industry, including, without limitation, stricter requirements adopted by international organizations, such as the International Maritime Organization (also referred to as the “IMO”), a United Nations agency that issues international trade standards for shipping, and the European Union, or by individual countries or charterers and actions taken by regulatory authorities overseeing such areas as safety and environmental compliance;

 

 

the expected cost of, and our ability to comply with, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards, including new environmental regulations and standards, as well as standard regulations imposed by our charterers applicable to our business;

 

 

the impact of heightened regulations and the actions of regulators and other government authorities, including anti-corruption laws and regulations, as well as sanctions and other governmental actions;

 

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our anticipated general and administrative expenses and our costs and expenses under the management agreement and the administrative services agreement with our Manager, and for reimbursement for fees and costs of our General Partner;

 

 

increases in costs and expenses, including but not limited to crew wages, insurance, provisions, spares, port expenses, lubricating oil, bunkers, repairs, maintenance and general and administrative expenses;

 

 

the adequacy of our insurance arrangements and our ability to obtain insurance and required certifications;

 

 

the impact of heightened environmental and quality concerns of insurance underwriters and charterers;

 

 

the anticipated taxation of our partnership and distributions to our common unitholders;

 

 

the ability of our General Partner to retain its officers and the ability of our Manager to retain key employees;

 

 

our General Partner’s and Manager’s track records, and past and future performance, in safety, environmental and regulatory matters;

 

 

potential liability and costs due to environmental, safety and other incidents involving our vessels;

 

 

expected financial flexibility to pursue acquisitions and other expansion opportunities; and

 

 

anticipated funds for liquidity needs and the sufficiency of cash flows.

These and other forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s 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 “Item 3.D: Risk Factors” below. 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.

Unless required by law, we expressly disclaim any 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. You should carefully review and consider the various disclosures included in this Annual Report and in our other filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations.

 

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PART I

 

Item 1.

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors.

Not Applicable.

 

Item 2.

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable.

Not Applicable.

 

Item 3.

Key Information.

 

  A.

Selected Financial Data

We have derived the following selected historical financial data for the three years ended December 31, 2018, and as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, from our Financial Statements. The historical financial data presented for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 have been derived from audited financial statements not included in this Annual Report and are provided for comparison purposes only.

Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future. The DSS Transaction, including the spin-off of our Tanker Business, will have a material impact on our future results. Such impact is not reflected in the table of selected historical financial data below. In addition, a variety of factors affect our results of operations from time to time, including among other things, the average number of vessels in our fleet, prevailing charter rates, management and administrative services fees, as well as the financing arrangements we enter into from time to time.

The below table should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Financial Statements. In addition, the below table should be read together with the introductory note entitled “Transaction with DSS Holdings L.P.” and the section entitled “Item 5A: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Our Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) as described in Note 2 (Significant Accounting Policies) to the Financial Statements. All numbers are in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except numbers of units and earnings per unit.

Following the 1-for-7 reverse unit split effected on March 27, 2019 (the “March 2019 Reverse Split”), pursuant to which every seven common units issued and outstanding were converted into one common unit, all unit and per unit amounts presented throughout this Annual Report have been retrospectively restated to reflect this change our capital structure.

 

                                                                                              
     Year ended December 31,  
     2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Income Statement Data:

          

Revenues

   $ 265,210     $ 204,462     $ 205,594     $ 156,613     $ 119,907  

Revenues – related party

     14,044       44,653       36,026       63,731       72,870  

Total revenues

     279,254       249,115       241,620       220,344       192,777  

Expenses:

          

Voyage expenses (1)

     46,315       15,165       9,920       6,479       5,907  

Voyage expenses—related party (1)

     —         —         360       411       338  

Vessel operating expenses (2)

     86,389       74,516       66,637       58,625       48,714  

Vessel operating expenses—related party (2)

     12,665       11,629       10,866       11,708       13,315  

General and administrative expenses

     5,716       6,234       6,253       6,608       6,316  

Vessel depreciation and amortization

     73,089       73,993       71,897       62,707       57,476  

Impairment of vessel

     28,805       3,282       —         —         —    

Total operating expenses

          252,979            184,819            165,933            146,538            132,066  

Operating income

     26,275       64,296       75,687       73,806       60,711  

Interest expense and finance costs

     (27,397     (26,605     (24,302     (20,143     (19,225

Other income

     1,018       792       1,104       1,747       2,526  

 

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     Year ended December 31,  
     2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Partnership’s net (loss)/income

   $ (104   $ 38,483     $ 52,489     $ 55,410     $ 44,012  

Class B unit holders’ interest in our net income

     11,101       11,101       11,101       11,334       14,042  

General partner’s interest in our net (loss)/ income

     (211     522       818       879       593  

Common unit holders’ interest in our net (loss)/income

     (10,994     26,860       40,570       43,197       29,377  

Net (loss)/income allocable to limited partner per:

          

Common unit basic and diluted

     (0.60     1.51       2.35       2.62       2.20  

Weighted–average units outstanding basic and diluted:

          

Common units

     18,100,455       17,692,192       17,114,761       16,432,983       13,336,167  

Balance Sheet Data (at end of the year):

          

Fixed assets (3)(5)(6)(9)(10)(11)(12)

   $ 1,229,782     $ 1,265,196     $ 1,367,731     $ 1,333,657     $ 1,186,711  

Total assets (3)(5)(6)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)

     1,385,245       1,466,216       1,598,605       1,555,875       1,489,853  

Total long-term liabilities (4)(5)(6)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)

     388,772       409,740       578,652       556,809       572,545  

Total partners’ capital (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(10)(11)

     881,314       933,405       927,757       937,820       872,561  

Number of units

     31,510,003       31,510,003       30,773,993       30,533,254       29,395,743  

Common units

     18,178,100       18,178,100       17,442,090       17,201,351       14,868,566  

Class B units

     12,983,333       12,983,333       12,983,333       12,983,333       14,223,737  

General Partner units

     348,570       348,570       348,570       348,570       303,440  

Dividends declared per common unit

   $ 2.24     $ 2.24     $ 3.22     $ 6.58     $ 6.51  

Dividends declared per class B unit

   $ 0.86     $ 0.86     $ 0.86     $ 0.87     $ 0.86  

Cash Flow Data:

          

Net cash provided by operating activities

     97,890       126,974       155,086       134,209       125,277  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (4,476     (2,038     (90,782     (209,937     (30,327

Net cash (used in) / provided by financing activities

     (126,512     (168,317     (46,816     1,719       5,277  

 

(1)

Voyage expenses primarily consist of commissions, port expenses, canal dues and bunkers.

(2)

Vessel operating expenses consist of management fees payable to our Manager and actual operating expenses, such as crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, spares, lubricants and other operating expenses incurred in respect of our vessels.

(3)

In September 2014, we completed an equity offering of 2,464,286 common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) receiving net proceeds of $173.5 million after deducting offering expenses. The net proceeds were used to repurchase from Capital Maritime and retire 850,087 common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) at an aggregate price of $60.0 million. In addition, we used the amount of $30.2 million of the net proceeds of the offering as an advance payment to Capital Maritime in connection with the acquisition of five new vessels from Capital Maritime, comprising three new build Daewoo 9,160 TEU eco-flex containerships and two new build Samsung eco-medium range product tankers (the “Dropdown Vessels”), four of which were delivered between March and September 2015. The fifth Dropdown Vessel was delivered in February 2016. The total acquisition cost for these five vessels was $311.5 million. The remaining proceeds of the offering were used for general partnership purposes. The two medium range product tankers acquired from Capital Maritime were part of the Tanker Business spun-off in March 2019.

(4)

In April 2015, we completed an equity offering of 2,079,286 common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis), including 157,143 common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) sold to Capital Maritime, at a net price of $66.71 per common unit (on a reverse split-adjusted basis), and received net proceeds before expenses of $133.3 million. The net proceeds were used to partially prepay outstanding loans and related fees and expenses and for general partnership purposes.

(5)

On March 31, June 10, June 30 and September 18, 2015, we acquired the shares of the companies owning four of the Dropdown Vessels, namely the M/T Active, the M/V Akadimos (renamed the “CMA CGM Amazon”), the M/T Amadeus and the M/V Adonis (renamed the “CMA CGM Uruguay”) for total consideration of $230.0 million, which was funded by bank loans for a total of $115.0 million and cash on hand. The M/T Active and M/T Amadeus were part of the Tanker Business spun-off in March 2019.

(6)

On February 26, 2016, we acquired from Capital Maritime the shares of the company owning the M/V Anaxagoras (renamed the “CMA CGM Magdalena”), the last of the five Dropdown Vessels. We funded the acquisition with the proceeds of bank loans and available cash. On October 24, 2016, we acquired from Capital Maritime the shares of the company owning the M/T Amor, an eco-type MR product tanker, for total consideration of $16.9 million consisting of $16.0 million in cash and the issuance of 40,528 new common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) to Capital Maritime, reflecting the fair value of the vessel of $31.6 million and the fair value of the time charter attached to the vessel of $1.1 million, less the assumption of a $15.8 million term loan under a credit facility previously arranged by Capital Maritime with ING Bank N.V. (the “2015 credit facility”). The M/T Amor was part of the Tanker Business spun-off in March 2019.

(7)

In September 2016, we entered into an equity distribution agreement with UBS Securities LLC (“UBS”) contemplating the offering from time to time, through UBS, as our sales agent, of new common units having an aggregate offering amount of up to $50.0 million (the “ATM offering”). During the period between the launch of the ATM offering and December 31, 2016, we issued 0.2 million new common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) in total translating into net proceeds of $4.5 million after payment of sales agent commission but before offering expenses. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we issued 0.7 million new common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) in total translating into net proceeds of $17.8 million after payment of sales agent commission but before offering expenses.

 

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(8)

On September 6, 2017, we entered into a loan agreement for a new senior secured term loan facility (the “2017 credit facility”) for an aggregate principal amount of up to $460.0 million. On October 2, 2017, we repaid $14.0 million outstanding under a former credit facility through available cash. On October 4, 2017, we drew the full amount of $460.0 million under the 2017 credit facility and, together with available cash of $102.2 million, fully repaid total indebtedness of $562.2 million.

(9)

On December 22, 2017, we entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with an unrelated party for the disposal of the M/T Aristotelis at a price of $29.4 million. In connection with the sale, we recognized an impairment charge of $3.3 million in the consolidated statement of comprehensive (loss)/income for the year ended December 31, 2017, reducing the vessel’s carrying value to $28.9 million. We delivered the vessel to its buyer on April 25, 2018 and prepaid $14.4 million under the 2017 credit facility.

(10)

On January 17, 2018, we entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with Capital Maritime for the purchase of the shares of the company owning the M/T Aristaios for total consideration of $52.5 million comprised of $24.2 million in cash and the assumption of a bank loan in the amount of $28.3 million. The M/T Aristaios was part of the Tanker Business spun-off in March 2019.

(11)

On May 4, 2018, we acquired the shares of the company owning the M/T Anikitos for total consideration of $31.5 million comprised of $15.9 million in cash and the assumption of a bank loan in the amount of $15.6 million. The M/T Anikitos was part of the Tanker Business spun-off in March 2019.

(12)

On September 11, 2018, we entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party for the disposal of the M/T Amore Mio II at a price of $11.2 million. In this connection, we recognized an impairment charge of $28.8 million in the consolidated statement of comprehensive (loss)/income for the year ended December 31, 2018, reducing the vessel’s carrying value to $10.9 million. We delivered the vessel to its buyer on October 15, 2018 and prepaid $5.9 million under the 2017 credit facility.

Please read Note 2 (Significant Accounting Policies), Note 3 (Acquisition of Filonikis Product Carrier S.A. (M/T Amor)), Note 5 (Vessels, net and assets held for sale), Note 7 (Long-Term Debt), and Note 12 (Partners’ Capital) to our Financial Statements.

 

  B.

Capitalization and Indebtedness.

Not applicable.

 

  C.

Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds.

Not applicable.

 

  D.

Risk Factors

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk.

Some of the risks described below relate to the industry and the countries in which we operate as of the date of this Annual Report. Please read the introductory note entitled “Transaction with DSS Holdings L.P.” and “Item 4. Information on the Partnership” for information on the current scope of our operations. While we currently own 11 vessels consisting of ten neo panamax container vessels and one drybulk vessel, we may in the future re-enter the tanker market or enter into new markets. If that happens, we will be exposed to additional risks.

Furthermore, we are organized as limited partnership under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Although many of the risks relating to our business and operations 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 and involve additional risks.

If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flow could be materially adversely affected. If that happens, 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.

The risks described below include forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements. For more information, please read “Forward Looking Statements” above.

 

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RISKS RELATED TO THE CONTAINER CARRIER INDUSTRY

We are exposed to various risks in the ocean-going container shipping industry, which is cyclical and volatile in terms of charter rates and profitability.

The ocean-going container shipping industry is both cyclical and volatile in terms of charter rates and profitability and demand for our vessels depends on a range of factors, including demand for the shipment of cargoes in containers. Containership charter rates peaked in 2005 but have declined sharply since then. Containership charter rates partially recovered in the first half of 2018 but subsequently retreated and they remain overall below historical averages.

Since the second half of 2011, liner companies have experienced a substantial downturn in container shipping activity, resulting in depressed average freight rates, which has caused financial distress at a number of liner companies, including our charterers, and could further impact them. In a number of instances, charterers have not performed under, or have requested modifications of, existing time charters.

Containership charter rates depend upon a range of factors, including changes in the supply and demand for ship capacity and changes in the supply and demand for major products transported by containerships. Demand for containerships and profitability of the container business have been affected negatively by a large order book of new containership vessels, including “ultra large container vessels”. Since the second half of 2015, a slowdown in demand in certain key container trade routes, including the Asia to Europe route, at a time of increased vessel supply has resulted in an increase of the idle container fleet. The percentage of the worldwide fleet remaining idle reached 7.0% at the end of 2016 and was gradually reduced to 2.0% as of the end of 2017. Since then, the percentage of the container fleet remaining idle has increased to 3.2% as of the end of the first quarter 2019.

Furthermore, the decline in the containership market has adversely affected the value of container vessels, which follow the trends of freight rates and containership charter rates, and resulted in a less active secondhand market for the sale of vessels.

The factors affecting the supply and demand for products shipped in containers and for containerships are outside our control and the nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in industry conditions are difficult to predict with confidence. Some of the factors that influence demand for containerships include:

 

   

supply and demand, including consumer demand, for products suitable for shipping in containers;

 

   

changes in global production of products transported by containerships;

 

   

seaborne and other transportation patterns, including the distances over which container cargoes are transported and changes in such patterns and distances;

 

   

the globalization of manufacturing;

 

   

developments in the market for exports of containerized goods from emerging markets, including China;

 

   

global and regional economic and political conditions;

 

   

developments in international trade including threats and/or imposition of trade tariffs, including as a result of recent events such as Brexit;

 

   

trends in the market for imports of raw materials to emerging markets, such as India and China;

 

   

the relocation of regional and global manufacturing facilities from Asian and emerging markets to developed economies in Europe and the United States;

 

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environmental and other regulatory developments;

 

   

currency exchange rates;

 

   

weather; and

 

   

cost of bunkers.

Some of the factors that influence the supply of containerships include the following:

 

   

the number of newbuilding orders and deliveries;

 

   

the extent of newbuilding vessel deferrals;

 

   

the scrapping rate of containerships;

 

   

newbuilding prices and containership owner access to capital to finance the construction of newbuildings;

 

   

charter rates and the price of steel and other raw materials;

 

   

changes in environmental and other regulations and standards that may limit the profitability, operations or useful life of containerships;

 

   

the number of containerships that are slow-steaming or extra slow-steaming to conserve fuel;

 

   

the number of containerships that are off-charter;

 

   

port and canal congestion and closures; and

 

   

demand for fleet renewal.

If the charter market is depressed when time charters for our containerships expire, we may be forced to re-charter our containerships at reduced or even unprofitable rates, or we may not be able to re-charter them at all, which may reduce or eliminate our earnings or make our earnings volatile and materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

An oversupply of containership capacity may prolong or depress current charter rates and adversely affect our ability to re-charter our existing containerships at profitable rates or at all.

From 2005 through the first quarter of 2010, the size of the containership order-book was at historically high levels. Although the container order-book declined compared to previous years, the order-book still represented 13.0% of the existing worldwide fleet as at the end of the first quarter 2019. Deliveries of vessels ordered will significantly increase the size of the container fleet over the next two to three years.

An oversupply of newbuilding vessels or re-chartered or idle containership capacity entering the market, combined with any further decline in the demand for containerships, may further depress charter rates and may decrease our ability to re-charter our containerships other than for reduced rates or unprofitable rates or to re-charter our containerships at all, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

A decrease in the level of export of goods, in particular from Asia, could have a material adverse impact on our charterers’ business and, in turn, could cause a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Our operations expose us to the risk that increased trade protectionism, trade embargoes or other economic sanctions adversely affect our business.

 

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Governments may turn to trade barriers to protect or revive their domestic industries in the face of foreign imports, thereby depressing the demand for shipping. Restrictions on imports, including in the form of tariffs, could have a major impact on global trade and demand for shipping.

Recently, the United Kingdom resolved to leave the European Union, and it is not yet clear how it plans to approach international trade with the European Union and other trade partners. In the United States, the current administration has created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United States and other exporting countries, including with respect to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs. The current U.S. administration has stated that it is seeking more favorable terms in its dealings with its trade partners and that it may resort to aggressive tactics, such as the imposition of punitive tariffs, in order to achieve these goals.

Our containerships are deployed on routes involving containerized trade in and out of emerging markets, and our charterers’ container shipping and business revenue may be derived from the shipment of goods from Asia to various overseas export markets, including the United States and Europe.

Increasing trade protectionism may cause an increase in (i) the cost of goods exported from regions globally, particularly the Asia-Pacific region, (ii) the length of time required to transport goods and (iii) the risks associated with exporting goods. Such increases may further reduce the quantity of goods to be shipped, shipping time schedules, voyage costs and other associated costs which may adversely affect the business of our charterers. Any reduction in or hindrance to the output of Asia-based exporters could have a material adverse effect on the growth rate of Asia’s exports and on our charterers’ business, which may in turn affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase the number of their time charters with us.

Furthermore, the government of China has implemented economic policies aimed at increasing domestic consumption of Chinese-made goods and containing capital outflows. These policies may have the effect of reducing the supply of goods available for exports and the level of international trading and may, in turn, result in a decrease in demand for container shipping.

The business of our charterers could also be harmed by trade embargoes or other economic sanctions by the United States or other countries against countries in the Middle East, Asia, Russia or elsewhere as a result of terrorist attacks, hostilities or diplomatic or political pressures that limit trading activities with those countries.

Any new or increased trade barriers, trade embargoes or restrictions on trade would have an adverse impact on our charterers’ business, operating results and financial condition and could thereby affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase the number of their time charters with us. Such adverse developments could in turn have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Containership values have been volatile over the last five years. Containership values may decrease and over time may fluctuate substantially, which may cause us to recognize losses if we sell our container vessels or record impairments and affect our ability to comply with our loan covenants or refinance our debt.

Containership values can fluctuate substantially over time due to a number of different factors, including:

 

   

prevailing economic conditions in the markets in which containerships operate;

 

   

reduced demand for containerships, including as a result of a substantial or extended decline in world trade;

 

   

increases in the supply of containership capacity;

 

   

prevailing charter rates and the cost of retrofitting or modifying existing ships to respond to technological advances in vessel design or equipment;

 

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changes in applicable environmental or other regulations or standards, such as IMO 2020, which imposes limitations on the sulphur content of bunker fuel;

 

   

prevailing newbuilding prices for similar vessels;

 

   

prevailing demolition prices for similar vessels;

 

   

availability of capital for investment in containerships, including ship finance and public equity; and

 

   

supply of containerships in the market for sale, including mass disposals of containerships controlled by financing institutions.

In addition, fire sales of vessels by some of our competitors, other fleet-owners that may be in distress or commercial banks foreclosing on collateral from time to time could, among other consequences, drive down vessel values.

If the market values of our vessels deteriorate further, we may be required to record an impairment charge in our financial statements. Furthermore, if a charter expires or is terminated, we may be unable to re-charter the vessel at an acceptable rate and, rather than continue to incur costs to maintain the vessel, we may seek to dispose of it. Our inability to dispose of one or more of the containerships at a reasonable price however could result in a loss. A further decline in the market value of our vessels could also lead to a default under our credit facilities and limit our ability to obtain additional financing and service or refinance our debt. If any of these circumstances were to happen, our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and ability to make distributions may be materially and adversely affected.

Our growth and our ability to re-charter our containerships depend on, among other things, our ability to expand relationships with existing charterers and develop relationships with new charterers, for which we will face substantial competition.

The process of obtaining new long-term time charters on containerships is highly competitive and generally involves an intensive screening process and competitive bids, and often extends for several months.

Containership charters are awarded based upon a variety of factors related to the vessel owner, including, among other things:

 

   

shipping industry relationships and reputation for charterer service and safety;

 

   

container shipping experience and quality of vessel operations, including cost effectiveness;

 

   

quality and experience of seafaring crew;

 

   

the ability to finance containerships at competitive rates and the vessel owner’s financial stability generally;

 

   

relationships with shipyards and the ability to get suitable berths;

 

   

construction management experience, including the ability to obtain on-time delivery of new vessel according to charterer’s specifications;

 

   

willingness to accept operational risks under the charter, such as allowing termination of the charter for force majeure events; and

 

   

competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price.

Competition for providing containerships for chartering purposes comes from a number of experienced shipping companies, including direct competition from other independent charter owners and indirect

 

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competition from state-sponsored and other major entities with their own fleets. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we do and can operate larger fleets and may be able to offer better charter rates. An increasing number of marine transportation companies have entered the containership sector, including many with strong reputations and extensive resources and experience in the marine transportation industry. This increased competition may cause greater price competition for time charters. As a result of these factors, we may be unable to expand our relationships with existing charterers or to develop relationships with new charterers on a profitable basis, if at all, which could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt.

If a more active short-term or spot containership market develops, we may have more difficulty entering into medium- to long-term, fixed-rate time charters and our existing charterers may begin to pressure us to reduce our charter rates.

One of our principal strategies is to enter into medium- to long-term, fixed-rate time charters. As more containerships become available for the short-term or spot market, we may have difficulty entering into additional medium- to long-term, fixed-rate time charters for our vessels due to the increased supply of vessels and possibly lower rates in the spot market. As a result, our cash flows may be subject to instability in the long term. Currently, five of our container vessels are chartered for less than two years. A more active short-term or spot containership market may require us to enter into charters based on changing market prices, as opposed to contracts based on a fixed rate, which could result in a decrease in our cash flows in periods when the market price for vessels is depressed or insufficient funds to cover our financing costs for related vessels. In addition, the development of an active short-term or spot containership market could affect rates under our existing time charters as our current charterers may begin to pressure us to reduce our rates.

RISKS RELATED TO THE DRYBULK INDUSTRY

We are exposed to various risks in the international drybulk shipping industry, which is cyclical and volatile.

The drybulk shipping industry is cyclical with attendant volatility in charter rates, vessel values and profitability, with wide disparities across different classes of drybulk carriers.

After reaching historical highs in mid-2008, charter hire rates for drybulk carriers, such as our vessel the M/V Cape Agamemnon, have declined significantly and reached historically low levels in 2016. Capesize charter rates remained below historical averages in 2018. The M/V Cape Agamemnon is currently deployed on a period time charter until June 2020. In the future, we may be forced to re-charter the M/V Cape Agamemnon under short-term time charters, and may be exposed to changes in the spot market and short-term charter rates for capesize drybulk carriers, all of which may affect our earnings and the value of the M/V Cape Agamemnon.

The factors affecting supply and demand for drybulk vessels are outside our control and the nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in industry conditions are difficult to predict with confidence. Some of the factors that may influence demand for drybulk carriers include the following:

 

   

supply and demand for drybulk products;

 

   

economic growth in China and other developing economies;

 

   

changes in global production of products transported by drybulk vessels;

 

   

seaborne and other transportation patterns, including the distances over which drybulk cargoes are transported and changes in such patterns and distances;

 

   

the globalization of manufacturing;

 

   

global and regional economic and political conditions;

 

   

developments in international trade;

 

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environmental and other regulatory developments;

 

   

currency exchange rates; and

 

   

weather.

Some of the factors that may influence the supply of vessel capacity for drybulk carriers include the following:

 

   

the number of deliveries of newly built vessels, which among other factors depend upon the ability of shipyards to meet contracted delivery dates and the ability of purchasers to finance such new acquisitions;

 

   

the scrapping rate of older vessels;

 

   

the number of vessels that are in or out of service, including as a result of vessel casualties;

 

   

changes in environmental and other regulations and standards that may limit the profitability, operations or useful lives of vessels; and

 

   

port and canal congestion and closures.

We currently anticipate that the future demand for the M/V Cape Agamemnon following completion of its charter and, in turn, drybulk charter rates, will be dependent, among other things, upon the rate of economic growth in the global economy, including the world’s developing economies, such as China, India, Brazil and Russia, seasonal and regional changes in demand, changes in the capacity of the global drybulk vessel fleet and the sources and supply of drybulk cargo to be transported by sea. A decline in demand for commodities transported in drybulk vessels or an increase in supply of drybulk vessels could cause a significant decline in charter rates, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or repay our debt.

The market values of drybulk vessels have declined and may further decline, which may cause us to recognize a loss if we sell the M/V Cape Agamemnon or record impairments and affect our ability to comply with our loan covenants and service or refinance our debt.

The market values of drybulk vessels have generally experienced high volatility. The market value of drybulk vessels may continue to fluctuate depending on a number of factors, including:

 

   

prevailing level of charter rates;

 

   

general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry;

 

   

types, sizes and ages of vessels;

 

   

supply of and demand for vessels;

 

   

other modes of transportation;

 

   

cost of newbuildings;

 

   

governmental or other regulations;

 

   

the need to upgrade vessels as a result of charterer requirements, technological advances in vessel design or equipment or otherwise; and

 

   

competition from other shipping companies and other modes of transportation.

 

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If the market value of the M/V Cape Agamemnon deteriorates significantly, we may be required to record an impairment charge in our financial statements. Furthermore, if the current charter expires or is terminated, we may be unable to re-charter the vessel at an acceptable rate and, rather than continuing to incur costs to maintain the vessel, we may seek to dispose of it. Our inability to dispose of the vessel at a reasonable price however could result in a loss. A decline in the market value of the M/V Cape Agamemnon could also lead to a default under our credit facilities, limit our ability to obtain additional financing and service or refinance our debt. If any of these circumstances were to happen, our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and ability to make distributions may be adversely affected.

A negative change in the economic conditions in Asia, especially in China, Japan or India, could reduce drybulk trade and demand, which would affect charter rates and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distribution and service or refinance our debt.

A significant number of the port calls made by Capesize bulk carriers involve the loading or discharging of raw materials in ports in Asia, particularly China, Japan and India. In past years, China and India have had two of the world’s fastest growing economies in terms of gross domestic product and have been the main force driving demand for drybulk vessels. If economic growth declines in China, Japan, India and other countries in Asia, we may face decreases in drybulk trade and demand. For example, the recent slowdown of the Chinese economy has adversely affected demand for capesize bulk carriers. Moreover, slowdowns in the United States or the economies of the European Union, as occurred following the financial crisis, may adversely affect economic growth in China, Japan, India and other Asian countries. A negative change in economic conditions in any Asian country, particularly China, Japan or India, could reduce demand for capesize bulk carriers and, as a result, charter rates and affect our ability to re-charter the M/V Cape Agamemnon at a profitable rate or at all and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distribution and service or refinance our debt.

An oversupply of drybulk vessel capacity may lead to reductions in charter rates and profitability.

The number of drybulk vessels on order as of the start of April 2019 was estimated by market sources to be approximately 11.1% of the then-existing global drybulk fleet in dwt terms, with deliveries expected mainly during the next 24 months, although available data with regard to cancellations of existing newbuild orders or delays in newbuild deliveries are not always accurate or may not be readily available.

An oversupply of drybulk vessel capacity will likely result in protracted weakness in drybulk charter hire rates. Upon the expiration of the current charter period in June 2020, if we cannot enter into a new period time charter for the M/V Cape Agamemnon on acceptable terms, we may have to secure charters in the spot market, where charter rates are more volatile and revenues are, therefore, less predictable, or we may not be able to charter the vessel at all.

The international drybulk shipping industry is highly competitive, and with only one drybulk vessel in our fleet, we may not be able to compete successfully for charters with established companies with greater resources. As a result, we may not be able to successfully operate the vessel.

We employ the M/V Cape Agamemnon in the highly competitive drybulk market, which is capital intensive and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of which have substantially larger fleets of drybulk vessels or greater resources than we currently have or will have in the future. Competition for the transportation of drybulk cargo by sea is intense and depends on price, charterer relationships, operating expertise, professional reputation and size, age, location and condition of the vessel. In this highly fragmented market, companies operating larger fleets, as well as competitors with greater resources, may be able to offer lower charter rates than ours, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to charter out the M/V Cape Agamemnon and, accordingly, its profitability.

 

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The operation of drybulk vessels has certain unique operational risks, and failure to adequately maintain the M/V Cape Agamemnon could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions and service or refinance our debt.

With a drybulk vessel, the cargo itself and its interaction with the vessel may create operational risks. By their nature, drybulk cargoes are often heavy, dense and easily shifted, and they may react badly to water exposure. In addition, drybulk vessels are often subjected to battering treatment during unloading operations with grabs, jackhammers (to pry encrusted cargoes out of the hold) and small bulldozers. This treatment may cause damage to the vessel. Vessels damaged due to treatment during unloading procedures may be more susceptible to breach while at sea. Breaches of a drybulk vessel’s hull may lead to the flooding of the vessel’s holds. If a drybulk vessel suffers flooding in its forward holds, the bulk cargo may become so dense and waterlogged that its pressure may buckle the vessel’s bulkheads, leading to the loss of a vessel. If we or our Manager do not adequately maintain the M/V Cape Agamemnon, we may be unable to prevent these events. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions and service or refinance our debt.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

We may not be able to grow, or to effectively manage our growth.

We spun-off a significant part of our operations as part of the DSS Transaction, and our success depends on our ability to grow our business.

The growth of our business depends upon a variety of factors, some of which we cannot control. These factors include, among other things, our ability to:

 

   

capitalize on opportunities in the markets in which we operate by fixing period charters for our vessels at attractive rates;

 

   

obtain required financing and access to capital markets for new and existing operations;

 

   

identify additional new markets;

 

   

identify vessels and/or shipping companies for acquisitions;

 

   

complete accretive transactions;

 

   

integrate any acquired businesses or vessels successfully with existing operations;

 

   

hire, train and retain qualified personnel to manage, maintain and operate our business and fleet;

 

   

comply with existing and new regulations, such as those imposed by the IMO 2020 and the Ballast Water Management Convention; and

 

   

maintain our commercial and technical management agreements with our Manager or other competent managers.

We may not be able to acquire newly built or secondhand vessels on favorable terms, which could impede our growth and negatively impact our financial condition and ability to pay cash distributions. We may not be able to contract for newbuildings or locate suitable vessels or negotiate acceptable construction or purchase contracts with shipyards and owners, or obtain financing for such acquisitions on economically acceptable terms, or at all. See also “—Risks Related to Financing Activities—We rely on the master limited partnership (“MLP”) structure and its appeal to investors for accessing debt and equity markets to finance our growth and repay or refinance our debt. The volatility in energy prices over the past few years has, among other factors, caused increased volatility and contributed to a dislocation in pricing for MLPs.

 

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In view of the relative small size of our current operations, failure to effectively identify, purchase, develop, employ and integrate any vessels or businesses could negatively affect our competitiveness, business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Certain of our vessels are under time charters at rates that are at a substantial premium to the spot and period markets, and our charterers’ failure to perform under these time charters could result in a significant loss of expected future revenues and cash flows.

Our container vessels that are chartered to Hyundai Merchant Marine Co Ltd. (“HMM”) and CMA CGM are each currently employed under medium-to-long-term time charters. Similarly, the M/V Cape Agamemnon is currently under a time charter to COSCO Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd. (“COSCO”), a member of China COSCO Shipping (Group) Company (“COSCO Group”), which commenced in July 2010 with earliest expiry date of June 2020.

Given that the rates we charge to these charterers are significantly higher than the current spot and period rates, failure to perform by any of them could result in a significant loss of revenues, which may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and our ability to maintain cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. We could lose these charterers or the benefits of the charters if, among other things:

 

   

the charterer is unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the charters, including the payment of the agreed rates in a timely manner;

 

   

the charterer faces, or continues to face, financial difficulties forcing it to declare bankruptcy, restructure its operations or default under the charters;

 

   

the charterer fails to make charter payments because of its financial inability or its inability to trade our and other vessels profitably or due to the occurrence of losses due to the weaker charter markets;

 

   

the charterer fails to make charter payments due to distress, disagreements with us or otherwise;

 

   

the charterer seeks to renegotiate the terms of the charter agreements due to prevailing economic and market conditions or due to its continued poor performance;

 

   

the charterer exercises certain rights to terminate the charters;

 

   

the charterer terminates the charters because we fail to comply with the terms of the charters, the vessels are lost or damaged beyond repair, there are serious deficiencies in the vessels or prolonged periods of off-hire, or we default under the charters;

 

   

a prolonged force majeure event affecting the charterer, including war or political unrest, prevents us from performing services for that charterer; or

 

   

the charterer terminates the charters because we fail to comply with the safety and regulatory criteria of the charterer or the rules and regulations of various maritime organizations and bodies.

In the event we lose the benefit of the charters with HMM, CMA CGM or COSCO prior to their respective expiration date, we would have to re-charter the vessels at the then prevailing charter rates. In such event, we may not be able to obtain competitive or profitable rates for these vessels or we may not be able to re-charter these vessels at all and our business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows and ability to make distribution and service or refinance our debt may be materially and adversely affected.

 

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If our charterers do not fulfill their obligations to us, or if they are unable to honor their obligations, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be adversely affected.

Many charterers, including liner companies, are highly leveraged. In recent years, a combination of factors, including, among other things, unavailability of credit, volatility in financial markets, overcapacity, competitive pressure, declines in world trade and depressed freight rates, have severely affected the financial condition of charterers, including liner companies, and their ability to make charter payments, which has resulted in a material increase in the credit and counterparty risks to which we are exposed and our ability to re-charter our vessels at competitive rates.

Furthermore, the surplus of vessels available at lower charter rates and lack of demand for our charterers’ services could negatively impact our charterers’ willingness to perform their obligations under our time charters that provide for charter rates above current market rates.

For example, HMM, the charterer of five of our container vessels, completed a financial restructuring in July 2016. In connection with this restructuring, we agreed a reduction of the charter rate payable to us of 20% to $23,480 per day (from a gross daily rate of $29,350) for a three and a half year period ending in December 2019. Furthermore, CMA-CGM, the charterer of three of our container vessels, was under financial stress in 2016, in part following its acquisition of Neptune Orient Lines Limited (NOL) and reported a $427.4 million net loss for the year ended December 31, 2016, and COSCO has faced financial difficulties in the past, and could face further financial strains in the future.

If one of our charterers defaults on our time charters for any reason, we may be unable to redeploy the vessel previously employed by such charterer on similarly favorable or competitive terms or at all. Also, we will incur expenses to maintain and insure the vessel but will not receive any revenue if a vessel remains idle before being re-chartered. A variety of factors, including containership overcapacity and the expected increase in the world containership fleet over the next few years, may make it difficult for us to secure substitute employment, and any new charter arrangements may be at significantly lower rates.

A failure of our charterers to comply with the terms of their respective charters, and our inability to replace such charters at minimum charter rates and maintain minimum financial ratios may result in an event of default under our credit facilities. The loss of our charterers or a decline in payments under our time charters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

We currently derive all of our revenues from a limited number of charterers and the loss of any charterer or charter or vessel could result in a significant loss of revenues and cash flows.

We have derived, and expect that we will continue to derive, all of our revenues and cash flows from a limited number of charterers. For the year ended December 31, 2018, after giving effect to the DSS Transaction, our charterers who individually accounted for more than 10% of total revenues (if such revenues were presented on a continuing operations basis) were HMM and CMA CGM, who accounted for 42% and 39% of our revenues, respectively.

We could lose a charterer, including charterers who individually account for more than 10% of our total revenues or the benefits of some or all of our charters, including in circumstances described in “—Our vessels are under time charters at rates that are at a substantial premium to the spot and period markets, and our charterers’ failure to perform under our time charters could result in a significant loss of expected future revenues and cash flows.

A number of our charterers, including, from time to time, Capital Maritime, are private companies and we may have limited access to their financial affairs, which may result in us having limited information on their financial strength and ability to meet their financial obligations. In addition, some of our charterers, including HMM and CMA-CGM, have been reported to be under significant financial pressure. See also “—Certain of our vessels are under time charters at rates that are at a substantial premium to the spot and period markets, and our charterers’ failure to perform under our time charters could result in a significant loss of expected future revenues and cash flows.

 

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If we lose a key charter, we may be unable to redeploy the related vessel on terms as favorable to us due to the long-term nature of most charters or at all. If we are unable to redeploy 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 and may also have to enter into costly and lengthy legal proceedings in order to reserve our rights. Until such time as the vessel is re-chartered, we may have to operate it in the spot market or for short periods at charter rates which may not be as favorable to us as our current charter rates.

The loss of any of our charterers or a decline in payments under our charters, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

From time to time, Capital Maritime chartered our product and crude tankers. It is unlikely that Capital Maritime will provide us with similar support in respect of our container and drybulk vessels.

From time to time, Capital Maritime chartered our product and crude tankers as they became available for re-chartering, at times under profit sharing arrangements. Capital Maritime does not have the same capability to charter container and drybulk vessels. Accordingly, it is unlikely that Capital Maritime will provide us with similar support in respect of our container and drybulk vessels as it did in respect of our tankers. If we are unable to redeploy our vessels in the time charter markets at attractive rates when they become available for re-chartering and Capital Maritime is unable to charter our vessels, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be materially affected.

We depend on our Manager, a privately held company newly under the control of its management, for the commercial and technical management of our fleet. If, for any reason, our Manager is unable to provide us with the necessary level of services to support and expand our business or qualify for long-term charters, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be materially affected.

Our Manager, Capital Ship Management, is a privately held company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime. In 2018, Capital Ship Management conducted a management buy-out led by its senior management. Since then, Capital Ship Management is no longer part of the group of companies controlled by Capital Maritime and, accordingly, no longer benefits from the financial and operational support of Capital Maritime as parent company.

Under the arrangements we have with it, our Manager provides us with significant commercial and technical management services, including the commercial and technical management for all our vessels, class certifications, vessel maintenance, crewing, procurement, insurance and shipyard supervision, as well as administrative, financial and other support services. Please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Management Agreement.” Accordingly, our operational success and ability to execute our growth strategy depend significantly upon Capital Ship Management’s satisfactory performance of these services.

Furthermore, our success in securing new charters and expanding our relationships with charterers depend largely on our Manager’s reputation, relationships in the shipping industry and ability to qualify for long-term business with major charterers. In this connection, there can be no assurance that the management buy-out completed in 2018 will not materially affect our Manager’s reputation, industry relationships or standing with charterers.

If our Manager’s reputation or industry relationships are harmed, justifiably or not, or if our Manager does not perform satisfactorily under our management agreement, our ability to renew existing charters upon their expiration, obtain new charters, successfully interact with shipyards during periods of shipyard construction constraints, obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms, access capital markets, or maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers and other third parties may be materially affected.

 

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If any of the above risks were to happen, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be materially affected.

The fees and expenses we pay to our Manager for services provided to us are substantial, fluctuate, cannot be easily predicted and may reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

In the light of the floating fee structure of our management agreement, any increase in the costs and expenses associated with the provision of our Manager’s services, by reason, for example, of the condition and age of our vessels, costs of crews for our time chartered vessels and insurance, will be borne by us.

Expenses incurred to manage our fleet depend upon a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our or our Manager’s control. Some of these costs, primarily relating to crewing, insurance and enhanced security measures, have increased in the past and may continue to increase in the future. Rises in any of these costs, to the extent charged to us, will reduce our earnings, cash flows and the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

Fees charged by our Manager and compensation for expenses and liabilities incurred on our behalf, as well as the costs associated with future drydockings or intermediate surveys on our vessels, can be significant. Accordingly, these fees and expenses may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

We depend on our General Partner, a private company newly under the ownership of Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, for the day-to-day management of our affairs. The change of ownership of our General Partner may affect the way we and our operations are managed and our relationships with our charterers and other counterparties.

Our General Partner, Capital GP L.L.C., is a privately held company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime. In April 2019, Capital Maritime transferred all membership interests in our General Partner to Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis. Please read “—Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us—The control of our General Partner may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent.” Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, born in 1999, is the son of Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis. Although not engaged in day-to-day management, Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis holds and oversees certain shipping interests on behalf of the Marinakis family.

To date, our board of directors has not exercised its power to appoint officers of the Partnership. As a result, we rely, and expect to continue to rely, solely on the officers of our General Partner. Please read “—Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us—We currently do not have any officers and rely, and expect to continue to rely, solely on officers of our General Partner, who face conflicts in the allocation of their time to our business.” Accordingly, the proper management of our business depends significantly upon our General Partner.

There can be no assurance that the change of ownership will not affect the way we and our operations are managed. In addition, if the reputation, industry relationships or standing in the market of the General Partner and, in turn, the Partnership are harmed, justifiably or not, or if our General Partner fails to properly manage our affairs, our ability to secure new charters, interact with counterparties, obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms, access capital markets, or maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers and other third parties may be materially affected.

If any of the above risks were to happen, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be materially affected.

Our vessels’ present and future employment could be adversely affected by an inability to clear charterers’ risk assessment process.

Shipping has been, and will remain, heavily regulated. Concerns for the environment have led charterers to develop and implement a strict ongoing due diligence process when selecting their commercial partners. This vetting process has evolved into a sophisticated and comprehensive risk assessment of both the vessel operator and the vessel, including physical ship inspections, completion of vessel inspection questionnaires performed by accredited inspectors and the production of comprehensive risk assessment reports. In the case of term charter relationships, additional factors are considered when awarding such contracts, including:

 

   

office assessments and audits of the vessel operator;

 

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the operator’s environmental, health and safety record;

 

   

compliance with the standards of the International Maritime Organization;

 

   

compliance with heightened industry standards;

 

   

shipping industry relationships, reputation for customer service, technical and operating expertise;

 

   

compliance with the charterer’s codes of conduct, policies and guidelines, including transparency, anti-bribery and ethical conduct requirements and relationships with third parties;

 

   

shipping experience and quality of ship operations, including cost-effectiveness;

 

   

quality, experience and technical capability of crews;

 

   

the ability to finance vessels at competitive rates and overall financial stability;

 

   

relationships with shipyards and the ability to obtain suitable berths;

 

   

construction management experience, including the ability to procure on-time delivery of new vessels according to customer specifications;

 

   

willingness to accept operational risks pursuant to the charter, such as allowing termination of the charter for force majeure events; and

 

   

competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price.

Should either Capital Maritime or Capital Ship Management not continue to successfully clear major charterers’ risk assessment processes on an ongoing basis, our vessels’ present and future employment, as well as our relationship with our existing charterers and our ability to obtain new charterers, whether medium- or long-term, could be adversely affected. Such a situation may lead to major charterers’ terminating existing charters and refusing to use our vessels in the future, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

As our vessels come up for their scheduled drydockings or for the installation of ballast water treatment systems or scrubbers, the number of off-hire days of our fleet will increase and we will incur expenses related to the drydockings and, as a result, our cash available for distribution to our unitholders may decrease.

Five of our vessels were drydocked in 2018.We are currently planning to retrofit four to seven of our vessels with scrubbers during 2019 and the rest of our fleet in 2020 and 2021. The installation of scrubber equipment requires the vessel to be drydocked and incur off hire days. We estimate that the installation of a scrubber on one of our vessels may require 30 to 45 off-hire days.

In addition to the installation of scrubbers or other equipment, such as ballast water treatment systems, we may decide to put a vessel into drydock before the scheduled drydocking date in anticipation of regulatory changes, opportunities in the charter market or if we deem that, due to the location of the vessel, it will be less costly to put the vessel into drydock at the time.

Once one of our vessels is drydocked, it is automatically considered to be off-hire for the duration of the special or intermediate survey or drydocking, which means that for such period of time that vessel will not be earning any revenues. During that period, we however may incur, or may be required to reimburse our Manager for, on-going operating expenses or other expenses related to the drydock. Accordingly, drydocking may materially affect our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

 

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If our vessels suffer damage due to the inherent operational risks of the shipping industry, we may experience unexpected drydocking costs and delays or total loss of our vessels, which may adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Our vessels and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as marine disasters, bad weather, business interruptions caused by mechanical failures, grounding, fire, explosions and collisions, human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events.

If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We may have to pay drydocking costs that our insurance does not cover in full. The loss of earnings while these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, may adversely affect our business and financial condition. In addition, space at drydocking facilities is sometimes limited and not all drydocking facilities are conveniently located. We may be unable to find space at a suitable drydocking facility or our vessels may be forced to travel to a drydocking facility that is not conveniently located to our vessels’ positions. The loss of earnings while these vessels are forced to wait for space or to travel to more distant drydocking facilities may adversely affect our business and financial condition. Furthermore, the total loss of any of our vessels could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator. If we are unable to adequately maintain or safeguard our vessels, we may be unable to prevent any such damage, costs or loss, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

As our fleet ages, the risks associated with older vessels could adversely affect our ability to obtain profitable charters, comply with debt covenants or raise financing. In addition, if we purchase and operate second hand vessels, we will be exposed to increased operating costs, which could adversely affect our earnings.

Our fleet of 11 vessels had an average age of approximately 6.7 years as at December 31, 2018, but two of our container vessels were built in 2006 and 2007, respectively, and our drybulk vessel was built in 2010. See “Item 4.B: Business Overview—Our Fleet.”

In general, the costs of maintaining a vessel in good operating condition increase with the age of the vessel. Older vessels are typically less fuel efficient than more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine technology. In addition, cargo insurance rates increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Older vessels might also require higher capital expenditure to comply with regulations that came into force after their construction and their values might depreciate faster than more modern vessels. As a result, an ageing fleet might affect our ability to remain in compliance with bank covenants and/or raise financing.

In particular, our three oldest vessels are not “eco-type” designs. Recent orders of container and drybulk vessels are based on new designs purporting to offer material bunker savings compared to older designs and greater carrying capacity. Such savings could result in a substantial reduction of bunker cost for charterers on a per unit basis. As the supply of “eco-type” vessels increases, if charterers prefer such vessels over our vessels that are not classified as such, this may reduce demand for our non-”eco-type” vessels, impair our ability to re-charter such vessels at competitive rates or to re-charter such vessels at all.

If we purchase secondhand vessels, we will not have the same knowledge about their condition as the knowledge we have about the condition of the vessels that are built for and operated solely by us. Generally, we will not receive the benefit of warranties from the builder for any secondhand vessel that we may acquire.

If we are unable to obtain profitable charters due to an aging fleet, this could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service our debt.

Marine transportation is inherently risky, and an incident involving significant loss of, or environmental contamination by, any of our vessels could harm our reputation and business.

Our vessels and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as:

 

   

marine disasters;

 

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bad weather;

 

   

mechanical failures;

 

   

grounding, fire, explosions and collisions;

 

   

piracy;

 

   

human error; and

 

   

war and terrorism.

An accident involving any of our vessels could result in any of the following:

 

   

environmental damage;

 

   

death or injury to persons, or loss of property;

 

   

delays in the delivery of cargo;

 

   

loss of revenues from, or termination of, charter contracts;

 

   

governmental fines, penalties or restrictions on conducting business;

 

   

higher insurance rates; and

 

   

damage to our reputation and customer relationships generally.

Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt.

Our insurance may be insufficient to cover losses that may occur to our property or result from our commercial operations.

The operation of ocean-going vessels in international trade is inherently risky. Not all risks can be adequately insured against, and any particular claim upon our insurance may not be paid for any number of reasons. We do not currently maintain off-hire insurance covering loss of revenue during extended vessel off-hire periods such as may occur while a vessel is under repair. Accordingly, any extended vessel off-hire due to an accident or otherwise could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt. Claims covered by insurance are subject to deductibles and since it is possible that a large number of claims may arise, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material. Our third-party liability insurance coverage is maintained through mutual protection and indemnity associations. As a member of such associations we may be required to make additional payments over and above budgeted premiums if member claims exceed association reserves. Please read “Item 3.D: Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Business and Operations—We will be subject to funding calls by our protection and indemnity associations, and our associations may not have enough resources to cover claims made against them, resulting in potential unbudgeted supplementary liability to fund claims made upon them and unbudgeted cash-calls made upon us by the associations.”

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 marine disaster could exceed our insurance coverage, which could harm our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions. Any uninsured or underinsured loss could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. In addition, our insurance may be voidable by the insurers as a result of certain of our actions, such as our ships failing to maintain certification with applicable maritime self-regulatory organizations.

 

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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.

We will be subject to funding calls by our protection and indemnity associations, and our associations may not have enough resources to cover claims made against them, resulting in potential unbudgeted supplementary liability to fund claims made upon them and unbudgeted cash-calls made upon us by the associations.

Cover for legal liabilities incurred in consequence of commercial operations is provided through membership in P&I Associations. P&I Associations are mutual insurance associations whose members must contribute proportionately to cover losses sustained by all the association’s members who remain subject to calls for additional funds if the aggregate premiums are insufficient to cover claims submitted to the association. Claims submitted to the associations include those incurred by its members but also claims submitted by other P&I Associations under claims pooling agreements. The P&I Associations to which we belong may not remain viable, and we may become subject to additional funding calls which could adversely affect us.

The crew employment agreements that manning agents enter into on behalf of our Manager, may not prevent labor interruptions, and the failure to renegotiate these agreements or to successfully attract and retain qualified personnel in the future may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our cash flows.

The collective bargaining agreement between our Manager and the Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation, effective August 1, 2018, expires on July 31, 2019. This collective bargaining agreement may not prevent labor interruptions and it is subject to renegotiation in the future. Although we believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory, no assurance can be given that we will be able to successfully extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreement when it expires. If we fail to extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreement, if disputes with our union arise, or if our unionized workers engage in a strike or other work stoppage or interruption, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Also, our success depends in part on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. In crewing our vessels, we employ certain employees with specialized training who can perform physically demanding work. Competition to attract and retain qualified crew members is intense. If we are not able to attract and retain qualified personnel, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Arrests of our vessels by maritime claimants could cause a significant loss of earnings for the related off-hire period.

Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In certain cases, maritime claimants may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages of its manager. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lienholder may enforce its lien by “arresting” or “attaching” a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. In addition, in jurisdictions where the “sister ship” theory of liability applies, a claimant may arrest the vessel that is subject to the claimant’s maritime lien and any “associated” vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. In countries with “sister ship” liability laws, claims might be asserted against us or any of our vessels for liabilities of other vessels that we own. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could result in a significant loss of earnings for the related off-hire period, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

 

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Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, resulting in loss of earnings.

The government of a vessel’s registry could requisition for title or seize our vessels. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. A government could also requisition our vessels for hire. Requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes the charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during a period of war or emergency. Government requisition of one or more of our vessels could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels have continued and could adversely affect our business.

Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia and the Red Sea. Although the frequency of sea piracy worldwide has decreased in recent years, sea piracy incidents continue to occur, particularly in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia and increasingly in the Gulf of Guinea.

If these piracy attacks result in regions in which our vessels are deployed being characterized by insurers as “war risk” zones or Joint War Committee “war and strikes” listed areas, premiums payable for insurance coverage for our vessels could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. In addition, crew costs, including costs which may be incurred due to the deployment of onboard security guards, could increase in such circumstances. While the use of security guards is intended to deter and prevent the hijacking of our vessels, it could also increase our risk of liability for death or injury to persons or damage to personal property. We may not be adequately insured to cover aspects of loss from these incidents, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, detention hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase in cost or unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt, as well as result in increased costs and decreased cash flows to our charterers impairing their ability to make payments to us under our charters.

Political and government instability, terrorist or other attacks, war or international hostilities can affect the industries in which we operate, which may adversely affect our business.

We conduct most of our operations outside of the United States, and our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be adversely affected by the effects of political instability, terrorist or other attacks, war or international hostilities. Terrorist attacks, such as the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001 and recently in Europe, the recent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine, other current and future conflicts, and the continuing response of the Western countries to these attacks, as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks, continue to contribute to world economic instability and uncertainty in global financial markets. Terrorist attacks could result in increased volatility of the financial markets in the United States and globally, and could negatively impact the U.S. and world economy, potentially leading to an economic recession. These uncertainties could also adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all.

In the past, political instability has also resulted in attacks on vessels, such as the attack on the M/T Limburg in October 2002, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Any such attacks could lead to, among other things, bodily injury or loss of life, vessel or other property damage and increased vessel operational costs, including insurance costs.

Furthermore, our operations may be adversely affected by changing or adverse political and governmental conditions in the countries where our vessels are flagged or registered and in the regions where we otherwise engage in business. Any of these events or circumstances may interfere with the operation of our vessels, which could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. Our operations may also be adversely affected by expropriation of vessels, taxes, regulation, tariffs, trade embargoes, economic sanctions or a disruption of, or limit to trading activities, or other adverse events or circumstances in or affecting the countries and regions where we operate or where we may operate in the future.

 

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Increases in fuel prices could adversely affect our profits.

When our vessels are trading on period charters, our charterers are responsible for the cost of fuel in the form of bunkers. However if we trade our vessels in the spot market or they are off-hire or during the vessels’ drydocking, we are responsible for the cost of bunkers consumed, which can be a significant vessel expense. Spot charter arrangements generally provide that the vessel owner, or pool operator where relevant, bear the cost of fuel. Because we do not intend to hedge our fuel costs, an increase in the price of fuel beyond our expectations may adversely affect our profitability, cash flows and ability to pay cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates as a result of events outside our control, including geo-political developments, supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (also known as OPEC) and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and environmental concerns and regulations. Changes in the actual price of fuel at the time the charter is to be performed could result in the charter being performed at a significantly greater cost than originally anticipated and may result in losses or diminished profits.

In addition, the International Maritime Organization confirmed in October 2016 that a global 0.5% sulphur cap on marine fuels will come into force on January 1, 2020, as stipulated in 2008 amendments to Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ships (“MARPOL”). See “—Regulatory Risks—The maritime transportation industry is subject to substantial environmental and other regulations and international standards, which have become stricter over time and which may significantly limit our operations, result in substantial penalties or increase our expenditures.” A potential shortage of low sulphur marine fuels could drive prices upwards, which could adversely affect our profit margins if our vessels are being chartered on the spot market or are off-hire or the profit margins of our charterers.

Increased competition in technology and innovation could reduce our charter hire income and the value of our vessels.

The charter rates and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors, including the vessel’s efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Determining a vessel’s efficiency includes considering its speed and fuel economy, while flexibility considerations include the ability to enter harbors, utilize related docking facilities and pass through canals and straits. A vessel’s physical life is related to the original design and construction, maintenance and the impact of the stress of its operations. If new ship designs currently promoted by shipyards as being more fuel efficient perform as promoted, or if new vessels are built in the future that are more efficient, or flexible, have increased capacity, or have longer physical lives than our current vessels, competition from these more technologically advanced vessels could adversely affect our ability to re-charter our vessels, the amount of charter-hire payments that we receive for our vessels once their current charters expire and the resale value of our vessels. This could adversely affect our ability to service our debt or make cash distributions.

We rely on information systems to conduct our business, and failure to protect these systems against security breaches could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

The efficient operation of our business is dependent on information technology systems and networks, which are provided by our Manager. Our operations could be targeted by individuals or groups seeking to sabotage or disrupt our information technology systems and networks, or to steal data. A successful cyber-attack could materially disrupt our operations, including the safety or operation of our vessels, or lead to unauthorized release of information or alteration of information on our systems. Any such attack or other breach of our information technology systems could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

 

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Since 2011, our board of directors has elected not to deduct cash reserves for estimated replacement capital expenditures from our operating surplus. If this practice continues, our asset base and the income generating capacity of our fleet may be significantly affected.

Our partnership agreement provides that our board of directors shall deduct from operating surplus cash reserves that it determines are necessary to fund our future operating expenditures, including estimated maintenance capital expenditures. The amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by our board of directors, provided that any change must be approved by our conflicts committee.

Replacement capital expenditures are made in order to maintain our asset base and the income generating capacity of our fleet. We have in the past incurred substantial replacement capital expenditures. Replacement capital expenditures may vary over time as a result of a range of factors, including changes in:

 

   

the value of the vessels in our fleet;

 

   

the cost of our labor and materials;

 

   

the cost and replacement life of suitable replacement vessels;

 

   

customer/market requirements;

 

   

the age of the vessels in our fleet;

 

   

charter rates in the market; and

 

   

governmental regulations, industry and maritime self-regulatory organization standards relating to safety, security or the environment.

Since 2011, our board of directors has elected not to deduct any cash reserves for estimated replacement capital expenditures from our operating surplus. We account for maintenance capital expenditures required to maintain the operating capacity of our vessels, including any amortization of drydocking costs associated with scheduled drydockings, as part of our operating costs, which are reflected in our operating income.

As a result of this practice, we have become significantly more reliant on our ability to obtain required financing and access the financial markets to fund our replacement capital expenditures from time to time. If this practice continues and external funding is not available to us for any reason, our ability to acquire new vessels or replace a vessel in our fleet to maintain our asset base and our income generating capacity may be significantly impaired, which would negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

If we finance the purchase of any additional vessels or businesses we acquire in the future through cash from operations, by increasing our indebtedness or by issuing debt or equity securities, our ability to make or increase our cash distributions may be diminished, our financial leverage could increase or our unitholders could be diluted. In addition, if we expand the size of our fleet by directly contracting newbuildings in the future, we will generally be required to make significant installment payments for such acquisitions prior to their delivery and generation of any revenue.

The actual cost of a new vessel varies significantly depending on the market price charged by shipyards, the size and specifications of the vessel, whether a charter is attached to the vessel and the terms of such charter, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards. The total cost of a vessel will be higher and include financing, construction supervision, vessel start-up and other costs.

If we enter into contracts for newbuildings directly with shipyards, we generally will be required to make installment payments prior to their delivery. We typically must pay between 5% and 25% of the purchase price of a vessel upon signing the purchase contract, even though delivery of the completed vessel will not occur until much later (approximately 18–36 months later for current orders), which could reduce cash available for distributions to unitholders.

 

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To fund the acquisition of a vessel or a business or other related 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. Even if we are successful in obtaining necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders. 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 fund our quarterly distributions to unitholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow or make cash distributions. See also “—Risks Related to Financing Activities—We rely on the master limited partnership (“MLP”) structure and its appeal to investors for accessing debt and equity markets to finance our growth and repay or refinance our debt. The volatility in energy prices over the past few years has, among other factors, caused increased volatility and contributed to a dislocation in pricing for MLPs.

We intend to retrofit scrubbers and ballast water treatment systems on a number of our vessels. Failure of the scrubber or ballast water treatment equipment to operate effectively could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

We intend to retrofit scrubbers on all of our vessels. Marine scrubber technology, and up to certain extent ballast water treatment systems (“BWTS”) technology, is relatively untested and failure of the equipment to operate effectively after installation might affect our ability to comply with regulatory requirements and/or our charter party agreements, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

RISKS RELATED TO FINANCING ACTIVITIES

We are reliant on our ability to obtain required financing and access the financial markets. Therefore, we may be harmed by any limitation in the availability of external funding, as a result of a contraction or volatility in bank debt or financial markets or for any other reason. If we are unable to obtain required financing or access the capital markets, we may be unable to grow or maintain our asset base, pursue other potential growth opportunities or refinance our existing indebtedness.

We are reliant on our ability to obtain required financing and access the financial markets to operate and grow our business.

However, asset impairments, financial stress, enforcement actions and credit rating pressures experienced in recent years by financial institutions, in particular in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, combined with a general decline in the willingness of financial institutions to extend credit to the shipping industry due to depressed shipping rates and the deterioration of asset values that have led to losses in many banks’ shipping portfolios, as well as changes in overall banking regulations (including, for example, Basel III) have severely constrained the availability of credit supply for shipping companies such as us. For example, following heavy losses in its shipping portfolio and at the EU Commission’s behest, one of our main lenders, state-backed Hamburg Commercial Bank AG (“HCB”), was mandatorily privatized.

In addition, our ability to obtain financing or access capital markets to issue debt or equity securities may be limited by (i) our financial condition at the time of any such financing or issuance, (ii) adverse market conditions affecting the shipping industry, including weaker demand for, or increased supply of, drybulk and container vessels, whether as a result of general economic conditions or the financial condition of charterers and operators of vessels, (iii) weaknesses in the financial markets, (iv) restrictions imposed by our credit facilities, such as collateral maintenance requirements, which could limit our ability to incur additional secured financing and (v) other contingencies and uncertainties, which may be beyond our control. Continued access to external financing and the capital markets is not assured.

As a result, our ability to obtain financing to fund capital expenditures, acquire new vessels or refinance our existing indebtedness is and may continue to be limited. If we are unable to obtain additional financing

 

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or issue further equity or debt securities, our ability to fund current and future obligations may be impaired. In addition, restrictions in the availability of credit supply may result in higher interest costs, which would reduce our available cash for distributions. Any failure to obtain funds for necessary future capital expenditures, to grow our asset base or, in time, to refinance our existing indebtedness on terms that are commercially acceptable could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt, and could cause the market price of our common units to decline.

We rely on the master limited partnership (“MLP”) structure and its appeal to investors for accessing debt and equity markets to finance our growth and repay or refinance our debt. The volatility in energy prices over the past few years has, among other factors, caused increased volatility and contributed to a dislocation in pricing for MLPs.

The volatility in energy prices and, in particular, the price of oil, among other factors, has contributed to increased volatility in the pricing of MLPs and the energy debt markets, as a number of MLPs and other energy companies may be adversely affected by a lower energy prices environment. A number of MLPs, including certain maritime MLPs and us, have reduced or eliminated their distributions to unitholders.

We rely on our ability to obtain financing and to raise capital in the equity and debt markets to fund our capital replacement, growth and investment expenditures, and to refinance our debt. A protracted deterioration in the valuation of our common units would increase our cost of capital, make any equity issuance significantly dilutive and may affect our ability to access capital markets and, as a result, our capacity to pay distributions to our unitholders and service or refinance our debt.

A limited number of financial institutions hold our cash, including, from time to time, financial institutions located in Greece.

We maintain our cash with a limited number of financial institutions, occasionally including institutions located in Greece. Of these financial institutions located in Greece, some are subsidiaries of international banks and others are Greek financial institutions. These balances may not be covered by insurance in the event of default by these financial institutions. The ongoing fiscal situation and political uncertainty in Greece may result in an event of default by some or all of these financial institutions. The occurrence of such a default could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distribution and service or refinance our debt.

We have incurred significant indebtedness, which could adversely affect our ability to finance our operations, refinance our existing indebtedness, pursue desirable business opportunities, successfully run our business or make cash distributions.

As of December 31, 2018, our total debt was $445.9 million. In connection with the DSS Transaction, we prepaid a total principal amount of $146.5 million plus accrued interest and breakage costs. All our debt currently consists of bank loans under the 2017 credit facility.

Our leverage and debt service obligations could have a significant impact on our operations, including the following:

 

   

amortization expenses under our 2017 credit facility may restrict our ability to pay cash distributions to our unitholders, to manage ongoing business activities and to pursue new acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures;

 

   

our indebtedness will have the general effect of reducing our flexibility to react to changing business and economic conditions and, therefore, may pose substantial risks to our business and our unitholders;

 

   

in the event that we are liquidated, our creditors (senior or, if any, subordinated) and creditors (senior or, if any, subordinated) of our subsidiaries will be entitled to payment in full prior to any distributions to our unitholders; and

 

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our ability to secure additional financing, or to refinance our credit facilities, may be substantially restricted by the existing level of our indebtedness and the restrictions contained in our debt instruments.

While our leverage is significant, if future cash flows are insufficient to fund capital expenditures and other expenses or investments, we may need to incur further indebtedness. See “—Risks Related to Our Business and Operations—Since 2011, our board of directors has elected not to deduct cash reserves for estimated replacement capital expenditures from our operating surplus. If this practice continues, our asset base and the income generating capacity of our fleet may be significantly affected.

Any of the risks described above may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt.

Our 2017 credit facility contains, and we expect that any new or amended credit facilities we may enter into in the future will contain, restrictive covenants, which may limit our business and financing activities, including our ability to make cash distributions.

Operating and financial restrictions and covenants under our 2017 credit facility and any new facilities we may enter into in the future could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage, expand or pursue our business activities. For example, our credit facility requires the consent of our lenders to, or limits our ability to, among other things:

 

   

incur or guarantee indebtedness;

 

   

mortgage, charge, pledge or allow our vessels to be encumbered by any maritime or other lien or any other security interest of any kind except in the ordinary course of business;

 

   

change the flag, class, management or ownership of our vessels;

 

   

change the commercial and technical management of our vessels;

 

   

sell or change the beneficial ownership or control of our vessels; and

 

   

subordinate our obligations thereunder to any general and administrative costs relating to our vessels, including fees payable under our management agreement.

Our 2017 credit facility also requires us to comply with the International Safety Management Code and to maintain valid safety management certificates and documents of compliance at all times. In addition, our 2017 credit facility requires us to comply with certain financial covenants:

 

   

to maintain minimum free consolidated liquidity of at least $500,000 per collateralized vessel;

 

   

to maintain a ratio of EBITDA (as defined in each credit facility) to net interest expense of at least 2.00 to 1.00 on a trailing four quarter basis; and

 

   

not to exceed a specified maximum leverage ratio in the form of a ratio of total net indebtedness to (fair value adjusted) total assets of 0.750.

In addition, our 2017 credit facility requires that we maintain a minimum security coverage ratio, usually defined as the ratio of the market value of the collateralized vessels or vessel and net realizable value of additional acceptable security to our outstanding loans under the credit facility, of 125%.

Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in our credit facility may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions, interest rate developments, changes in the funding costs of our banks and changes in vessel earnings and asset valuations. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, our ability to comply with these covenants may be impaired. If we

 

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are in breach of any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our credit facility, or if we trigger a cross-default currently contained in our credit facility, we may be forced to suspend our distributions, a significant portion of our obligations may become immediately due and payable, and our lenders’ commitment (if any) 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, obligations under our credit facility are secured by our vessels, and if we are unable to repay debt under our credit facility, the lenders could seek to foreclose on those assets.

Furthermore, any contemplated vessel acquisitions will have to be at levels that do not impair the required ratios described above. The global economic downturn that occurred within the past several years, depressed shipping markets, lack of capital in the industry and prolonged overcapacity had an adverse effect on vessel values. If the estimated asset values of our vessels decrease, we may be obligated to prepay part of our outstanding debt in order to remain in compliance with the relevant covenants in our credit facility, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

If we default under our 2017 credit facility, our ability to make cash distributions may be impaired and we could forfeit our rights in certain of our vessels and their charters.

We have pledged all of our vessels as security to the lenders under our 2017 credit facility. Default under these credit facilities, if not waived or modified, would permit the lenders to foreclose on the mortgages over the vessels and the related collateral, and we could lose our rights in the vessels and their charters.

Under our 2017 credit facility, we are required to make quarterly amortization payments and an additional balloon payment upon maturity. Please see “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital ResourcesBorrowings—Our Credit Facilities” and “—We have incurred significant indebtedness, which could adversely affect our ability to finance our operations, refinance our existing indebtedness, pursue desirable business opportunities, successfully run our business or make cash distributions” for further information on our credit facilities.

To the extent that cash flows are insufficient to make required service payments under our 2017 credit facility or asset cover is inadequate due to a deterioration in vessel values, we will need to refinance some or all of the loan outstanding under our 2017 credit facility, replace it with alternate credit arrangements or provide additional security. We may not be able to refinance or replace our bank debt or provide additional security at the time they become due.

In the event we default under our 2017 credit facility or we are not able to refinance our existing debt obligations with new debt facilities on commercially acceptable terms, or if our operating results are not sufficient to service current or future indebtedness, or to make relevant principal repayments if necessary, we may be forced to take actions such as reducing or eliminating distributions, reducing or delaying business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing debt, or seeking additional equity capital or bankruptcy protection. In addition, the terms of any refinancing or alternate credit arrangement may restrict our financial and operating flexibility and our ability to make cash distributions.

If we are in breach of any of the terms of our 2017 credit facility, a significant portion of our obligations may become immediately due and payable. This can adversely affect our ability to execute our business strategy or make cash distributions.

Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in our 2017 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 we are in breach of any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our 2017 credit facility, or if we trigger a cross-default currently contained in our 2017 credit facility or any interest rate swap agreements, or in any such facility or agreement we may enter into, pursuant to their terms, a significant portion of our obligations may become immediately due and payable. We may not be able to reach agreement with our lenders to amend the terms of the loan agreements or waive any breaches and we may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make any accelerated payments, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

 

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Restrictions in our debt agreements may prevent us from paying distributions.

Our payment of interest and principal on our debt may reduce cash available for distribution on our units. In addition, our 2017 credit facility prohibits the payment of distributions if we are not in compliance with certain financial covenants or security coverage ratios or upon the occurrence of any other event of default.

Events of default under our 2017 credit facility include:

 

   

failure to pay principal or interest when due;

 

   

breach of certain undertakings, negative covenants and financial covenants contained in the credit facility, any related security document or guarantee or the interest rate swap agreements (if any), including failure to maintain unencumbered title to any of the vessel-owning subsidiaries or any of the assets of the vessel-owning subsidiaries and failure to maintain proper insurance;

 

   

any breach of the credit facility, any related security document or guarantee or the interest rate swap agreements (if any) (other than breaches described in the preceding two bullet points) if, in the opinion of the lenders, such default is capable of remedy and continues unremedied following prior written notice of the lenders for a period of 14 days;

 

   

any breach of representation, warranty or statement made by us in the credit facility or related security document or guarantee or the interest rate swap agreements (if any);

 

   

a cross-default of our other indebtedness of $5.0 million or greater;

 

   

our inability, in the reasonable opinion of the lenders, to pay our debts when due;

 

   

any form of execution, attachment, arrest, sequestration or distress in respect of a sum of $5.0 million or more that is not discharged within 10 business days;

 

   

an event of insolvency or bankruptcy;

 

   

cessation or suspension of our business or of a material part thereof;

 

   

unlawfulness, non-effectiveness or repudiation of any material provision of our credit facilities, of any of the related finance and guarantee documents or of our interest rate swap agreements;

 

   

failure of effectiveness of security documents or guarantee;

 

   

delisting of our common units from the Nasdaq Global Select Market or on any other recognized securities exchange;

 

   

any breach under any provisions contained in our interest rate swap agreements, if we decide to enter into such agreements in the future;

 

   

termination of any interest rate swap agreements or an event of default thereunder that is not timely remedied, if we decide to enter into such agreements in the future;

 

   

invalidity of a security document in any material respect or if any security document ceases to provide a perfected first priority security interest;

 

   

failure by key charter parties, such as HMM and CMA CGM, or other charterers we may have from time to time, to comply with the terms of their charters to the extent that we are unable to replace the charter in a manner that meets our obligations under the facilities; or

 

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any other event that occurs or circumstance that arises in light of which the lenders reasonably consider that there is a significant risk that we will be unable to discharge our liabilities under the credit facility, related security and guarantee documents or interest rate swap agreements.

Certain dealings in connection with sanctioned countries could also trigger a mandatory prepayment event. See “—Regulatory Risks—Our vessels may be chartered or sub-chartered to parties, or call on ports, located in countries that are subject to restrictions and sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions.”

We anticipate that any subsequent refinancing of our current debt or any new debt could have similar or more onerous restrictions. Please see “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings—Our Credit Facilities” for further information on our existing facilities.

The phase-out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the replacement of LIBOR with a different benchmark rate, may adversely affect interest rates and our cost of capital.

On July 27, 2017, the UK Financial Conduct Authority announced that it would phase-out LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is unclear whether new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021, or if alternative rates or benchmarks will be adopted. Changes in the method of calculating LIBOR, or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative rate or benchmark, may adversely affect interest rates. As our debt typically consists of floating rate bank loans, changes in interest rates may result in higher borrowing costs for us and materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions.

We cannot predict the effect of the potential changes to LIBOR or the establishment and use of alternative rates or benchmarks. Under our 2017 credit facility, if LIBOR is discontinued, we may agree with the agent thereunder (acting upon the instructions of the lenders) a replacement screen rate. There can be no assurance that we and our lenders will reach an agreement as to such a replacement rate. We may need to renegotiate our 2017 credit facility or incur indebtedness to refinance our loan thereunder, all of which may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and ability to make cash distributions.

REGULATORY RISKS

Our vessels may be chartered or sub-chartered to parties, or call on ports, located in countries that are subject to restrictions and sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions.

Certain countries (including the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria),entities and persons are targeted by economic sanctions and embargoes imposed by the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions, and a number of those countries, currently North Korea, Iran, Sudan and Syria, have been identified as state sponsors of terrorism by the U.S. Department of State. Such economic sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in their application with regard to countries, entities or persons and the scope of activities they subject to sanctions. These sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be strengthened, relaxed or otherwise modified over time.

With regard to Iran on August 6, 2018, President Trump issued Executive Order 13846, which reinstates provisions of certain Executive Orders that had been revoked in January 2016 to implement the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (“JCPOA”) agreed to by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, plus Germany, Iran and the European Union. As of November 5, 2018, following the conclusion of the 90- and 180-day “wind-down” periods for activities permitted under or consistent with the JCPOA, all U.S. sanctions (both primary and secondary) that had been waived or lifted under the JCPOA were re-imposed and fully effective.

We are mindful of the restrictions contained in the various economic sanctions programs and embargo laws administered by the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions that limit the ability of companies and persons from doing business or trading with targeted countries and persons and entities. We believe that we are currently in compliance with all applicable economic sanctions laws and regulations.

 

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We generally do not do business in sanctions-targeted jurisdictions unless an activity is authorized by the appropriate governmental or other sanctions authority. Except as otherwise described below, we and our general partner and its affiliates have not entered into agreements or other arrangements with the governments or any governmental entities of sanctioned countries, and we and our general partner and its affiliates do not have any direct business dealings with officials or representatives of any sanctioned governments or entities. In addition, our charter agreements include provisions that restrict trades of our vessels to countries or to sub-charterers targeted by economic sanctions unless such trades involving sanctioned countries or persons are permitted under applicable economic sanctions and embargo regimes. Although we have various policies and controls designed to help ensure our compliance with these economic sanctions and embargo laws, it is nevertheless possible that third-party charterers of our vessels, or their sub-charterers, may arrange for vessels in our fleet to call on ports located in one or more sanctioned countries.

In order to help maintain our compliance with applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, we monitor and review the movement of our vessels, as well as the cargo being transported by our vessels, on a continuing basis. In 2018, our vessels under time or voyage charter contracts made 2,001 total calls on worldwide ports. None of the vessels in our fleet made any port calls in Crimea, Cuba, North Korea, Sudan or Syria.

In March 2018, one vessel owned by us and chartered under a time charter party to Product & Crude Tanker Chartering Inc. (“PCTC”), a subsidiary of Capital Maritime, our sponsor, made a port call to Iran to load crude oil. This port call represented less than 0.05% of the total port calls made by all our vessels in 2018. It occurred while the vessel was chartered out to an unaffiliated sub-charterer, under the instructions of such sub-charterer. As the vessel owner, we earned revenues at the agreed daily charter rate from PCTC under the applicable time charter. PCTC in turn earned revenues at the agreed freight rate from the sub-charterer that employed the vessel. CPLP’s aggregate revenue attributable to the number of days that our vessel under time charter remained in a port in Iran was approximately $0.1 million, representing less than 0.04% of our total revenues during the year ended December 31, 2018. This vessel was part of the Tanker Business spun-off in March 2019. In addition, in February 2018, the vessel M/T Amore Mio II, which we sold in October 2018, made a port call to Iran to load crude oil while employed under a voyage charter to an unaffiliated third party. This port call represented less than 0.05% of the total port calls made by all the vessels owned by CPLP in 2018. The aggregate revenue attributable to this voyage was approximately $1.5 million, representing approximately 0.5% of our total revenues during the year ended December 31, 2018. We do not attribute profits to specific voyages.

Other than as described above, no vessel owned or chartered by Capital Maritime made any port calls to countries targeted by economic sanctions during 2018.

As part of the voyage charter arrangements between us and third-party charterers or sub-charterers, we or our Manager may pay fees and expenses related to the port calls made in Iran through a private third-party agent in Iran appointed by the third-party charterer or sub-charterer. In 2018, no such payments were made for re-fueling or bunkers for the vessels making such port calls. We believe the port calls to Iran were made in full compliance with applicable economic sanctions laws and regulations, including those of the United States, the European Union and other relevant jurisdictions. See also “Item 4B: Business Overview—Regulation” for information on the port calls made by certain our vessels and those of our affiliates to Iran.

Our charter agreements include provisions that restrict trades of our vessels to countries targeted by economic sanctions unless such transportation activities involving sanctioned countries are permitted under applicable economic sanctions and embargo regimes. Our ordinary chartering policy is to seek to include similar provisions in all of our period charters. Prior to agreeing to waive existing charter party restrictions on carrying cargoes to or from ports that may implicate sanctions risks, we ensure that the charterers have proof of compliance with international and U.S. sanctions requirements, or applicable licenses or other exemptions.

Should one of our charterers engage in actions that involve us or our vessels and that may, if completed, represent material violations of economic sanctions and embargo laws or regulations, we would rely on our monitoring and control systems, including documentation, such as bills of lading, regular check-ins with the crews of our vessels and electronic tracking systems on our vessels to detect such actions on a prompt basis and seek to prevent them from occurring.

 

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Notwithstanding the above, it is possible that new, or changes to existing, sanctions-related legislation or agreements may impact our business. In addition, it is possible that the charterers of our vessels may violate applicable sanctions, laws and regulations, using our vessels or otherwise, and the applicable authorities may seek to review our activities as the vessel owner. Although we do not believe that current sanctions and embargoes prevent our vessels from making all calls to ports in the sanctioned countries, potential investors could view such port calls negatively, which could adversely affect our reputation and the market for our common units. Moreover, although we believe that we are in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, and intend to maintain such compliance, the scope of certain laws may be unclear, may be subject to changing interpretations or may be strengthened or otherwise amended. Any violation of sanctions or engagement in sanctionable conduct could result in fines, sanctions or other penalties, and could result in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, or not to invest, in our common units.

Additionally, some investors, including U.S. state pension funds, may decide, or be required, to divest their interest, or not to invest, in our common units simply because we or our affiliates may do business with charterers or sub-charterers that do business in sanctioned countries, or because of port calls of our vessels to ports of sanctioned countries, which could have a negative effect on the price of our common units or our ability to make distributions on our common units. Moreover, our charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of actions that do not involve us or our vessels, and those violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation. Investor perception of the value of our common units may also be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in these and surrounding countries. Finally, future expansion of sanctions against these or other countries could prevent our vessels from making any calls at certain ports, which potentially could have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.

Under our 2017 credit facility, if revenues we derive from business or transactions in connection with Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Crimea-Sevastopol and/or Syria in any given year exceed 20% of our aggregate revenues (unless such revenues are less than 25% of our aggregate revenues and are forecast to be less than 20% of our aggregate revenues for the following year) or the aggregate number of port calls to those countries represent more than 5% of our total port calls, such credit facility may be terminated at the option of the lenders. If that were to happen, we would be required to repay immediately the total debt outstanding under our 2017 credit facility and any other loans which may, as a result, be accelerated.

Furthermore, in 2018, the EU expanded the scope of its Blocking Regulation — Council Regulation (EC) No. 2271/96 of 22 November 1996, in reaction to the United States’ withdrawal from the JCPOA and the associated re-imposition of various sanctions on Iran. The scope of the Blocking Regulation was expanded by including certain U.S. sanctions that were lifted or waived following the JCPOA and which have been re-imposed. The Blocking Regulation already covered certain other U.S. sanctions against Cuba, Iran, and Libya. EU operators are prohibited from complying with the blocked U.S. sanctions.

A violation of the EU Blocking Regulation, where applicable, can give rise to enforcement actions and result in the imposition of penalties. EU operators are also entitled to recover any damages from anyone causing damage to that operator by the application of the blocked sanctions or by actions based thereon or resulting therefrom, or from any person acting on its behalf or intermediary. This can give rise to conflicting obligations under EU and U.S. legislation, and to risks of claims for damages by EU operators when companies or natural persons act in compliance with the blocked sanctions of the United States.

If and when the EU Blocking Regulation applies, we need to be aware of possible conflicting obligations. It is also important for us to assess possible risks related to action for damages under the EU Blocking Regulation when carrying out our operations.

We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and anti-corruption laws in other applicable jurisdictions.

As an international shipping company, we may operate in countries known to have a reputation for corruption. The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”) and other anti-corruption laws and regulations in applicable jurisdictions generally prohibit companies registered with the SEC and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Under

 

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the FCPA, companies registered with the SEC may be held liable for some actions taken by strategic or local partners or representatives. Legislation in other countries includes the U.K. Bribery Act, which became effective on July 1, 2011. The U.K. Bribery Act is broader in scope than the FCPA because it does not contain an exception for facilitating payments (i.e., payments to secure or expedite the performance of a “routine governmental action”) and covers bribes and payments to private businesses as well as foreign public officials. We and our charterers may be subject to these and similar anti-corruption laws in other applicable jurisdictions. Failure to comply with such legal requirements could expose us to civil and/or criminal penalties, including fines, prosecution and significant reputational damage, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, including our relationships with our charterers, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. Compliance with the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act and other applicable anti-corruption laws and related regulations and policies imposes potentially significant costs and operational burdens. Moreover, the compliance and monitoring mechanisms that we have in place, including our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which incorporates our anti-bribery and corruption policy, may not adequately prevent or detect possible violations under applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption legislation.

We have incurred, and may continue to incur significant costs in complying with the requirements of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. If management is unable to continue to provide reports as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to continue to provide us with unqualified attestation reports as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our common units.

As a publicly traded limited partnership, we are required to comply with the SEC’s reporting requirements and with corporate governance and related requirements of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the SEC and the Nasdaq Global Select Market, on which our common units are listed. Section 404 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX 404”) requires that we evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis and include in our reports filed with the SEC our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and a related attestation of our independent registered public accounting firm. Our Manager provides substantially all of our financial reporting and we depend on the procedures they have in place. If, in such future annual reports on Form 20-F, our management cannot provide a report as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide us with an unqualified attestation report as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as required by SOX 404, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our common units.

We have and expect we will continue to have to dedicate a significant amount of time and resources to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements of SOX 404. We will continue to work with our legal, accounting and financial advisors to identify any areas in which changes should be made to our financial and management control systems to manage our growth and our obligations as a public company. However, these and other measures we may take may not be sufficient to allow us to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely and reliable basis. If we have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, we may not detect errors on a timely basis and our financial statements may be materially misstated. We have incurred and will continue to incur legal, accounting and other expenses in complying with these and other applicable regulations. We anticipate that our incremental general and administrative expenses as a publicly traded limited partnership taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will include costs associated with annual reports to unitholders, tax returns, investor relations, registrar and transfer agent’s fees, incremental director and officer liability insurance costs and director compensation.

The maritime transportation industry is subject to substantial environmental and other regulations and international standards, which have become stricter over time and which may significantly limit our operations, result in substantial penalties or increase our expenditures.

Our operations are affected by extensive and increasingly stringent international, national and local environmental protection laws, regulations, treaties, conventions and standards in force in international waters, the jurisdictional waters of the countries in which our vessels operate, as well as the countries of our vessels’ registration. Many of these requirements are designed to reduce the risk of oil spills, limit air emissions and other pollution, and to reduce potential negative environmental effects associated with the maritime industry in general.

 

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These requirements can affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels, increase operational costs, require a reduction in cargo capacity, ship modifications or operational changes or restrictions, decrease profitability, lead to decreased availability of insurance coverage for environmental risks or result in the denial of access to certain jurisdictional waters or ports, or detention in certain ports. Under local, national and foreign laws, as well as international treaties and conventions, we could incur material liabilities, including clean up obligations and natural resource damages, in the event that there is a release of petroleum or other hazardous substances from our vessels or otherwise in connection with our operations. We could also become subject to personal injury and property damage claims and natural resource damages relating to the release of, or exposure to, hazardous materials associated with our current or historic operations. Violations of or liabilities under environmental requirements also can result in substantial penalties, fines and other sanctions including, in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels.

MARPOL Annex VI

Under MARPOL Annex VI, all ships trading in designated emission control areas are required to use fuel oil on board with a sulphur content of no more than 0.10%, while the current limit for sulphur content of fuel oil outside emission control areas is 3.50%. In October 2016, the International Maritime Organization confirmed that a global 0.5% sulphur cap on marine fuels will come into force on January 1, 2020, as stipulated in amendments to Annex VI adopted in 2008. Annex VI sets progressively stricter regulations to control sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrous oxides (NOx) emissions from ships, which present both environmental and health risks. The 0.5% sulphur cap marks a significant reduction from the current global sulphur cap of 3.5%, which has been in force since January 1, 2012.

To satisfy the new requirements of Annex VI, vessel owners need to develop their new bunkering management plans and procedures. Vessel owners who continue to use fuel types which exceed the 0.5% sulphur limit will be required to retrofit an approved exhaust gas cleaning system (also known as a “scrubber”) to remove sulphur from exhaust, which would require substantial capital expenditure and prolonged off-hire of the vessel. Alternatively, vessel owners may use petroleum fuels, such as marine gasoil (“MGO”), which meet the 0.5% sulphur limit. According to Clarksons Shipping Intelligence Network, the premium of MGO over 380 CST 3.5% bunker fuel in Rotterdam has averaged US$210 per ton over the last five years. Depending on the vessel type and size, this could translate into a substantial increase in the cost of bunkers. Bunker cost could further increase if the refining sector is unable to cope with the higher distillate demand, resulting in a tight distillate market and wider spread between high sulphur fuel oil and MGO. Retrofitting vessels for the consumption of alternative fuels, such as LNG, methanol, biofuels or liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”), would involve a substantial capital expenditure and may be uneconomical or infeasible for most conventional vessel types in light of current technology and design challenges. To the extent that we do not retrofit our vessels with approved exhaust gas cleaning systems and, as a result, our charterers under time and (as applicable) bareboat charters are required to use more expensive fuels meeting the 0.5% sulphur limit or we seek to pass on higher bunker costs to charterers under voyage charters, this may reduce demand for our vessels, impair our ability to re-charter our vessels at competitive rates or to re-charter our vessels at all, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

We have currently contracted to procure scrubbers for our fleet with two third-party manufacturers. Currently, total remaining contracted capital expenditure in relation to the scrubbers to be retrofitted on our vessels amounts to $19.5 million, of which we expect to pay $10.7 million, $7.2 million and $1.6 million in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively (although the actual amount expended each year will depend on the timing of the installation of the scrubber equipment, which may vary depending on our charterers’ requirements, dry-docking availability and other considerations).

Ballast Water Management

The IMO Ballast Water Management Convention (the “BWM Convention”) came into force on September 8, 2017. The BWM Convention requires vessels constructed before September 8, 2017 to fit BWTS before their first International Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (the “IOPP Certificate”) renewal conducted after September 8, 2019. All vessels dependent on an IOPP renewal need to be certified in accordance with the BWM Convention and install BWTS by September 8, 2024 at the latest. This certification entails ballast water management plans to be approved by the flag state and surveyors in attendance onboard for survey and issuance of ballast water management certificates. We expect to incur additional expenditures for such certification.

 

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In addition to the International Maritime Organization’s requirements, installation of BWTS will be required for vessels entering U.S. jurisdictions as the U.S. Coast Guard (the “USCG”) requires the installation of BWTS at the first scheduled dry-docking conducted after January 1, 2016. As BWTS have only recently been approved by the USCG, we have obtained extensions for the majority of our vessels with dry-docking due dates up to and including 2018 to carry out installation of BWTS at the next dry-docking survey occurring after December 31, 2018. As of the date of this Annual Report, eight of our 11 vessels were equipped with BWTS. While it is difficult to determine the costs of fitting BWTS (including, among other things, design, equipment and installation costs), we currently estimate that total capital expenditure associated with equipping our remaining vessels with BWTS will amount to approximately $1.5 million between 2019 and 2023.

Significant expenditures for the installation of additional equipment or new systems on board our vessels may be required in order to comply with existing or future environmental regulations.

We could incur significant costs, including cleanup costs, fines, penalties, third-party claims and natural resource damages as the result of environmental hazards. The United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA 90”) imposes liability for spills of oil from vessels operating within United States territorial waters. OPA 90 can impose liability without regard to fault by owners, operators and bareboat charterers of vessels for oil pollution in U.S. waters. Similarly, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, as amended, which has been adopted by most countries outside of the United States, imposes liability for oil pollution in international waters. OPA 90 expressly permits individual U.S. states to impose their own stricter liability regimes with regard to hazardous materials and oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries. Certain coastal states in the United States, especially on the Pacific coast, have enacted their own stricter pollution prevention, liability and response laws.

In addition to complying with existing laws and regulations and those that may be adopted, ship-owners may incur significant additional costs in meeting new maintenance, training and inspection requirements, in developing contingency arrangements for potential spills and in obtaining insurance coverage. Government regulation of vessels, particularly in the areas of safety and environmental requirements, can be expected to become stricter in the future and require us to incur significant capital expenditure on our vessels to keep them in compliance, or even to scrap or sell certain vessels altogether.

Further legislation, or amendments to existing legislation, applicable to international and national maritime trade is expected over the coming years relating to environmental matters, such as ship recycling, sewage systems, emission control (including emissions of greenhouse gases), cold-ironing while docked and ballast treatment and handling.

In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also adopted a rule which requires commercial vessels to obtain a Vessel General Permit (“VGP”) from the USCG in compliance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (the “Clean Water Act”) regulating, among other things, the discharge of ballast water and other discharges into U.S. waters. Permit holders must also comply with detailed operational, maintenance, reporting and recordkeeping permit requirements.

Requirements also exist, or may come into force, regarding the protection of threatened and endangered species, which have led or could further lead to changes in the routes our vessels follow, vessel speeds or trading patterns generally, and thus result in additional operating expenditures. Additionally, new environmental regulations with respect to greenhouse gas emissions and preservation of biodiversity among others, may arise out of commitments made at international conferences such as periodic G8 and G20 summits through international environmental agreements and United Nations Climate Change Conferences and through other multilateral or bilateral agreements.

Furthermore, as a result of marine accidents we believe that regulation of the shipping industry will continue to become more stringent and more expensive for us and our competitors. Future incidents may result in the adoption of even stricter laws and regulations, which could limit our operations or our ability to do business and which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt.

 

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Please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Regulation” for more information on the regulations applicable to our vessels.

Compliance with safety and other vessel requirements imposed by classification societies may be costly and could reduce our net cash flows and net income.

The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be certified as being “in class” by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention.

A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be placed on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. We expect our vessels to be on special survey cycles for hull inspection and continuous survey cycles for machinery inspection. Every vessel is also required to have its underwater parts inspected by class every two to three years, but for vessels subject to enhanced survey requirements and above 15 years of age, its underwater parts must be inspected in dry dock.

If any vessel does not maintain its class or fails any annual, intermediate or special survey, the vessel will be unable to trade between ports and will be unemployable, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions and to service or refinance our debt.

Increased inspection procedures and tighter import and export controls could increase costs and disrupt our business.

International shipping is subject to various security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin and destination and trans-shipment points. Inspection procedures may result in the seizure of contents of our vessels, delays in the loading, offloading, trans-shipment or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against us.

It is possible that changes to inspection procedures could impose additional financial and legal obligations on us. Changes to inspection procedures could also impose additional costs and obligations on our charterers and may, in certain cases, render the shipment of certain types of cargo uneconomical or impractical. Any such changes or developments may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental claims against us.

Our vessels call in ports throughout the world, and smugglers may attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on our vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. To the extent our vessels are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessels, and whether with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental or other regulatory claims or penalties, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make distributions and service or refinance our debt.

RISKS INHERENT IN AN INVESTMENT IN US

We cannot assure you that we will pay any distributions on our units.

Our board of directors determines our cash distribution policy and the level of our cash distributions. Generally, our board of directors seeks to maintain a balance between the level of reserves it makes to protect our financial position and liquidity against the desirability of maintaining distributions on our limited partnership interests. We intend to review our distributions from time to time in the light of a range of factors, including our ability to obtain required financing and access financial markets, the repayment or refinancing of our external debt, the level of our capital expenditures, our ability to pursue accretive transactions, our financial condition, results of operations, prospects and applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law.

 

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We may not have sufficient cash available each quarter to pay a minimum quarterly distribution on our common units following the payment of fees and expenses and the establishment by our board of directors of cash reserves. In April 2016, in the face of severely depressed trading prices for master limited partnerships, including us, a significant increase in our cost of capital and potential loss of revenue, our board of directors took the decision to protect our liquidity position by creating a capital reserve and setting distributions on our common units at a level that our board of directors believed to be sustainable and consistent with the proper conduct of our business. We have paid significantly less than the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units since the first quarter of 2016. The minimum quarterly distribution is a target set in our limited partnership agreement. There is no requirement that we make a distribution in this amount.

Our distribution policy from time to time will depend on, among other things, shipping market developments and the charter rates we are able to negotiate when we re-charter our vessels, our cash earnings, financial condition and cash requirements, and could be affected by a variety of factors, including increased or unanticipated expenses, the loss of a vessel, required capital expenditures, reserves established by our board of directors, refinancing or repayment of indebtedness, additional borrowings, compliance with our loan covenants, our anticipated future cost of capital, access to financing and equity and debt capital markets, including for the purposes of refinancing or repaying existing indebtedness, and asset valuations. Our distribution policy may be changed at any time, and from time to time, by our board of directors.

Our ability to make cash distributions is also limited under Marshall Islands law. A Marshall Islands limited partnership cannot make a cash distribution to a partner to the extent that at the time of the distribution, after giving effect to the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership (other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specified property of the limited partnership) exceed the fair value of its assets. For purposes of this test, the fair value of property that is subject to a liability for which the recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds such liability.

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, we may not make cash distributions in certain periods even if we were to record a positive net income in those periods. Conversely, we may make cash distributions during periods when we record losses.

In the light of the factors described above and elsewhere in this Annual Report, there can be no assurance that we will pay any distributions on our units.

Completion of the DSS Transaction may impact your investment in us.

Before completion of the DSS Transaction, we owned a diversified fleet of 36 vessels across the crude and product tanker, container and drybulk markets. As part of the DSS Transaction, we spun off all of our 25 crude and product tankers. We now own a fleet consisting of ten neo-panamax container carrier vessels and one capesize bulk carrier. Accordingly, our market capitalization has decreased significantly.

The significant reduction of the number of vessels in our fleet has resulted in a reduced asset base and a reduction in the amount of cash distributions that our common unitholders would have otherwise received if we had not completed the DSS Transaction. We also expect that our general and administrative expenses will have proportionally a greater impact on our results from operations. Accordingly, we adopted a new annual common unit quarterly distribution guidance of $0.315 per common unit (on a reverse split-adjusted basis).

We are exposed to risks associated with a reduced asset base and smaller market capitalization. For example, we may be exposed to increased cash flow variability due to a smaller and less-diverse fleet and a more concentrated customer base in comparison to our fleet and customer base before the completion of the DSS Transaction. This may affect our cash flow and ability to make distributions to you. In addition, in light of our smaller size and market value relative to our competitors, the trading liquidity of our common units and our access to capital markets may be affected, which may have a material adverse impact on the trading price of your common units.

 

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Furthermore, we will continue for a time to be exposed to the Tanker Business we spun off. Among other things, the definitive transaction agreement we entered into with DSS and the other parties named therein:

 

   

provides that earnings under spot voyages in progress as at the “lockbox date” (i.e., February 20, 2019) will be pro rated at completion of each relevant voyage pro rata temporis;

 

   

contains specific arrangements regarding the initial working capital of DSSI, pursuant to which we will keep the benefit of trade accounts receivable of the Tanker Business as at the lockbox date (other than trade accounts receivable in respect of in-progress spot voyages, which will be taken into account in the proration of earnings described in the previous bullet point) and be reimbursed certain prepayments, but we will continue to fund the trade accounts payable and current accrued liabilities of the Tanker Business as at the lockbox date; and

 

   

requires a cash true-up in respect of the levels of inventory provided by each of CPLP and DSS on the basis of inspections to be conducted at the first convenient port in which a vessel anchors after the lockbox date.

Such post-closing exposure could have a negative impact on our cash, our financial condition and our ability to make distributions to you.

Negative media coverage and public and judicial scrutiny relating to Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis may adversely affect our reputation and operations, investor confidence and the trading price of our common units.

Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis is the chairman of Capital Maritime, our sponsor. In addition, the Marinakis family, including Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis, may be deemed to beneficially own an 18.8% interest in us, through its beneficial ownership of, among other entities, Capital Maritime and Crude Carriers Investments Corp. Furthermore, Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis’s son, is the owner of Capital GP L.L.C., our General Partner.

Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis holds significant other interests in Greece and abroad. Among other things, Mr. Marinakis is the principal owner of Olympiacos, a Greek professional football team, and the Nottingham Forest football club in England. Mr. Marinakis also owns the Greek media company Alter Ego Media S.A. Furthermore, Mr. Marinakis is a member of the Piraeus city council.

Mr. Marinakis has been the subject of intense and at times negative media scrutiny in Greece, and has been and still is the subject of investigations by the Greek authorities. In addition, in November 2017, Mr. Marinakis was indicted, together with 27 other individuals, for the charge of match-fixing in respect of two soccer matches, as well as, together with seven other individuals, for the attendant charge of joint criminal enterprise. Trial is expected to commence later this year. Mr. Marinakis has advised us that he does not believe that the pending investigations and proceedings will result in any penalties affecting any of his shipping businesses.

Given the relationships of Mr. Marinakis and certain members of his family with Capital Maritime and us described above, any past or future negative media coverage, public and judicial scrutiny or criminal proceedings in relation to Mr. Marinakis, regardless of the factual basis for the assertions being made or the final outcome of any investigation or proceeding, may affect the reputation and operations of Capital Maritime, as well as our reputation and operations. Such coverage, scrutiny and proceedings may also adversely impact investor confidence and the trading price of our common units.

 

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The control of our General Partner may be transferred to a third party without unitholder consent.

Our General Partner is a limited liability company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime as sole member. In April 2019, Capital Maritime transferred all membership interests in our General Partner to Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis.

Our partnership agreement does not restrict the ability of the member or members from time to time of our General Partner from transferring control of our General Partner or its assets to a third party, whether in a merger, sale of all membership interests or sale of all or substantially all of its assets, without the consent of our unitholders.

Any such change in control of our General Partner may affect the way we and our operations are managed, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Please read “—Risks Related to our Business and Operations—We depend on our General Partner, a private company newly under the ownership of Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, for the day-to-day management of our affairs. The change of ownership of our General Partner may affect the way we and our operations are managed and our relationships with our charterers and other counterparties.”

Our General Partner, which may have conflicts of interest, has limited fiduciary and contractual duties, which may permit it to favor its own interests or the interest of its affiliates or related persons to your detriment.

Our General Partner is in charge of our day-to-day affairs consistent with policies and procedures adopted by, and subject to the direction of, our board of directors.

Our General Partner and our directors have a fiduciary duty to manage us in a manner beneficial to us and our unitholders. However, this duty is limited under our partnership agreement. Please see “—Our partnership agreement limits our General Partner’s 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.” In addition, all three officers of our General Partner and one of our directors are officers or directors of Capital Maritime and its affiliates, and as such they have fiduciary duties to Capital Maritime that may cause them to pursue business strategies that disproportionately benefit Capital Maritime or which otherwise are not in the best interests of us or our unitholders. Conflicts of interest may arise between Capital Maritime, our General Partner and their affiliates, on the one hand, and us and our unitholders, on the other hand. As a result of these conflicts, the officers of our General Partner and Capital Maritime may favor their own interests over the interests of our unitholders.

These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:

 

   

neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires our General Partner or its affiliates to pursue a business strategy that favors us or utilizes our assets, and Capital Maritime’s officers and directors in their capacity as such have a fiduciary duty to make decisions in the best interests of the shareholders of Capital Maritime, which may be contrary to our interests;

 

   

our General Partner and our directors have limited their liabilities and restricted their fiduciary duties under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, while also restricting the remedies available to our unitholders, and, as a result of purchasing our units, unitholders are treated as having agreed to the modified standard of fiduciary duties and to certain actions that may be taken by our General Partner and our directors, all as set forth in the partnership agreement;

 

   

our General Partner and our board of directors will be involved in determining the amount and timing of our asset purchases and sales, capital expenditures, borrowings, and issuances of additional partnership securities and reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is available for distribution to our unitholders;

 

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our General Partner may have substantial influence over our board of directors’ decision to cause us to borrow funds in order to permit the payment of cash distributions, even if the purpose or effect of the borrowing is to make incentive distributions;

 

   

our General Partner is entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable costs incurred by it and its affiliates for our benefit;

 

   

our partnership agreement does not restrict us from paying our General Partner or its affiliates for any services rendered to us on terms that are fair and reasonable or entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf; and

 

   

our General Partner may exercise its right to call and purchase our outstanding units if it and its affiliates own more than 90% of our common units.

Although a majority of our directors are elected by common unitholders, our General Partner has a substantial influence on decisions made by our board of directors. Please read “Item 6: Directors, Senior Management and Employees.”

Affiliates of our General Partner may favor their own interests in any vote by our unitholders.

Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the affirmative vote of a majority of common units is required in order to reach certain decisions or actions, including:

 

   

amendments to the definition of available cash, operating surplus and adjusted operating surplus;

 

   

elimination of the obligation to hold an annual general meeting;

 

   

removal of any appointed director for cause;

 

   

the ability of the board of directors to cause us to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets;

 

   

withdrawal of the General Partner;

 

   

removal of the General Partner;

 

   

dissolution of the partnership;

 

   

change to the quorum requirements;

 

   

approval of merger or consolidation; and

 

   

any other amendment to the partnership agreement, except for certain amendments related to the day-to-day management of the Partnership and amendments necessary or appropriate to carrying out our business consistent with historical practice, including any change that our board of directors determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue our qualification as a limited partnership, or any amendment that our board of directors, and, if required, our General Partner, determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the authorization and issuance of any class or series of our securities.

Capital Maritime and its affiliates are not subject to the limitations on voting rights imposed on our other limited partners and would be attributed their pro rata share of any voting rights reallocated as a result of such limitations.

 

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Accordingly, Capital Maritime and its affiliates may favor their own interests or the interests of our General Partner in any vote by our unitholders. These considerations may significantly impact any vote under the terms of our partnership agreement and may significantly affect your rights under our partnership agreement.

Please also read “—Unitholders have limited voting rights and our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 5% or more of our units” for information on additional restrictions imposed by our partnership agreement.

Capital Maritime and its affiliates may engage in competition with us.

The omnibus agreement that we and Capital Maritime have entered into impose certain mutual restrictions on the acquisition, ownership and operations, and provides for certain rights of first refusal in respect, of product and crude oil tankers. The omnibus agreement however contains significant exceptions. It also does not apply to container and drybulk vessels and other shipping markets. Accordingly, Capital Maritime and its controlled affiliates have significant ability to compete with us, which could harm our business. Please read “Item 7B: Related-Party Transactions” for further information.

Our Manager may provide management services to other shipping companies and may face conflicts between our interests and the interests of such other shipping companies.

Capital Ship Management may provide management services to shipping companies other than us. In particular, Capital Ship Management will continue to assume the commercial and technical management of the Tanker Business we contributed to DSSI for a period of five years following completion of the DSS Transaction under separate arrangements that Capital Ship Management entered into with DSSI.

The ability of our Manager to serve other shipping companies may raise conflicts of interest. For example, if we were to acquire crude or product tanker vessels, our interest in securing new charters or extending existing charters may conflict with those of DSSI. Our Manager could be inclined to allocate charters in a manner that increases the compensation that it may receive rather than based on our best interests. If that were to happen, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be materially affected.

We currently do not have any officers and rely, and expect to continue to rely, solely on officers of our General Partner, who face conflicts in the allocation of their time to our business.

Our board of directors has not exercised its power to appoint officers of the Partnership to date, and, as a result, we rely, and expect to continue to rely, solely on the officers of our General Partner, who are not required to work full-time on our affairs and who also work for Capital Maritime, our Manager and/or their respective affiliates.

For example, our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer are also executive officers or employees of Capital Maritime. Capital Maritime and our Manager each conduct substantial businesses and activities of their own in which we have no economic interest.

As a result, there could be material competition for the time and effort of the officers of our General Partner who also provide services to Capital Maritime, our Manager and/or their respective affiliates, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt.

Our partnership agreement limits our General Partner’s 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 restrict the standards and fiduciary duties to which our General Partner and directors may otherwise be held by or owed to you pursuant to Marshall Islands law. For example, our partnership agreement:

 

   

permits our General Partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our General Partner. Where our partnership agreement permits,

 

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our General Partner may consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and in such cases, it has no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or our unitholders. Specifically, pursuant to our partnership agreement, our General Partner will be considered to be acting in its individual capacity if it exercises its right to call and purchase limited partner interests, including common units, preemptive 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 IDRs, or votes upon the dissolution of the partnership;

 

   

provides that our General Partner and our directors are entitled to make other decisions in “good faith” if they reasonably believe that the decision is in our best interests;

 

   

generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not approved by the conflicts committee of our board of directors and not involving a vote of unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or be “fair and reasonable” to us and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution is “fair and reasonable,” our board of directors may consider the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly advantageous or beneficial to us; and

 

   

provides that neither our General Partner and its officers nor 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 its 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 unitholder is required to agree to be bound by the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. Please read “7.B: Related-Party Transactions—Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties.”

Unitholders have limited voting rights and our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 5% or more of our units.

Holders of units have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business.

We hold a meeting of the limited partners every year to elect one or more members of our board of directors and to vote on any other matters that are properly brought before the meeting. Common unitholders (excluding Capital Maritime and its affiliates) elect five of the eight members of our board of directors. The elected directors are elected on a staggered basis and serve for three-year terms. Our General Partner in its sole discretion has the right to appoint the remaining three directors, who also serve for three-year terms. Any and all elected directors may be removed with cause only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the other elected directors or at a properly called meeting of the common unit holders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units.

The partnership agreement 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 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 two thirds of the outstanding units, including any units owned by our General Partner and its affiliates, and a majority vote of our board of directors. Currently, 15,041,174 common units representing 82.7% of our common units are owned by non-affiliated public unitholders.

 

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Our partnership agreement further restricts unitholders’ voting rights by providing that if any person or group, other than our General Partner, its affiliates, their transferees and persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of our board of directors, beneficially owns 5% or more 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 unitholders of the same class holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of that class. As affiliates of our General Partner, Capital Maritime and Crude Carriers Investments Corp. (“Crude Carriers Investments”) are not subject to such limitation and will be attributed their pro rata share of any units reallocated as a result of such limitation. Further, this limitation does not apply to unitholders who acquires more than 5% of any class of units then outstanding with the prior approval of our board of directors.

As of December 31, 2018, on a reverse split-adjusted basis and based on 18,526,670 units issued and outstanding (including 348,570 general partner units), the Marinakis family, including Evangelos M. Marinakis, the chairman of Capital Maritime, may be deemed to beneficially own an 18.8% interest in us, through Capital Maritime, which may be deemed to beneficially own 2,667,753 common units representing a 14.4% interest in us, our General Partner, which may be deemed to beneficially own 348,570 general partner units representing a 1.9% interest in us, and Crude Carriers Investments, which may be deemed to beneficially own 469,173 common units, representing a 2.5% interest in us.

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a person or group from attempting to remove our current management or our General Partner.

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a person or group from attempting to remove our current management or our General Partner:

 

   

the unitholders will be unable to remove our General Partner without its consent so long as our General Partner and its affiliates or related persons own sufficient units to be able to prevent such removal. The vote of the holders of at least two thirds of all outstanding units voting together as a single class and a majority vote of our board of directors is required to remove the General Partner. As of December 31, 2018, on a reverse split-adjusted basis and based on a total of 18,526,670 units issued and outstanding (including 348,570 general partner units), the Marinakis family, including Evangelos M. Marinakis, the chairman of Capital Maritime, may be deemed to beneficially own an 18.8% interest in us, through Capital Maritime, which may be deemed to beneficially own 2,667,753 common units representing a 14.4% interest in us, our General Partner, which may be deemed to beneficially own 348,570 general partner units representing a 1.9% interest in us, and Crude Carriers Investments, which may be deemed to beneficially own 469,173 common units, representing a 2.5% interest in us.

 

   

common unitholders elect five of the eight members of our board of directors. Our General Partner in its sole discretion has the right to appoint the remaining three directors.

 

   

election of the five directors elected by common unitholders is staggered, meaning that the members of only one of three classes of our elected directors are selected each year. In addition, the directors appointed by our General Partner will serve for terms determined by our General Partner.

 

   

our partnership agreement contains provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings of unitholders, to nominate directors and to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders’ ability to influence the manner or direction of management.

 

   

unitholders’ voting rights are further restricted by the partnership agreement provision providing that if any person or group, other than our General Partner, its affiliates, their transferees and persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of our board of

 

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directors, owns beneficially 5% or more 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 unitholders of the same class holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of that class.

 

   

we have substantial latitude in issuing equity securities without unitholder approval.

One effect of these provisions may be to diminish the price at which our units will trade.

Our General Partner has a limited call right that may require you to sell your units at an undesirable time or price.

If at any time our General Partner and its affiliates own more than 90% of the units of a class, 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 units of such class held by unaffiliated persons at a price not less than their then-current market price. As a result, you may be required to sell your units at an undesirable time or price and may not receive any return on your investment. You may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of your units.

Our common units are equity securities and are subordinated to our existing and future indebtedness.

Our common units are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. Our common units rank junior to all indebtedness and other non-equity claims on us with respect to the assets available to satisfy claims, including in a liquidation of the Partnership. Additionally, holders of our common units are subject to the prior distribution and liquidation rights of any preferred units we may issue in the future. Our board of directors is authorized to issue additional classes or series of preferred units without the approval or consent of the holders of our common units. Any reduction in the amount of distributions made on our common units could materially and adversely affect the market price of the common units.

Future sales of our common units, or the issuance of additional preferred units, debt securities or warrants, could cause the market price of our common units to decline.

The market price of our common units could decline due to sales of a large number of units, or the issuance of debt securities or warrants, in the market, or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales could also make it more difficult or impossible for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate to raise funds through future offerings of common units.

Since our initial public offering, we conducted a number of issuances of common and preferred units, and we may engage in additional such issuances in the future.

The issuance by us of additional units or other equity securities of equal or senior rank may have the following effects:

 

   

our unitholders’ proportionate ownership interest in us will decrease;

 

   

the amount of cash available for distribution on each unit may decrease;

 

   

the relative voting power of each previously outstanding unit may be diminished; and

 

   

the market price of the units may decline.

You 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 Republic of the Marshall Islands, you could be held liable for our obligations to the same extent as a General Partner if a court determines that

 

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you “participated in the control” of our business (and the person who transacts business with us reasonably believes, based on the limited partner’s conduct, that the limited partner is a general partner). Our General Partner generally has unlimited liability for the obligations of the partnership, such as its debts and environmental liabilities. In addition, the limitations on the liability of holders of limited partner interests for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in some jurisdictions in which we do business. Please read “Item 10B: Memorandum and Articles of Association—The Partnership Agreement—Limited Liability” for a more detailed discussion of the implications of the limitations on liability to a unitholder.

We can borrow money to pay distributions or buy back our units, which would reduce the amount of credit available to operate our business.

Our partnership agreement allows 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. For more information, please read “Item 5B: Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings.”

Increases in interest rates may cause the market price of our 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 units. Any such increase in interest rates or reduction in demand for our units resulting from other relatively more attractive investment opportunities may cause the trading price or the market value of our units to decline.

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 Limited Partnership Act (the “MILPA”), we may not make a distribution if the distribution would cause our liabilities (other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interest and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specified property of ours) to exceed the fair value of our assets, except that the fair value of property that is subject to a liability for which the recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in our assets only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds that liability. The MILPA 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 the MILPA 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.

Our organization as a limited partnership under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands may limit the ability of our unitholders to protect their interests.

Our affairs are governed by our partnership agreement and the MILPA. The provisions of the MILPA resemble provisions of the limited partnership laws of a number of states in the United States, most notably Delaware. The MILPA also provides that, as it relates to nonresident limited partnerships, such as us, it is to be applied and construed to make the laws of the Marshall Islands, with respect to the subject matter of the MILPA, uniform with the laws of the State of Delaware and, so long as it does not conflict with the MILPA or decisions of the High and Supreme Courts of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the non-statutory law (or case law) of the State of Delaware is adopted as the law of the Marshall Islands. However, there have been few, if any, judicial cases in the Republic of the Marshall Islands interpreting the MILPA. For example, the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in certain U.S. jurisdictions. Although the MILPA does specifically incorporate the non-statutory law, or judicial case law, of the State of Delaware, our public unitholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by management, directors or controlling unitholders than would shareholders of a limited partnership organized in a U.S. jurisdiction.

 

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It may not be possible for investors to enforce U.S. judgments against us.

We are organized under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as is our General Partner and most of our subsidiaries. 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 assets and those of our subsidiaries are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. investors to serve process within the United States upon us or to enforce judgment upon us for civil liabilities in U.S. courts. In addition, you should not assume that courts in the countries in which we or our subsidiaries are incorporated or organized or where our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries are located (1) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or our subsidiaries based upon the civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws or (2) would impose, in original actions, liabilities against us or our subsidiaries based upon these laws.

TAX RISKS

In addition to the following risk factors, you should read “Item 10E: Taxation” below 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 our 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 foreign entity taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes if (x) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income,” or (y) at least 50% of the average value of the entity’s assets produce or are held for the production of those types of “passive income.” For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, 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. persons who own shares 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, we believe that we are not currently a PFIC and we do not expect to become a PFIC in the future. We intend to treat our income from spot and time chartering 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 (the “IRS”) or a United States court will accept this position, and there is accordingly a risk that the IRS or a United States court could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in our assets, income or operations. See “Item 10E: Taxation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders—PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences.”

We may have to pay tax on United States source income, which would reduce our earnings.

Under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), 50% 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 and such income generally is subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax without allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code. We believe that we and each of our subsidiaries will qualify for this statutory tax exemption, and we will take this position for U.S. federal income tax return reporting purposes. See “Item 10E: Taxation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—The Section 883 Exemption.” However, there are factual circumstances, including some that may be beyond our control, which could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption. In addition, our conclusion that we currently qualify for this exemption is based upon legal authorities that do not expressly contemplate an organizational structure such as ours. Although we have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for corporate law purposes we are organized as a limited partnership under Marshall Islands law. Our General Partner will be

 

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responsible for managing our business and affairs and has been granted certain veto rights over decisions of our board of directors. Therefore, we can give no assurances that the IRS will not take a different position regarding our qualification, or the qualification of any of our subsidiaries, for this tax exemption.

If we or our subsidiaries are not entitled to this exemption under Section 883 of the Code for any taxable year, we or our subsidiaries generally would be subject for those years to a 4% U.S. federal gross income tax on our U.S. source shipping income. The imposition of this taxation 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 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 subsidiaries will be conducted and operated in a manner that minimizes income taxes imposed upon us and these subsidiaries or which may be imposed upon you as a result of owning our 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 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 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 a manner so that our unitholders should not be considered to be carrying on business in Greece solely as a consequence of acquiring, holding, disposing of or participating in the redemption of our units. However, the question of whether either we or any of our subsidiaries will be treated as carrying on business in any country, including Greece, will largely be a question of fact determined through an analysis of contractual arrangements, including the management and the administrative services agreements we have entered into with Capital Ship Management, and the way we conduct business or operations, all of which may change over time. The laws of Greece or any other foreign country may also change, which could cause the country’s 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 or the increase of any tonnage tax will reduce our cash available for distribution.

 

Item 4.

Information on the Partnership.

 

  A.

History and Development of the Partnership

We are a master limited partnership organized as Capital Product Partners L.P. under the laws of the Marshall Islands on January 16, 2007. We completed our initial public offering in April 2007. We maintain our principal executive headquarters at 3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus, 18537 Greece and our telephone number is +30 210 4584 950. Our registered address in the Marshall Islands is Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960. The name of our registered agent at such address is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc.

Recent Developments

Change of Ownership of our General Partner

Our General Partner is a limited liability company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime as sole member. In April 2019, Capital Maritime transferred all membership interests in our General Partner to Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Business and Operations—We depend on our General Partner, a private company newly under the ownership of Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, for the day-to-day management of our affairs. The change of ownership of our General Partner may affect the way we and our operations are managed and our relationships with our charterers and other counterparties.

 

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Spin-off of the Tanker Business

On November 27, 2018, we entered into a definitive transaction agreement with DSS, pursuant to which we agreed to spin off the Tanker Business into a separate publicly listed company, DSSI, which would then combine with DSS’s businesses and operations in a share-for-share transaction. We refer to such transaction as the “DSS Transaction” in this Annual Report. The DSS Transaction was completed on March 27, 2019. Please read the introductory note entitled “Transaction with DSS Holdings L.P.” for more information.

2018 Developments

Management Buy-Out of our Manager

Our Manager, Capital Ship Management, is a privately held company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime. In 2018, Capital Ship Management conducted a management buy-out led by its senior management. Since then, Capital Ship Management is no longer part of the group of companies controlled by Capital Maritime.

Some members of our Manager’s senior management are also current directors or officers of Capital Maritime.

In addition, Mr. Gerry Ventouris, an officer of our Manager and director and officer of Capital Maritime, serves as the chief operating officer of our General Partner and Mr. Gurpal Grewal, a technical director of our Manager, serves as one of our directors appointed by our General Partner.

Please read “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Operations—We depend on our Manager, a privately held company newly under the control of its management, for the commercial and technical management of our fleet. If, for any reason, our Manager is unable to provide us with the necessary level of services to support and expand our business or qualify for long-term charters, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be materially affected.

Scrubber Agreements with HMM

In October 2018, we entered into a series of agreements with HMM to increase the daily charter rate under each of the five charters we have with HMM by $4,900 in light of the expenditure we will incur in connection with the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems, also known as “scrubbers.” This increase will be effective from January 1, 2020, or, if later, the installation date of the scrubbers.

Under previous charter restructuring arrangements with HMM, the daily charter rate under each of the five charters we have with HMM is scheduled to revert to the original daily gross rate of $29,350 from January 1, 2020 onwards. Accordingly, the daily charter rate will further increase to $34,250 from that date or, if later, once the scrubbers are installed, until the expiry of each charter in 2024 and 2025, as applicable.

Sale and Acquisitions of Vessels

On September 11, 2018, we entered into a memorandum of agreement for the sale of the M/T Amore Mio II (159,982 dwt, Crude Oil Carrier, built 2001, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, South Korea) to an unaffiliated third party for the amount of $11.2 million. We delivered the vessel on October 15, 2018. In connection with the sale, we recorded an impairment charge of $28.8 million and made a mandatory prepayment of $5.9 million under our 2017 credit facility.

In May 2018, we acquired from Capital Maritime the shares of the company owning the eco-type MR product tanker M/T Anikitos (50,082 dwt IMO II/III chemical product tanker built in 2016, Samsung Heavy Industries (Ningbo) Co., Ltd.) for total consideration of approximately $31.5 million. In January 2018, we acquired from Capital Maritime the shares of the company owning the eco-type M/T Aristaios, a crude tanker (113,689 dwt, Ice Class 1C, built in 2017, Daehan Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., South Korea), for total consideration of $52.5 million. The M/T Anikitos and M/T Aristaios were part of the Tanker Business that we spun-off in connection with the DSS Transaction.

 

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2017 Developments

Sale of the M/T Aristotelis

On December 22, 2017, we entered into a memorandum of agreement for the sale of the M/T Aristotelis (51,604 dwt IMO II/III chemical product tanker built in 2013, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Ltd., South Korea) to an unaffiliated third party for the amount of $29.4 million. We delivered the vessel on April 25, 2018. In connection with the sale, we recorded an impairment charge of $3.3 million and prepaid $14.4 million under our 2017 credit facility.

Refinancing of External Debt

On September 6, 2017, we entered into a $460 million credit facility with a syndicate of lenders led by HCB and ING Bank N.V., as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners, and BNP Paribas and National Bank of Greece S.A., as arrangers.

On October 4, 2017, we drew the full amount of $460.0 million and, together with available cash of $102.2 million, fully repaid total indebtedness of $562.2 million. Please see “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings—Our Credit Facilities” for further information on our 2017 credit facility.

At-the-market Offering

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we issued a total of 0.7 million new common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) translating into net proceeds of $17.8 million after payment of sales agent commission (before offering expenses).

2016 Developments

Acquisition of the M/T Amor

On October 24, 2016, we acquired from Capital Maritime the shares of the company owning the M/T Amor for total consideration of $16.9 million consisting of $16.0 million in cash and the issuance of 40,528 new common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) to Capital Maritime and the assumption of a $15.8 million term loan. The M/T Amor was part of the Tanker Business that we spun-off in connection with the DSS Transaction.

At-the-market Offering

In September 2016, we entered into an equity distribution agreement with UBS contemplating the offering from time to time, through UBS, as our sales agent, of new common units having an aggregate offering amount of up to $50.0 million. For the period between the launch of our at-the-market offering and December 31, 2016, we issued an aggregate of 0.2 million (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) new common units translating into net proceeds of $4.5 million after payment of sales agent commission (before offering expenses).

HMM Restructuring and Disposal of HMM Shares

HMM, the charterer of five of our container vessels and one of our largest counterparties in terms of revenue, completed a restructuring in July 2016. In this connection, we entered into a charter restructuring agreement with HMM.

Under that agreement, we agreed to reduce the charter rate payable under each charter by 20% to $23,480 per day (from a gross daily rate of $29,350) for a three and a half year period ending in December 2019. The total value of the charter rate reduction then amounted to approximately $37.0 million. Under this arrangement, at the end of the charter reduction period, the charter rate under each charter will revert to the original gross daily rate of $29,350 until the expiry of each charter in 2024 and 2025. See also above “—2018 Developments—Scrubber Agreements with HMM.”

 

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As compensation for the charter rate reduction, we received approximately 4.4 million HMM common shares, which we sold on the Stock Market Division of the Korean Exchange in August 2016 for aggregate cash consideration of $29.7 million. We recognized the proceeds of the sale as deferred revenue, which we are amortizing on a straight line basis over the remaining charter period.

Delivery of the M/V CMA CGM Magdalena

On February 26, 2016, we acquired the shares of the company owning the M/V CMA CGM Magdalena for aggregate consideration of $81.5 million. The M/V CMA CGM Magdalena is chartered to CMA-CGM S.A. for an initial duration of five years at a gross daily charter rate of $39,250.

 

  B.

Business Overview

We are an international owner of ocean-going vessels. Following the spin-off of our Tanker Business in March 2019, our fleet consists of ten neo-panamax container carrier vessels (0.9 million dwt) with an average age, as of December 31, 2018, of approximately 6.4 years and one capesize bulk carrier (0.2 million dwt, age 8.4 years).

All of our vessels are currently chartered under medium- to long-term charters (with remaining revenue-weighted charter duration of approximately 5.1 years) to reputable charterers, such as such as CMA CGM, Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd., Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. and COSCO Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd. Our fleet is externally managed by Capital Ship Management, a private company.

For information on the spin-off of our Tanker Business, please read the introductory note entitled “Transaction with DSS Holdings L.P.”

Business Strategies

Our primary business objective is to increase cash available for distributions to our unitholders, while maintaining a strong financial position. We aim to realize our business objectives through the following strategies:

 

   

Maintain medium- to long-term fixed charters. We seek to enter into medium- to long-term, fixed-rate charters for a majority of our fleet in an effort to provide visibility of revenues and cash flows. As our vessels come up for re-chartering, we aim to redeploy them under period contracts that reflect our expectations of prevailing market conditions. In the pursuit of our strategies, we evaluate growth opportunities across all shipping sectors. We believe that the average age of our fleet of approximately 6.7 years as of December 31, 2018, compared to an industry average of 11.8 years (adjusted for the composition of our fleet) and the high specifications of our vessels, position us favorably to continue to secure medium- to long-term charters for our vessels.

 

   

Expand our fleet through accretive acquisitions. Following the completion of the DSS Transaction, subject to available required financing, we intend to evaluate potential acquisitions of both newbuilds and second-hand vessels across the shipping markets. We also intend to take advantage of opportunities afforded to us by our relationship with our sponsor, Capital Maritime. As of December 31, 2018, Capital Maritime and its affiliates controlled a total of 24 vessels in the water. For future acquisitions, we may consider moderate increases in our overall leverage, provided that we are able to maintain low breakeven rates and deliver stable distributions to our unitholders. In addition, we may pursue opportunities for acquisitions of, or combinations with, other shipping businesses.

 

   

Maintain a strong balance sheet. While we seek to finance our vessels and future vessel acquisitions through a mix of debt, equity financing and current cash balances, we intend to maintain a moderate level of leverage over time. By maintaining moderate levels of leverage, we aim to retain greater flexibility than more leveraged competitors, maintain lower breakeven rates and deliver sustainable distributions to our unitholders. We believe that

 

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charterers have increasingly favored financially solid vessel owners, and that maintaining a strong balance sheet will help us access more favorable chartering opportunities, as well as give us a competitive advantage in pursuing vessel acquisitions.

 

   

Maintain and build on our ability to meet rigorous industry and regulatory safety standards. We believe that in order for us to be successful in growing our business, we need to maintain our vessel safety record and further build on our high level of customer service and support. We believe that our Manager, Capital Ship Management, has a strong record of vessel safety and compliance with rigorous health, safety and environmental protection standards, and is committed to providing our charterers with a high level of customer service and support.

Competitive Strengths

We believe that we are well-positioned to execute our business strategies on the basis of the following competitive strengths:

 

   

Well-established relationships with our charterers. Our customers seek shipping partners that have a reputation for high standards of performance, reliability and safety. We believe that our Manager has a well-established reputation and safety and environmental track record within the shipping industry. We also believe that our Manager has a solid track record of long-standing relationships with a number of major charterers, which positions us favorably to further develop medium- to long-term charter relationships with leading charterers in the shipping industry.

 

   

Revenue and cash flow visibility and stability. As all of our vessels are chartered under medium- and long-term contracts, we benefit from revenue and cash flow visibility. As our vessels come up for re-chartering, we seek to redeploy them under contracts that reflect our expectations of prevailing market conditions.

 

   

High specification fleet. Our vessels were primarily constructed by reputable South Korean shipyards to high specifications and had an average age of 6.7 years as of December 31, 2018. In addition, eight of our existing container vessels are “eco, wide beam” type and have an increased cargo intake and reduced bunker consumption as compared to older vessel designs, and are able to transit the new Panama Canal locks. We believe that these characteristics make our containerships more attractive to charterers.

 

   

Strong balance sheet, cost efficient operations and acquisition funding. We believe that we have maintained a strong balance sheet and that, subject to market conditions, our financial strength positions us favorably to continue to make opportunistic acquisitions and grow our business with charterers as they seek financially sound counterparties for long-term contracts. We also believe that we have a long history of cost efficient ship management with consistent cost performance below industry benchmarks due to our outsourcing of our vessel management and operations to our Manager.

Our Customers

We provide marine transportation services under medium- to long-term time charters with a range of counterparties:

 

   

CMA CGM, a French container transportation and shipping company.

 

   

Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd, an integrated logistics company, operating around 130 vessels. HMM has worldwide global service networks and diverse logistics facilities.

 

   

Mediterranean Shipping Co. S.A. is part of the Cargo Division of the MSC Group shipping conglomerate, a global business engaged in the shipping and logistics sector.

 

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COSCO Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited (COSCO Group), which is one of the largest drybulk and container owners and operators globally.

 

   

Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd., a containership operator offering container liner services and multi-purpose services.

The loss of any significant customer or a substantial decline in the amount of services requested by a significant customer could harm our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Operations—We currently derive all of our revenues from a limited number of charterers and the loss of any charterer or charter or vessel could result in a significant loss of revenues and cash flows.

Our Management Agreement

Our Manager, Capital Ship Management, is a privately held company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime. In 2018, Capital Ship Management conducted a management buy-out led by its senior management. Since then, Capital Ship Management is no longer part of the group of companies controlled by Capital Maritime.

Under our management contract with our Manager:

 

   

we pay our Manager a daily technical management fee per vessel that is revised annually based on the United States Consumer Price Index;

 

   

we indemnify our Manager for expenses and liabilities it incurs on our behalf in the provision of the contracted for services, including, for example, crew, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, spares, lubricants and other operating costs; and

 

   

we bear all costs and expenses associated with a vessel’s dry-docking.

We expect that new acquisitions we may make in the future will also be managed under a similar floating fee management arrangement.

Our Fleet

At the time of our initial public offering in 2007, our fleet consisted of eight vessels. As of December 31, 2018, our fleet consisted of 36 vessels with an average age of approximately 8.5 years and average remaining term under our charters of approximately 4.6 years. We completed the spin-off of our Tanker Business on March 27, 2019. We currently own ten neo-panamax container carrier vessels (0.9 million dwt) with an average age as of December 31, 2018, of approximately 6.4 years and one capesize bulk carrier (0.2 million dwt; age 8.4 years).

Following completion of the DSS Transaction, we intend, subject to prevailing shipping, charter and financing market conditions, to make strategic acquisitions in a prudent manner that is accretive to our unitholders and to long-term distribution growth. In addition, we may pursue opportunities for acquisitions of, or combinations with, other shipping businesses.

The table below provides summary information about the vessels in our current fleet, as well as their delivery date or expected delivery date to us and their employment, including earliest possible redelivery dates of the vessels and relevant charter rates. Sister vessels, which are vessels of similar specifications and size typically built at the same shipyard, are denoted by the same letter in the table. We believe that sister vessels provide a number of efficiency advantages in the management of our fleet.

All of the vessels in our fleet are or were designed, constructed, inspected and tested in accordance with the rules and regulations of Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (“Lloyd’s”), Bureau Veritas (“BV”) or the American Bureau of Shipping (“ABS”) and were under time from the time of their delivery.

 

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VESSELS IN OUR FLEET

 

Vessel name

 

Sister
Vessels(1)

  Year
built
    DWT –
TEU(7)
    OPEX
(per
day)(2)
    Management
Agreement
Expiration
    Charter
Duration/
Type(3)
    Expiry of
Charter
(4)
    Daily
Charter
Rate (Net)
    Charterer(5)    

Description

DRYBULK VESSEL

                   

Cape Agamemnon

  A     2010       179,221       Floating       Jun 2021       10-yr TC       Jun 2020     $ 40,090       COSCO     Cape Size Dry Cargo

CONTAINER CARRIER VESSELS

                   

Archimidis

  B     2006       108,892–8,266 TEU       Floating       Dec 2022       2-yr TC       Apr 2020     $ 17,100       MSC     Container Carrier

Agamemnon

  B     2007       108,892–8,266 TEU       Floating       Dec 2022       0.9-yr TC       June 2019     $ 19,750       PIL     Container Carrier

Hyundai Prestige(6)

  C     2013       63,010–5,023 TEU       Floating       Aug to Sep 2023       12-yr TC       Dec 2024     $ 23,010       HMM     Eco Wide Beam
Container Carrier

Hyundai Premium(6)

  C     2013       63,010–5,023 TEU       Floating       Mar 2023       12-yr TC       Jan 2025     $ 23,010       HMM     Eco Wide Beam Container Carrier

Hyundai Paramount(6)

  C     2013       63,010–5,023 TEU       Floating       Mar 2023       12-yr TC       Feb 2025     $ 23,010       HMM     Eco Wide Beam Container Carrier

Hyundai Privilege(6)

  C     2013       63,010–5,023 TEU       Floating       Aug to Sep 2023       12-yr TC       Mar 2025     $ 23,010       HMM     Eco Wide Beam Container Carrier

Hyundai Platinum(6)

  C     2013       63,010–5,023 TEU       Floating       Aug to Sep 2023       12-yr TC       Apr 2025     $ 23,010       HMM     Eco Wide Beam Container Carrier

CMA CGM Amazon

  D     2015       115,534–9,288 TEU       Floating       Jun 2020       5-yr TC       May 2020     $ 38,759       CMACGM     Eco-Flex, Wide Beam Container

CMA CGM Uruguay

  D     2015       115,639–9,288 TEU       Floating       Sep 2020       5-yr TC       Aug 2020     $ 38,759       CMACGM     Eco-Flex, Wide Beam Container

CMA CGM Magdalena

  D     2016       115,639–9,288 TEU       Floating       Feb 2021       5-yr TC       Jan 2021     $ 38,759       CMA CGM     Eco-Flex, Wide Beam Container
   

 

 

               

TOTAL FLEET DWT:

      1,058,867–69,511 TEU                
   

 

 

               

 

 

(1)

Sister vessels and shipyards of origin are denoted in the tables by the following letters: (A) this vessel was built by Sungdong Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., South Korea; (B): these vessels were built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. LTD. South Korea; (C): these vessels were built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd, South Korea; (D): these vessels were built by Daewoo-Mangalia Heavy Industries S.A.

(2)

Floating: These vessels are managed under the floating fee management agreement entered into with our Manager. For additional details regarding our management agreement, please see “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Management Agreement” above.

(3)

TC: Time Charter.

(4)

Earliest possible redelivery date.

(5)

MSC: Mediterranean Shipping Co. S.A.; COSCO: COSCO Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd., an affiliate of the COSCO Group; HMM: Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd.; CMA CGM: CMA CGM; PIL: Pacific International Lines (PTE) Ltd.

(6)

As owner of the M/V Hyundai Prestige, the M/V Hyundai Paramount, the M/V Hyundai Premium, the M/V Hyundai Privilege and the M/V Hyundai Platinum, we entered into a charter restructuring agreement with HMM on July 15, 2016. Under that agreement, we agreed to reduce the charter rate payable under each charter by 20% to a net daily rate of $23,010 (from a net daily rate of $28,616) for a three and a half year period starting on July 18, 2016 and ending on December 31, 2019. The charter restructuring agreement further provides that at the end of the charter reduction period, the charter rate under the respective charter parties will revert to the original net daily rate of $28,763 until the expiry of each charter. In October 2018, we entered into a series of agreements with HMM to increase the daily charter rate under each of the five charters we have with HMM by $4,900 in light of the expenditure we incurred in connection with the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems, also known as “scrubbers.” Accordingly, the daily charter rate will further increase to $34,250 from that date or, if later, once the scrubbers are installed, until the expiry of each charter in 2024 and 2025, as applicable.

(7)

DWT: Dead Weight Ton. TEU: Twenty-foot Equivalent Units.

Our Charters

All of our vessels are currently chartered under medium- to long-term charters (with remaining revenue-weighted charter duration of approximately 5.1 years). Under certain circumstances, we may operate our vessels in the spot market or certain of our vessels may remain idle until they are fixed under appropriate medium- to long-term charters. As our vessels come up for re-chartering, depending on the prevailing market rates, we may not be able to re-charter them at levels similar to their current charters, or at all, which may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and ability to make distributions and service or refinance our debt. Please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Fleet.” including the chart and accompanying notes, for more information on our time charters, including counterparties, expected expiration dates of the charters and daily charter rates.

 

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Time Charters

A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate. Under a time charter, the vessel’s owner provides crewing and other services related to the vessel’s operation, the cost of which is included in the daily rate and the charterer is responsible for substantially all vessel voyage costs except for commissions which are assumed by the owner. The basic hire rate payable under the charters is a previously agreed daily rate, as specified in the charter, payable at the beginning of the month in U.S. Dollars.

Profit Sharing Arrangements

These arrangements contemplate a sharing of profit based on the vessel’s actual earnings, typically settled every six months. In the event that the actual time charter equivalent (“TCE”) over the calculation period is higher than the agreed daily charter rate of the vessel, we receive the basic net hire rate plus 50% of the excess over the gross daily charter rate. Actual voyage revenues earned and received, actual expenses incurred and actual time taken to perform the voyages during the period are used for purposes of the calculation.

TCE rate is a shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter hire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts while charter hire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts. TCE is expressed as per ship per day rate and is calculated as voyage and time charter revenues less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of operating days during the calculation period, which is consistent with industry standards.

The amounts received under profit-sharing arrangements are subject to the usual commissions payable to shipbrokers on gross charter rates.

None of our vessels are currently being chartered under profit-sharing arrangements.

Bareboat Charters

A bareboat charter is a contract pursuant to which the vessel owner provides the vessel to the customer for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate, and the customer provides for all of the vessel’s expenses (including any commissions) and generally assumes all risk of operation. The customer undertakes to maintain the vessel in a good state of repair and efficient operating condition and drydock the vessel during this period at its cost and as per the classification society requirements. The basic rate hire is payable to us monthly in advance in U.S. Dollars.

None of our vessels are currently under bareboat charters.

Spot Charters

A spot charter generally refers to a voyage charter or a trip charter or a short-term time charter.

Voyage / Trip Charter

A voyage charter involves the carriage of a specific amount and type of cargo on a “load port-to-discharge port” basis, subject to various cargo handling terms. Under a typical voyage charter, the shipowner is paid on the basis of moving cargo from a loading port to a discharge port. In voyage charters the shipowner generally is responsible for paying both vessel operating costs and voyage expenses, and the charterer generally is responsible for any delay at the loading or discharging ports. Under a typical trip charter or short-term time charter, the shipowner is paid on the basis of moving cargo from a loading port to a discharge port at a set daily rate. The charterer is responsible for paying bunkers and other voyage expenses, while the shipowner is responsible for paying vessel operating expenses.

Seasonality

Our vessels operate under medium- to long-term charters and are not generally subject to the effect of seasonable variations in demand.

 

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Management of Ship Operations, Administration and Safety

Our objective is to run our operations in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner. To that end, Capital Ship Management, our Manager, provides expertise in various functions critical to our operations. Specifically, pursuant to the management and administrative services agreements we have entered into with it, Capital Ship Management grants us access to human resources, financial and other administrative services, including bookkeeping, audit and accounting services, administrative and clerical services, banking and financial services, client, investor relations, information technology and technical management services, including commercial management of the vessels, vessel maintenance and crewing (not required for vessels subject to bareboat charters), procurement, insurance and shipyard supervision.

Capital Ship Management is a privately held company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime. In 2018, Capital Ship Management conducted a management buy-out led by its senior management. Since then, Capital Ship Management is no longer part of the group of companies controlled by Capital Maritime. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Operations—We depend on our Manager, a privately held company newly under the control of its management, for the commercial and technical management of our fleet. If, for any reason, our Manager is unable to provide us with the necessary level of services to support and expand our business or qualify for long-term charters, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and our ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt may be materially affected.

Historically, we had three separate technical and commercial management agreements with Capital Ship Management for the management of our fleet: (i) the fixed fee management agreement, (ii) the floating fee management agreement and (iii), with respect to the vessels acquired as part of the merger with Crude Carriers, the Crude Carriers management agreement. The aggregate management fees paid to Capital Ship Management for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $12.7 million, $11.6 million and $10.9 million, respectively. Following the spin-off of our Tanker Business, all our vessels are now managed under our floating fee management agreement. Please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Management Agreement” and “Item 7B: Related-Party Transactions—Administrative and Executive Services Agreements with the Manager.”

In compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s ISM code, Capital Ship Management operates under a safety management system certified by Lloyd’s Register of Shipping (“LRS”). Capital Ship Management’s management systems also comply with the Quality Standard ISO 9001, the Environmental Management Standard ISO 14001, the Occupational Health & Safety Management System 18001 and the Energy Management Standard 50001, all of which are certified by LRS. In addition, Capital Ship Management has implemented an “Integrated Management System Approach” verified by the LRS and adopted “Business Continuity Management” principles in cooperation with LRS.

One of the key strategies of Capital Ship Management is the implementation of a regime of responsible, safe and clean shipping in an effort to operate our vessels in a manner intended to protect the safety and health of Capital Ship Management’s employees, the general public and the environment. Capital Ship Management’s senior management team aims to actively manage the risks inherent in our business and is committed to eliminating incidents that threaten safety, such as groundings, fires, collisions and spills, as well as reducing emissions and waste generation.

Over the years, Capital Ship Management received a number of additional accreditations and awards, including the following:

 

   

In 2014, Capital Ship Management was successfully assessed by Lloyd’s against the “IMO Strategic Concept of a Sustainable Shipping Industry” and was the first shipping company worldwide to receive such certification.

 

   

On April 2016, Capital Ship Management was awarded the GREEN4SEA Excellence Award for its track record of above average environmental performance.

 

   

In March 2017, Capital Ship Management was awarded the “Best Vessel Operator – Europe” Sea Transport Award 2017 by UK publication “Transport News” and AI Global Media Ltd.

 

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In June 2018, Capital Ship Management received an award from LRS for “Excellence in Ship Management and Operations.”

From time to time, Capital Ship Management provides management services to shipping companies other than us. In particular, Capital Ship Management will continue to assume the commercial and technical management of the Tanker Business we contributed to DSSI for a period of five years following completion of the DSS Transaction under separate arrangements that Capital Ship Management entered into with DSSI. Please read “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us—Our Manager may provide management services to other shipping companies and may face conflicts between our interests and the interests of such other shipping companies.”

Crewing and Staff

Capital Ship Management, through a subsidiary in Romania and crewing offices in Romania, Russia and the Philippines, recruits senior officers and crews for our vessels. Capital Ship Management has entered into an agreement for the training of officers under ice conditions at a specialized training center in St. Petersburg, Russia. Our vessels are currently manned primarily by Romanian, Russian and Filipino crew members. We believe that Capital Ship Management has significant experience in operating vessels in this configuration and has access to a pool of certified and experienced crew members whom it can recruit to man our vessels.

Classification, Inspection and Maintenance

Every oceangoing vessel must be “classed” and certified by a classification society. The classification society is responsible for verifying that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the classification society and ship’s country of registry, as well as the international conventions of which that country has accepted and signed. In addition, where surveys are required by international conventions and corresponding laws and ordinances of a flag state, the classification society will undertake them on application or by official order, acting on behalf of the authorities concerned.

The classification society also undertakes on request other surveys and checks that are required by regulations and requirements of the flag state or port authority. These surveys are subject to agreements made in each individual case and/or to the regulations of the country concerned.

For the maintenance of the class certificate, regular and extraordinary surveys of hull and machinery, including the electrical plant, and any special equipment classed are required to be performed as follows:

 

   

Annual surveys, which are conducted for the hull and the machinery at intervals of 12 months (or up to 15 months) from the date of commencement of the class period indicated on the certificate.

 

   

Intermediate surveys, which are extended annual surveys and are typically conducted each two and a half years (or up to three years) after completion of each class renewal survey. In the case of newbuildings and or vessels of up to 15 years of age, the requirements of the intermediate survey can be met through an underwater inspection in lieu of drydocking the vessel. Intermediate surveys may be carried out on the occasion of the second or third annual survey.

 

   

Class renewal surveys (also known as special surveys) are carried out at the intervals indicated by the classification for the hull, which are usually at five-year intervals. During the special survey, the vessel is thoroughly examined, including Non-Destructive Inspections to determine the thickness of the steel structures. Should the thickness be found to be less than class requirements, the classification society will order steel renewals. The classification society may grant a three-month extension for completion of the special survey under certain conditions. Substantial amounts of funds may have to be spent for steel renewals to pass a special survey if the vessel experiences excessive wear and tear. In lieu of the special survey every five years, a ship-owner or manager has the option, depending on the type of ship, of arranging with the classification society for the vessel’s hull or machinery to be on a

 

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continuous survey cycle, in which every part of the vessel would be surveyed within a five-year cycle. At an owner’s application, the surveys required for class renewal may be split according to an agreed schedule to extend over the entire period of class.

These processes are referred to as Continuous Hull Survey (“CHS”) and Continuous Machinery Survey. However, the CHS notation is not valid for vessels that are subject to Enhanced Survey Program surveys, as required by SOLAS.

Occasional Surveys are carried out as a result of unexpected events (e.g., an accident or other circumstances requiring unscheduled attendance by the classification society for reconfirming that the vessel maintains its class) following such an unexpected event.

All areas subject to survey, as defined by the classification society, are required to be surveyed at least once per class period, unless shorter intervals between surveys are prescribed elsewhere.

Vessels above 15 year of age, subject to enhanced survey requirements are also dry docked every two and a half years for inspection of the underwater parts and any deficiencies identified during the inspections need to be rectified either during the inspection or at a later stage if that is found to be appropriate based on its class. The classification surveyor in this case will issue a “recommendation” which must be rectified by the ship-owner within prescribed time limits. Class and SOLAS rules allow one of the bottom surveys (the intermediate one) in a five-year period to be carried out afloat instead of by dry docking; however this is only applicable for certain ship types and for modern vessels of up to 15 years of age.

Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage that a vessel be certified as “in class” by a classification society which is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies. All of our vessels are certified as being “in class” by Lloyd’s, ABS and BV. All new and secondhand vessels that we may purchase must be certified prior to their delivery under our standard agreements. If any vessel we contract to purchase is not certified as “in class” on the date of closing, under our standard purchase agreements, we will have no obligation to take delivery of such vessel.

Risk Management and Insurance

The operation of any ocean-going vessel carries an inherent risk of catastrophic marine disasters, death or personal injury and property losses caused by adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures, human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events. The occurrence of any of these events may result in loss of revenues or increased costs or, in the case of marine disasters, catastrophic liabilities. Although we believe our current insurance program is usual and comprehensive in our industry, we cannot insure against all risks, and we cannot be certain that all covered risks are adequately insured against or that we will be able to achieve or maintain similar levels of coverage throughout a vessel’s useful life. Furthermore, there can be no guarantee that any specific claim will be paid by the insurer or that it will always be possible to obtain insurance coverage at reasonable rates. More stringent environmental regulations in the past have resulted in increased costs for, and may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against the risks of environmental damage or pollution. Moreover, under the terms of our bareboat charters, the charterer provides for the insurance of the vessel, and, as a result, these vessels may not be adequately insured and/or in some cases may be self-insured. Any uninsured or under-insured loss could harm our business and financial condition or could materially impair or end our ability to trade or operate.

We believe our current insurance program is prudent. We currently carry the traditional range of marine and liability insurance coverage for each of our vessels to protect against most of the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business. Specifically we carry:

 

   

Hull and machinery insurance, which covers loss of or damage to a vessel due to marine perils such as collisions, grounding and heavy weather. Coverage is usually to an agreed “insured value” which, as a matter of policy, is never less than the particular vessel’s fair market value. Cover is subject to policy deductibles which are always subject to change.

 

   

Increased value insurance, which enhances hull and machinery insurance cover by increasing the insured value of the vessels in the event of a total loss casualty.

 

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Protection and indemnity insurance, which is the principal coverage for third-party liabilities and indemnifies against such liabilities incurred while operating vessels, including injury to the crew, third parties, cargo or third-party property loss (including oil pollution) for which the shipowner is responsible. We carry the current maximum available amount of coverage for oil pollution risks, $1.0 billion per vessel per incident.

 

   

War Risks insurance, which covers such items as piracy and terrorism.

 

   

Freight, Demurrage & Defense cover, which is a form of legal costs insurance covering certain costs of prosecuting or defending commercial (usually uninsured operating) claims.

Not all risks are insured and not all risks are insurable. The principal insurable risks which nevertheless remain uninsured across the fleet are “loss of hire” and “strikes”.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our insurance coverage as of December 31, 2018:

 

Type

   Aggregate Sum Insured for All Vessels in Our
Existing Fleet

Hull and Machinery

   $880.0 million

Increased Value (including Excess Liabilities)

   $210.0 million additional “total loss” coverage

Hull & Machinery (War Risks)

   $1.1 billion

Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Pollution liability claims

   Up to $1.0 billion per incident per vessel

Competition

We operate in a highly fragmented, highly diversified global market with many charterers, owners and operators of vessels.

Competition for charters can be intense. The ability to obtain favorable charters depends, in addition to price, on a variety of other factors, including the location, size, age, condition and acceptability of the vessel and its operator to the charterer. Although we believe that at the present time no single company has a dominant position in the markets in which we operate, that could change and we may face substantial competition for medium- to long-term charters from a number of experienced companies who may have greater resources or experience than we do when we try to re-charter our vessels. However, we believe our ability to comply better with the rigorous standards of major charterers relative to less qualified or experienced operators allows us to effectively compete for new charters.

Regulation

General

Our operations and our status as an operator and manager of ships are extensively regulated by international conventions, Class requirements, U.S. federal, state and local as well as non-U.S. health, safety and environmental protection laws and regulations, including OPA 90, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), the U.S. Port and Tanker Safety Act, the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, the U.S. Clean Air Act (“Clean Air Act”), the U.S. Clean Water Act, as well as regulations adopted by the International Maritime Organization and the European Union, air emission requirements, IMO/USCG/EPA pollution regulations and various SOLAS amendments, as well as insurance requirements and other regulations described below. In addition, various jurisdictions either have or are adopting ballast water management conventions to prevent the introduction of non-indigenous invasive species. Compliance with these laws, regulations and other requirements could entail additional expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of additional operating procedures.

We are also required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies and international organizations to obtain permits, licenses and certificates for our vessels, depending upon such factors as the country of registry, the cargo transported, the trading area, the nationality of the vessel’s crew, the age and size of the vessel and our status as owner or charterer. Failure to maintain necessary permits, licenses or certificates could require us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend the operation of one or more of our vessels.

 

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We believe that the heightened environmental and quality concerns of insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers will in the future impose greater inspection, training and safety requirements on all types of vessels in the shipping industry. In addition to inspections by us, our vessels are subject to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections by a variety of governmental and private entities, each of which may have unique requirements. These entities include the local port authorities (such as USCG, harbor master or equivalent), classification societies, flag state administration P&I Clubs, charterers, and particularly terminal operators and major oil companies which conduct frequent vessel inspections.

It is our policy to operate our vessels in full compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. However, regulatory programs are complex and because such laws and regulations frequently change and may impose increasingly strict requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these and any future requirements or their impact on the resale value or useful life of our vessels.

United States Requirements

The United States regulates the tanker industry with extensive environmental protection requirements and a liability regime addressing violations and the cleanup of oil spills, primarily through OPA 90, CERCLA and certain coastal state laws.

OPA 90 imposes operational requirements, liability standards and other obligations on all vessel owners and operators transporting crude oil or petroleum products to, from, or within U.S. waters. The law phased out the use of single-hull tankers and can effectively impose unlimited liability on vessel owners and operators in the event of an oil spill. Under OPA 90, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are liable, without regard to fault, for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages, including natural resource damages, and for certain economic losses, arising from oil spills and pollution from their vessels. In addition, OPA 90 does not preempt state law and permits individual states to impose their own stricter liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries. Certain coastal states have enacted additional pollution prevention, liability and response laws, many providing for unlimited liability.

CERCLA applies to the discharges of hazardous substances (other than oil) whether on land or at sea, and contains a liability regime that provides for cleanup, removal and natural resource damages. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5.0 million for vessels carrying any hazardous substances as cargo, or $0.5 million for any other vessel, per release of or incident involving hazardous substances. These limits of liability do not apply if the incident is caused by gross negligence, willful misconduct, or a violation of certain regulations, in which case, liability is unlimited.

The financial responsibility regulations for tankers issued under OPA 90 also require owners and operators of vessels entering U.S. waters to obtain, and maintain with the USCG, Certificates of Financial Responsibility, or COFRs, in the amount sufficient to meet the maximum aggregate liability under OPA 90 and CERCLA. All of our vessels that need COFRs have them.

We believe that we are in material compliance with OPA 90, CERCLA and all applicable state and local regulations in U.S. ports where our vessels call.

OPA 90 also amended the Clean Water Act to require owners and operators of vessels to adopt contingency plans for reporting and responding to oil spill scenarios up to a “worst case” scenario and to identify and ensure, through contracts or other approved means, the availability of necessary private response resources to respond to a “worst case discharge.” In addition, periodic training programs, drills for shore and response personnel, and for vessels and their crews are required. Our vessel response plans have been approved by the USCG. The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in U.S. navigable waters and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for unauthorized discharges. The Clean Water Act also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages, and complements the remedies available under OPA 90 and CERCLA, discussed herein.

 

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regulations govern the discharge into U.S. waters of ballast water and other substances incidental to the normal operation of vessels. Under EPA regulations, commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length are required to obtain coverage under the VGP by submitting a Notice of Intent. The VGP incorporates current USCG requirements for ballast water management as well as supplemental ballast water requirements, and includes technology-based and water-quality based limits for other discharges, such as deck runoff, bilge water and gray water. USCG regulations will phase in stricter VGP ballast management requirements in the future.

Administrative obligations, such as monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements also apply. Implementation of the water treatment standards adopted by the USCG/EPA is required earlier than the implementation of equivalent standards agreed by the International Maritime Organization. For trading in the U.S. waters, vessels are to be fitted with ballast water treatment systems approved by the USCG at the first bottom survey after January 1, 2016. A number of BWTS technologies have Alternate Management System (“AMS”) extension approvals and a number of other systems have recently received a USCG type BWTS approval. We have obtained extensions for the majority of our vessels with due date of docking up to and including 2018 to carry out installation of BWTS at the next docking survey occurring after December 31, 2018. Although future extensions may still be granted, obtaining an extension due to lack of type approved systems will now be more difficult because owners must prove that none of the recently approved systems are suitable for their vessels. Compliance with these requirements may impose substantial costs for retrofitting our vessels with BWTS or otherwise restrict our vessels from performing certain operations in U.S. waters that involve the discharge of ballast water.

The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds, hazardous air pollutants and other air contaminants. The Clean Air Act also requires states to draft State Implementation Plans (“SIPs”) designed to attain national health-based air quality standards, which have significant regulatory impacts in major metropolitan and/or industrial areas. Several SIPs regulate emissions resulting from vessel loading and unloading operations by requiring the installation of vapor control equipment. Individual states, including California, also regulate vessel emissions within state waters. California also has adopted fuel content regulations that will apply to all vessels sailing within 24 miles of the California coastline or whose itineraries call for them to enter any California ports, terminal facilities, or internal or estuarine waters. In addition, the International Maritime Organization designates areas extending 200 miles from the U.S. territorial sea baseline adjacent to the Atlantic/Gulf and Pacific coasts and the eight main Hawaiian Islands as Sulphur Emission Control Areas under amendments to the Annex VI of MARPOL (discussed below). In addition, regulatory initiatives to require cold-ironing (shore-based power while docked) or alternative emission reduction measures are under consideration or in the process of adoption in a number of jurisdictions to reduce air emissions from docked ships. Compliance with these regulations entails significant capital expenditures or otherwise increases the costs of our operations.

International Requirements

In September 1997, the International Maritime Organization adopted Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships to address air pollution from ships. Annex VI sets limits on sulphur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulphur content of fuel oil and allows for special sulphur emission control areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulphur emissions (“SECA areas”).

Amendments to Annex VI to the MARPOL address particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide emissions. The revised Annex VI reduces air pollution from vessels by, among other things (i) implementing a progressive reduction of sulphur oxide emissions from ships, and (ii) establishing new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for new marine engines, depending on their date of installation. The International Maritime Organization confirmed in October 2016 that a global 0.5% sulphur cap on marine fuels will come into force on January 1, 2020, as agreed in amendments adopted in 2008 for Annex VI to the MARPOL. Annex VI sets progressively stricter regulations to control sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrous oxides (NOx) emissions from ships, which present both environmental and health risks. The 0.5% sulphur cap marks a significant reduction from the current global sulphur cap of 3.5%, which came into effect on January 1, 2012. When the 2020 sulphur cap was decided upon in 2008, it was also agreed that a review should be undertaken by 2018 to assess whether there was sufficient compliant fuel available to meet the 2020 effective date, failing which, the effective date could be deferred

 

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to 2025. That review was completed in July 2016 by a consortium of consultants led by CE Delft, and submitted to the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) during their 70th session. The review concluded that sufficient compliant fuel would be available to meet the new requirement. However, the costs for these marine fuels remain uncertain and installing alternative sulphur emission control equipment on vessels entails significant cost and may be technically infeasible or uneconomic for some vessels. Questions also remain as to how the sulphur cap will be enforced, as it is up to individual parties to MARPOL to enforce fines and sanctions.

Shipowners can meet the new requirements by continuing to use fuel types which exceed the 0.5% sulphur limit and retrofitting an approved Exhaust Gas Cleaning System (also known as scrubbers) to remove sulphur from exhaust, which would require a substantial capital expenditure and prolonged off-hire of the vessel during installation; or use petroleum fuels such as marine gasoil (MGO), which meet the 0.5% sulphur limit. According to Clarksons Shipping Intelligence Network, the premium of MGO over 380 CST 3.5% bunker fuel in Rotterdam has averaged $244/mt over the last five years. Depending on the vessel type and size, this could mean a substantial increase in the cost of bunkers for the vessel. This cost could increase further if the refining sector is unable to cope with the higher distillate demand, resulting in a tight distillate market and wider spread between HSFOs and MGOs; or by retrofitting the vessel to handle alternative fuels, such as LNG, methanol, biofuels, LPG etc. Retrofitting vessels for the consumption of these type of alternative fuels would involve a substantial capital expenditure and might be uneconomical for most conventional vessel types given current technology and design challenges.

Additionally, as of January 1, 2015, more stringent sulphur emission standards apply in coastal areas designated as Sulphur Emission Control Areas. We incur additional costs to comply with these revised standards. A failure to comply with Annex VI requirements could result in a vessel not being able to operate. All of our vessels are subject to Annex VI regulations. We believe that our existing vessels meet relevant Annex VI requirements. Nevertheless, as most existing vessels are not designed to operate on ultra-low sulphur distillate fuel continuously, we are introducing mitigating measures and or modifications enabling vessels to operate continuously within SECA areas. These mitigation measures and modifications may increase our operating expenses.

The ISM code, promulgated by the International Maritime Organization, also requires the party with operational control of a vessel to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. The ISM code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. No vessel can obtain a certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM code. All of our ocean-going vessels are ISM certified.

Noncompliance with the ISM code and other IMO regulations may subject the shipowner or bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to increased premiums and decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports.

Many countries have ratified and follow the liability plan adopted by the International Maritime Organization and set out in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969 (the “CLC”) (the United States, with its separate OPA 90 regime, is not a party to the CLC). Under this convention and depending on whether the country in which the damage results is a party to the 1992 Protocol to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, a vessel’s registered owner is strictly liable for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil, subject to certain defenses. Under the Protocol for vessels of 5,000 to 140,000 gross tons, liability is limited to approximately $7.1 million plus $989.2 for each additional gross ton over 5,000. For vessels of over 140,000 gross tons, liability is limited to approximately $140.7 million. As the convention calculates liability in terms of a basket of currencies, these figures are based on currency exchange rates on December 31, 2010. The right to limit liability is forfeited under the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage where the spill is caused by the owner’s actual fault and under the 1992 Protocol where the spill is caused by the owner’s intentional or reckless conduct. Vessels trading to states that are parties to these conventions must provide evidence of insurance covering the liability of the owner. In jurisdictions where the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law regimes govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to that convention. We believe that our P&I insurance will cover the liability coverage requirements under the plan adopted by the International Maritime Organization.

 

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In 2001, the International Maritime Organization adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (the “Bunker Convention”), which imposes strict liability on ship owners for pollution damage caused by discharges of bunker oil in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states. The Bunker Convention also requires registered owners of ships over a certain size to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims of 1976, as amended). Our fleet has been issued with a certificate attesting that insurance is in force in accordance with the insurance provisions of the convention.

Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Regulation

Increasing concerns about climate change have resulted in a number of international, national and regional measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions and additional stricter measures can be expected in the future.

The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or Kyoto Protocol, requires participating countries to implement national programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, generally referred to as greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol. However, new treaties may be adopted in the future that include restrictions on shipping emissions. The European Union also has indicated that it intends to propose an expansion of the existing European Union emissions trading scheme to include emissions of greenhouse gases from vessels. In addition, the EPA has begun regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act and climate change initiatives have been adopted by state and local jurisdictions and are being considered in the U.S. Congress. A consensus agreement reached at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris and ratified in October 2016 commits participating nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a goal of keeping global temperature increases well below two degrees Celsius, with regular five-year reviews of progress beginning in 2023. National and multilateral efforts to meet these goals could result in reductions in the use of carbon fuels generally, and stricter limits on greenhouse gas emissions from ships in particular. Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the International Maritime Organization, European Union, the U.S. or other countries where we operate that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases could have a financial impact on our operations that we cannot predict with certainty at this time. In addition, scientific studies have indicated that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can produce climate changes with significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods and other severe weather events that could affect our operations. Increased concern over the effects of climate change may also affect energy strategies and consumption patterns which could adversely affect demand for the marine transport of petroleum products.

Disclosure of activities pursuant to Section 13(r) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 added Section 13(r) to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Section 13(r) requires an issuer to disclose whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings. Disclosure is required even where the activities, transactions or dealings are conducted in compliance with applicable law. Provided in this section is information concerning the activities of CPLP and its affiliates that occurred in 2018 and which CPLP believes may be required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act.

In March 2018, one vessel owned by us and chartered under a time charter party to PCTC, a subsidiary of Capital Maritime, our sponsor, made a port call to Iran to load crude oil. This port call represented less than 0.05% of the total port calls made by all our vessels in 2018. It occurred while the vessel was chartered out to an unaffiliated sub-charterer, under the instructions of such sub-charterer. As the vessel owner, we earned revenues at the agreed daily charter rate from PCTC under the applicable time charter. PCTC in turn earned revenues at the agreed freight rate from the sub-charterer that employed the vessel. CPLP’s aggregate revenue attributable to the number of days that our vessel under time charter remained in a port in Iran was approximately $0.1 million, representing less than 0.04% of our total revenues during the year ended December 31, 2018. This vessel was part of

 

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the Tanker Business spun-off in March 2019. In addition, in February 2018, the vessel M/T Amore Mio II, which we sold in October 2018, made a port call to Iran to load crude oil while employed under a voyage charter to an unaffiliated third party. This port call represented less than 0.05% of the total port calls made by all the vessels owned by CPLP in 2018. The aggregate revenue attributable to this voyage was approximately $1.5 million, representing approximately 0.5% of our total revenues during the year ended December 31, 2018. We do not attribute profits to specific voyages.

Other than as described above, no vessel owned or chartered by Capital Maritime made any port calls to countries targeted by economic sanctions during 2018.

As part of the voyage charter arrangements between us and third-party charterers or sub-charterers, we or our Manager may pay fees and expenses related to the port calls made in Iran through a private third-party agent in Iran appointed by the third-party charterer or sub-charterer. In 2018, no such payments were made for re-fueling or bunkers for the vessels making such port calls.

We believe the port call to Iran was made in full compliance with applicable economic sanctions laws and regulations, including those of the United States, the European Union and other relevant jurisdictions.

 

  C.

Organizational Structure

 

LOGO

Please also see Note 1 (Basis of Presentation and General Information) to our Financial Statements and Exhibit 8.1 to this Annual Report for a list of our significant subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018.

 

  D.

Property, Plants and Equipment

Other than our vessels, we do not have any material property. For further details regarding our vessels, including any environmental issues that may affect our utilization of these assets, please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Fleet” and “—Regulation.” Our obligations under our 2017 credit facility are secured by all our vessels. For further details regarding our 2017 credit facility, please read “Item 5B: Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings—Our Credit Facilities.”

 

Item 4A.

Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

 

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Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our Financial Statements. Among other things, the Financial Statements include more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the following information. The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and are presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars.

For purposes of both the following discussion and the Financial Statements, the Tanker Business that we spun-off in connection with the DSS Transaction is presented as part of our continuing operations.

 

A.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

We are an international owner of ocean going vessels.

We were organized in January 2007 by Capital Maritime, an international shipping company with a long history of operating and investing in the shipping market.

Our primary business objective is to make distributions to our unitholders on a quarterly basis and increase the level of our distributions over time, subject to shipping and charter market developments and our ability to obtain required financing and access financial markets.

We seek to rely on medium- to long-term, fixed-rate period charters and Capital Ship Management’s cost-efficient management of our vessels to provide visibility of revenues, earnings and distributions in the medium- to long-term. As our vessels come up for re-chartering, we seek to redeploy them on terms that reflect our expectations of the market conditions prevailing at the time.

We intend to further evaluate potential opportunities to acquire both newly built and second-hand vessels from Capital Maritime or third parties (including, potentially, through the acquisition of, or combination with, other shipping businesses) in a prudent manner that is accretive to our unitholders and long-term distribution growth, subject to approval of our board of directors, overall market conditions and our ability to obtain required financing and access financial markets.

We generally rely on external financing sources, including bank borrowings and, depending on market conditions, the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund the acquisition of new vessels. See “—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.

As of December 31, 2018, the Marinakis family, including Evangelos M. Marinakis, the chairman of Capital Maritime, our sponsor, may be deemed to beneficially own a 18.8% interest in us through, among others, Capital Maritime and Crude Carriers Investments.

The DSS Transaction

As of December 31, 2018, our fleet consisted of 36 high specification vessels with an average age of approximately 8.5 years, including three Suezmax crude oil tankers (0.5 million dwt), one Aframax crude/product oil tanker (0.1 million dwt), 21 medium range product tankers (0.9 million dwt), ten neo-Panamax container carrier vessels (0.9 million dwt) and one Capesize bulk carrier (0.2 million dwt).

On March 27, 2019, we completed the spin-off of our Tanker Business. We currently own ten neo-Panamax container carrier vessels with an average age of approximately 6.4 years (as at December 31, 2018) and one Capesize bulk carrier (age of 8.4 years).

The significant reduction in the number of our vessels has resulted in a reduced asset base, which we expect will affect our results of operations in a number of respects, including the following:

 

   

We will generate comparatively less revenue and incur less operating expenses than if the DSS Transaction had not occurred. See “—Factors to Consider When Evaluating our Results.”

 

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We may be exposed to increased earnings variability due to a smaller and less-diverse fleet and a more concentrated customer base in comparison to our fleet and customer base before the completion of the DSS Transaction.

 

   

We expect that our general and administrative expenses will have proportionally a greater impact on our results from operations.

 

   

We will continue for a time to be exposed to the Tanker Business we spun off under working capital and other arrangements we entered into with DSS. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us—Completion of the DSS Transaction may impact your investment in us.”

Our Charters

We generate revenues by charging our charterers for the use of our vessels.

Historically, our vessels were chartered under time or bareboat charter agreements. As of December 31, 2018, 29 of our vessels were either trading in the period market or were expected to commence period employment. Following the completion of the DSS Transaction on March 27, 2019, all of our remaining vessels are trading in the period market.

Our vessels are currently under contracts with HMM, COSCO, PIL, CMA CGM and MSC.

The loss of, default by or restructuring of any significant charterer or a substantial decline in the amount of services requested by a significant charterer could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Please read “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Operations—We currently derive all of our revenues from a limited number of charterers and the loss of any charterer or charter or vessel could result in a significant loss of revenues and cash flows.”

HMM Restructuring and Scrubber Agreements

HMM, the charterer of five of our container vessels and one of our largest counterparties in terms of revenue, completed a financial restructuring in July 2016. We entered into a charter restructuring agreement with HMM on July 15, 2016. This agreement provides for the reduction of the charter rate payable under the respective charter parties by 20% to $23,480 per day (from a gross daily rate of $29,350) for a three and a half year period starting in July 2016 and ending in December 2019. The total charter rate reduction for the charter reduction period is approximately $37.0 million. The charter restructuring agreement further provides that at the end of the charter reduction period, the charter rate under the respective charter parties will revert to the original gross daily rate of $29,350 until the expiry of each charter in 2024 and 2025. As compensation for the charter rate reduction, we received approximately 4.4 million HMM common shares, which we sold on the Stock Market Division of the Korean Exchange for an aggregate consideration of $29.7 million in August 2016.

In October 2018, we entered into a series of agreements with HMM to increase the daily charter rate under each of the five charters we have with HMM by $4,900 in light of the expenditure we will incur in connection with the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems, also known as “scrubbers.” This increase will be effective from January 1, 2020, or, if later, the installation date of the scrubbers.

Accounting for Acquisitions

In May 2018, we acquired the shares of the company owning the M/T Anikitos with time charter attached expiring in June 2020 (at the earliest). We accounted for this transaction as an asset acquisition. As we estimated that the daily charter rate of the time charter attached to the vessel was above market rates as of the transaction’s completion date, we allocated the total consideration for this acquisition to the vessel cost in the amount of $31.0 million and to the above market acquired charter in the amount of $0.5 million. The M/T Anikitos was part of the Tanker Business that we spun-off in connection with the DSS Transaction.

 

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In January 2018, we acquired the shares of the company owning the M/T Aristaios with time charter attached expiring in November 2021. We accounted for this transaction as an acquisition of an asset. As we estimated that the daily charter rate of the time charter attached to the vessel was above market rates as of the transaction’s completion date, we allocated the total consideration for this acquisition to the vessel cost in the amount of $43.0 million and to the above market acquired charter in the amount of $9.5 million. The M/T Aristaios was part of the Tanker Business that we spun-off in connection with the DSS Transaction.

In October 2016, we acquired the shares of the company owning the M/T Amor, an eco-type MR product tanker, with time charters attached expiring in October 2017 (at the earliest). We accounted for this transaction as a business acquisition based on the existence of an integrated set of activities (inputs and processes that generate outputs). Therefore, we recorded the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, consisting of the vessel, the time charter attached to the vessel and a term loan assumed on acquisition, in our financial statements at their fair values of $31.6 million, $1.1 million and $15.8 million, respectively. The M/T Amor was part of the Tanker Business that we spun-off in connection with the DSS Transaction.

In February 2016, we acquired the shares of the company owning the M/V CMA CGM Magdalena with time charter attached expiring in January 2021 (at the earliest). We accounted for this transaction as an asset acquisition. As we estimated that the daily charter rate of the time charter attached to the vessel was above market rates as of the transaction completion date, we allocated the total consideration for this acquisition to the vessel cost in the amount of $88.5 million and to the above market acquired charter in the amount of $3.2 million.

Industry Developments and Outlook

In the container market, certain key routes experienced an increase in demand in the first half of 2018, as compared to 2017, which led to an increase in container charter rates and asset values. However, charter rates retreated in the second half of 2018 and were below historical averages, while the idle container fleet was estimated by market analysts to increase at the end of 2018 to approximately 3%, as compared to 2% at the end of 2017. We currently expect that only one of our container vessels will come up for re-chartering before 2020. However, we depend on the ability of our charterers, which have from time to time come under significant financial stress, to honor their commitments to maintain our charter revenues and operating cash flow. For further information, see “Item 3.D Risks Factors—Risks Related to the Container Carrier Industry—If our container carrier vessel charterers do not fulfill their obligations to us, or if they are unable to honor their obligations, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make cash distributions and service or refinance our debt can be adversely affected.”

In the drybulk market, after reaching historical highs in mid-2008, charter hire rates for Capesize drybulk carriers, such as the M/V Cape Agamemnon, have declined to historically low levels. In 2018, the drybulk market experienced some recovery in charter rates compared to 2017. The M/V Cape Agamemnon is currently deployed on a period time charter that is expected to expire in June 2020 (at the earliest). In the future, we may be forced to re-charter the M/V Cape Agamemnon pursuant to short-term time charters, and may be exposed to changes in the spot market and short-term charter rates for Capesize drybulk carriers, all of which may affect our earnings and the value of the M/V Cape Agamemnon. For further information, see “Item 3.D Risks Factors—Risks Related to the Drybulk Industry—We are exposed to various risks in the international drybulk shipping industry, which is cyclical and volatile.”

Factors Affecting Our Future Results of Operations

We believe that the principal factors affecting our future results of operations are the economic, regulatory, financial, credit, political and governmental conditions prevailing in the shipping industry generally and in the countries and markets in which our vessels are chartered.

The world economy has experienced significant economic and political upheavals in recent history. In addition, credit supply has been constrained and financial markets have been particularly turbulent for master limited partnerships such as us. Protectionist trends, global growth and demand for the seaborne

 

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transportation of goods, including oil, oil products and dry and containerized goods, and overcapacity and deliveries of newly built vessels may affect the shipping industry in general and our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

As of the date of this Annual Report, we are exposed to the container market to a significant extent as the majority of our vessels are container vessels. We expect that one of our time charters will expire in the coming 12 months.

Some of the key factors that we expect may affect our business, future financial condition, results of operations and cash flow include the following:

 

   

supply and demand for containerized goods and dry cargo;

 

   

supply and orderbook of vessels, including, container vessels and drybulk vessels;

 

   

the continuing demand for goods from China, India, Brazil and Russia and other emerging markets and developments in international trade including threats and/or imposition of trade tariffs;

 

   

charter hire levels (under time and bareboat charters) and our ability to re-charter our vessels at competitive rates as their current charters expire;

 

   

developments in vessel values, which might affect our ability to comply with certain covenants under our credit facility and/or refinance our debt;

 

   

the relationships and reputation of Capital Ship Management and our General Partner, each under new ownership, in the shipping industry;

 

   

the effective and efficient technical management of our vessels;

 

   

the strength of and growth in the number of our customer relationships;

 

   

the prevailing spot market rates and the number of our vessels which we may operate in the spot market;

 

   

our ability to comply with the covenants in our credit facility, including covenants relating to the maintenance of vessel value ratios;

 

   

our level of debt and the related interest expense and amortization of principal;

 

   

our access to debt and equity, and the cost of capital required to acquire additional vessels or to implement our business strategy;

 

   

the ability to increase the size of our fleet and make additional acquisitions that are accretive to our unitholders;

 

   

our ability to comply with new maritime regulations and the more restrictive regulations for the transport of certain products and cargoes and the increased costs associated therewith;

 

   

the costs associated with upcoming drydocking of our vessels; and

 

   

our ability to acquire and sell vessels at prices we deem satisfactory;

Please read “Item 3.D: Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain risks inherent in our business.

 

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Factors to Consider When Evaluating Our Results

We believe it is important to consider the following factors when evaluating our results of operations:

 

   

Size of our Fleet. During 2018, the weighted average number of our vessels increased by 0.72 vessels compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, as we took delivery of the M/T Anikitos and the M/T Aristaios on May 4, 2018 and January 17, 2018, respectively, while we sold and delivered to their new owners the M/T Amore Mio II and the M/T Aristotelis on October 15, 2018 and April 25, 2018, respectively. As our fleet grows or as we dispose of our vessels, our results of operations reflect the contribution to revenue of, and the expenses associated with, a varying number of vessels over time, which may affect the comparability of our results year-on-year. Please see “—Overview—Accounting for Acquisitions” for information on the accounting treatment of vessel acquisitions for the period under review and Note 1 (Basis of Presentation and General Information) to the Financial Statements included herein. As described above under “—Overview—The DSS Transaction,” we spun-off our Tanker Business in March 2019. We currently own ten neo-Panamax container carrier vessels and one Capesize bulk carrier.

 

   

Management Structure and Operating Expenses. Historically, our vessels were serviced by our Manager under three separate technical and commercial management agreements: the fixed fee management agreement, the floating fee management agreement and, with respect to the vessels acquired as part of the merger with Crude Carriers, the Crude Carriers management agreement. Each agreement had a different operating expenses structure. In 2018, the remaining two vessels that were previously managed under the fixed fee management agreement and were employed under bareboat charter agreements transitioned to a floating fee arrangement. Consequently, since June 2018, none of our vessels have been operated under a fixed fee management agreement. The Crude Carriers management agreement was terminated in connection with the completion of the DSS Transaction. Please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Management Agreement.”

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2017

Our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 differ primarily due to:

 

   

the increase in the weighted average number of our vessels by 0.72 vessels following the delivery of the M/T Anikitos and the M/T Aristaios on May 4 and January 17, 2018, respectively, and the sale and delivery to their new owners of the M/T Amore Mio II and the M/T Aristotelis on October 15 and April 25, 2018, respectively;

 

   

the increase in the number of days during which our vessels were employed under voyage charters in the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017;

 

   

lower charter rates as a result of weaker market conditions for product and crude tankers on the back of increased tonnage availability, high oil and oil product inventories and OPEC/Non-OPEC oil production cuts;

 

   

the increase in the number of vessels in our fleet incurring operating expenses following the redelivery by their charterer of the M/T Alexandros II in December 2017 and the M/T Aristotelis II and the M/T Aris II in May and June 2018, respectively, which were previously employed under bareboat charters;

 

   

the impairment charge we recognized during the year ended December 31, 2018 of $28.8 million compared to $3.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 in connection to the sale of the M/T Amore Mio II and M/T Aristotelis, respectively; and

 

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higher interest costs incurred as a result of an increase in the LIBOR weighted average interest rate during the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.

Total Revenues

Total revenues, consisting of time, voyage and bareboat charter revenues, amounted to $279.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $249.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The increase of $30.2 million was primarily attributable to the increase in vessel operating days as the weighted average size of our fleet increased by 0.72 vessels in 2018 and the increase in the number of days during which our vessels were employed under voyage charters in the year 2018, partly offset by lower charter rates earned by certain of our vessels compared to the average charter rates earned during the year 2017 as result of, among other factors, weaker market conditions for product and crude tankers.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, related party revenues decreased to $14.0 million, compared to $44.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 as the average number of vessels chartered by Capital Maritime decreased by 5.0 vessels.

Time, voyage and bareboat charter revenues are mainly comprised of the charter hires received from unaffiliated third-party charterers and Capital Maritime, and are generally affected by the number of vessel operating days, the average number of vessels in our fleet and the charter rates.

For information on the risks arising from a concentration of counterparties, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Inherent in Our Operations—We currently derive all of our revenues from a limited number of charterers and the loss of any charterer or charter or vessel could result in a significant loss of revenues and cash flows.

Please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Fleet” and “—Our Charters” for information about the charters on our vessels, including daily charter rates.

Voyage Expenses

Total voyage expenses amounted to $46.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase of $31.1 million was primarily attributable to the increase in the number of voyage charters under which certain of our vessels were employed during the year 2018, compared to the year 2017.

Voyage expenses primarily consist of bunkers, port expenses, canal dues and commissions. Commissions are paid to shipbrokers for negotiating and arranging charter party agreements on our behalf. Voyage expenses incurred during time and bareboat charters are paid for by the charterer, except for commissions, which are paid for by us. Voyage expenses incurred during voyage charters are paid for by us. Please also refer to Note 10 (Voyage Expenses and Vessel Operating Expenses) to the financial statements included herein for information on the composition of our voyage expenses.

Vessel Operating Expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2018, our total vessel operating expenses amounted to $99.1 million compared to $86.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The $13.0 million increase in total vessel operating expenses primarily reflects the expansion in the weighted average size of our fleet and the increase in the number of vessels in our fleet incurring operating expenses, following the redelivery of the M/T Alexandros II, the M/T Aristotelis II and the M/T Aris II, which were previously employed under bareboat charters.

Total vessel operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 include expenses of $12.7 million incurred under the management agreements we have with our Manager, compared to $11.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

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See Note 10 (Voyage Expenses and Vessel Operating Expenses) to the Financial Statements for information on the composition of our vessel operating expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses amounted to $5.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. General and administrative expenses include board of directors’ fees and expenses, audit and certain legal fees, and other fees related to the expenses of the publicly traded partnership.

Vessel Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization amounted to $73.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $74.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease was attributable to the decrease in the amortization of drydock and special survey deferred charges, partly offset by the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.

Generally, depreciation is expected to increase if the average number of vessels in our fleet increases.

Impairment of vessels

Impairment of vessels amounted to $28.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 representing the difference between the carrying and the fair market value less associated sale costs of the M/T Amore Mio II and the M/T Aristotelis, which we agreed to sell on September 11, 2018 and December 22, 2017, respectively. Upon entering into the sale agreements, we classified the vessels as held for sale and wrote down their carrying value to their fair value less estimated sale costs. The fair value of the vessels was based on the transaction price, as the sale price for both vessels was agreed with an unaffiliated third party.

Please see Note 5 (Vessels, net and assets held for sale) and Note 8 (Financial Instruments) to our Financial Statements for more information on impairment charges.

Total Other Expense, Net

Total other expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $26.4 million, compared to $25.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Total other expense, net includes interest expense and finance costs of $27.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $26.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The increase of $0.8 million reflects higher interest costs incurred mainly as a result of the increase in the LIBOR weighted average interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.

Interest expense and finance costs include interest expense, amortization of financing charges, commitment fees and bank charges.

The weighted average interest rate on the loans outstanding under our credit facilities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 5.35%, compared to 4.29% for the year 2017. Please also refer to Note 7 (Long Term Debt) to our Financial Statements.

Net (Loss)/ Income

Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $0.1 million compared to net income of $38.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

For a list of factors which we believe are important to consider when evaluating our results, please refer to the discussion under “—Factors to Consider When Evaluating Our Results” and “—Factors Affecting our Results of Operations.”

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

Our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 differ primarily due to:

 

   

the increase in the weighted average number of our vessels as we took delivery of the M/V Anaxagoras (renamed to “CMA CGM Magdalena”) and the M/T Amor on February 26, 2016 and October 24, 2016, respectively;

 

   

lower charter rates as a result of weaker market conditions for product and crude tankers on the back of increased tonnage availability, high oil and oil product inventories and OPEC/Non-OPEC oil production cuts;

 

   

the increase in the number of vessels in our fleet incurring operating expenses following the redelivery by their charterer of the M/T Atlantas II in September 2016 and the M/T Aiolos and the M/T Aktoras in March 2017, which were previously employed on bareboat charters; and

 

   

higher interest costs incurred as a result of an increase in the LIBOR weighted average interest rate during the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016.

Total Revenues

Total revenues, consisting of time, voyage and bareboat charter revenues, amounted to $249.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $241.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The increase of $7.5 million was primarily attributable to the increase in vessel operating days as the weighted average size of our fleet expanded by 0.97 vessels in 2017 and the decrease in the number of off-hire days incurred by our vessels during the year 2017, partly offset by lower charter rates earned by certain of our vessels compared to the average charter rates earned during the year 2016 as result of, among other factors, weaker market conditions for product and crude tankers.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, related party revenues increased to $44.7 million, compared to $36.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as the average number of vessels chartered by Capital Maritime increased by 2.7 vessels.

Time, voyage and bareboat charter revenues are mainly comprised of the charter hires received from unaffiliated third-party charterers and Capital Maritime, and are generally affected by the number of vessel operating days, the average number of vessels in our fleet and the charter rates.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras”), Capital Maritime, HMM and CMA CGM accounted for 19%, 18%, 18% and 17% of our total revenues, respectively. For information on the risks arising from a concentration of counterparties, see “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Inherent in Our Operations—We currently derive all of our revenues from a limited number of charterers and the loss of any charterer or charter or vessel could result in a significant loss of revenues and cash flows.

Please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Fleet” and “—Our Charters” for information about the charters on our vessels, including daily charter rates.

Voyage Expenses

Total voyage expenses amounted to $15.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $10.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase of $4.9 million was primarily attributable to the increase in the number of voyage charters under which certain of our vessels were employed during the year 2017, compared to the year 2016. Voyage expenses primarily consist of bunkers, port expenses, canal dues and commissions. Commissions are paid to shipbrokers for negotiating and arranging charter party agreements on our behalf. Voyage expenses incurred during time and bareboat charters are paid for by the charterer, except for commissions, which are paid for by us. Voyage expenses incurred during voyage charters are paid for by us. Please also refer to Note 10 (Voyage Expenses and Vessel Operating Expenses) to our Financial Statements for information on the composition of our voyage expenses.

 

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Vessel Operating Expenses

For the year ended December 31, 2017, our total vessel operating expenses amounted to $86.1 million compared to $77.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The $8.6 million increase in total vessel operating expenses primarily reflects the expansion in the weighted average size of our fleet and the increase in the number of vessels in our fleet incurring operating expenses, following the redelivery of the M/T Atlantas II, the M/T Aktoras and the M/T Aiolos, which were previously employed under bareboat charters.

Total vessel operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 include expenses of $11.6 million incurred under the management agreements we have with our Manager, compared to $10.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

See Note 10 (Voyage Expenses and Vessel Operating Expenses) to our Financial Statements for information on the composition of our vessel operating expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses amounted to $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. General and administrative expenses include board of directors’ fees and expenses, audit and certain legal fees, and other fees related to the expenses of the publicly traded partnership.

Vessel Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization amounted to $74.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $71.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was due to the increase in the average number of vessels in our fleet.

Depreciation is expected to increase if the average number of vessels in our fleet increases.

Impairment of vessel

Impairment of vessel amounted to $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and represents the difference between the carrying and the fair market value of the M/T Aristotelis, which we agreed to sell on December 22, 2017. The vessel was classified as held for sale and written down to its fair value less estimated sale costs. The fair value of the M/T Aristotelis was based on its transaction price, as the sale price was agreed with an unaffiliated third party.

Please see Note 5 (Vessels, net and assets held for sale) and Note 8 (Financial Instruments) to our Financial Statements for more information on impairment charges.

Total Other Expense, Net

Total other expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2017 amounted to $25.8 million, compared to $23.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase of $2.6 million reflects higher interest costs incurred mainly as a result of the increase in the LIBOR weighted average interest rate for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016.

Interest expense and finance costs include interest expense, amortization of financing charges, commitment fees and bank charges.

The weighted average interest rate on the loans outstanding under our credit facilities for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 4.29%, compared to 3.73% for the year 2016. Please also refer to Note 7 (Long Term Debt) to our Financial Statements.

 

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Net Income

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 amounted to $38.5 million compared to $52.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

For a list of factors which we believe are important to consider when evaluating our results, please refer to the discussion under “—Factors to Consider When Evaluating Our Results” and “—Factors Affecting our Results of Operations.”

 

  B.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2018, total cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) were $48.2 million. Restricted cash under our then outstanding credit facilities amounted to $18.0 million.

In connection with the DSS Transaction:

 

   

DSS paid to us a total amount of $319.7 million;

 

   

we amended our existing 2017 credit facility, prepaid an amount of $89.3 million thereunder, and fully repaid and retired outstanding loans under bilateral facilities, all of which translated into an aggregate repayment of our debt of $146.5 million plus accrued interest and breakage costs; and

 

   

we redeemed and retired all outstanding Class B Units at 100% of par value for an aggregate redemption price of $119.5 million.

Following the DSS Transaction, total cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) were $79.0 million as of March 31, 2019. Restricted cash under our 2017 credit facility amounted to $5.5 million.

We do not have any undrawn amounts under the terms of our 2017 credit facility.

Generally, our primary sources of funds have been cash from operations, bank borrowings and securities offerings.

Cash from operations depend on our chartering activity. Depending on the prevailing market rates when our charters expire, we may not be able to re-charter our vessels at levels similar to their current charters, which may affect our future cash flows from operations. Cash flows from operations may be further affected by other factors described in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.” We expect that one of our charters will expire in the coming 12 months.

Because we distribute all of our available cash (a contractually defined term, generally referring to cash on hand at the end of each quarter after provision for reserves), we generally rely upon external financing sources, including bank borrowings and securities offerings, to fund replacement, expansion and investment capital expenditures, and to refinance or repay outstanding indebtedness.

In particular, since 2011, our board of directors has elected not to provision cash reserves for estimated replacement capital expenditures. Accordingly, our ability to maintain and grow our asset base, including through further dropdown opportunities from Capital Maritime or acquisitions from third parties, and to pay or increase our distributions as well as to maintain a strong balance sheet depends on, among other things, our ability to obtain required financing, access financial markets and refinance part or all of our existing indebtedness on commercially acceptable terms.

In April 2016, in the face of severely depressed trading prices for master limited partnerships, including us, a significant deterioration in our cost of capital and potential loss of revenue, our board of directors took the decision to protect our liquidity position by creating a capital reserve. We used cash accumulated as a result of quarterly allocations to our capital reserve to partially prepay our indebtedness as part of our refinancing in October 2017. We expect to continue to reserve cash in amounts necessary to service our debt in the future, including to make quarterly amortization payments.

 

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Subject to our ability to obtain required financing and access financial markets, we expect to continue to evaluate opportunities to acquire vessels and businesses. We currently have no capital commitments to purchase or build additional vessels. None of our vessels are scheduled to undergo their special survey during 2019. However, we are currently planning to retrofit four to seven of our vessels with scrubbers during 2019 and the rest of our fleet in 2020 and 2021. The installation of scrubber equipment requires the vessel to be drydocked and incur off-hire days. We estimate that the installation of a scrubber on one of our vessels may require 30 to 45 off-hire days.

We have contracted to procure scrubbers for our fleet with two third-party manufacturers. Currently, total contracted capital expenditure in relation to the scrubbers to be retrofitted on our vessels amounts to $19.5 million, of which we expect to pay $10.7 million, $7.2 million and $1.6 million in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively (although the actual amount expended each year will depend on the timing of the installation of the scrubber equipment, which may vary depending on our charterers’ requirements, dry-docking availability and other considerations).

Total partners’ capital as of December 31, 2018 amounted to $881.3 million compared to $933.4 million as of December 31, 2017, corresponding to a decrease of $52.1 million. The decrease primarily reflects the $52.6 million of distributions declared and paid during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Subject to shipping, charter and financial market developments, we believe that our working capital will be sufficient to meet our existing liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents provided by / (used in) operating, financing and investing activities (including in relation to the Tanker Business that we spun off in March 2019) for the years presented below, in millions.

 

     2018      2017      2016  

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

   $ 97.9      $ 127.0      $ 155.1  

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

   $ (4.5    $ (2.0    $ (90.8

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

   $ (126.5    $ (168.3    $ (46.8

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $97.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $127.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease of $29.1 million was mainly attributable to (a) the decrease of $12.3 million in cash from operations, which was attributable to, among other factors, lower time charter rates affecting our revenues and an increase in our total expenses, including vessel voyage and operating expenses, and (b) the negative effect of the changes in our operating assets and liabilities amounting to $16.8 million. Changes in our operating assets and liabilities were driven mainly by an increase in our trade receivables, prepayments and inventories and other assets and a decrease in deferred revenue, in each case mainly attributable to the increase in the number of voyage charters performed by our vessels, partly offset by a reduction in the amounts we reimbursed to our Manager for expenses paid on our behalf during the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $127.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $155.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease of $28.1 million was mainly attributable to (a) the decrease of $7.9 million in cash from operations, which was attributable to, among other factors, lower charter rates affecting our revenues and an increase in our total expenses, including vessel voyage, operating and total other expenses, net, and (b) the negative effect of the changes in our operating assets and liabilities amounting to $22.8 million, which were partially offset by a decrease of $2.5 million in dry-docking costs. Changes in our operating assets and liabilities were driven mainly by a reduction in deferred revenue in the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, which was primarily due to the receipt

 

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of the proceeds from the sale of HMM common shares in 2016, which is amortizing on a straight line basis within revenue, partially offset by (a) a reduction in the amounts we reimbursed to our Manager for expenses paid on our behalf, (b) an increase in accrued liabilities, as accrued interest for the first period of interest under our 2017 credit facility became payable in January 2018, and (c) an increase in trade accounts payable.

For a discussion of some of the reasons why our historical net cash provided by operating activities is not indicative of net cash provided by operating activities to be expected in future periods, please refer to the discussion under “—Factors to Consider When Evaluating Our Results” and “—Factors Affecting our Results of Operations.”

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities refers primarily to cash used for vessel acquisitions and improvements.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $4.5 million compared to $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2017. In the year ended December 31, 2018, we acquired the companies owning the M/T Anikitos and the M/T Aristaios. Cash used for these acquisitions was partially offset by the proceeds from the sale of the M/T Aristotelis and the M/T Amore Mio II. We did not make any acquisition or disposal during the year ended December 31, 2017. Cash consideration paid for vessel improvements during the year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $1.1 million compared to $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased to $2.0 million compared to $91.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, principally because we acquired no vessels in 2017, compared with the acquisition of the shares of two vessel-owning companies during the year 2016. Following the acquisitions that occurred during the year 2016, restricted cash increased by $1.0 million. Cash consideration paid for vessel improvements during the year ended December 31, 2017 amounted to $2.0 million compared to $1.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018, was $126.5 million compared to $168.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease of $41.8 million in net cash used in financing activities was mainly attributable to a decrease of $55.4 million in payments of long-term debt, partially offset by a decrease of $17.8 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common units, during the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease of $55.4 million in payments of long-term debt was primarily attributable to the fact that while our principal amortization increased by $40.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 and we mandatorily prepaid an aggregate amount of $20.3 million in connection with the disposals of the M/T Aristotelis and the M/T Amore Mio II in the year ended December 31, 2018, we prepaid a significant portion of our debt in connection with the October 2017 refinancing.

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017, was $168.3 million compared to $46.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase of $121.5 million in net cash used in financing activities during 2017 was mainly attributable to the prepayment of $116.2 million in connection with the refinancing of our debt in October 2017, as well as the absence of loan incurrence in 2017 compared to loan proceeds of $35.0 million used to partially finance the acquisition of CMA CGM Magdalena in 2016. These amounts were partially offset by a decrease of $16.6 million in distributions paid to our unit holders and the increase of $13.8 million in net proceeds from the issuance of common units under our at-the-market offering during the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016.

Borrowings

As of December 31, 2018, our total borrowing was $445.9 million and consisted of:

 

   

$387.4 million principal amount outstanding under our 2017 credit facility;

 

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$31.0 million principal amount outstanding under the 2015 credit facility (including $15.4 million under the Amor tranche and $15.6 million under the Anikitos tranche); and

 

   

$27.4 million principal amount outstanding under the Aristaios credit facility.

In connection with the completion of the DSS Transaction on March 27, 2019, we amended our existing 2017 credit facility, prepaid an amount of $89.3 million thereunder, and fully repaid and retired all outstanding loans under the 2015 credit facility and the Aristaios credit facility, all of which translated into an aggregate repayment of our debt of $146.5 million plus accrued interest and breakage costs.

The total amount of our borrowing outstanding following the amounts prepaid in connection to the DSS Transaction was $285.5 million.

Please also read the introductory note entitled “Transaction with DSS Holdings L.P.”

The 2017 Credit Facility

On September 6, 2017, we entered into the 2017 credit facility with a syndicate of lenders led by HCB and ING, as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners, and BNP Paribas and National Bank of Greece S.A., as arrangers. In October 2017, we drew $460.0 million thereunder.

The 2017 credit facility initially consisted of two tranches repayable in 24 equal quarterly instalments of $13.2 million in aggregate in addition to a balloon instalment of $143.0 million payable, together with the final quarterly instalment, in the fourth quarter of 2023. The loans drawn under the 2017 credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.25%.

In connection with the DSS Transaction, on March 27, 2019, we amended the 2017 credit facility and prepaid an amount of $89.3 million thereunder. The amended 2017 credit facility consists of a single tranche required to be repaid in 19 equal quarterly instalments of $7.7 million in addition to a balloon installment of $139.1 million payable, together with the final quarterly installment, in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Our 2017 credit facility contains customary ship finance covenants, including restrictions as to changes in management and ownership of the mortgaged vessels, the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the mortgaging of vessels.

Our 2017 credit facility also contain financial covenants:

 

   

to maintain minimum free consolidated liquidity of at least $0.5 million per collateralized vessel;

 

   

to maintain a ratio of EBITDA (as defined therein) to net interest expense of at least 2.00 to 1.00 on a trailing four-quarter basis; and

 

   

not to exceed a ratio of total net indebtedness to (fair value adjusted) total assets of 0.750.

In addition, our 2017 credit facility requires that we maintain a minimum security coverage ratio, defined as the ratio of the market value of the collateralized vessels and net realizable value of additional acceptable security to outstanding loans, of 125%.

Under our 2017 credit facility, the vessel owning companies may pay dividends or make distributions provided that no event of default has occurred and the payment of such dividend or distribution does not result in an event of default, including a breach of any of the financial covenants. Our 2017 credit facility requires the earnings, insurances and requisition compensation of the vessels to be assigned as collateral. It also requires additional security, including pledge and charge on current account, corporate guarantee from each of the vessel owning companies and mortgage interest insurance.

Our obligations under our 2017 credit facility are secured by first-priority mortgages over all our vessels and are guaranteed by each vessel owning company.

 

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Our credit facility also contains a “Market Disruption Clause,” which the lenders may unilaterally trigger, requiring us to compensate the lenders for any increases to their funding costs caused by disruptions to the market.

As of December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all financial debt covenants under our 2017 credit facility.

Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in our 2017 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, including interest rate developments, changes in the funding costs of our banks and changes in vessel earnings and vessel asset valuations. 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 2017 credit facility or such other debt instruments, we are unlikely to be able to make any distributions to our unitholders, a significant portion of our obligations may become immediately due and payable and our lenders’ commitment to make further loans to us, if any, may terminate. We may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, obligations under our credit facilities are secured by our vessels, and if we are unable to repay debt under our 2017 credit facility or such other debt instruments, the lenders could seek to foreclose on those assets.

Any contemplated vessel acquisitions will have to be at levels that do not breach the required ratios set out above. The global economic downturn that occurred in the last several years has had an adverse effect on vessel values, and economic conditions remain fragile with significant uncertainty surrounding levels of recovery and long-term economic growth effects. If the estimated asset values of the vessels in our fleet decrease, we may be obligated to prepay part of our outstanding debt in order to remain in compliance with the covenants in our 2017 credit facility and any other debt instruments we may enter into. A decline in the market value of our vessels could also affect our ability to refinance our credit facility and such other debt instruments and/or limit our ability to obtain additional financing. A decrease of 10% in the aggregate fair market values of our vessels would not cause any violation of the total indebtedness to aggregate market value covenant contained in our 2017 credit facility.

Other Credit Facilities (Now Repaid and Retired)

The Aristaios credit facility.

On January 17, 2018, upon the completion of the acquisition of the shares of the company owning the M/T Aristaios, we assumed Capital Maritime’s guarantee with respect to the outstanding balance of $28.3 million under the term loan that was entered into on January 2, 2017 with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and ING Bank NV (the “Aristaios credit facility”). The term loan was required to be repaid in twelve consecutive equal semi-annual installments of $0.9 million, beginning in July 2018, plus a balloon payment of $17.3 million payable together with the final semi-annual installment due in January 2024. The term loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.85%. We fully repaid and retired the Aristaios credit facility in connection with the DSS Transaction in March 2019.

The 2015 credit facility

On May 4, 2018, and October 24, 2016 upon the completion of the acquisition of the shares of the companies owning the M/T Anikitos and M/T Amor respectively, we assumed Capital Maritime’s guarantee with respect to the outstanding balance of $15.6 million (the “Anikitos tranche”) and $15.8 million (the “Amor tranche”) both under the term loan that was entered into on November 19, 2015 with ING Bank N.V.

The Anikitos tranche was required to be repaid in thirteen consecutive equal quarterly installments of $0.4 million, beginning in May 2020, plus a balloon payment of $11.0 million payable together with the final quarterly installment in June 2023.

The Amor tranche was required to be repaid in 17 consecutive equal quarterly instalments of $0.3 million, beginning in October 2018, plus a balloon payment of $10.2 million payable together with the final quarterly installment in November 2022.

 

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The 2015 credit facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50%.

We fully repaid and retired all amounts outstanding under the 2015 credit facility in connection with the DSS Transaction in March 2019.

C. Research and Development

Not applicable.

D. Trend Information

Our results of operations depend primarily on the charter hire rates that we are able to realize for our vessels, which depend on, among other things, the demand and supply dynamics characterizing the container and drybulk markets at the time of re-chartering a vessel. For other trends affecting our business please see other discussions in “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

  E.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2018, we have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

  F.

Contractual Obligations and Contingencies

The following table summarizes our long-term contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands of U.S. Dollars).

 

     Payment due by period  
     Total      Less than
1 year
     1-3 years      3-5 years      More than
5 years
 

Long-term Debt Obligations (1)

   $ 445.9      $ 53.7      $ 109.8      $ 264.1      $ 18.3  

Interest Obligations (2)

     86.0        24.6        38.5        22.9        —    

Management fee (3)

     39.3        12.1        19.7        7.5        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total:

   $ 571.2      $ 90.4      $ 168.0      $ 294.5      $ 18.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

In connection with the completion of the DSS Transaction on March 27, 2019, we prepaid a total principal amount of $146.5 million. The total amount of our borrowing outstanding following the amounts prepaid in connection to the DSS Transaction is $285.5 million.

(2)

Interest has been estimated based on LIBOR Bloomberg forward rates and prevailing margins as of December 31, 2018 of 3.25% (in respect of our 2017 credit facility), 2.85% (in respect of the Aristaios credit facility) and 2.50% (in respect of the 2015 credit facility), respectively. Calculation of the interest obligations presented above does not give effect to the DSS Transaction.

(3)

The fees payable to Capital Ship Management represent fees for the provision of commercial and technical services such as crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, spares and lubricants, assuming that the Crude Carriers management agreement, which was terminated in March 2019, continues to apply until its expiration date as in effect on December 31, 2018. Management fees under the floating fee and Crude Carriers management agreements have been increased annually based on the United States Consumer Price Index for December 2018. The amount of $7.5 million for payments due between three and five years has been calculated on the basis of the expiration dates of the floating fee and Crude Carriers management agreements as in effect on December 31, 2018. Calculation of the management fee presented above does not give effect to the DSS Transaction.

G. Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments or uncertainties, and which could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have described below what we believe are our most critical accounting policies. For a description of all of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 (Significant Accounting Policies) to our Financial Statements.

 

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Vessel Lives and Impairment

The carrying value of each of our vessels represents its original cost (contract price plus initial expenditures) at the time of delivery or purchase less accumulated depreciation or impairment charges. The carrying values of our vessels may not represent their fair market value at any point in time since the market prices of second-hand vessels tend to fluctuate with changes in charter rates and the cost of newbuildings. However, in recent years, market conditions have changed significantly as a result of the credit crisis and the resulting slowdown in world trade. Charter rates for vessels have decreased and vessel values have been affected. We consider these market developments as indicators of potential impairment of the carrying amount of our assets.

The table set forth below specifies (i) the carrying value of each of our vessels as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 (and, accordingly, also includes the crude and product tanker vessels that we spun-off as part of the DSS Transaction, which we completed on March 27, 2019); (ii) which of those vessels we believe had a charter-free market value below its carrying value; and (iii) the aggregate difference between carrying value and charter-free market value. This aggregate difference represents the approximate analysis of the amount by which we believe we would have to reduce our net income if we sold all of such vessels in the current environment, on industry standard terms, in cash transactions, to a willing buyer in circumstances where we are not under any compulsion to sell, and where the buyer is not under any compulsion to buy. For purposes of this calculation, we have assumed that the vessels would be sold at a price that reflects our estimate of their current basic market values.

Our estimates of basic market value assume that the vessels are all in good and seaworthy condition without need for repair and, if inspected, would be certified in class without notations of any kind. Our estimates are based on the average of two estimated market values for the vessels received from third-party independent shipbrokers approved by our banks. You should note that vessel values are highly volatile; as such, our estimates may not be indicative of the current or future basic market value of the vessels or prices that could be achieved if the vessels were to be sold.

 

Vessels

   Date acquired by us      Carrying value as of
December 31, 2018
(in millions of United
States  dollars)
     Carrying value as of
December 31, 2017
(in millions of United
States  dollars)
 

M/T Atlantas II

     04/04/2007      $ 16.9    $ 18.1

M/T Assos

     04/04/2007 & 08/16/2010      $ 21.3    $ 22.9

M/T Aktoras

     04/04/2007      $ 17.2    $ 18.4

M/T Agisilaos

     04/04/2007      $ 17.7    $ 19.0

M/T Arionas

     04/04/2007      $ 18.0    $ 19.2

M/T Avax

     04/04/2007      $ 20.1    $ 21.5

M/T Aiolos

     04/04/2007      $ 18.0    $ 19.2

M/T Axios

     04/04/2007      $ 20.4    $ 21.8

M/T Atrotos

     05/08/2007 & 03/01/2010      $ 20.8    $ 22.3

M/T Akeraios

     07/13/2007      $ 21.0    $ 22.3

M/T Apostolos

     09/20/2007      $ 23.3    $ 24.9

M/T Anemos I

     09/28/2007      $ 23.5    $ 24.9

M/T Alexandros II

     01/29/2008      $ 27.4    $ 29.0

M/T Amore Mio II

     03/27/2008      $ —        $ 42.8

M/T Aristotelis II

     06/17/2008      $ 28.0    $ 29.6

M/T Aris II

     08/20/2008      $ 28.3    $ 29.9

M/T Ayrton II

     04/13/2009      $ 29.4    $ 31.2

M/T Alkiviadis

     06/30/2010      $ 18.8    $ 20.3

M/V Cape Agamemnon

     06/09/2011      $ 36.8    $ 38.8

M/T Miltiadis M II

     09/30/2011      $ 35.5    $ 38.0

M/T Amoureux

     09/30/2011      $ 37.5    $ 39.7

M/T Aias

     09/30/2011      $ 37.4    $ 39.6

M/V Archimidis

     12/22/2012      $ 46.6    $ 49.9

M/V Agamemnon

     12/22/2012      $ 49.7    $ 52.9

M/V Hyundai Prestige

     09/11/2013      $ 43.0    $ 45.1

M/V Hyundai Premium

     03/20/2013      $ 42.3    $ 44.3

 

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Vessels

   Date acquired by us      Carrying value as of
December 31, 2018
(in millions of United
States  dollars)
     Carrying value as of
December 31, 2017
(in millions of United
States  dollars)
 

M/V Hyundai Paramount

     03/27/2013      $ 42.4    $ 44.4

M/V Hyundai Privilege

     09/11/2013      $ 43.1    $ 45.2

M/V Hyundai Platinum

     09/11/2013      $ 43.2    $ 45.2

M/T Active

     03/31/2015      $ 31.2    $ 32.5

M/V CMA CGM Amazon

     06/10/2015      $ 79.5    $ 82.9

M/T Amadeus

     06/30/2015      $ 31.5    $ 32.9

M/V CMA CGM Uruguay

     09/18/2015      $ 80.4    $ 83.9

M/V CMA CGM Magdalena

     02/26/2016      $ 79.1      $ 82.4

M/T Amor

     10/24/2016      $ 28.9      $ 30.2

M/T Aristaios

     01/17/2018      $ 41.4      $ —    

M/T Anikitos

     05/04/2018      $ 30.2      $ —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ 1,229.8      $ 1,265.2  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

Indicates vessels for which we believe that, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the basic charter-free market value is lower than the carrying value. We believe that the aggregate carrying value of these vessels, assessed separately, exceeded their aggregate basic charter-free market value by approximately $254.2 million and $262.4 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As discussed in “Critical Accounting Policies—Vessel Lives and Impairment,” we believe that the carrying values of our vessels as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were recoverable as the undiscounted projected net operating cash flows of these vessels exceeded their carrying value by a significant amount.

We performed undiscounted cash flow tests as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, as an impairment analysis, in which we made estimates and assumptions in relation to projected undiscounted net operating cash flows by considering the following:

 

   

the charter revenues from existing time charters for the fixed fleet days (our remaining charter agreement rates);

 

   

vessel operating expenses;

 

   

drydocking expenditures;

 

   

an estimated gross daily time charter equivalent for the unfixed days (based on the ten-year average historical one-year Time Charter Equivalent) over the remaining economic life of each vessel, excluding days of scheduled off-hires;

 

   

residual value of vessels;

 

   

commercial and technical management fees;

 

   

a utilization rate of 97.7% based on the fleet’s historical performance; and

 

   

the remaining estimated life of our vessels.

Although we believe that the assumptions used to evaluate potential impairment, which are largely based on the historical performance of our fleet, are reasonable and appropriate, such assumptions are highly subjective. There can be no assurance as to how long charter rates and vessel values will remain at their currently low levels or whether they will improve by any significant degree. Charter rates may remain at depressed levels for some time which could adversely affect our revenue and profitability, and future assessments of vessel impairment.

Our assumptions, based on historical trends, and our accounting policies are as follows:

 

   

in accordance with the prevailing industry standard, depreciation is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 years for our vessels, commencing at the date the vessel was originally delivered from the shipyard;

 

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estimated useful life of vessels takes into account design life, commercial considerations and regulatory restrictions based on our fleet’s historical performance;

 

   

estimated charter rates are based on rates under existing vessel contracts and thereafter at market rates at which we expect we can re-charter the vessels based on market trends. We believe that the ten-year average historical Time Charter Equivalent is appropriate (or less than ten years if appropriate data is not available) for the following reasons:

 

   

it reflects more accurately the earnings capacity of the type, specification, deadweight capacity and average age of the vessels;

 

   

it reflects the type of business concluded by us (period as opposed to spot);

 

   

it includes at least one market cycle; and

 

   

respective data series are adequately populated;

 

   

estimates of vessel utilization, including estimated off-hire time and the estimated amount of time the vessels may spend operating on the spot market, are based on the historical experience of the fleet;

 

   

estimates of operating expenses and dry-docking expenditures are based on historical operating and drydocking costs based on the historical experience of the fleet and our expectations of future operating requirements;

 

   

vessel residual values are a product of a vessel’s lightweight tonnage and an estimated scrap rate of $180 per ton; and

 

   

the remaining estimated lives of the vessels used in our estimates of future cash flows are consistent with those used in our depreciation calculations.

The impairment test that we conduct is most sensitive to variances in future time charter rates. Based on the sensitivity analysis performed for December 31, 2018 and 2017, we would begin recording impairment on the first vessel that will incur impairment by vessel type for time charter declines from their ten-year historical averages as follows:

 

     Percentage Decline from which
Impairment would be Recorded
 
     Year ended December 31, 2018     Year ended December 31, 2017  

Vessel

    

Product tankers

     8.7     15.5

Suezmax vessels

     27.7     13.1

Cape vessel

     30.6     49.0

Container vessels 5,000 TEU

     34.9     36.1

Container vessels 8,000 TEU

     24.3     31.4

Container vessels 9,000 TEU

     27.7     41.0

Aframax

     27.8     —    

 

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As of April 26, 2019 and December 31, 2018, our current rates for time charters on average were above / (below) their ten-year historical averages as follows:

 

     Time Charter Rates as Compared with Ten-year
Historical Average (as  percentage above/(below))
 
     As of April 26,
2019
    As of December 31,
2018
 

Vessel

    

Product tankers

     —       6.6

Suezmax vessels (1)

     —       —  

Aframax

     —       48.8

Cape vessel

     129.2     129.2

Container vessels 5,000 TEU

     38.0     38.0

Container vessels 8,000 TEU

     (23.7 )%      (23.7 )% 

Container vessels 9,000 TEU

     57.6     57.6

 

(1)

As of December 31, 2018 the three suezmax vessels of our fleet were operated under voyage charters.

Based on the above assumptions we determined that the undiscounted cash flows support the vessels’ carrying amounts as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Please see Note 2(q) (Significant Accounting Policies—Recent Accounting Pronouncements) to our Financial Statements.

 

Item 6.

Directors, Senior Management and Employees.

Management of Capital Product Partners L.P.

Pursuant to our partnership agreement, our General Partner has delegated to our board of directors the authority to oversee and direct our operations, management and policies on an exclusive basis, and such delegation is binding on any successor general partner of the Partnership.

Our General Partner, Capital GP L.L.C., manages our day-to-day activities consistent with the policies and procedures adopted by our board of directors. Our General Partner is a limited liability company initially formed and controlled by Capital Maritime as sole member. In April 2019, Capital Maritime transferred all membership interests in our General Partner to Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to our Business and Operations—We depend on our General Partner, a private company newly under the ownership of Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, for the day-to-day management of our affairs. The change of ownership of our General Partner may affect the way we and our operations are managed and our relationships with our charterers and other counterparties.

Our board of directors consists of seven members, including two members who are designated by our General Partner in its sole discretion and five members who are elected by the common unitholders.

Directors appointed by our General Partner serve as directors for terms determined by our General Partner and directors elected by our common unitholders are divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. The initial four directors appointed by Capital Maritime at the time of our IPO were designated as Class I, Class II and Class III elected directors. At each annual meeting of unitholders, directors are elected to succeed the class of directors whose terms have expired by a plurality of the votes of the common unitholders (excluding common units held by Capital Maritime and its affiliates). Directors elected by our common unitholders may be nominated by the board of directors or by any limited partner or group of limited partners that holds at least 10% of the outstanding common units.

At our annual general meeting of unitholders held on September 5, 2018, Abel Rasterhoff and Dimitris P. Christacopoulos were elected to act as a Class II Directors until the Partnership’s 2021 annual meeting of Limited Partners.

 

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Vangelis Bairactaris resigned from his position as Class III Director and secretary with effect on February 28, 2018. The directors elected by our common unitholders, being Messrs. Forman, Hussey, Rasterhoff and Christacopoulos, resolved unanimously to elect Eleni Tsoukala to fill the vacancy, with effect on February 28, 2018, in accordance with the procedure established under the Partnership Agreement. Ms. Tsoukala holds office as Class III Director until the Partnership’s 2019 annual meeting of the Limited Partners.

Our General Partner intends to cause its officers to devote as much time as is necessary for the proper conduct of our business and affairs. Our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer, Gerasimos (Jerry) Kalogiratos, Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Gerasimos Ventouris, and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Nikolaos Kalapotharakos, allocate their time between managing our business and affairs and the business and affairs of Capital Maritime, the Manager and/or their respective affiliates. The amount of time they allocate between our business and their other positions varies from time to time depending on various circumstances and needs of the businesses, such as the relative levels of strategic activities of the businesses.

Our General Partner owes a fiduciary duty to our unitholders and is liable, as general partner, for all of our debts (to the extent not paid from our assets), except for indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly non-recourse to it. Whenever possible, the partnership agreement directs that we should incur indebtedness or other obligations that are non-recourse to our General Partner. Officers of our General Partner and other individuals providing services to us or our subsidiaries may face a conflict regarding the allocation of their time between our business and the other business interests of Capital Maritime. Our partnership agreement limits our General Partner’s 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. Please read “Item 3.D: Risk Factors—Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us—Our partnership agreement limits our General Partner’s 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” for a more detailed description of such limitations.

 

  A.

Directors and Senior Management

Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our directors and our General Partner’s executive officers as of April 26, 2019.

 

Name    Age    Position
Keith Forman(4)    61    Director and Chairman of the Board(5)
Gerasimos (Jerry) Kalogiratos(1)    41    Director and Chief Executive Officer of our General Partner
Gurpal Grewal(1)    72    Director
Rory Hussey(2)    67    Director(5)
Abel Rasterhoff(3)    78    Director(5)
Eleni Tsoukala(4)    41    Director
Dimitris P. Christacopoulos(3)    48    Director(5)
Gerasimos Ventouris    68    Chief Operating Officer of our General Partner
Nikolaos Kalapotharakos    44    Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner

 

(1)

Appointed by our General Partner.

(2)

Class I director (term expires in 2020).

(3)

Class II director (term expires in 2021).

(4)

Class III director (term expires in 2019).

(5)

Member of our audit committee and our conflicts committee.

Biographical information with respect to each of our directors, our director nominees and our General Partner’s executive officers is set forth below. The business address for our executive officers is 3 Iassonos Street Piraeus, 18537 Greece.

Keith Forman, Director and Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Forman is the chairman of our board of directors and a member of our conflicts committee and audit committee. Mr. Forman joined our board on April 3, 2007. Mr. Forman has held a number of executive, director and advisory positions at investment companies and master limited partnerships throughout his career. Since

 

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May 2012, Mr. Forman has been acting as a senior advisor to Industry Funds Management, an Australian fund manager investing in infrastructure projects worldwide. Between December 2014 and December 2017, Mr. Forman served as president and chief executive officer of the now discontinued Rentech, Inc. Mr. Forman also served as a director of the general partner of CVR Partners between April 2016 and April 2017. Between November 2007 and March 2010, Mr. Forman was a partner and chief financial officer of Crestwood Midstream Partners, a private equity-backed investment partnership active in the midstream energy market. Prior to his tenure at Crestwood, Mr. Forman was senior vice president, finance for El Paso Corporation, vice president of El Paso Field Services, and from 1992 to 2003, chief financial officer of GulfTerra Energy Partners L.P., a publicly traded master limited partnership. Mr. Forman holds a B.A. degree in economics and political science from Vanderbilt University.

Gerasimos (Jerry) Kalogiratos, Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Kalogiratos was appointed as the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner on June 12, 2015 and remained as Chief Financial Officer until February 28, 2018, when he was succeeded by Mr. Nikolaos Kalapotharakos. He joined our board of directors in December 2014. Mr. Kalogiratos joined Capital Maritime & Trading Corp. in 2005 and was part of the team that completed the IPO of Capital Product Partners L.P. in 2007. He has also served as Chief Financial Officer and director of NYSE-listed Crude Carriers Corp. before its merger with us in September 2011. He has over 11 years of experience in the shipping and finance industries, specializing in vessel acquisition and projects and shipping finance. Before he joined Capital Maritime, he worked in equity sales in Greece. He completed his MA in European Economics and Politics at the Humboldt University in Berlin and holds a B.A. degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and an Executive Finance degree from the London Business School. Mr. Kalogiratos also serves on the board of directors of DSSI.

Nikolaos Kalapotharakos, Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Kalapotharakos was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner on February 28, 2018. Mr. Kalapotharakos joined Capital Maritime in January 2016 as deputy Chief Financial Officer. He started his professional career in 2001 at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) where he served as an external auditor specializing in shipping companies until 2007 before joining Globus Maritime Limited, a Nasdaq listed owner of drybulk vessels, where he served as its financial controller until the end of 2015. Mr. Kalapotharakos holds a BSc in Economics and Social studies in Economics from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth U.K. and an MSc in Financial and Business Economics from the University of Essex U.K.

Gerasimos Ventouris, Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Ventouris has been appointed as our Chief Operating Officer as of June 30, 2015. Mr. Ventouris also is the director, president, secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Maritime and has been the Chief Commercial Officer of our Manager since 2003. Mr. Ventouris brings more than 40 years of experience in the shipping industry. Mr. Ventouris started his career with Union Commercial Steamship, which was then one of the most prominent ship management companies in Piraeus, Greece , and became Operations and Chartering Manager, obtaining considerable experience in all aspects of the management of various types of vessels. He then joined his family shipping business, which he led until 2000, overseeing the operations of a large fleet of bulk carriers, container general cargo and product tankers vessels, as well as the construction and sale and purchase of new vessels. Mr. Ventouris holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Athens. Mr. Ventouris also serves on the board of directors of DSSI.

Gurpal Grewal, Director.

Mr. Gurpal Grewal joined our board of directors on November 16, 2017, replacing Mr. Nikolaos Syntychakis who resigned as an Appointed Director of the Partnership. Mr. Gurpal Grewal currently serves as technical director of Capital Ship Management, our Manager. Mr. Grewal is a chartered engineer and has over 35 years of experience in new building design, construction, and supervision of bulk carriers, tankers, LPG and LNG vessels. He previously served as technical director for both Quintana Shipping Co. and Marmaras Navigation Ltd. Between 2004 and 2008, Mr. Grewal was a member of the board of directors and conflicts committee of Quintana Maritime Co. Between June 1998 and September 2005, Mr. Grewal served as technical director and principal surveyor for Lloyd’s Register of Shipping and Industrial Services S.A. (“Lloyd’s Register”) in Greece. Mr. Grewal

 

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was also previously employed by Lloyd’s Register in London as a senior ship and engineer surveyor in the Fleet Services Department. In addition, from 1996 to 1998, Mr. Grewal served as assistant chief resident superintendent with John J. McMullen & Associates, New York, where he supervised the new building of product tankers in Spain. Prior to 1996, Mr. Grewal served for ten years as senior engineer at Lloyd’s Register supervising the construction of new building vessels in a variety of shipyards.

Rory Hussey, Director.

Mr. Rory Hussey joined our board of directors on September 8, 2017 and serves on our conflicts committee and our audit committee. Mr. Hussey most recently served as a Managing Director of ING Bank N.V., in charge of ING’s ship finance business in Southern Europe and the Middle East. Mr. Hussey retired from his position in July 2017. Mr. Hussey started his career with Citibank’s shipping team in 1974. He held a variety of positions within Ship Finance at Citibank and worked for 20 years in Hong Kong, New York, Taipei, and Athens. After returning to London, he headed Citi’s transportation finance syndications team. He joined ING Bank N.V. in 2001 in charge of shipping syndications before becoming head of Sales for the London Syndications team. Mr. Hussey subsequently returned to ship finance and became Managing Director of ING Bank in 2009. Mr. Hussey holds a M.Sc. (Econ) from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Abel Rasterhoff, Director.

Mr. Rasterhoff joined our board of directors on April 3, 2007. He serves on our conflicts committee and has been designated as the audit committee’s financial expert. Mr. Rasterhoff joined Shell International Petroleum Maatschappij in 1967, and worked for various entities of the Shell group of companies until his retirement from Shell in 1997. From 1981 to 1984, Mr. Rasterhoff was Managing Director of Shell Tankers B.V., Vice Chairman and Chairman-elect of the Dutch Council of Shipping and a Member of the Dutch Government Advisory Committee on the North Sea. From 1991 to 1997, Mr. Rasterhoff was Director and Vice President Finance and Planning for Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited. During this period he also served as a Board Member of the Securities and Futures Authority (SFA) in London. From February 1998 to 2004, Mr. Rasterhoff served as a member of the executive board and as Chief Financial Officer of TUI Nederland, the largest Dutch tour operator. From February 2001 to September 2001, Mr. Rasterhoff served as a member of the executive board and as Chief Financial Officer of Connexxion, the government owned public transport company. Mr. Rasterhoff was also on the Supervisory Board of SGR and served as an advisor to the trustees of the TUI Nederland Pension Fund. Mr. Rasterhoff served on the Capital Maritime Board as the chairman of the audit committee from May 2005 until his resignation in February 2007. Mr. Rasterhoff also served as a director and audit committee member of Aegean Marine Petroleum Network Inc., a company listed on the NYSE from December 2006 to May 2012. Mr. Rasterhoff holds a graduate business degree in economics from Groningen State University.

Eleni Tsoukala, Director.

Ms. Tsoukala was appointed to our board of directors on February 28, 2018. Ms. Tsoukala is the managing partner and founder of Tsoukala & Partners Law Firm, a leading Greek business law firm. Her legal practice includes corporate advice in cross-border and domestic transactions. Between 2004 and 2007, Ms. Tsoukala served as legal advisor to the Greek Deputy Minister of Finance. Between 2001 and 2003, Ms. Tsoukala practiced at an international law firm in London. Ms. Tsoukala holds an LL.M. degree in International Business Law from University College London and an LL.B. degree from the University of Oxford and is a qualified attorney-at-law admitted to the bar in England and Greece.

Dimitris P. Christacopoulos, Director.

Mr. Christacopoulos joined our board of directors on September 30, 2011, following our merger with NYSE-listed Crude Carriers, where he had served as a director since 2010 and he currently serves on our conflicts committee and our audit committee. Mr. Christacopoulos currently serves as a Partner at Octane Management Consultants. He started his professional career as an analyst in the R&D Department of a major food producer in Greece in 1992 before joining Booz Allen & Hamilton Consulting in 1995 in New York in their Operations Management Group. He subsequently joined Barclays Capital as the Associate Director for Strategic Planning in London from 1999 to 2002 at which time he became Director of Corporate Finance & Strategy at Aspis Group of Companies in Athens where he participated in the Group’s Management and Investment Committees. In

 

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2005, he joined Fortis Bank NV/SA as a Director in the Energy, Commodities and Transportation Group and until 2010 acted as the Deputy Country Head for Greece, setting up the bank’s Greek branch and expanding its presence in ship and energy finance in the region. Mr. Christacopoulos has a diploma in chemical engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York.

 

  B.

Compensation

Reimbursement of Expenses of Our General Partner

Our General Partner does not receive any management fee or other compensation for managing us. Our General Partner and its other affiliates are reimbursed for expenses incurred on our behalf. These expenses include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the conduct of our business and allocable to us, as determined by our General Partner. In 2018, these expenses for which our General Partner was reimbursed amounted to $0.05 million.

Executive Compensation

The compensation of our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer is set and paid by our General Partner, and we reimburse our General Partner for such costs and related expenses under relevant executive service agreements. We do not have a retirement plan for our General Partner’s executive officers or directors. Officers and employees of our General Partner or its affiliates may participate in employee benefit plans and arrangements sponsored by Capital Maritime, our General Partner or their affiliates, including plans that may be established in the future. We pay our General Partner $1,687,500 per year as compensation for services related to the management of our business and affairs, including the appointment and performance of relevant duties of the chief executive officer, chief finance officer, and a number of additional officers

Compensation of Directors

Our directors receive compensation for their services as directors, as well as for serving in the role of committee chair, and have also received restricted units, all of which have now vested. Please read “Item 6E: Share Ownership—Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan” for additional information. For the year ended December 31, 2018, our directors, including our chairman, received an aggregate amount of $0.6 million. In lieu of any other compensation, our chairman receives an annual fee for acting as a director and as the chairman of our board of directors. In addition, each director is reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with attending meetings of the board of directors or committees and is fully indemnified by us for actions associated with being a director to the extent permitted under Marshall Islands law.

In connection with the DSS Transaction, the independent members of our board of directors formed a special committee. In light of the significant time commitments required of the members of the special committee, our board of directors agreed that we would pay, without regard to the success or failure of the DSS Transactions and in addition to the reimbursement of expenses and payment of all other fees as members of the our board of directors, (1) US$25,000 to each member of the special committee (other than the chairman of the special committee) on January 2, 2019 and, with respect to services performed beginning of January 1, 2019 (if any), $8,000 per month thereafter and (2) US$50,000 to the chairman of the special committee on January 2, 2019 and, with respect to services performed beginning of January 1, 2019, $16,000 per month thereafter.

Services Agreement

Under separate service agreements entered into between our General Partner and its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, if a change in control affecting us occurs, each of our General Partner’s officers may resign within six months of such change in control. There are no service agreements between any of the directors and us.

 

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  C.

Board Practices

Our General Partner, Capital GP L.L.C., manages our day-to-day activities consistent with the policies and procedures adopted by our board of directors. Unitholders are not entitled to elect the directors of our General Partner or directly or indirectly participate in our management or operation. There are no service contracts between us and any of our directors providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service.

During the year ended December 31, 2018, our board of directors held 16 meetings. Even if Board members are not able to attend a board meeting, all board members are provided information related to each of the agenda items before each meeting, and can therefore provide counsel outside regularly scheduled meetings. All directors were present at all meetings of the board of directors and all meetings of committees of the board of directors on which such director served.

Although the Nasdaq Global Select Market does not require a listed limited partnership like us to have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating/corporate governance committee, our board of directors has established an audit committee and a conflicts committee comprised solely of independent directors. Each of the committees operates under a written charter adopted by our board of directors which is available under “Corporate Governance” in the Investor Relations tab of our web site at www.capitalpplp.com. The membership and main functions of each committee are described below.

Audit Committee. The audit committee of our board of directors is composed of three or more independent directors, each of whom must meet the independence standards of the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the SEC and any other applicable laws and regulations governing independence from time to time. The audit committee is currently comprised of directors Abel Rasterhoff (chair), Rory Hussey, Keith Forman and Dimitris Christacopoulos. All members of the committee are financially literate and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Rasterhoff qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” for purposes of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The audit committee, among other things, reviews our external financial reporting, engages our external auditors and oversees our internal audit activities and procedures and the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The audit committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2018, on January 17, April 18, July 18 and October 18.

Conflicts Committee. The conflicts committee of our board of directors is composed of the same directors constituting the audit committee, being Keith Forman (chair), Abel Rasterhoff, Rory Hussey and Dimitris Christacopoulos. The members of our conflicts committee may not be officers or employees of our General Partner or directors, officers or employees of its affiliates, and must meet the independence standards established by the Nasdaq Global Select Market to serve on an audit committee of a board of directors and certain other requirements. The conflicts committee reviews specific matters that the board believes may involve conflicts of interest and determines if the resolution of the conflict of interest is fair and reasonable to us. Any matters approved by the conflicts committee will be conclusively deemed to be fair and reasonable to us, approved by all of our partners, and not a breach by our directors, our General Partner or its affiliates of any duties any of them may owe us or our unitholders. The conflicts committee met twice during the year ended December 31, 2018, on January 10, 2018 and January 22, 2018.

In addition, on July 11, 2018, our board of directors set up an ad hoc special committee comprised of comprised of Keith Forman, Dimitris Christacopoulos, Abel Rasterhoff, Eleni Tsoukala and Rory Hussey to consider, negotiate and review a possible combination with DSS and strategic alternatives. The special committee met eight times during the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

  D.

Employees

We currently do not have our own executive officers or employees and expect to rely on the officers of our General Partner to manage our day-to-day activities consistent with the policies and procedures adopted by our board of directors and on the employees of our Manager to operate our vessels.

All of the executive officers of our General Partner and one of our directors also are executive officers, directors or employees of Capital Maritime, our Manager or their respective affiliates.

 

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  E.

Share Ownership

As of December 31, 2018:

 

   

we had issued an aggregate of 235,714 common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) under our omnibus incentive compensation plan (described below), all of which had vested;

 

   

the chairman of our board of directors, Keith Forman, has owned a small number of common units since the date of our IPO;

 

   

a portion of shares issued to our director Dimitris Christacopoulos when he was a member of the board of directors of Crude Carriers converted to common units in us in the same manner as all shares converted under the terms of our merger agreement; and

 

   

no member of our board of directors owns common or restricted units in a number representing more than 1.0% of our outstanding common units.

Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan

On April 29, 2008, our board of directors adopted an omnibus incentive compensation plan (the “Plan”), according to which we were entitled to issue a limited number of awards to our employees, consultants, officers, directors or affiliates, including the employees, consultants, officers or directors of our General Partner, our Manager, Capital Maritime and certain key affiliates and other eligible persons. The Plan contemplated awards in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares. The Plan was administered by our General Partner as authorized by our board of directors. The Plan was amended from time to time. As at December 31, 2018, all restricted units issuable under the Plan had been issued, and all restricted units allocated under the Plan had vested. Please read Note 13 (Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan) to our Financial Statements.

 

Item 7.

Major Unitholders and Related-Party Transactions.

As of December 31, 2018, our partners’ capital consisted of 127,246,692 common units, of which 105,288,214 were owned by non-affiliated public unitholders, 12,983,333 Class B Units, no subordinated units and 2,439,989 general partner units.

In connection with the DSS Transaction, we redeemed and retired all Class B Units and effected a 1-for-7 reverse unit split. Our partners’ capital currently consists of 18,178,100 common units, of which 15,041,174 units were owned by non-affiliated public unitholders, and 348,570 general partner units.

On a reverse split-adjusted basis and based on 18,526,670 units issued and outstanding (including 348,570 general partner units), the Marinakis family, including Evangelos M. Marinakis, the chairman of Capital Maritime, may be deemed to beneficially own an 18.8% interest in us, through Capital Maritime, which may be deemed to beneficially own 2,667,753 common units representing a 14.4% interest in us, our General Partner, which may be deemed to beneficially own 348,570 general partner units representing a 1.9% interest in us, and Crude Carriers Investments, which may be deemed to beneficially own 469,173 common units, representing a 2.5% interest in us.

 

A.

Major Unitholders

The following table sets forth as of the date hereof on a reverse split-adjusted basis the beneficial ownership of our common units by each person we know beneficially owns more than 5.0% or more of our common units, and all of our directors, director nominees and the executive officers of our General Partner as a group. The number of units beneficially owned by each person is determined under SEC rules and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under SEC rules a person beneficially owns any units as to which the person has or shares voting or investment power.

 

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Name of Beneficial Owner

   Number of Common
Units Owned
     Percentage of Total
Common Units
 

Capital Maritime (1)(2)

     2,667,753        14.7

Crude Carriers Investments (2)

     469,173        2.6

Zhengxu He (3)

     1,388,121        7.6

All executive officers and directors as a group (seven persons) (4)

     *        *  

 

(1)

Excludes the 1.9% general partner interest (based on total units of 18,526,670) held by our General Partner.

(2)

The Marinakis family, including Evangelos M. Marinakis, our former chairman, through its ownership of Capital Maritime and Crude Carriers Investments, may be deemed to beneficially own, or to have beneficially owned, all of our units held by Capital Maritime and Crude Carriers Investments.

(3)

On February 11, 2019, Zhengxu He disclosed by way of a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC beneficial ownership of 9,716,850 (on a pre-reverse split-adjusted basis) of our common units as of December 31, 2018, representing a 7.6% interest in us.

(4)

See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—E. Share Ownership” above.

Our major unitholders have the same voting rights as our other unitholders except that if at any time, any person or group, other than our General Partner, its affiliates, their transferees, and persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of our board of directors, owns beneficially 5% or more 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 under our partnership agreement, unless otherwise required by law. The voting rights of any such unitholders in excess of 4.9% will be redistributed pro rata among the other unitholders of the same class holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of that class. We are not aware of any arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Partnership.

 

  B.

Related-Party Transactions

Our General Partner, which is a private entity wholly owned by Mr. Miltiadis E. Marinakis, controls the appointment of up to three of the members of our board of directors.

Capital Maritime and Crude Carriers Investments can vote the common units they hold in their totality on all matters that arise under the partnership agreement (except for the election of directors elected by holders of our common units).

Accordingly, our General Partner, Capital Maritime and Crude Carriers Investments have the ability to exercise significant influence on important actions we may take.

Omnibus Agreement with Capital Maritime

On September 30, 2011, we entered into an amended and restated Omnibus Agreement with Capital Maritime, Capital GP L.L.C and Capital Product Operating L.L.C., which governs the manner in which certain future tanker business opportunities will be offered by Capital Maritime to us. The Omnibus Agreement does not apply to container and drybulk vessels.

Under the terms of the Omnibus Agreement, which continues to apply notwithstanding the change of ownership of our General Partner (see “Item 4. Information on the Partnership—A. History and Development of the Partnership—Recent Developments):

 

   

Capital Maritime and its controlled affiliates (other than us, our General Partner and our subsidiaries) have agreed not to acquire, own or operate product or crude oil tankers with carrying capacity greater than or equal to 30,000 dwt under time or bareboat charters with a remaining duration (excluding any extension options) of at least 12 months (calculated by reference to the earliest of (a) the date the tanker to which such time or bareboat charter is attached is first acquired by Capital Maritime or any of its controlled affiliates and (b) the date on which a tanker owned by Capital Maritime or any of its controlled affiliates is put under such time or bareboat charter) without the consent of our General Partner or our board of directors or without first offering such tanker vessel to us; and

 

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we may not acquire, own or operate product or crude oil tankers with a carrying capacity under 30,000 dwt without first offering such tanker vessel to Capital Maritime.

Furthermore, we granted Capital Maritime a right of first offer on the disposal of product and crude oil tankers, whereas Capital Maritime granted us a right of first offer on any disposal or re-chartering of any product and crude oil tanker with a carrying capacity greater than or equal to 30,000 dwt owned or acquired by Capital Maritime or any of its controlled affiliates (other than us).

Administrative and Executive services agreements with the Manager

On April 4, 2007, we entered into an administrative services agreement with our Manager, pursuant to which our Manager has agreed to provide certain administrative management services to the Partnership, such as accounting, auditing, legal, insurance, clerical, and other administrative services. On the same date, we entered into an IT services agreement with our Manager pursuant to which our Manager provides IT management services to CPLP. We also reimburse our Manager and our General Partner for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of these services pursuant to both agreements after the Manager submits to us an invoice for such costs and expenses, together with any supporting detail that may be reasonably required.

In 2015, we entered into an executive services agreement (amended in 2016) with our General Partner according to which our General Partner provides certain executive officers services for the management of the Partnership’s business as well as investor relation and corporate support services to the Partnership.

In 2018, Capital Ship Management conducted a management buy-out led by its senior management. Since then, Capital Ship Management is no longer part of the group of companies controlled by Capital Maritime.

Transactions entered into after December 31, 2018

 

  1.

Termination Agreement of the Crude Carriers Commercial and Technical Management Agreement. On March 27, 2019, our subsidiary Crude Carriers Corp. and Capital Ship Management agreed to terminate the commercial and technical management agreement, dated as of March 17, 2010, between them as all vessels covered by this agreement were to be spun off as part of the Tanker Business in connection with the DSS Transaction.

 

  2.

Amendment Agreement Regarding the Floating Rate Management Agreement. On March 27, 2019, we entered into an amendment agreement with our Manager to reflect that all our tankers to be spun off as part of the Tanker Business in connection with the DSS Transaction would no longer be managed under the floating rate management agreement.

Transactions entered into during the year ended December 31, 2018

 

  1.

Share purchase agreement for the acquisition of the company owning the M/T Anikitos. On May 4, 2018, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Capital Maritime for the acquisition of the shares of the company owning the M/T Anikitos (50,082 dwt IMO II/III chemical product tanker built in 2016, Samsung Heavy Industries (Ningbo) Co., Ltd.) for total consideration of $31.5 million. We funded the acquisition of the M/T Anikitos with the net proceeds received from the sale of the M/T Aristotelis, available cash and the assumption of a term loan of $15.6 million. The M/T Anikitos was part of the Tanker Business that we spun-off in March 2019.

 

  2.

Share purchase agreement for the acquisition of the company owning the M/T Aristaios. On January 17, 2018, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Capital Maritime for the acquisition of the shares of the company owning the M/T Aristaios, an eco-type crude tanker (113,689 dwt, Ice Class 1C, built in 2017, Daehan Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., South Korea), for total consideration of $52.5 million. We funded the acquisition with $24.2 million in cash and the assumption of a $28.3 million term loan. The M/T Aristaios was part of the Tanker Business that we spun-off in March 2019.

 

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  3.

Amendments to Management Agreements. On October 16, 2018, June 30, 2018 and January 17, 2018, we amended the floating rate management agreement with Capital Ship Management to reflect, among other things, the list of the vessels covered by such management agreement. Please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Management Agreement” for information on our management agreement.

Transactions entered into during the year ended December 31, 2017

 

  1.

Amendments to Management Agreements. On March 25, 2017 and December 1, 2017, we amended and restated the fixed fee management agreement (which is no longer in effect) with Capital Ship Management in its entirely to reflect, among other things, the list of the vessels covered by such management agreement. On March 11, 2017, May 1, 2017, July 1, 2017 and December 1, 2017, we amended the floating rate management agreement with Capital Ship Management to reflect, among other things, the list of the vessels covered by such management agreement. Please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Management Agreement” for information on our management agreement.

 

  2.

Charter Party Agreements with Capital Maritime. During 2017, each of the M/T Aktoras, M/T Aiolos, M/T Miltiadis M II and M/T Amoureux entered into new charters, or extended existing charters, with Capital Maritime. These new charters/extensions were unanimously approved by the conflicts committee composed of independent directors of our board of directors.

Transactions entered into during the year ended December 31, 2016

 

  1.

Amendments to Management Agreements. On March 1, 2016 and September 28, 2016, we amended and restated the fixed fee management agreement (which is no longer in effect) with Capital Ship Management in its entirely to reflect, among other things, the list of the vessels covered by each management agreement. On February 26, 2016, September 1, 2016, September 28, 2016, October 24, 2016 and December 1, 2016, we amended the floating rate management agreement with Capital Ship Management to reflect, among other things, the list of the vessels covered by such management agreement. Please read “Item 4B: Business Overview—Our Management Agreement” for information on our management agreement.

 

  2.

Share Purchase Agreement for the acquisition of the company owning the M/T Amor, the assumption of the 2015 credit facility and the time charter agreement with Cargill. On October 24, 2016, we entered into a share purchase agreement for the acquisition of the shares of the company owning the M/T Amor, an eco-type MR product tanker (49,999 dwt IMO II/III chemical product tanker built in 2015, Samsung Heavy Industries (Ningbo) Co., Ltd.) for total consideration of $16.9 million comprising, $16.0 million in cash and the issuance of 283,696 new common units (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) to Capital Maritime. The M/T Amor was employed under a time charter with Cargill. On acquisition we assumed a term loan of a $15.8 million. The acquisition of the M/T Amor was reviewed and unanimously approved by the conflicts committee of our board of directors and our entire board of directors.

 

  3.

Share Purchase Agreement for the acquisition of the company owning the CMA CGM Magdalena. On February 26, 2016, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Capital Maritime for the acquisition of the shares of the company owning the M/V CMA CGM Magdalena, the last of five Dropdown Vessels that we agreed to acquire from Capital Maritime. The $81.5 million purchase price for the M/V CMA CGM Magdalena was funded from loan proceeds and available cash. The M/V CMA CGM Magdalena was then chartered to CMA-CGM S.A. for five years at a gross daily charter rate of $39,250.

 

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  4.

Charter Party Agreements with Capital Maritime. During 2016, we entered into new charters or extended existing charters with Capital Maritime for the M/T Amore Mio II, M/T Miltiadis M II, M/T Aristotelis, M/T Atlantas II and M/T Arionas. These new charters/extensions were unanimously approved by the conflicts committee of independent directors of our board of directors.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND FIDUCIARY DUTIES

Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest exist and may arise in the future as a result of the relationships between our General Partner and Capital Maritime, on the one hand, and us and our unaffiliated limited partners, on the other hand. The officers of our General Partner may have certain fiduciary duties to manage our General Partner in a manner beneficial to its owner. At the same time, our General Partner has a fiduciary duty to manage us in a manner beneficial to us and our unitholders. Similarly, our board of directors has fiduciary duties to manage us in a manner beneficial to us, our General Partner and our limited partners. Furthermore, one of our directors is also a director and officer of Capital Maritime and as such he has fiduciary duties to Capital Maritime that may cause him to pursue business strategies that disproportionately benefit Capital Maritime or which otherwise are not in the best interests of us or our unitholders.

Our partnership affairs are governed by our partnership agreement and the MILPA. The provisions of the MILPA resemble provisions of the limited partnership laws of a number of states in the United States, most notably Delaware. We are not aware of any material difference in unitholder rights between the MILPA and the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act. The MILPA also provides that, as it relates to nonresident limited partnerships, such as us, it is to be applied and construed to make the laws of the Marshall Islands, with respect to the subject matter of the MILPA, uniform with the laws of the State of Delaware and, so long as it does not conflict with the MILPA or decisions of certain Marshall Islands courts, the non-statutory law (or “case law”) of the State of Delaware is adopted as the law of the Marshall Islands. There have been, however, few, if any, court cases in the Marshall Islands interpreting the MILPA, in contrast to Delaware, which has a fairly well-developed body of case law interpreting its limited partnership statute.

Accordingly, we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as courts in Delaware. For example, the rights of our unitholders and fiduciary responsibilities of our General Partner and its affiliates under Marshall Islands law are not as clearly established as under judicial precedent in existence in Delaware. Due to the less-developed nature of Marshall Islands law, our public unitholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by our General Partner, its affiliates or controlling unitholders than would unitholders of a limited partnership organized in the United States.

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that modify and restrict the fiduciary duties of our General Partner and our directors to the unitholders under Marshall Islands law. Our partnership agreement also restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our General Partner or our directors that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.

Neither our General Partner nor our board of directors will be in breach of their obligations under the partnership agreement or their duties to us or the unitholders if the resolution of the conflict is:

 

   

approved by the conflicts committee, although neither our General Partner nor our board of directors are obligated to seek such approval;

 

   

approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding any common units owned by our General Partner or any of its affiliates, although neither our General Partner nor our board of directors are obligated to seek such approval;

 

   

on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties, but neither our General Partner nor our directors are required to obtain confirmation to such effect from an independent third party; or

 

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fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us.

Our General Partner or our board of directors may, but are not required to, seek the approval of such resolution from the conflicts committee of our board of directors or from the common unitholders. If neither our General Partner nor our board of directors seek approval from the conflicts committee, and our board of directors determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in the third and fourth bullet points above, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the board of directors, including the board members affected by the conflict, acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption. When our partnership agreement requires someone to act in good faith, it requires that person to reasonably believe that he is acting in the best interests of the partnership, unless the context otherwise requires.

Conflicts of interest could arise in the situations described below, among others.

Actions taken by our board of directors may affect the amount of cash available for distribution to unitholders.

The amount of cash that is available for distribution to unitholders is affected by decisions of our board of directors regarding such matters as:

 

   

the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales;

 

   

cash expenditures;

 

   

borrowings;

 

   

the issuance of additional units; and

 

   

the creation, reduction or increase of reserves in any quarter.

In addition, borrowings by us and our affiliates do not constitute a breach of any duty owed by our General Partner or our directors to our unitholders, including borrowings that have the purpose or effect of enabling our General Partner or its affiliates to receive incentive distribution rights.

For example, in the event we have not generated sufficient cash from our operations to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our units, our partnership agreement permits us to borrow funds, which would enable us to make this distribution on all outstanding units.

Our partnership agreement provides that we and our subsidiaries may borrow funds from our General Partner and its affiliates. Our General Partner and its affiliates may not borrow funds from us or our subsidiaries.

Neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires our General Partner or its affiliates to pursue a business strategy that favors us or utilizes our assets or dictates what markets to pursue or grow.

Because all of the officers of our General Partner and one of our directors are also directors, officers or employees of Capital Maritime or its affiliates, such officers and director have fiduciary duties to Capital Maritime that may cause them to pursue business strategies that disproportionately benefit Capital Maritime or which otherwise are not in the best interests of us or our unitholders.

Our General Partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us.

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that restrict the standards to which our General Partner would otherwise be held by Marshall Islands fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership agreement permits our General Partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our General Partner. This entitles our General Partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it

 

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has no duty or obligations to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting us, our affiliates or any unitholder. Specifically, our General Partner will be considered to be acting in its individual capacity if it exercises its call right, pre-emptive rights or registration rights, consents or withholds consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership, appoints any directors or votes for the 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.

We do not have any officers and rely solely on officers of our General Partner.

Our General Partner’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer are also executive officers or employees of Capital Maritime, our Manager or their respective affiliates.

If the activities of Capital Maritime, the Manager or their respective affiliates are significantly greater than our activities, there could be material competition for the time and effort of the officers who provide services to our General Partner. The officers of our General Partner are not required to work full-time on our affairs.

We will reimburse our General Partner and its affiliates for expenses.

We will reimburse our General Partner and its affiliates for costs incurred in managing and operating us, including costs incurred in rendering corporate staff and support services to us. Our partnership agreement provides that our General Partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to us in good faith.

Common unitholders will have no right to enforce obligations of our General Partner and its affiliates under agreements with us.

Any agreements between us, on the one hand, and our General Partner and its affiliates, on the other, will not grant to the unitholders, separate and apart from us, the right to enforce the obligations of our General Partner and its affiliates in our favor.

Contracts between us, on the one hand, and Capital Maritime or our General Partner, on the other hand, will not be the result of arms’- length negotiations.

Neither our partnership agreement nor any of the other agreements, contracts and arrangements initially put in place among Capital Maritime or our General Partner and us were the result of arms’-length negotiations.

Our partnership agreement generally provides that any affiliated transaction, such as an agreement, contract or arrangement between us and our General Partner and its affiliates, must be:

 

   

on terms no less favorable to us then those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties; or

 

   

“fair and reasonable” to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us).

Our General Partner may also enter into additional contractual arrangements with any of its affiliates on our behalf; however, there is no obligation of our General Partner and its affiliates to enter into any contracts of this kind, and our General Partner will determine, in good faith, the terms of any of these transactions.

Common units are subject to our General Partner’s limited call right.

Our General Partner may exercise its right to call and purchase limited partner interests, including common units, as provided in the partnership agreement and may assign this right to one of its affiliates (including us). Our General Partner may use its own discretion, free of fiduciary duty restrictions, in determining whether to exercise this right. As a result, a common unitholder may have common units purchased from the unitholder at an undesirable time or price. Please read “Item 10B: Memorandum and Articles of Association—The Partnership Agreement—Limited Call Right.”

 

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We may choose not to retain separate counsel for ourselves or for the holders of common units.

The attorneys, independent accountants and others who perform services for us have been retained by our board of directors, our General Partner or our Manager.

We may retain separate counsel for ourselves or the holders of common units in the event of a conflict of interest between our General Partner or our Manager and their respective affiliates, on the one hand, and us or the holders of common units, on the other hand, depending on the nature of the conflict. We do not intend to do so in most cases.

Capital Maritime may compete with us.

Our partnership agreement provides that our General Partner will be restricted from engaging in any business activities other than acting as our general partner and those activities incidental to its ownership of interests in us. In addition, our partnership agreement provides that our General Partner, for so long as it is general partner of our partnership, will cause its affiliates not to engage in, by acquisition or otherwise, certain businesses described in the omnibus agreement. Similarly, under the omnibus agreement, Capital Maritime agreed and agreed to cause it affiliates to agree, for so long as Capital Maritime controls our partnership, not to engage in certain businesses. Except as provided in our partnership agreement and the omnibus agreement, affiliates of our General Partner are not prohibited from engaging in other businesses or activities, including those that might be in direct competition with us.

Fiduciary Duties

Our General Partner and its affiliates are accountable to us and our unitholders as fiduciaries. Fiduciary duties owed to unitholders by our General Partner and its affiliates are prescribed by law and the partnership agreement. The MILPA provides that Marshall Islands partnerships may, in their partnership agreements, restrict or expand the fiduciary duties owed by our General Partner and its affiliates to the limited partners and the partnership. Our directors are subject to the same fiduciary duties as our General Partner, as restricted or expanded by the partnership agreement.

In addition, we have entered into services agreements, and may enter into additional agreements with Capital Ship Management, our Manager. In the performance of its obligations under these agreements, Capital Ship Management is not held to a fiduciary standard of care but rather to the standards of care specified in the relevant agreement.

Our partnership agreement contains various provisions restricting the fiduciary duties that might otherwise be owed by our General Partner or by our directors. We have adopted these provisions to allow our General Partner and our directors to take into account the interests of other parties in addition to our interests when resolving conflicts of interest. We believe this is appropriate and necessary because the officers of our General Partner have fiduciary duties to manage our General Partner in a manner beneficial both to its owner, as well as to you. These modifications disadvantage the common unitholders because they restrict the rights and remedies that would otherwise be available to unitholders for actions that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty, as described below. The following is a summary of:

 

   

the fiduciary duties imposed on our General Partner and our directors by the MILPA;

 

   

material modifications of these duties contained in our partnership agreement; and

 

   

certain rights and remedies of unitholders contained in the MILPA.

 

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Marshall Islands law fiduciary duty standards    Fiduciary duties are generally considered to include an obligation to act in good faith and with due care and loyalty. The duty of care, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally require a general partner and the directors of a Marshall Islands limited partnership to refrain from engaging in grossly negligent or reckless conduct, intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law. The duty of loyalty, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally require that a partner refrain from dealing with the limited partnership in the conduct or winding up of the limited partnership business or affairs as or on behalf of a party having an interest adverse to the limited partnership, refrain from competing with the limited partnership in the conduct of the limited partnership’s business or affairs before the dissolution of the limited partnership, and to account to the limited partnership and hold as trustee for it any property, profit or benefit derived by the partner in the conduct or winding up of the limited partnership’s business or affairs or derived from a use by the partner of partnership property, including the appropriation of a limited partnership opportunity. In addition, although not a fiduciary duty, a partner shall discharge the duties to the limited partnership and exercise any rights consistently with the obligation of good faith and fair dealing.
Partnership agreement modified standards   

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that waive or consent to conduct by our General Partner and its affiliates and our directors that might otherwise raise issues as to compliance with fiduciary duties under the laws of the Marshall Islands. For example, Section 7.16 of our partnership agreement provides that when our General Partner is acting in its capacity as our General Partner, as opposed to in its individual capacity, it must act in “good faith” and will not be subject to any other standard under the laws of the Marshall Islands. In addition, when our General Partner is acting in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner, it may act without any fiduciary obligation to us or the unitholders whatsoever. These standards reduce the obligations to which our General Partner and our board of directors would otherwise be held. Our partnership agreement generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not involving a vote of unitholders and that are not approved by the conflicts committee of our board of directors must be:

 

•   on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties; or

 

•   “fair and reasonable” to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us).

 

If our board of directors does not seek approval from the conflicts committee, and our board of directors determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in the bullet points above, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, our board of directors acted in good faith. These standards reduce the obligations to which our board of directors would otherwise be held.

 

In addition to the other more specific provisions limiting the obligations of our General Partner and our directors, our partnership agreement further provides that our General Partner and its officers and our directors, will not be liable for monetary damages to us for errors of judgment or for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our General Partner or its officers or our directors acted in bad faith or engaged in actual fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the conduct was unlawful.

Rights and remedies of unitholders    The provisions of the MILPA resemble the provisions of the limited partnership act of Delaware. For example, like Delaware, the MILPA favors the principles of freedom of contract and enforceability of partnership agreements and allows the partnership agreement to contain terms governing the rights of the unitholders. The rights of our unitholders, including voting and approval rights and the ability of the partnership to issue additional units, are governed by the terms of our partnership agreement. Please read “Memorandum and Articles of Association—The Partnership Agreement.”
   As to remedies of unitholders, the MILPA permits a limited partner or an assignee of a partnership interest to bring action in the High Court in the right of the limited partnership to recover a judgment in the limited partnership’s favor if general partners with authority to do so have refused to bring the action or if effort to cause those general partners to bring the action is not likely to succeed.

 

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In order to become one of our limited partners, a common unitholder is deemed to agree to be bound by the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. The failure of a limited partner or transferee to sign a partnership agreement does not render the partnership agreement unenforceable against that person.

Under the partnership agreement, we must indemnify our General Partner and its officers and our directors to the fullest extent permitted by law, against liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by our General Partner or these other persons. We must provide this indemnification unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that these persons engaged in actual fraud or willful misconduct. We also must provide this indemnification for criminal proceedings when our General Partner or these other persons acted with no reasonable cause to believe that their conduct was unlawful. Thus, our General Partner and its officers and our directors could be indemnified for their negligent acts if they met the requirements set forth above. To the extent that these provisions purport to include indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is contrary to public policy and therefore unenforceable. Please read “Item 10B: Memorandum and Articles of Association—The Partnership Agreement—Indemnification.”

 

  C.

Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable.

Item 8. Financial Information.

 

  A.

Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information.

See Item 18 for additional information required to be disclosed under this Item 8.

Legal Proceedings

Although we or our subsidiaries may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we are not at present party to any legal proceedings and are not aware of any proceedings against us, or contemplated to be brought against us. We maintain insurance policies with insurers in amounts and with coverage and deductibles as our board of directors believes are reasonable and prudent. We expect that these claims would be covered by insurance, subject to customary deductibles. Those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources and regardless of the final outcome of any such proceedings could lead to significant reputational damage which could materially affect our business and operations.

In December 2017, one of our former subsidiaries reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) regarding the M/T Amoureux for oil record book violation. Under the terms of the agreement, that former subsidiary pled guilty to oil record book violation with respect to the M/T Amoureux, paid $700,000 in fine and was placed on probation for three years. That former subsidiary is also required to implement a comprehensive environmental compliance plan in connection with the settlement. The M/T Amoureux was part of the Tanker Business that we spun-off in connection with the DSS Transaction.

HOW WE MAKE CASH DISTRIBUTIONS

Distributions of Available Cash

General

Within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter, subject to legal limitations, we distribute all of our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.

 

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Definition of Available Cash

Available cash means, for each fiscal quarter, all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of the quarter:

 

   

less the amount of cash reserves established by our board of directors to:

 

   

provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for our anticipated credit needs);

 

   

comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments, or other agreements; or

 

   

to the extent permitted under our partnership agreement, provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our General Partner for any one or more of the next four quarters;

 

   

plus all additional cash and cash equivalents on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter. Working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under our credit agreement and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners.

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

Our partnership agreement provides that the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units is (on a pre-reverse split-adjusted basis) $0.2325 per unit, which is equal to $0.93 per unit per year, or (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) $1.6275 per unit, which is equal to $6.51 per unit per year. You should note that there is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units in any quarter. Failure to distribute the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units results in our inability to establish certain cash reserves (see “—Definition of Available Cash” above). See information on current distribution levels elsewhere in this annual report.

Distribution Policy

Our cash distribution policy generally reflects a basic judgment that our unitholders are better served by us distributing our available cash (after deducting expenses, including cash reserves) rather than retaining it. Because we believe that, subject to our ability to obtain required financing and access financial markets, we will generally finance any expansion capital expenditures from external financing sources, we believe that our investors are best served by us distributing all of our available cash. The board of directors seeks to maintain a balance between the level of reserves it takes to protect our financial position and liquidity against the desirability of maintaining distributions on the limited partnership interests. We intend to review our distributions from time to time in the light of a range of factors, including, among other things, our access to the capital markets, the repayment or refinancing of our external debt, the level of our capital expenditures and our ability to pursue accretive transactions.

Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the decision to make any distribution and the amount thereof are determined by our board of directors, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement. Our distribution policy is subject to certain restrictions, including the following:

 

   

Our common unitholders have no contractual or other legal right to receive distributions other than the right under our partnership agreement to receive available cash on a quarterly basis. Our board of directors has broad discretion to establish reserves and other limitations in determining the amount of available cash.

 

   

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. The partnership agreement can be amended in certain circumstances with the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units.

 

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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 and the establishment of any reserves for the prudent conduct of our business.

 

   

Under Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution if, after giving effect to the distribution, our liabilities (other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interest and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specified property of ours) would exceed the fair value of our assets, except that the fair value of property that is subject to a liability for which the recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in our assets only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds that liability.

 

   

Our common units are subject to the prior distribution rights of any holders of our preferred units then outstanding.

 

   

We may lack sufficient cash to pay distributions on our common units due to, among other things, decreases in net revenues or increases in operating expenses, principal and interest payments on outstanding debt, tax expenses, working capital requirements, maintenance and replacement capital expenditures or anticipated cash needs.

 

   

Our distribution policy will be affected by restrictions on distributions under our credit facilities which contain material financial tests and covenants that must be satisfied. Should we be unable to satisfy these terms, covenants and restrictions included in our credit facilities or if we are otherwise in default under the credit agreements, our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders, notwithstanding our stated cash distribution policy, would be materially adversely affected.

 

   

If we make distributions out of capital surplus, as opposed to operating surplus, such distributions will constitute a return of capital and will result in a reduction in the quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus.

 

   

If the ability of our subsidiaries to make any distribution to us is restricted by, among other things, the provisions of existing and future indebtedness, applicable partnership and limited liability company laws or any other laws and regulations, our ability to make distributions to our unitholders may be restricted.

We have generally declared distributions on our common units in January, April, July and October of each year and paid those distributions in the subsequent month according to our distribution policy, which has changed from time to time.

In view of the DSS Transaction, we have adopted a new annual common unit quarterly distribution guidance of  $0.315 per common unit (on a reverse split-adjusted basis).

Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus

General

All cash distributed to unitholders will be characterized as either “operating surplus” or “capital surplus.” We treat distributions of available cash from operating surplus differently than distributions of available cash from capital surplus.

 

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Definition of Operating Surplus

For any period, other than the quarter during which an event giving rise to our liquidation occurs (unless our unitholders have a right to elect to continue our business and so elect), operating surplus generally means:

 

   

an amount equal to two times the amount needed for any one quarter for us to pay a distribution on all of our units, the general partner units and the incentive distribution rights at the same per-unit amount as was distributed in the immediately preceding quarter; plus

 

   

all of our cash receipts, excluding cash from (1) borrowings, other than working capital borrowings, (2) sales of equity and debt securities, (3) sales or other dispositions of assets outside the ordinary course of business, (4) capital contributions; plus

 

   

working capital borrowings made after the end of a quarter but before the date of determination of operating surplus for the quarter; plus

 

   

interest paid on debt incurred and cash distributions paid on equity securities issued, in each case, to finance all or any portion of the construction, replacement or improvement of a capital asset such as vessels during the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of the date the capital asset is put into service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of; plus

 

   

interest paid on debt incurred and cash distributions paid on equity securities issued, in each case, to pay the construction period interest on debt incurred, or to pay construction period distributions on equity issued, to finance the construction projects described in the immediately preceding bullet; less

 

   

all of our operating expenditures after the repayment of working capital borrowings, but not (1) the repayment of other borrowings, (2) actual maintenance and replacement capital expenditures or expansion capital expenditures or investment capital expenditures, (3) transaction expenses (including taxes) related to interim capital transactions or (4) distributions; less

 

   

estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures and the amount of cash reserves established by our board of directors to provide funds for future operating expenditures; less

 

   

all working capital borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred.

If a working capital borrowing, which increases operating surplus, is not repaid during the 12-month period following the borrowing, it will be deemed repaid at the end of such period, thus decreasing operating surplus at such time. When such working capital borrowing is in fact repaid, it will not be treated as a reduction in operating surplus because operating surplus will have been previously reduced by the deemed repayment.

As described above, operating surplus includes an amount up to two times the amount needed for any one quarter for us to pay a distribution on all of our units (including the general partner units) and the incentive distribution rights at the same per unit amount as was distributed in the immediately preceding quarter. This amount does not reflect actual cash on hand available to pay distributions to unitholders. Rather, it is a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to this amount of cash we receive in the future from non-operating sources, such as asset sales, issuances of securities and long-term borrowings, that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. In addition, the effect of including, as described above, certain cash distributions on equity securities or interest payments on debt in operating surplus would be to increase operating surplus by the amount of any such cash distributions or interest payments. As a result, we may also distribute as operating surplus up to the amount of any such cash distributions or interest payments of cash we receive from non-operating sources.

 

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Capital Expenditures

For purposes of determining operating surplus, maintenance and replacement capital expenditures are those capital expenditures required to maintain over the long term the operating capacity of or the revenue generated by our capital assets, and expansion capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that increase the operating capacity of or the revenue generated by our capital assets. To the extent, however, that capital expenditures associated with acquiring a new vessel increase the revenues or the operating capacity of our fleet, those capital expenditures would be classified as expansion capital expenditures.

Investment capital expenditures are those that are neither maintenance and replacement capital expenditures nor expansion capital expenditures. Investment capital expenditures largely will consist of capital expenditures made for investment purposes.

Examples of investment capital expenditures include traditional capital expenditures for investment purposes, such as purchases of equity securities, as well as other capital expenditures that might be made in lieu of such traditional investment capital expenditures, such as the acquisition of a capital asset for investment purposes.

Examples of maintenance and replacement capital expenditures include capital expenditures associated with drydocking, modifying an existing vessel or acquiring a new vessel to the extent such expenditures are incurred to maintain the operating capacity of or the revenue generated by our fleet. Maintenance and replacement capital expenditures will also include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued to finance the construction of a replacement vessel and paid during the construction period, which we define as the period beginning on the date that we enter into a binding construction contract and ending on the earlier of the date that the replacement vessel commences commercial service or the date that the replacement vessel is abandoned or disposed of. Debt incurred to pay or equity issued to fund construction period interest payments, and distributions on such equity, will also be considered maintenance and replacement capital expenditures.

Our partnership agreement provides that an amount equal to an estimate of the average quarterly maintenance and replacement capital expenditures necessary to maintain the operating capacity of or the revenue generated by our capital assets over the long term be subtracted from operating surplus each quarter, as opposed to the actual amounts spent. In the partnership agreement, we refer to these estimated maintenance and replacement capital expenditures to be subtracted from operating surplus as “estimated maintenance capital expenditures.” 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 our conflicts committee. The estimate is made at least annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of our maintenance and replacement capital expenditures, such as a major acquisition or the introduction of new governmental regulations that will affect our fleet. For purposes of calculating operating surplus, any adjustment to this estimate is prospective only. Our board of directors has elected not to deduct any replacement capital expenditures from our operating surplus since 2011.

Definition of Capital Surplus

Any available cash that is distributed after we distribute the operating surplus is capital surplus. Capital surplus generally is expected to be generated by:

 

   

borrowings other than working capital borrowings;

 

   

sales of debt and equity securities; and

 

   

sales or other dispositions of assets for cash, other than inventory, accounts receivable and other current assets sold in the ordinary course of business or non-current assets sold as part of normal retirements or replacements of assets.

 

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Characterization of Cash Distributions

We will treat all available cash distributed as coming from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since we began operations equals the operating surplus as of the most recent date of determination of available cash. We will treat any amount distributed in excess of operating surplus, regardless of its source, as capital surplus. As described above, operating surplus includes an amount up to two times the amount needed for any one quarter for us to pay a distribution on all of our units (including the general partner units) and the incentive distribution rights at the same per unit amount as was distributed in the immediately preceding quarter. This amount does not reflect actual cash on hand available to pay distributions to unitholders. Rather, it is a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to this amount of cash we receive in the future from non-operating sources, such as asset sales, issuances of securities and long-term borrowings, that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. We have not yet made any distributions from capital surplus and do not anticipate doing so in the future.

Distributions of Available Cash From Operating Surplus

We make quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus in the following manner, subject to applicable law:

 

   

first, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our General Partner, until we distribute for each outstanding unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and

 

   

thereafter, in the manner described in “—Incentive Distribution Rights” below.

The preceding paragraph and other similar disclosure in this Section assumes that our General Partner maintains its initial 2.0% general partner interest. As of the date of this Annual Report, our General Partner holds a 1.88% general partner interest.

Incentive Distribution Rights

Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. Our General Partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in the partnership agreement. Any transfer by our General Partner of the incentive distribution rights would not change the percentage allocations of quarterly distributions with respect to such rights.

If for any quarter:

 

   

we have paid to the holders of any other outstanding units that are senior in right of distribution to our common units the agreed amount of distribution; and

 

   

we have distributed available cash from operating surplus to the common unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution,

then, we will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and our General Partner in the following manner (on a reverse split-adjusted basis):

 

   

first, 98% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our General Partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $1.6975 per unit for that quarter (the “first target distribution”),

 

   

second, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15% to our General Partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $1.8725 per unit for that quarter (the “second target distribution”),

 

   

third, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25% to our General Partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $2.0475 per unit for that quarter (the “third target distribution”), and

 

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thereafter, 65% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 35% to our General Partner.

The percentage interests set forth above assume that our General Partner maintains its initial 2.0% general partner interest (as of the date of this Annual Report, our General Partner holds a 1.88% general partner interest) and has not transferred the incentive distribution rights and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

Following discussion with, and with the unanimous support of, the conflicts committee of our board of directors, Capital Maritime permanently waived its rights to receive quarterly incentive distributions between $1.6975 and $1.75 (on a reverse split-adjusted basis). This waiver effectively increases the first target distribution and the lower bound of the second target distribution (as referenced in the table below) from $1.6975 to $1.75 (on a reverse split-adjusted basis).

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 (on a reverse split-adjusted basis). 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 initial 2.0% general partner interest (as of the date of this Annual Report, our General Partner holds a 1.88% general partner interest) and that our General Partner has not transferred the incentive distribution rights.

 

          Marginal Percentage
Interest in Distributions
 
    

Total Quarterly Distribution Target

Amount

   Unitholders     General
Partner
 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

   $1.6275      98     2

First Target Distribution

   up to $1.6975 (1)      98     2

Second Target Distribution

   above $1.6975 (1) up to $1.8725      85     15

Third Target Distribution

   above $1.8725 up to $2.0475      75     25

Thereafter

   above $2.0475      65     35

 

(1)

As disclosed on our Current Report on Form 6-K furnished on August 26, 2014, Capital Maritime unilaterally notified the Partnership that it decided to waive its rights to receive quarterly incentive distributions between $1.6975 and $1.75 (on a reverse split-adjusted basis). Capital Maritime permanently waived these rights after discussion with, and with the unanimous support of, the conflicts committee of our board of directors. This waiver effectively increases the First Target Distribution and the lower bound of the Second Target Distribution (as referenced in the table above) from $1.6975 to $1.75 (on a reverse split-adjusted basis).

Distributions From Capital Surplus

How Distributions From Capital Surplus Will Be Made

We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:

 

   

first, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our General Partner, until we distribute for each common unit an aggregate amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to the initial unit price of the common units issued in our initial public offering; and

 

   

thereafter, we will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus as if they were from operating surplus.

The preceding paragraph is based on the assumption that our General Partner maintains its initial 2.0% general partner interest (as of the date of this Annual Report, our General Partner holds a 1.88% general partner interest) and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

 

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Effect of a Distribution From Capital Surplus

The partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as a return of capital. Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made, the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the distribution had to the fair market value of the common units prior to the announcement of the distribution. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution, after any of these distributions are made, it may be easier for our General Partner to receive incentive distributions.

However, any distribution of capital surplus before the minimum quarterly distribution is reduced to zero cannot be applied to the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution or any arrearages.

Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels

In addition to adjusting the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels to reflect a distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units (as we did in connection with the DSS Transaction; please read the introductory note entitled “Transaction with DSS Holdings L.P.”) or subdivide our units into a greater number of units, we will proportionately adjust:

 

   

the minimum quarterly distribution; and

 

   

the target distribution levels.

For example, if a two-for-one split of the common and subordinated units should occur, the minimum quarterly distribution, the target distribution levels would be reduced to 50% of its initial level. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional units for cash or property.

In addition, if legislation is enacted or the official interpretation of any existing legislation is modified by a governmental taxing authority, and as a result any of our subsidiaries becomes subject to taxation as an entity for U.S. federal, state, local or foreign tax purposes, our partnership agreement specifies that the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels for each quarter will be reduced by multiplying each distribution level by a fraction, the numerator of which is available cash for that quarter and the denominator of which is the sum of available cash for that quarter plus our board of directors’ estimate of our direct or indirect aggregate liability for the quarter for such taxes payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation. To the extent that the actual tax liability differs from the estimated tax liability for any quarter, the difference will be accounted for in subsequent quarters.

Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation

If we dissolve in accordance with the partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will apply the proceeds of liquidation in the manner set forth below.

If, as of the date three trading days prior to the announcement of the proposed liquidation, the average closing price for our common units for the preceding 20 trading days (or the current market price) is greater than the sum of:

 

   

any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units issued in our initial public offering for any prior quarters during the subordination period (as described below); plus

 

   

the initial unit price of the common units issued in our initial public offering (adjusted as our board of directors determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination, such as the reverse unit split we effected in March 2019 in connection with the DSS Transaction) (less any prior capital surplus distributions and any prior cash distributions made in connection with a partial liquidation);

 

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then the proceeds of the liquidation will be applied as follows:

 

   

first, 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our General Partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the current market price of our common units; and

 

   

thereafter, 50.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, 48.0% to holders of incentive distribution rights and 2.0% to our General Partner.

If, as of the date three trading days prior to the announcement of the proposed liquidation, the current market price of our common units is equal to or less than the sum of:

 

   

any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units issued in our initial public offering for any prior quarters during the subordination period; plus

 

   

the initial unit price of the common units issued in our initial public offering (adjusted as our board of directors determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination, such as the reverse unit split we effected in March 2019 in connection with the DSS Transaction) (less any prior capital surplus distributions and any prior cash distributions made in connection with a partial liquidation);

then the proceeds of the liquidation will be applied as follows:

 

   

first, 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our General Partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to such initial unit price (as adjusted) (less any prior capital surplus distributions and any prior cash distributions made in connection with a partial liquidation);

 

   

second, 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our General Partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units for any prior quarters during the subordination period; and

 

   

thereafter, 50.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, 48.0% to holders of incentive distribution rights and 2.0% to our General Partner.

The preceding paragraph is based on the assumption that our General Partner maintains its initial 2.0% general partner interest (as of the date of this Annual Report, our General Partner holds a 1.88% general partner interest) and has not transferred the incentive distribution rights and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

Subordination Period

The subordination period, which terminated on February 14, 2009, was a period during which the common units had the right to receive available cash from operating surplus in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution per quarter, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus were made on the “subordinated units,” which were issued in addition to the common units in our initial public offering. Upon termination of the subordination period, the subordinated units were converted into common units on a one-for-one basis.

 

  B.

Significant Changes

Other than as described in “Item 4. Information on the Partnership—A. History and Development of the Partnership—Recent Developments” and below, no significant changes have occurred since the date of our Financial Statements:

On January 22, 2019, we declared a cash distribution of $0.315 per common unit (on a reverse split-adjusted basis) for the fourth quarter of 2018, which was paid on February 14, 2019 to unitholders of record on February 5, 2019.

 

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On January 22, 2019, we declared a cash distribution of $0.21375 per Class B Unit for the fourth quarter of 2017, in line with our partnership agreement. The fourth quarter Class B Unit cash distribution was paid on February 8, 2019, to Class B unitholders of record on February 1, 2019.

On March 27, 2019, we completed the DSS Transaction.

 

Item 9.

The Offer and Listing.

Our common units started trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CPLP” on March 30, 2007.

 

Item 10.

Additional Information.

 

  A.

Share Capital

Not applicable.

 

  B.

Memorandum and Articles of Association

THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. The partnership agreement, as amended, is filed as Exhibit I to our Current Report on Form 6-K dated February 24, 2010, as Exhibit I to our Current Report on Form 6-K dated September 30, 2011, as Exhibit II to our Current Report on Form 6-K/A dated May 23, 2012, as Exhibit II to our Current Report on Form 6-K dated March 21, 2013 and as Exhibit A to Exhibit I to our Current Report on Form 6-K dated August 26, 2014. We will provide prospective investors with a copy of our limited partnership agreement and any amendments thereto upon request at no charge.

We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this annual report:

 

   

with regard to distributions of available cash, please read “Item 8: Financial Information—How We Make Cash Distributions,” and

 

   

with regard to the fiduciary duties of our General Partner and our directors, please read “Item 7.B: Related-Party Transactions—Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties.”

Organization and Duration

We were organized on January 16, 2007 and have perpetual existence.

Purpose

Our purpose under the partnership agreement is to engage in any business activities that may lawfully be engaged in by a limited partnership pursuant to the MILPA.

Our General Partner has delegated to our board of directors the authority to oversee and direct our operations, management and policies on an exclusive basis. Our General Partner, subject to the direction and supervision of our board of directors, manages our business and affairs and carry out our purpose.

Power of Attorney

Each limited partner, and each person who acquires a unit from another unitholder grants to our General Partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of attorney to, among other things, execute and file documents required for our qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants our General Partner the authority to make consents and waivers under the partnership agreement.

 

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Capital Contributions

Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “—Limited Liability.”

Voting Rights

Each outstanding common unit is entitled to one vote on matters subject to a vote of common unitholders.

To preserve our ability to be exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 883 of the Code, if at any time, any person or group, other than our General Partner or its affiliates, owns beneficially 5% or more of any class of units then outstanding, any 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 to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), or calculating required votes, except for purposes of nominating a person for election to our board, or determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under our partnership agreement. The voting rights of any such unitholders in excess of 4.9% will be redistributed pro rata among the other unitholders holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of the same class of units entitled to vote. Our partnership agreement provides certain exceptions to such limitation, including when a person acquired securities directly from our General Partner or its affiliates or with the approval of our board of directors, but only for so long as such exception would not jeopardize our tax exemption under Section 883 of the Code.

We will hold a meeting of the limited partners entitled to vote 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. The sole member of our General Partner, CMTC, has the right to appoint three of the eight members of our board of directors with the remaining five directors being elected by our common unitholders.

In voting their units, our General Partner and its affiliates will have no fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us and the limited partners.

The matters described in the table below require the unitholder vote specified below. Matters requiring the approval of a “unit majority” require the approval of a majority of the common units. You should note that our General Partner has approval rights in respect of certain of the matters described below.

 

Action

  

Unitholder Approval Required and Voting Rights

Issuance of additional units

   No approval rights (although our General Partner has approval rights in certain instances).

Amendment of the partnership agreement

   Certain amendments may be made by our board of directors without the approval of the unitholders if those amendments are also approved by our General Partner. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority and can only be proposed by or with the written consent of our General Partner and our board of directors. Please read “—Amendment of the Partnership Agreement.”

Amendment of the operating agreement of the operating company (as defined in our limited partnership agreement)

   Unit majority if such amendment would adversely affect our limited partners in any material respect.

 

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Action

  

Unitholder Approval Required and Voting Rights

Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets

   Unit majority if such amendment would adversely affect our limited partners in any material respect and approval of our General Partner and board of directors. Please read “—Merger, Sale, or Other Disposition of Assets.”

Dissolution of our partnership

   Unit majority and approval of our General Partner and our board of directors. Please read “—Termination and Dissolution.”

Reconstitution of our partnership upon dissolution

   Unit majority. Please read “—Termination and Dissolution.”

Election of five of the eight members of our board of directors

   A plurality of the votes of the holders of the common units.

Withdrawal of the General Partner

   Our General Partner may withdraw without obtaining unitholder approval upon 90 days’ written notice to our board of directors. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of our General Partner.”

Removal of the General Partner

   Not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding units, including units held by our General Partner and its affiliates, voting together as a single class and a majority vote of our board of directors. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of our General Partner.”

Transfer of the general partner interest in us

   Our General Partner may transfer all or any part of its General Partner interest in us to another person without the approval of the holders of our outstanding units. Please read “—Transfer of General Partner Interest.”

Transfer of incentive distribution rights

   The incentive distribution rights are freely transferable. Please read “—Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.”

Transfer of ownership interests in the General Partner

   No approval required at any time. Please read “—Transfer of Ownership Interests in General Partner.”

Limited Liability

Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the MILPA and that such limited partner otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of our partnership agreement, that partner’s liability under the MILPA will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital he or she is obligated to contribute to us for his or her units plus his or her share of any undistributed profits and assets. If a court determined, however, that limited partners “participated in the control” of our business for the purposes of the MILPA, then such limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Marshall Islands, to the same extent as our General Partner, to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe, based on the limited partner’s conduct, that the limited partner is a general partner. Neither our partnership agreement nor the MILPA specifically provides for legal recourse against our General Partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of our General Partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for this type of a claim in Marshall Islands case law.

Under the MILPA, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, exceeds

 

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the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership, except that the fair value of property that is subject to a liability for which the recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds that liability. The MILPA provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the MILPA shall be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years after the date of such distribution. Under the MILPA, a purchaser of units who becomes a limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of the transferor to make contributions to the partnership, except that the transferee is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him at the time he became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.

Maintenance of our limited liability may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which we conduct business, which may include qualifying to do business in those jurisdictions.

Issuance of Additional Securities

The partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited amount of additional partnership securities and rights to buy partnership securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our board of directors without the approval of the unitholders. Our General Partner will have the right to approve issuances of additional securities that are not reasonably expected to be accretive to equity within 12 months of issuance or which would otherwise have a material adverse impact on our General Partner or its interest in us.

We intend to fund acquisitions through borrowings and the issuance of additional common units or other equity securities and the assumption and/or the issuance of debt, subject to market conditions, as further described elsewhere herein. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other equity securities interests may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.

In accordance with Marshall Islands law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership securities interests that, as determined by our board of directors, have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled.

Upon issuance of additional partnership securities, our General Partner will have the right, but not the obligation, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its General Partner interest in us, which is currently 1.88%. Our General Partner’s interest in us will thus be reduced if we issue additional partnership securities in the future and our General Partner does not elect to maintain its then-applicable General Partner interest in us. Our General Partner will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units or other equity securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our General Partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain its and its affiliates’ percentage interest, including its interest represented by common units, that existed immediately prior to each issuance. Other holders of common units will not have similar preemptive rights to acquire additional common units or other partnership securities.

Tax Status

The partnership agreement provides that the partnership will elect to be taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Amendment of the Partnership Agreement

General

Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by or with the consent of our General Partner and our board of directors. However, neither our General Partner nor our board of directors will have a duty or obligation to propose any amendment and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below,

 

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approval of both our board of directors and our General Partner is required, as well as approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment. Except as we describe below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.

Prohibited Amendments

Except as set forth below, no amendment may:

 

  1.

increase the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless such increase is deemed to occur as a result of an amendment approved in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) below;

 

  2.

have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of partnership interests in relation to other classes of partnership interests unless approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding units of the class affected, voting together as a single class;

 

  3.

increase the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our General Partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of the General Partner, which may be given or withheld at its option;

 

  4.

change the term of our partnership;

 

  5.

provide that our partnership is not dissolved upon an election to dissolve our partnership by our General Partner and our board of directors that is approved by the holders of a unit majority; or

 

  6.

give any person the right to dissolve our partnership other than the right of our General Partner and our board of directors to dissolve our partnership with the approval of the holders of a unit majority.

The provision of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in clauses (1) through (6) above can only be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting together as a single class (including units owned by our General Partner and its affiliates).

No Unitholder Approval

Our board of directors may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner to reflect:

 

  1.

a change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our registered agent or our registered office;

 

  2.

the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with our partnership agreement;

 

  3.

a change that our board of directors determines to be necessary or appropriate for us to qualify or to continue our qualification as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any jurisdiction;

 

  4.

an amendment that is necessary, upon the advice of our counsel, to prevent us or our directors or our General Partner or its directors, officers, agents, or trustees from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed;

 

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  5.

an amendment that our board of directors and, if required by the terms of the partnership agreement, our General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the authorization of additional partnership securities or rights to acquire partnership securities;

 

  6.

any amendment expressly permitted in the partnership agreement to be made by our board of directors acting alone;

 

  7.

an amendment effected, necessitated, or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of the partnership agreement;

 

  8.

any amendment that our board of directors determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership or other entity, as otherwise permitted by the partnership agreement;

 

  9.

a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes;

 

  10.

certain mergers or conveyances as set forth in our partnership agreement; or

 

  11.

any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described in (1) through (10) above.

All amendments reflecting matters described in (1) through (11) above require the approval of our General Partner.

In addition, our board of directors may make amendments to the partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner if our board of directors determines that those amendments:

 

  1.

do not adversely affect the limited partners (or any particular class of limited partners) in any material respect;

 

  2.

are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions, or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any Marshall Islands or other authority or contained in any statute;

 

  3.

are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of limited partner interests or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities exchange on which the limited partner interests are or will be listed for trading;

 

  4.

are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our board of directors relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of the partnership agreement; or

 

  5.

are required to effect the intent expressed in the IPO registration statement or any future prospectus or the intent of the provisions of the partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by the partnership agreement.

All amendments reflecting matters described in (1) through (5) above require the approval of our General Partner.

Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval

Neither our General Partner nor our board of directors will be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners if one of the amendments described above under “—No Unitholder Approval” should occur. No other amendments to our partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting as a single class unless we obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability of any of our limited partners under applicable law.

 

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In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or privileges of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action must be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.

Action Relating to the Operating Subsidiaries

We effectively control our operating subsidiaries by being their sole member or shareholder, as applicable.

Merger, Sale, or Other Disposition of Assets

A merger or consolidation of us requires the approval of our board of directors and the prior consent of our General Partner. However, our General Partner will have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger or consolidation and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. In addition, our partnership agreement generally prohibits our board of directors, without the prior approval of our General Partner and the holders of units representing a unit majority, from causing us to, among other things, sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation, or other combination, or approving on our behalf the sale, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our subsidiaries. Our board of directors may, however, cause us to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without the prior approval of the holders of units representing a unit majority, although it is required to obtain the prior approval of our General Partner if any such mortgage, pledge or hypothecation is done for purposes other than securing indebtedness that does not result in our over-leverage, taking into account customary industry leverage levels, our structure and our other assets and liabilities. Our General Partner and our board of directors may also cause us to sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without the approval of the holders of units representing a unit majority.

If conditions specified in our partnership agreement are satisfied, our board of directors, with the consent of our General Partner, may convert us or any of our subsidiaries into a new limited liability entity or merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey some or all of our assets to, a newly formed entity if the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity. The unitholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under our partnership agreement or applicable law in the event of a conversion, merger or consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets, or any other transaction or event.

Additionally, our board of directors is permitted, with the prior consent of our General Partner, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity in certain circumstances, provided that each unit outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger is to be an identical unit after the effective date of the merger and the number of units issued by the Partnership in such merger does not exceed 20% of units outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger.

Termination and Dissolution

We will continue as a limited partnership until terminated or converted under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:

 

  1.

the election of our General Partner and our board of directors to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority;

 

  2.

the sale, exchange, or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets and properties and our subsidiaries;

 

  3.

the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of us;

 

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  4.

the withdrawal or removal of our General Partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with the partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal following approval and admission of a successor; or

 

  5.

such time when there are no limited partners, unless we are continued without dissolution in accordance with the MILPA.

Upon a dissolution under clause (4), the holders of a unit majority may also elect, within specific time limitations, to continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in the partnership agreement by appointing as general partner an entity approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner.

Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds

Upon our dissolution, unless we are continued as a new limited partnership, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our General Partner that are necessary or appropriate, liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as provided in “How We Make Cash Distributions—Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation.” The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners.

Withdrawal or Removal of our General Partner

Our General Partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder or our board of directors by giving 90 days’ written notice. If that happens, such withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. Please read “—Transfer of General Partner Interests” and “—Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.”

Upon withdrawal of our General Partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of a transfer by our General Partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units may select a successor to that withdrawing General Partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within a specified period of time after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. Please read “—Termination and Dissolution.”

Our General Partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding units, including units held by our General Partner and its affiliates, voting together as a single class and a majority vote of our board of directors, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability. The ownership of more than 33 1/3% of the outstanding units by our General Partner and its affiliates or controlling our board of directors would provide the practical ability to prevent our General Partner’s removal. Any removal of our General Partner is also subject to the successor general partner being approved by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units and general partner units, voting as a single class.

Our partnership agreement also provides that if our General Partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause (as defined in our partnership agreement) does not exist and units held by our General Partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal, 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.

In the event of removal of our General Partner under circumstances where cause exists or withdrawal of our General Partner where that withdrawal violates the partnership agreement, a successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights of the departing General Partner for a cash payment equal to the fair market value of those interests. Under all other circumstances

 

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where our General Partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general partner and its incentive distribution rights for their fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will determine the fair market value. If the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will determine the fair market value.

If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the successor general partner, the departing general partner’s general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will automatically convert into common units equal to the fair market value of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.

In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due to the departing general partner, including, without limitation, any employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred for the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.

Transfer of General Partner Interest

Our General Partner may transfer all or any part of its General Partner interest in us to another person without the approval of the holders of our outstanding units. As a condition of this transfer, the transferee must, among other things, assume the rights and duties of the general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of the partnership agreement and furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability.

Our General Partner and its affiliates may at any time transfer units to one or more persons, without unitholder approval.

Transfer of Ownership Interests in General Partner

At any time, the members of our General Partner may sell or transfer all or part of their respective membership interests in our General Partner to an affiliate or a third party without the approval of our unitholders. However, this may trigger a “Change of Control”, as defined in our limited partnership agreement.

Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights

The incentive distribution rights are freely transferable.

Change of Management Provisions

The partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove Capital GP L.L.C. as our General Partner or otherwise change management. If any person or group other than our General Partner and its affiliates acquires beneficial ownership of 5% or more of any class of units then outstanding, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units in excess of 4.9% of all units (subject to certain exceptions).

The partnership agreement also provides that if our General Partner is removed under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by our General Partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal, 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.

Limited Call Right

If at any time our General Partner and its affiliates hold more than 90% of the then-issued and outstanding limited partnership interests of any class, our General Partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining limited partnership interests of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected by the General

 

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Partner, on at least ten but not more than 60 days’ notice at the greater of (x) the average of the daily closing prices of the limited partnership interests of such class over the 20 trading days preceding the date three days before the notice of exercise of the call right is first mailed and (y) the highest price paid by our General Partner or any of its affiliates for limited partnership interests of such class during the 90-day period preceding the date such notice is first mailed. Our General Partner is not obligated to obtain a fairness opinion regarding the value of the limited partnership interests to be repurchased by it upon the exercise of this limited call right.

As a result of the General Partner’s right to purchase outstanding limited partnership interests, a holder of limited partnership interests may have the holder’s limited partnership interests purchased at an undesirable time or price. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of units in the market. Please read “10.E Taxation—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders—Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Units” and “—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders—Disposition of Common Units.”

Board of Directors

Under our partnership agreement, our General Partner delegates to our board of directors the authority to oversee and direct our operations, policies and management on an exclusive basis, and such delegation will be binding on any successor General Partner of the partnership. Our board of directors shall consist of eight persons, three of whom are appointed by our General Partner in its sole discretion and five of whom are elected by the common unitholders. Three of the five elected directors (a) shall not be security holders, officers or employees of our General Partner, directors, officers or employees of any affiliate of our General Partner or holders of any interest in the partnership group (other than our common units) and (b) shall meet the required independence standards.

Our board of directors nominates individuals to stand for election as elected board members on a staggered basis at an annual meeting of our limited partners. In addition, any limited partner or group of limited partners that beneficially owns 10% or more of the outstanding common units is entitled to nominate one or more individuals to stand for election as elected board members at the annual meeting by providing written notice to our board of directors not more than 120 days nor less than 90 days prior to the meeting. However, if the date of the annual meeting is not publicly announced by us at least 100 days prior to the date of the meeting, the notice must be delivered to our board of directors not later than ten days following the public announcement of the meeting date. The notice must set forth:

 

   

the name and address of the limited partner or limited partners making the nomination or nominations;

 

   

the number of common units beneficially owned by the limited partner or limited partners;

 

   

the information regarding the nominee(s) proposed by the limited partner or limited partners as required to be included in a proxy statement relating to the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC;

 

   

the written consent of the nominee(s) to serve as a member of our board of directors if so elected; and

 

   

a certification that the nominee(s) qualify as “elected directors” within the meaning of the partnership agreement.

Our General Partner may remove an appointed board member with or without cause at any time. “Cause” generally means a court’s final, non-appealable judgment finding a person liable for actual fraud or willful misconduct in his or her capacity as a director. Any elected board member may be removed at any time for cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the other elected board members. Any elected board member may be removed for cause at a properly called meeting of the limited partners by a majority of the outstanding units that are entitled to vote in an election of elected directors. Any appointed board member may be removed for cause at a properly called meeting of the limited partners by a majority of the outstanding units. If any appointed board member is

 

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removed, resigns or is otherwise unable to serve as a board member, our General Partner may fill the vacancy. If any board member elected by the common unitholders is removed, resigns or is otherwise unable to serve as a board member, the vacancy may be filled by a majority of the other elected board members then serving.

Meetings; Voting

Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 5% or more of any class of units then outstanding, unitholders who are record holders of units on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited.

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. Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or, if authorized by our board of directors, without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all limited partners were present and voted. Special meetings of the unitholders may be called by our General Partner, our board of directors or by unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage; provided, however, that if any meeting has been adjourned for a second time due to absence of a quorum, the act of the limited partners holding at least 25% of all outstanding units and which are represented in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all limited partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of our partnership agreement.

Each record holder of a common unit may vote according to the holder’s percentage interest in us, subject to special voting rights attaching to certain limited partner interests having special voting rights. Please read “—Issuance of Additional Securities.” Units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and his nominee provides otherwise.

To preserve our ability to be exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 883 of the Code, if at any time, any person or group, other than our General Partner and its affiliates, owns beneficially 5% or more of any class of units then outstanding, any 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 to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), 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 under our partnership agreement. The voting rights of any such unitholders in excess of 4.9% will be redistributed pro rata among the other unitholders holding less than 4.9% of the voting power of the same class of units entitled to vote. Our partnership agreement provides certain exceptions to such limitation, including when a person acquired securities directly from our General Partner or its affiliates or with the approval of our board of directors, but only for so long as such exception would not jeopardize our tax exemption under Section 883 of the Code.

Any notice, demand, request report, or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of units under the partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.

Status as Limited Partner or Assignee

Except as described above under “—Limited Liability,” the common units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be required to make additional contributions. 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.

 

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Indemnification

Under the partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events arising as a result of such person’s service to the Partnership:

 

  (1)

our General Partner;

 

  (2)

any departing general partner;

 

  (3)

any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner or any departing general partner;

 

  (4)

any person who is or was an officer, director, member, partner fiduciary or trustee of any entity described in (1), (2) or (3) above;

 

  (5)

any person who is or was serving as a director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person at the request of our General Partner or any departing general partner;

 

  (6)

any person designated by our board of directors; and

 

  (7)

the members of our board of directors.

Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise agrees, our General Partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or lend funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may purchase insurance against any liabilities that may be asserted against, and any expenses that may be incurred by, persons for our activities or such person’s activities on our behalf, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under the partnership agreement.

Reimbursement of Expenses

Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our General Partner for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or otherwise incurred by our General Partner in connection with operating our business. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf, and expenses allocated to our General Partner by its affiliates. Our General Partner and the members of our board of directors are entitled to determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us. Members of our board of directors are entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in the course of their services to us.

Books and Reports

Our General Partner is required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal offices. The books will be maintained for financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For tax and fiscal reporting purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.

We will furnish or make available to record holders of units, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements, including a balance sheet and statement of operations, our equity and cash flows, and a report on those financial statements by our independent chartered accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also furnish or make available summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.

 

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Right to Inspect Our Books and Records

The partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to his or her interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable demand and at the limited partner’s own expense, have furnished to the limited partner:

 

   

a current list of the name and last known addresses of each partner;

 

   

information as to the amount of cash, and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other capital contribution or services contributed or to be contributed by each partner and the date on which each became a partner;

 

   

copies of the partnership agreement, the certificate of limited partnership of the partnership, related amendments and powers of attorney under which they have been executed;

 

   

information regarding the status of our business and financial position; and

 

   

any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable.

Our board of directors may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our board of directors believes in good faith is not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.

Registration Rights

Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and applicable state securities laws any common units or other partnership securities proposed to be sold by our General Partner or any of its affiliates or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available or advisable. These registration rights generally continue for two years following any withdrawal or removal of Capital GP L.L.C. as our general partner and for so long thereafter as is required for our General Partner or its affiliates and assignees to sell all of the partnership securities with respect to which it has requested during such two-year period, inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed or that a registration statement be filed. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.

Transfer of Common Units

By acceptance of the 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;

 

   

represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to become bound by our partnership agreement;

 

   

is bound by our partnership agreement; and

 

   

grants the power of attorney and gives the consents and waivers 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.

We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the owner of such common units without further inquiry, except as otherwise provided by law or stock exchange regulations. In that case, we expect that the beneficial holder’s rights will 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.

 

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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 record holder of the unit as the owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.

 

  C.

Material Contracts

The following is a summary of each material contract, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which we or any of our subsidiaries are a party, for the two years immediately preceding the date of this Annual Report. Please read “Item 7B: Related-Party Transactions” for further detail on the transactions entered into with related parties.

 

   

Transaction Agreement, dated November 27, 2018 (the “Transaction Agreement”), between Capital Product Partners L.P., DSS Holdings L.P. and the other parties named therein. The Transaction Agreement provided that CPLP would contribute its product and crude vessels, $10 million in cash and associated inventories to a newly formed subsidiary, to be called Diamond S Shipping Inc. (“DSSI”), and distribute all the common shares of DSSI on a pro rata basis to all record holders of CPLP’s common and general partner units on the basis of one DSSI common share for every 10.19149 CPLP common units (on a pre-split adjusted basis) or CPLP general partner units. The Transaction Agreement further provided that promptly upon completion of the spin-off, DSSI would combine with DSS’s business and operations and issue additional shares of common stock to DSS or DSS’s equity owners in such amount as to reflect, among other things, the relative net asset values of the respective businesses. The crude and product tankers were valued as at July 31, 2018, while charter values, CPLP’s inventories and DSS’s net debt balances (including working capital) were to be valued as at a date to be agreed upon closer to completion of the transactions (February 20, 2019), referred to as the “lockbox date.” Among other things, the Transaction Agreement:

 

   

provides that earnings under spot voyages in progress as at the lockbox date will be pro rated at completion of each relevant voyage pro rata temporis;

 

   

contains specific arrangements regarding the initial working capital of DSSI, pursuant to which CPLP will keep the benefit of trade accounts receivable of the Tanker Business as at the lockbox date (other than trade accounts receivable in respect of in-progress spot voyages, which will be taken into account in the proration of earnings described in the previous bullet point) and be reimbursed certain prepayments, but will continue to fund the trade accounts payable and current accrued liabilities of the Tanker Business as at the lockbox date; and

 

   

requires a cash true-up in respect of the levels of inventory provided by each of CPLP and DSS on the basis of inspections to be conducted at the first convenient port in which a vessel anchors after the lockbox date.

Furthermore, the Transaction Agreement contains certain customary and other representations, warranties and covenants.

 

   

Deed of Amendment and Restatement, dated March 8, 2019, relating to our 2017 credit facilities (please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings—Our Credit Facilities”).

 

   

Purchase Agreement, dated May 4, 2018, with Capital Maritime to acquire the shares of the company owning the M/T Anikitos.

 

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Purchase Agreement, dated January 17, 2018, with Capital Maritime to acquire the shares of the company owning the M/T Aristaios.

 

   

Loan Agreement, dated September 6, 2017, between Capital Product Partners L.P. as Borrower, HCB and ING Bank N.V., London Branch as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, BNP Paribas and National Bank of Greece S.A. as Arrangers and HCB as Agent and Security Trustee relating to a senior secured term loan facility of up to US$460.0 million (please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Borrowings—Our Credit Facilities”).

 

   

Loan Agreement between Asterias Crude Carriers S.A. and Scorpio Crude Carriers S.A. as borrowers and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank as Facility Agent and Security Trustee and ING Bank N.V. as Swap Bank dated January 2, 2017.

 

  D.

Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Unitholders

We are not aware of any governmental laws, decrees or regulations, including foreign exchange controls, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands that restrict the export or import of capital, or that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our securities. We are not aware of any limitations on the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote our securities imposed by the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or our partnership agreement.

 

  E.

Taxation

Marshall Islands Taxation

The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands tax consequences of our activities to unitholders who are not citizens of and do not reside in, maintain offices in or engage in business or transactions in the Marshall Islands (“non-resident holders”). Because we, our subsidiaries and our controlled affiliates do not, and we do not expect that we, our subsidiaries and our controlled affiliates will, conduct business or operations in the Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law non-resident holders of our securities will not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation or withholding on distributions, including upon a return of capital, we make to such non-resident holders. In addition, non-resident holders will not be subject to Marshall Islands stamp, capital gains or other taxes on the purchase, ownership or disposition of our securities, and will not be required by the Republic of the Marshall Islands to file a tax return relating to such securities.

Taxation of the Partnership

Because we, our subsidiaries and our controlled affiliates do not, and we do not expect that we, our subsidiaries and our controlled affiliates will conduct business or operations in the Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law neither we, our subsidiaries nor our controlled affiliates will be subject to Marshall Islands income, capital gains, profits or other taxation, other than taxes or fees due to (i) the continued existence of legal entities registered in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, (ii) the incorporation or dissolution of legal entities registered in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, (iii) filing certificates (such as certificates of incumbency, merger, or redomiciliation) with the Marshall Islands registrar, (iv) obtaining certificates of goodstanding from, or certified copies of documents filed with, the Marshall Islands registrar, or (v) compliance with Marshall Islands law concerning vessel ownership, such as tonnage tax. As a result, distributions by our subsidiaries and our controlled affiliates to us will not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation.

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 current and prospective common unitholders. This discussion is based upon provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations, and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect or existence on the date of this Annual Report and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below.

 

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The following discussion applies only to beneficial owners of our common units that own such units as “capital assets” (generally, for investment purposes) and does not comment on all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation which may be important to particular common unitholders in light of their individual circumstances, such as unitholders subject to special tax rules (e.g., financial institutions, insurance companies, broker-dealers, tax-exempt organizations, or former citizens or long-term residents of the United States), persons that will hold the common units as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion, constructive sale, wash sale or other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons that own (actually or constructively) 10.0% or more of the total value of all classes of our units or of the total combined voting power of all classes of our units entitled to vote, or U.S. Holders (as defined below) 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 a partner thereof will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the tax treatment of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common units, you should consult your tax advisor.

No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter affecting us or our common unitholders. The statements made here may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS.

This discussion does not contain information regarding any U.S. state or local, estate or alternative minimum tax considerations concerning the ownership or disposition of our common units. Each common unitholder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of our common units.

Election to be Taxed as a Corporation

We have elected to be taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, among other consequences, U.S. Holders (as defined below) will, subject to the discussion of certain rules relating to PFICs below (please see “—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders—PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences”), generally not be directly subject to U.S. federal income tax on our income, but rather will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on distributions received from us and dispositions of common units, as described below. As a corporation, we may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our income as discussed below. Additionally, our distributions to common unitholders will generally be reported on IRS Form 1099-DIV.

Taxation of Operating Income

We expect that substantially all of our gross income will be attributable to the transportation of dry cargo and containerized goods. For this purpose, gross income attributable to transportation (or “Transportation Income”) includes income derived from, or in connection with, the use (or hiring or leasing for use) of a vessel to transport cargo, or the performance of services directly related to the use of any vessel to transport cargo, and thus includes spot charter, time charter and bareboat charter income.

Transportation Income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States (or “U.S. Source International Transportation Income”) will be considered to be 50% derived from sources within the United States. Transportation Income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States (or “U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income”) will be considered to be 100% derived from sources within the United States. Transportation Income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. destinations will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Transportation Income derived from sources outside the United States generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Based on our current operations, we do not expect to have U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income. However, certain of our activities give rise to U.S. Source International Transportation Income, and future expansion of our operations could result in an increase in the amount of U.S. Source International Transportation Income, as well as give rise to U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income, all of which could be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless exempt from U.S. taxation under Section 883 of the Code (or the “Section 883 Exemption”), as discussed below.

 

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The Section 883 Exemption

In general, the Section 883 Exemption provides that if a non-U.S. corporation satisfies the requirements of Section 883 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder (the “Section 883 Regulations”), it will not be subject to the net basis and branch profits taxes or the 4% gross basis tax described below on its U.S. Source International Transportation Income. The Section 883 Exemption applies to U.S. Source International Transportation Income and other forms of related income, such as gain from the sale of a vessel. As discussed below, we believe that under our current ownership structure, the Section 883 Exemption will apply and that, accordingly, we will not be taxed on our U.S. Source International Transportation Income. The Section 883 Exemption does not apply to U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income.

We will qualify for the Section 883 Exemption if, among other matters, we meet the following three requirements:

 

   

We are organized in a jurisdiction outside the United States that grants an equivalent exemption from tax to corporations organized in the United States (an “Equivalent Exemption”);

 

   

We satisfy the “Publicly Traded Test” (as described below); and

 

   

We meet certain substantiation, reporting and other requirements.

The Publicly Traded Test requires that the stock of a non-U.S. corporation be “primarily and regularly traded” on an established securities market either in the United States or in a jurisdiction outside the United States that grants an Equivalent Exemption. The Section 883 Regulations provide, in pertinent part, that equity interests in a non-U.S. corporation will be considered to be “primarily traded” on an established securities market in a given country if the number of units of each class of equity relied upon to meet the “regularly traded” test that are traded during any taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of units in each such class that are traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country. Equity of a non-U.S. corporation will be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market under the Section 883 Regulations if one or more classes of equity of the corporation that, in the aggregate, represent more than 50% of the total combined voting power and value of the non-U.S. corporation are listed on such market and certain trading volume requirements are met or deemed met as described below. For this purpose, if one or more “5% Unitholders” (i.e., a unitholder holding, actually or constructively, at least 5% of the vote and value of a class of equity) own in the aggregate 50% or more of the vote and value of a class of equity (the “Closely Held Block”), such class of equity will not be counted towards meeting the “primarily and regularly traded” test (the “Closely Held Block Exception”).

We are organized under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The U.S. Treasury Department has recognized the Republic of the Marshall Islands as a jurisdiction that grants an Equivalent Exemption. Consequently, our U.S. Source International Transportation Income (including, for this purpose, (i) any such income earned by our subsidiaries that have properly elected to be treated as partnerships or disregarded as entities separate from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (ii) any such income earned by subsidiaries that are corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, are organized in a jurisdiction that grants an Equivalent Exemption and whose outstanding stock is owned 50% or more by value by us) will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation provided we meet the Publicly Traded Test. In addition, since our common units are only traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, which is considered to be an established securities market, our common units will be deemed to be “primarily traded” on an established securities market.

We believe we meet the trading volume requirements of the Section 883 Exemption because the pertinent regulations provide that trading volume requirements will be deemed to be met with respect to a class of equity traded on an established securities market in the United States where, as will be the case for our common units, the units are regularly quoted by dealers who regularly and actively make offers, purchases and sales of such units to unrelated persons in the ordinary course of business. Additionally, the pertinent regulations also provide that a class of equity will be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market if (i) such class of stock is listed on such market; (ii) such class of stock is traded on such market, other than in minimal quantities, on at least 60 days during the taxable year or one sixth of the days in a short taxable year and (iii) the aggregate number of shares of such class of stock traded on such market during the taxable year is at least 10% of the average number

 

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of shares of such class of stock outstanding during such year, or as appropriately adjusted in the case of a short taxable year. We believe that trading of our common units has satisfied these conditions in the past, and we expect that such conditions will continue to be satisfied. Finally, we believe that our common units represent more than 50% of our voting power and value and accordingly we believe that our units should be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market.

These conclusions, however, are based upon legal authorities that do not expressly contemplate an organizational structure such as ours. In particular, although we have elected to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, for corporate law purposes we are organized as a limited partnership under Marshall Islands law and our General Partner is responsible for managing our business and affairs and has been granted certain veto rights over decisions of our board of directors. Accordingly, it is possible that the IRS could assert that our units do not meet the “regularly traded” test.

We expect that our units will not lose eligibility for the Section 883 Exemption as a result of the Closely Held Block Exception because our partnership agreement provides that the voting rights of any 5% Unitholders (other than our General Partner and its affiliates, their transferees and persons who acquired such units with the approval of our board of directors) are limited to a 4.9% voting interest in us regardless of how many common units are held by that 5% Unitholder. (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). If Capital Maritime and our General Partner own 50% or more of our common units, they will provide the necessary documents to establish an exception to the application of the Closely Held Block Exception. This exception is available when shareholders residing in a jurisdiction granting an Equivalent Exemption and meeting certain other requirements own sufficient shares in the Closely Held Block to preclude shareholders who have not met such requirements from owning 50% or more of the outstanding class of equity relied upon to satisfy the Publicly Traded Test.

Thus, although the matter is not free from doubt, we believe that we will satisfy the Publicly Traded Test. Should any of the facts described above cease to be correct, our ability to satisfy the test will be compromised.

Taxation of Operating Income in the Absence of the Section 883 Exemption

If we earn U.S. Source International Transportation Income and the Section 883 Exemption does not apply, the U.S. source portion of such income may be treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or “Effectively Connected Income”) if we have a fixed place of business in the United States and substantially all of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or, in the case of bareboat charter income, is attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States. Based on our current operations, none of our potential U.S. Source International Transportation Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or is received pursuant to bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States. As a result, we do not anticipate that any of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income will be treated as Effectively Connected Income. However, there is no assurance that we will not earn income pursuant to regularly scheduled transportation or bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States in the future, which would result in such income being treated as Effectively Connected Income. In addition, any U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income generally will be treated as Effectively Connected Income.

Any income we earn that is treated as Effectively Connected Income would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax (the highest statutory rate is currently 21%) on a net income basis. In addition, a 30% branch profits tax imposed under Section 884 of the Code also would apply to such income, and a branch interest tax could be imposed on certain interest paid or deemed paid by us.

Taxation of Gain on the Sale of a Vessel

Provided we qualify for the Section 883 Exemption, gain from the sale of a vessel should be exempt from tax under Section 883. If, however, we do not qualify for the Section 883 Exemption, then such gain could be treated as effectively connected income (determined under rules different from those discussed above) and subject to the net income and branch profits tax regime described above.

 

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The 4% Gross Basis Tax

If the Section 883 Exemption does not apply and the net income tax does not apply, we would be subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax on the U.S. source portion of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income, without the benefit of deductions.

U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders

As used herein, the term U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of our common units that is an individual U.S. citizen or resident (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), a corporation or other entity organized under the laws of the United States or its political subdivisions and classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if 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.

Distributions

Subject to the discussion of the rules applicable to PFICs below, any distributions made by us with respect to our common units to a U.S. Holder generally will constitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or “qualified dividend income” as described in more detail below, to the extent of our current 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. Holder’s tax basis in its common units on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. U.S. Holders that are corporations generally will not be entitled to claim a dividends-received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us. Dividends paid with respect to our common units generally will be treated as “passive” income from sources outside the United States for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Dividends paid on our common units to a U.S. Holder who is an individual, trust or estate (in all cases, a “U.S. Individual Holder”) will be treated as qualified dividend income that is taxable to such U.S. Individual Holder at preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gain provided that: (i) our common units are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the Nasdaq Global Select Market, on which our common units are traded); (ii) we are not a PFIC (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 in 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 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. There is no assurance that any dividends paid on our common units will be eligible for these preferential rates in the hands of a U.S. Individual Holder, and 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. Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend” paid by us. An extraordinary dividend is, generally, a dividend with respect to a unit if the amount of the dividend is equal to or in excess of 10 percent of a unitholder’s adjusted basis (or fair market value in certain circumstances) in such unit. If we pay an “extraordinary dividend” on our common units that is treated as “qualified dividend income,” then any loss derived by a U.S. Individual Holder from the sale or exchange of such units will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of such dividend.

Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Units

Subject to the discussion of PFICs below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such units. Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period is greater than one-year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Such capital gain or loss will generally be treated as U.S. source income or loss, as applicable, for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. A U.S. Holder’s ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations. Long-term capital gain of a U.S. Individual Holder is generally subject to tax at preferential rates.

 

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PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences

Special and adverse U.S. federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that owns an equity interest in a non-U.S. entity taxed as a corporation and classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which such holder held our common units, either:

 

   

at least 75% of our gross income (including the gross income of our vessel owning subsidiaries) for such taxable year consists of passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and rents derived other than in the active conduct of a rental business); or

 

   

at least 50% 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 would generally constitute “passive income” unless we were treated under specific rules as deriving our rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business. Based on our current and projected methods of operation, we believe that we are not currently a PFIC, nor do we expect to become a PFIC. Although there is no legal authority directly on point, and we are not obtaining a ruling from the IRS on this issue, we will take the position that, for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from the time and spot chartering activities of our wholly owned subsidiaries constitutes services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, such income should not constitute passive income, and the assets that we or our wholly owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular, the vessels we or our subsidiaries own that are subject to time charters, should not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we were a PFIC.

As noted above, there is, however, no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our method of operation. Moreover, in a case not specifically interpreting the PFIC rules, Tidewater Inc. v. United States, 565 F.3d 299 (5th Cir. 2009), the Fifth Circuit held that the vessel time charters at issue generated predominantly rental income rather than services income. However, the court’s ruling was contrary to the position of the IRS that the time charter income should have been treated as services income. Additionally, the IRS later affirmed its position in Tidewater, adding further that the time charters at issue would be treated as giving rise to services income under the PFIC rules.

No assurance, however, can be given that the IRS or a court of law will accept our position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine we are or were a PFIC. In addition, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid, to the extent possible, being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, we cannot assure U.S. Holders that the nature of our operations will not change in the future, or that we can avoid PFIC status in the future.

As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a Qualified Electing Fund (a “QEF election”). As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to our common units, as discussed below. In addition, if a U.S. Holder owns our common units during any taxable year that we are a PFIC, such units owned by such holder will be treated as units in a PFIC even if we are not a PFIC in a subsequent year and, if the total value of all PFIC stock that such holder directly or indirectly owns exceeds certain thresholds, such holder must file IRS Form 8621 with the holder’s U.S. federal income tax return to report the holder’s ownership of our common units.

Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election

If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election (such U.S. Holder, an “Electing Holder”), the Electing Holder must report each year for U.S. federal income tax purposes his pro rata share of our ordinary

 

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earnings and our net capital gain, if any, for our taxable year that ends with or within the taxable year of the Electing Holder, regardless of whether or not distributions were received from us by the Electing Holder. The Electing Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common units will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed income. Distributions of earnings and profits that had been previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the adjusted tax basis in the common units and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units. A U.S. Holder would make a QEF election with respect to any year that we are a PFIC by filing one copy of IRS Form 8621 with his U.S. federal income tax return and a second copy in accordance with the instructions to such form. If contrary to our expectations, we determine that we are treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, we will attempt to provide each U.S. Holder with all necessary information in order to make the QEF election described above.

Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a “Mark-to-Market” Election

Alternatively, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we anticipate, our common units were treated as “marketable stock,” 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 common units at the end of the taxable year over such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common units. The U.S. Holder would also be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common 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. Holder’s tax basis in his common units would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount. Gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized 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 by the U.S. Holder.

Taxation of U.S. Holders not making a timely QEF or mark-to-market election

Finally, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder who does not make either a QEF election or a “mark-to-market” election for that year (a “Non-Electing Holder”) would be subject to special rules with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on our common units in a taxable year other than the taxable year in which the Non-Electing Holder’s holding period in the common units begins 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 Holder’s holding period for the common units that preceded the current taxable year), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units. Under these special rules:

 

   

the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holder’s aggregate holding period for the common units;

 

   

the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any year prior to the year we were first treated as a PFIC with respect to the Non-Electing Holder would be taxed as ordinary income; and

 

   

the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.

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 holder’s successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with respect to such units.

 

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Shareholder Reporting

A U.S. Holder that owns “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations) with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000 (and in some circumstances, a higher threshold) may be required to file an information report with respect to such assets with its tax return. “Specified foreign financial assets” may include financial accounts maintained by foreign financial institutions, as well as the following, but only if they are held for investment and not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions: (i) stocks and securities issued by non-United States persons, (ii) financial instruments and contracts that have non-United States issuers or counterparties, and (iii) interests in foreign entities. Significant penalties may apply for failing to satisfy this filing requirement. U.S. Holders are urged to contact their tax advisors regarding this filing requirement.

U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders

A beneficial owner of our common units (other than a partnership, including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not a U.S. Holder is a Non-U.S. Holder.

Distributions

Distributions we pay to a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder is not engaged in a U.S. trade or business. If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business, distributions we pay may be subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent those distributions constitute income effectively connected with that Non-U.S. Holder’s 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 represented thereby is not attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder.

Disposition of Common Units

The U.S. federal income taxation of Non-U.S. Holders on any gain resulting from the disposition of our common units is generally the same as described above regarding distributions. However, 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 shares are disposed and meet certain other requirements.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

In general, payments of distributions on our common units or the gross proceeds of a disposition of our common units made within the United States to a U.S. Individual Holder will be subject to information reporting requirements. These payments also may be subject to backup withholding, if the U.S. Individual Holder:

 

   

fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;

 

   

in the case of distributions, is notified by the IRS that he has failed to report all interest or corporate distributions required to be shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns; or

 

   

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 on payments within the United States by certifying their status on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI or W-8IMY, as applicable.

Payment of the gross proceeds of a disposition of our common units effected at a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, a sale effected at a foreign office of a broker could be subject to information reporting in the same manner as a sale within the United States (and in certain cases may be subject to backup withholding as well) if (i) the broker has certain connections to the United States, (ii) the proceeds or confirmation are sent to the United States or (iii) the sale has certain other specified connections with the United States.

 

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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, a common unitholder generally may obtain a credit for any amount withheld against his liability for U.S. federal income tax (and a refund of any amounts withheld in excess of such liability) by filing a return with the IRS.

 

  F.

Dividends and Paying Agents

Not applicable.

 

  G.

Statements by Experts

Not applicable.

 

  H.

Documents on Display

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1, a registration statement on Form F-4 and one effective registration statements on Form F-3 regarding our common units, among other securities. This Annual Report does not contain all of the information found in these registration statements. For further information regarding us and our common units, you may wish to review the full registration statements, including their exhibits. The registration statements, including the exhibits, may be obtained from the SEC’s web site on the internet at http://www.sec.gov free of charge.

 

  I.

Subsidiary Information

Please see Exhibit 8.1 to this Annual Report for a list of our significant subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018.

 

Item 11.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Our Risk Management Policy

Our policy is to continuously monitor our exposure to business risks, including the impact of changes in interest rates and currency rates, as well as inflation on earnings and cash flows. We intend to assess these risks and, when appropriate, take measures to minimize our exposure to the risks.

Foreign Exchange Risk

We do not have a material currency exposure risk. We generate all of our revenues in U.S. Dollars and incur less than 20% of our expenses in currencies other than U.S. Dollars. For accounting purposes, expenses incurred in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of each transaction. As of December 31, 2018, less than 5% of our liabilities were denominated in currencies other than U.S. Dollars (mainly in Euros). These liabilities were translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on December 31, 2018. We have not hedged currency exchange risks and our operating results could be adversely affected as a result.

Interest Rate Risk

The international shipping industry is capital intensive, requiring significant amounts of investment, a significant portion of which is provided in the form of long-term debt. Our current debt contains interest rates that fluctuate with LIBOR. Our 2017 credit facility bears an interest margin of 3.25% per annum over US$ LIBOR. Therefore, we are exposed to the risk that our interest expense may increase if interest rates rise.

Currently we have, and during 2018 we had, no interest rate swap agreements outstanding. As a result of a possible market disruption in determining the cost of funds for our banks, any increases by the lenders to their “funding costs” under our credit facilities will lead to proportional increases in the relevant interest amounts payable under such credit facilities on a quarterly basis. As an indication of the extent of our sensitivity to interest

 

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rate changes based upon our debt level, an increase of 100 basis points in LIBOR would have resulted in an increase in our interest expense by approximately $4.8 million, $5.8 million and $6.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 respectively, assuming all other variables had remained constant.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents. We place our cash and cash equivalents, consisting mostly of deposits, with creditworthy financial institutions as rated by qualified rating agencies. We do not obtain rights to collateral to reduce our credit risk.

Inflation

Inflation has had a minimal impact on vessel operating expenses, dry-docking expenses and general and administrative expenses to date. Our management does not consider inflation to be a significant risk to direct expenses in the current and foreseeable economic environment. However, in the event that inflation becomes a significant factor in the global economy, inflationary pressures would result in increased operating, voyage and financing costs.

 

Item 12.

Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities.

Not Applicable.

 

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PART II

 

Item 13.

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies.

None.

 

Item 14.

Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds.

No material modifications to the rights of security holders.

 

Item 15.

Controls and Procedures.

 

  A.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of December 31, 2018, our management (with the participation of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of our General Partner) conducted an evaluation pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) and 15d-15 promulgated under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Our management, including the chief executive and chief financial officer of our General Partner, recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the partnership have been detected. Further, in the design and evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Based on this evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of our General Partner concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures, which include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of our General Partner, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information that was required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

  B.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management (with the management of our General Partner) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting. Our internal controls were designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of our Financial Statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Our internal controls over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that 1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; 2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our Financial Statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Partnership and 3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon the 2013 framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, management believes that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.

 

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However, because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements even when determined to be effective and can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with relevant policies and procedures may deteriorate.

Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A. (“Deloitte”), our independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Financial Statements included herein and our internal control over financial reporting and has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting which is reproduced in its entirety in Item 15.C below.

 

  C.

Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm.

To the Board of Directors and Unitholders of

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Capital Product Partners L.P. and subsidiaries (the “Partnership”) as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Partnership maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 of the Partnership and our report dated April 26, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Partnership’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable

 

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detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.

Athens, Greece

April 26, 2019

 

  D.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the year covered by this Annual Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Item 16A.

Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Our board of directors has determined that director Abel Rasterhoff, the chairman of our audit committee, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert for purposes of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and is independent under applicable Nasdaq Global Select Market and SEC standards.

 

Item 16B.

Code of Ethics.

Our board of directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that includes a Code of Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to the Partnership and all of its employees, directors and officers, including its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer or controller, its agents and persons performing similar functions, including for the avoidance of doubt any employees, officers or directors of Capital Ship Management, wherever located, as well as to all of the Partnership’s subsidiaries and other business entities controlled by it worldwide. The Code of Ethics incorporates terms and conditions consistent with the FCPA and U.K. Bribery Act, and includes a Gifts and Entertainment policy.

This document is available under “Corporate Governance” in the Investor Relations area of our web site (www.capitalpplp.com). We will also provide a hard copy of our Code of Ethics free of charge upon written request. We intend to disclose, under “Corporate Governance” in the Investor Relations area of our web site, any waivers to or amendments of the Code of Ethics for the benefit of any of our directors and executive officers within five business days of such waiver or amendment.

 

Item 16C.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Our principal accountant for 2018 and 2017 was Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A. The following table shows the fees we paid or accrued for audit and tax services provided by Deloitte for these periods (in thousands of U.S. Dollars).

 

Fees

   2018      2017  

Audit Fees (1)

   $ 812.2      $ 458.4  

Audit-Related Fees

     —          —    

Tax Fees (2)

     30.0        25.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 842.2      $ 484.2  

 

(1)

Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our Financial Statements, review of our quarterly consolidated financial information, audit services provided in connection with other regulatory filings, issuance of consents and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC.

(2)

Tax fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with various U.S. income tax compliance and information reporting matters.

 

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The audit committee of our board of directors has the authority to pre-approve permissible audit-related and non-audit services not prohibited by law to be performed by our independent auditors and associated fees. Engagements for proposed services either may be separately pre-approved by the audit committee or entered into pursuant to detailed pre-approval policies and procedures established by the audit committee, as long as the audit committee is informed on a timely basis of any engagement entered into on that basis. The audit committee separately pre-approved all engagements and fees paid to our principal accountant in 2018 and 2017.

 

Item 16D.

Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees.

None.

 

Item 16E.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.

In October 2016, we issued 283,696 new common units (40,528 new common units on a reverse split-adjusted basis) to Capital Maritime in connection with the acquisition of the M/T Amor at an implied price of $3.21 per common unit.

In May 2016, Capital Maritime announced that it had acquired 459,799 common units (65,685 common units on a reverse split-adjusted basis) in open market transactions and that it entered into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) with an independent broker-dealer for the further purchase of up to 5,000,000 common units (714,285 common units on a reverse split-adjusted basis), subject to pre-determined pricing parameters. The 10b5-1 Plan expired. No further purchase of common units was made thereunder.

In November 2018, Capital Maritime announced that it had acquired 172,808 common units (24,686 common units on a reverse split-adjusted basis) at prevailing market prices.

In December 2018, Capital Maritime announced that it had acquired 1,209,692 common units (172,813 common units on a reverse split-adjusted basis) at prevailing market prices.

Following these transactions, Capital Maritime owned 18,674,268 common units (2,667,753 on a reverse split-adjusted basis), representing a 14.7% interest in us (calculated based on 127,246,692 common units or, on a reverse split-adjusted basis, 18,178,100 common units).

 

Item 16F.

Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

Not applicable.

 

Item 16G.

Corporate Governance.

The Nasdaq Global Select Market requires limited partnerships with listed units to comply with its corporate governance standards. As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to comply with all of the rules that apply to listed U.S. limited partnerships. However, we have generally chosen to comply with most of the Nasdaq Global Select Market’s corporate governance rules as though we were a U.S. limited partnership. Although we are not required to have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating/corporate governance committee, our board of directors has established an audit committee and a conflicts committee comprised solely of independent directors. Accordingly, we do not believe there are any significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those that would typically apply to a U.S. domestic issuer that is a limited partnership under the corporate governance standards of the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Please see “Item 6C: Board Practices” and “Item 10B: Memorandum and Articles of Association” for more detail regarding our corporate governance practices.

 

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PART III

 

Item 17.

Financial Statements

Not Applicable.

 

Item 18.

Financial Statements

 

     Page  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P.

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-1  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017

     F-2  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

     F-3  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

     F-4  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December  31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

     F-5  

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-6  

 

Item 19.

Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report:

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

  1.1

   Certificate of Limited Partnership of Capital Product Partners L.P. (1)

  1.2

   Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Capital Product Partners L.P., dated February 22, 2010 (3)

  1.3

   Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Capital Product Partners L.P., dated September  30, 2011 (4)

  1.4

   Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Capital Product Partners L.P., dated May 22, 2012 (7)

  1.5

   Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Capital Product Partners L.P., dated March 19, 2013 (8)

  1.6

   Fourth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Capital Product Partners L.P., dated August  25, 2014 (10)

  1.7

   Certificate of Formation of Capital GP L.L.C. (1)

  1.8

   Limited Liability Company Agreement of Capital GP L.L.C. (1)

  1.9

   Certificate of Formation of Capital Product Operating GP L.L.C. (1)

  4.1

   Loan Agreement with HSH Nordbank AG and ING Bank N.V., London Branch, as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners relating to a term loan facility of up to US$460,000,000, dated September 6, 2017 (13)

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

    4.2

   Deed of Amendment and Restatement relating to the Loan Agreement with Hamburg Commercial Bank AG and ING Bank N.V., London Branch, dated March 8, 2019 (15)

    4.3

   Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement, dated September 30, 2011 (4)

    4.4

   Amended and Restated Management Agreement with Capital Ship Management, dated March 25, 2017 (13)

    4.5

   Floating Rate Management Agreement with Capital Ship Management Corp., dated June 10, 2011 (6)

    4.6

   Amendment No. 9 to the Floating Rate Management Agreement with Capital Ship Management Corp., dated January 22, 2013 (11)

    4.7

   Amendment No. 33 to the Floating Rate Management Agreement with Capital Ship Management Corp., dated March  27, 2019, amending and restating Schedule B in its entirety (16)**

    4.8

   Administrative Services Agreement with Capital Ship Management (1)

    4.9

   Amendment 1 to Administrative Services Agreement with Capital Ship Management Corp., dated April 2, 2012 (9)

    4.10

   IT Agreement, dated April 3, 2007, by and between Capital Ship Management Corp. and Capital Product Partners L.P. (13)

    4.11

   Addendum No. 1 to IT Agreement, dated April 2, 2012 (13)

    4.12

   Addendum No. 2 to IT Agreement, dated April 2, 2017 (13)

    4.13

   Master Vessel Acquisition Agreement, dated July 24, 2014 (12)

    4.14

   Capital Product Partners L.P. 2008 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, dated April 29, 2008 (2)

    4.15

   Capital Product Partners L.P. 2008 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, amended July 22, 2010 (5)

    4.16

   Capital Product Partners L.P. 2008 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, amended August 21, 2014 (10)

    4.17

   Form of Restricted Unit Award of Capital Product Partners L.P. (5)

    4.18

   Transaction Agreement, dated November  27, 2018, between Capital Product Partners L.P., DSS Holdings L.P. and the other parties named therein (14)

    8.1

   List of Subsidiaries of Capital Product Partners L.P.

  12.1

   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Capital Product Partners L.P.’s Chief Executive Officer

  12.2

   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Capital Product Partners L.P.’s Chief Financial Officer

  13.1

   Capital Product Partners L.P. Certification of Gerasimos (Jerry) Kalogiratos, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section  906 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

  13.2

   Capital Product Partners L.P. Certification of Nikolaos Kalapotharakos, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section  906 of the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

101.INS

   XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

   XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

(1)

Previously filed as an exhibit to Capital Product Partners L.P.’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-141422), filed with the SEC on March 19, 2007 and hereby incorporated by reference to such Registration Statement.

(2)

Previously filed as a Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on April 30, 2008.

(3)

Previously filed as a Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on February 24, 2010.

(4)

Previously filed as a Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on September 30, 2011.

(5)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2010 and filed with the SEC on February 4, 2011.

(6)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011 and filed with the SEC on February 13, 2012.

(7)

Previously furnished as a Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on May 23, 2012.

(8)

Previously furnished as a Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on March 21, 2013.

(9)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 and filed with the SEC on February 5, 2013.

(10)

Previously furnished as a Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on August 26, 2014.

(11)

Previously filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013 and filed with the SEC on February 18, 2014.

(12)

Previously furnished as a Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on July 29, 2014.

(13)

Previously filed as an exhibit to Capital Product Partners L.P.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017 and filed with the SEC on March 5, 2018.

(14)

Previously furnished as Exhibit 2.1 to a Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on November 30, 2018.

(15)

Previously furnished as Exhibit I to a Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on March 14, 2019.

(16)

Previously furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to a Current Report on Form 6-K with the SEC on April 1, 2019.

*

Furnished only and not filed

**

Amendments No. 1-8 and 10-30 to the Floating Rate Management Agreement are substantially identical to, or superseded by, Amendment No. 33.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P.,
By:   Capital GP L.L.C., its general partner
By:  

/s/ Gerasimos (Jerry) Kalogiratos

Name:   Gerasimos (Jerry) Kalogiratos
Title:   Chief Executive Officer of Capital GP L.L.C.

Dated: April 26, 2019

 

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Table of Contents

    

     Page  

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P.

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-1  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017

     F-2  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) / Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

     F-3  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

     F-4  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

     F-5  

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-6  


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Unitholders of

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Capital Product Partners L.P. and subsidiaries (the “Partnership”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss)/income, changes in partners’ capital, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 26, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.

Athens, Greece

April 26, 2019

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2006

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of United States Dollars, except number of units)

 

 

    

As of December 31,

2018

    

As of December 31,

2017

 

Assets

     

Current assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 30,199      $ 63,297  

Restricted cash (Note 7)

     1,004        —    

Trade accounts receivable

     16,126        4,772  

Prepayments and other assets

     8,532        3,046  

Inventories

     8,699        5,315  

Assets held for sale (Note 5)

     —          29,027  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     64,560        105,457  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fixed assets

     

Vessels, net (Note 5)

     1,229,782        1,265,196  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed assets

     1,229,782        1,265,196  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other non-current assets

     

Above market acquired charters (Note 6)

     68,186        75,035  

Deferred charges, net

     2,220        1,519  

Restricted cash (Note 7)

     16,996        18,000  

Prepayments and other assets

     3,501        1,009  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

     1,320,685        1,360,759  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,385,245      $ 1,466,216  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

     

Current liabilities

     

Current portion of long-term debt, net (Note 7)

   $ 52,348      $ 50,514  

Trade accounts payable

     15,769        9,631  

Due to related parties (Note 4)

     17,742        14,234  

Accrued liabilities (Note 9)

     20,374        15,111  

Deferred revenue, current (Note 4)

     8,926        18,800  

Liability associated with vessel held for sale (Notes 5, 7)

     —          14,781  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     115,159        123,071  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities

     

Long-term debt, net (Note 7)

     388,676        403,820  

Deferred revenue

     96        5,920  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     388,772        409,740  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     503,931        532,811  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

     

Partners’ capital

     

General Partner

     15,436        16,427  

Limited Partners - Common ( 18,178,100 units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017 (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split))

     755,372        806,472  

Limited Partners - Preferred (12,983,333 Class B units issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017)

     110,506        110,506  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total partners’ capital

     881,314        933,405  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

   $ 1,385,245      $ 1,466,216  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-2


Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) / Income

(In thousands of United States Dollars except number of units and net (loss) / income per unit)

 

 

     For the years ended December 31,  
     2018     2017     2016  

Revenues

   $ 265,210     $ 204,462     $ 205,594  

Revenues – related party (Note 4)

     14,044       44,653       36,026  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Revenues

     279,254       249,115       241,620  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses:

      

Voyage expenses (Note 10)

     46,315       15,165       9,920  

Voyage expenses - related party (Notes 4, 10)

     —         —         360  

Vessel operating expenses (Note 10)

     86,389       74,516       66,637  

Vessel operating expenses - related party (Notes 4, 10)

     12,665       11,629       10,866  

General and administrative expenses (Note 4)

     5,716       6,234       6,253  

Vessel depreciation and amortization (Note 5)

     73,089       73,993       71,897  

Impairment of vessels (Notes 5, 8)

     28,805       3,282       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     26,275       64,296       75,687  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income / (expense), net:

      

Interest expense and finance cost (Note 7)

     (27,397     (26,605     (24,302

Other income

     1,018       792       1,104  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense, net

     (26,379     (25,813     (23,198
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Partnership’s net (loss) / income

   $ (104   $ 38,483     $ 52,489  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Preferred unit holders’ interest in Partnership’s net income

   $ 11,101     $ 11,101     $ 11,101  

General Partner’s interest in Partnership’s net (loss) / income

   $ (211   $ 522     $ 818  

Common unit holders’ interest in Partnership’s net (loss) / income

   $ (10,994   $ 26,860     $ 40,570  

Net (loss) / income per (Note 14):

      

• Common unit, basic and diluted (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split)

   $ (0.60   $ 1.51     $ 2.35  

Weighted-average units outstanding:

      

• Common units, basic and diluted (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split)

     18,100,455       17,692,192       17,114,761  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Partnership’s comprehensive (loss) / income:

   $ (104   $ 38,483     $ 52,489  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

     General
Partner
    Common
Unitholders
    Preferred
Unitholders
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2015

   $ 16,998     $ 810,239     $ 110,583     $ 937,820  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions declared and paid (distributions of $3.22 per common unit (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split) and $0.86 per preferred unit)

     (1,131     (55,884     (11,178     (68,193

Partnership’s net income

     818       40,570       11,101       52,489  

Issuance of Partnership’s units (Note 12)

     —         4,567       —         4,567  

Equity compensation expense (Note 13)

     —         1,074       —         1,074  

Balance at December 31, 2016

   $ 16,685     $ 800,566     $ 110,506     $ 927,757  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     General
Partner
    Common
Unitholders
    Preferred
Unitholders
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2016

   $ 16,685     $ 800,566     $ 110,506     $ 927,757  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions declared and paid (distributions of $2.24 per common unit (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split) and $0.86 per preferred unit)

     (780     (39,749     (11,101     (51,630

Partnership’s net income

     522       26,860       11,101       38,483  

Issuance of Partnership’s units (Note 12)

     —         17,639       —         17,639  

Equity compensation expense (Note 13)

     —         1,156       —         1,156  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

     16,427       806,472       110,506       933,405  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     General
Partner
    Common
Unitholders
    Preferred
Unitholders
    Total  

Balance at December 31, 2017

     16,427       806,472       110,506       933,405  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions declared and paid (distributions of $2.24 per common unit (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split) and $0.86 per preferred unit)

     (780     (40,719     (11,101     (52,600

Partnership’s net (loss)

     (211     (10,994     11,101       (104

Equity compensation expense (Note 13)

     —         613       —         613  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

     15,436       755,372       110,506       881,314  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Consolidated Statements of Cash flows

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2018     2017     2016  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net (loss) / income

     (104     38,483       52,489  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) / income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Vessel depreciation and amortization (Note 5)

     73,089       73,993       71,897  

Amortization and write off of deferred financing costs

     1,784       1,262       1,250  

Amortization of above market acquired charters (Note 6)

     16,890       15,208       14,542  

Equity compensation expense (Note 13)

     613       1,156       1,074  

Impairment of vessel (Notes 5, 8)

     28,805       3,282       —    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Trade accounts receivable

     (11,354     (2,275     183  

Prepayments and other assets

     (4,888     486       (600

Inventories

     (3,219     (719     (354

Trade accounts payable

     5,495       2,764       (595

Due to related parties

     3,508       (1,861     (6,059

Accrued liabilities

     5,281       7,624       662  

Deferred revenue

     (15,698     (11,299     24,267  

Dry docking costs paid

     (2,312     (1,130     (3,670
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     97,890       126,974       155,086  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Vessel acquisitions and improvements including time charter agreements (Notes 5, 6)

     (44,265     (2,038     (90,782

Net proceeds from sale of vessels

     39,789       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (4,476     (2,038     (90,782
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from issuance of Partnership units (Note 12)

     —         17,815       4,546  

Expenses paid for issuance of Partnership units

     —         (247     (784

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt (Note 7)

     —         —         35,000  

Payments of long-term debt (Note 7)

     (73,818     (129,262     (17,354

Deferred financing costs paid

     (94     (4,993     (31

Dividends paid (Note 12)

     (52,600     (51,630     (68,193
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (126,512     (168,317     (46,816
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) / increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

     (33,098     (43,381     17,488  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the year

     81,297       124,678       107,190  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the year

     48,199       81,297       124,678  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information

      

Cash paid for interest

   $ 24,952     $ 19,646     $ 23,763  

Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities

      

Capital expenditures included in liabilities

   $ 547     $ 312     $ 1,383  

Offering expenses included in liabilities

   $ —       $ 35     $ 106  

Deferred financing costs included in liabilities

   $ —       $ 79     $ —    

Capitalized dry docking costs included in liabilities

   $ 480     $ 11     $ 1,141  

Assumption of loans regarding the acquisition of the shares of the companies owning the M/T Aristaios, the M/T Anikitos and the M/T Amor (Notes 3, 5, 7)

   $ 43,958     $ —       $ 15,750  

Units issued to acquire Filonikis (Note 3)

   $  —       $ —       $ 911  

Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

      

Cash and cash equivalents

     30,199       63,297       106,678  

Restricted cash - Current assets

     1,004       —         —    

Restricted cash - Non-current assets

     16,996       18,000       18,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statements of cash flows

     48,199       81,297       124,678  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

1. Basis of Presentation and General Information

Capital Product Partners, L.P. was formed on January 16, 2007, under the laws of the Marshall Islands. Capital Product Partners, L.P. and its fully owned subsidiaries (collectively the “Partnership”) is an international shipping company. As of December 31, 2018, its fleet of thirty- six high specification vessels consisted of three suezmax crude oil tankers, twenty-one modern medium range tankers, all of which are classed as IMO II/III chemical/product carriers, one aframax crude-oil tanker, (the “Crude and Product tanker business”), ten post-panamax container carrier vessels and one capesize bulk carrier. Its vessels are capable of carrying a wide range of cargoes, including crude oil, refined oil products (such as gasoline, diesel, fuel oil and jet fuel), edible oils and certain chemicals, such as ethanol, as well as dry cargo and containerized goods under short-term voyage charters and medium to long-term time and bareboat charters.

The DSS Transaction

On November 27, 2018, the Partnership entered into a definitive transaction agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with DSS Holdings L.P. (“DSS”), a privately held third party company, pursuant to which the Partnership agreed to spin off its Crude and Product tanker business into a separate publicly listed company which would combine with DSS’s businesses and operations in a share-to-share transaction (the “DSS Transaction”).

Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement:

(a) the Partnership agreed to establish a number of entities for the implementation of the DSS Transaction, including Athena SpinCo Inc. (“Athena”);

(b) the Partnership agreed to contribute to Athena the Crude and Product tanker business, associated inventories, $10,000 in cash plus prorated charter hire and net payments received from the lockbox date (determined in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Agreement) with specific arrangements relating to the funding of working capital (the “separation”);

(c) the Partnership agreed to distribute all 12,725,000 shares of common stock of Athena (renamed Diamond S Shipping Inc. or “Diamond S”) that it owned by way of a pro rata distribution to holders of the Partnership’s common and general partner units (the “distribution”);

(d) immediately following the distribution, there would be a series of mergers as a result of which Diamond S would acquire the business and operations of DSS (the “combination”). In the combination, Diamond S would issue additional shares of Diamond S common stock to DSS in such amount as to reflect the relative net asset values of the respective businesses and the agreed implied premium on the net asset value of the Crude and Product tanker business; and

(e) DSS entered into several firm commitments for a syndicated five-year term loan and revolving credit facility of up to $360,000 with a syndicate of global shipping banks, and agreed to turn over net proceeds in such amount as to partially prepay a portion of the loans outstanding under the Partnership’s existing credit facilities, redeem the Partnership’s Class B Units and fund transaction expenses.

The DSS Transaction was completed on March 27, 2019.

Effective March 27, 2019, the Partnership effected a one for seven reverse unit split of its issued and outstanding common and general partner units (the “March 2019 Reverse Split”) (Note 14). All units and per units amounts disclosed in the accompanying financial statements give effect to this reverse stock split retroactively, for all periods presented.

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

1. Basis of Presentation and General Information – Continued

 

The consolidated financial statements include Capital Product Partners, L.P. and the following wholly owned subsidiaries which were all incorporated or formed under the laws of the Marshall Islands and Liberia.

 

Subsidiary  

Date of

Incorporation

   

Name of Vessel Owned by

Subsidiary

 

Deadweight

“DWT”

   

Date acquired

by the

Partnership

   

Date acquired

by Capital

Maritime &

Trading

Corp.

(“CMTC”)

Capital Product Operating LLC

    01/16/2007     —       —         —       —  

Crude Carriers Corp.

    10/29/2009     —       —         09/30/2011     —  

Crude Carriers Operating Corp.

    01/21/2010     —       —         09/30/2011     —  

Shipping Rider Co.

    09/16/2003     M/T Atlantas II     36,760       04/04/2007     04/26/2006

Canvey Shipmanagement Co.

    03/18/2004     M/T Assos     47,872      

08/16/2010

04/04/2007

 

 

  05/17/2006

Centurion Navigation Limited

    08/27/2003     M/T Aktoras     36,759       04/04/2007     07/12/2006

Polarwind Maritime S.A.

    10/10/2003     M/T Agisilaos     36,760       04/04/2007     08/16/2006

Carnation Shipping Company

    11/10/2003     M/T Arionas     36,725       04/04/2007     11/02/2006

Apollonas Shipping Company

    02/10/2004     M/T Avax     47,834       04/04/2007     01/12/2007

Tempest Maritime Inc.

    09/12/2003     M/T Aiolos     36,725       04/04/2007     03/02/2007

Iraklitos Shipping Company

    02/10/2004     M/T Axios     47,872       04/04/2007     02/28/2007

Epicurus Shipping Company

    02/11/2004     M/T Atrotos     47,786      

03/01/2010

05/08/2007

 

 

  05/08/2007

Laredo Maritime Inc.

    02/03/2004     M/T Akeraios     47,781       07/13/2007     07/13/2007

Lorenzo Shipmanagement Inc.

    05/26/2004     M/T Apostolos     47,782       09/20/2007     09/20/2007

Splendor Shipholding S.A.

    07/08/2004     M/T Anemos I     47,782       09/28/2007     09/28/2007

Ross Shipmanagement Co.

    12/29/2003     M/T Attikos (1)     12,000       09/24/2007     01/20/2005

Sorrel Shipmanagement Inc.

    02/07/2006     M/T Alexandros II     51,258       01/29/2008     01/29/2008

Baymont Enterprises Incorporated

    05/29/2007     M/T Amore Mio II (2)     159,982       03/27/2008     07/31/2007

Forbes Maritime Co.

    02/03/2004     M/T Aristofanis (1)     12,000       04/30/2008     06/02/2005

Wind Dancer Shipping Inc.

    02/07/2006     M/T Aristotelis II     51,226       06/17/2008     06/17/2008

Belerion Maritime Co.

    01/24/2006     M/T Aris II     51,218       08/20/2008     08/20/2008

Mango Finance Corp.

    07/14/2006     M/T Agamemnon II (1)     51,238       04/07/2009     11/24/2008

Navarro International S.A.

    07/14/2006     M/T Ayrton II     51,260       04/13/2009     04/10/2009

Adrian Shipholding Inc.

    06/22/2004     M/T Alkiviadis     36,721       06/30/2010     03/29/2006

Patroklos Marine Corp.

    06/17/2008     M/V Cape Agamemnon     179,221       06/09/2011     01/25/2011

Cooper Consultants Co. renamed to Miltiadis M II Carriers Corp.

    04/06/2006     M/T Miltiadis M II     162,397       09/30/2011     04/26/2006

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

1. Basis of Presentation and General Information – Continued

 

Subsidiary  

Date of

Incorporation

   

Name of Vessel Owned by

Subsidiary

 

Deadweight

“DWT”

   

Date acquired

by the

Partnership

   

Date acquired

by Capital

Maritime &

Trading

Corp.

(“CMTC”)

Amoureux Carriers Corp.

    04/14/2010     M/T Amoureux     149,993       09/30/2011     —  

Aias Carriers Corp.

    04/14/2010     M/T Aias     150,393       09/30/2011     —  

Agamemnon Container Carrier Corp.

    04/19/2012     M/V Agamemnon     108,892       12/22/2012     06/28/2012

Archimidis Container Carrier Corp.

    04/19/2012     M/V Archimidis     108,892       12/22/2012     06/22/2012

Aenaos Product Carrier S.A.

    10/16/2013     M/T Aristotelis (2)     51,604       11/28/2013     —  

Anax Container Carrier S.A.

    04/08/2011     M/V Hyundai Prestige     63,010       09/11/2013     02/19/2013

Hercules Container Carrier S.A.

    04/08/2011     M/V Hyundai Premium     63,010       03/20/2013     03/11/2013

Iason Container Carrier S.A.

    04/08/2011     M/V Hyundai Paramount     63,010       03/27/2013     03/27/2013

Thiseas Container Carrier S.A.

    04/08/2011     M/V Hyundai Privilege     63,010       09/11/2013     05/31/2013

Cronus Container Carrier S.A.

    07/19/2011     M/V Hyundai Platinum     63,010       09/11/2013     06/14/2013

Miltiadis M II Corp.

    08/28/2012     —       —         —       —  

Dias Container Carrier S.A.

    05/16/2013     M/V CMA CGM
Amazon
    115,534       06/10/2015     06/10/2015

Poseidon Container Carrier S.A.

    05/16/2013     M/V CMA CGM
Uruguay
    115,639       09/18/2015     09/18/2015

Isiodos Product Carrier S.A.

    05/31/2013     M/T Active     50,136       03/31/2015     03/31/2015

Titanas Product Carrier S.A.

    05/31/2013     M/T Amadeus     50,108       06/30/2015     06/30/2015

Atrotos Container Carrier S.A.

    10/25/2013     M/V CMA

CGM Magdalena

    115,639       02/26/2016     02/26/2016

Filonikis Product Carrier S.A.

    05/31/2013     M/T Amor     49,999       10/24/2016     09/30/2015

Asterias Crude Carrier S.A.

    07/13/2015     M/T Aristaios     113,689       01/17/2018     01/10/2017

Iason Product Carrier S.A.

    08/28/2013     M/T Anikitos     50,082       05/04/2018     06/21/2016

Athena SpinCo Inc.(3)

    11/14/2018     —       —         —       —  

Athena MergerCo 1 Inc.(3)

    11/14/2018     —       —         —       —  

Athena MergerCo 2 Inc.(3)

    11/14/2018     —       —         —       —  

Athena MergerCo 3 LLC.(3)

    11/14/2018     —       —         —       —  

Athena MergerCo 4 LLC (3)

    11/14/2018     —       —         —       —  

 

(1)

Vessels were disposed in the previous years.

(2)

Vessels were disposed in 2018 (Note 5).

(3)

Companies established for the purpose of the agreement between the Partnership and DSS.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies

 

(a)

Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), and include the accounts of the legal entities comprising the Partnership as discussed in Note 1. Intra-group balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

 

(b)

Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses recognized during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(c)

Accounting for Revenue, Voyage and Operating Expenses: The Partnership generates its revenues from charterers for the charter hire of its vessels. Vessels are chartered on time charters, bareboat charters or voyage charters.

A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a specific period of time and a specified daily charter hire rate, which is generally payable in advance. A time charter generally provides typical warranties and owner protective restrictions. The performance obligations in a time charter are satisfied over the term of the contract beginning when the vessel is delivered to the charterer until it is redelivered back to the owner of the vessel. Some of the Partnership’s time charters may also contain profit sharing provisions, under which the Partnership can realize additional revenues in the event that spot rates are higher than the base rates in these time charters. A bareboat charter is a contract in which the vessel owner provides the vessel to the charterer for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate, which is generally payable in advance, and the charterer generally assumes all risk and costs of operation during the bareboat charter period. The time charter and bareboat contracts are considered operating leases and therefore do not fall under the scope of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606 because (i) the vessel is an identifiable asset (ii) the owner of the vessel does not have substantive substitution rights and (iii) the charterer has the right to control the use of the vessel during the term of the contract and derives the economic benefits from such use. Revenues from time and bareboat charters are recognized ratably on a straight line basis over the period of the respective charter. Revenues from profit sharing arrangements in time charters are recognized in the period earned. Under time and bareboat charter agreements, all voyages expenses, except commissions are assumed by the charterer. Operating costs incurred for running the vessel such as crew costs, vessel insurance, repairs and maintenance and lubricants are paid for by the Partnership under time charter agreements.

A voyage charter is a contract in which the vessel owner undertakes to transport a specific amount and type of cargo on a load port-to-discharge port basis, subject to various cargo handling terms. The Partnership accounts for a voyage charter when all the following criteria are met: (1) the parties to the contract have approved the contract in the form of a written charter agreement and are committed to perform their respective obligations, (2) the Partnership can identify each party’s rights regarding the services to be transferred, (3) the Partnership can identify the payment terms for the services to be transferred, (4) the charter agreement has commercial substance (that is, the risk, timing, or amount of the Partnership’s future cash flows is expected to change as a result of the contract) and (5) it is probable that the Partnership will collect substantially all of the consideration to which it will be entitled in exchange for the services that will be transferred to the charterer. The Partnership determined that its voyage charters consist of a single performance obligation which is met evenly as the voyage progresses and begin to be satisfied once the vessel is ready to load the cargo. The voyage charter party agreement generally has a demurrage clause according to which the charterer reimburses the vessel owner for any potential delays exceeding the allowed lay-time as per the charter party clause at the ports visited which is recorded as demurrage revenue. Revenues from voyage charters are recognized on a straight line basis over the voyage duration which commences once the vessel is ready to load the cargo and terminates upon the completion of the discharge of the cargo. In voyage charters vessel operating and voyage expenses are paid for by the Partnership. The voyage charters are considered service contracts which fall under the provisions of ASC 606 because the Partnership retains control over the operations of the vessels such as the routes taken or the vessels’ speed.

Deferred revenue represents cash received for undelivered performance obligations and deferred revenue resulting from straight-line revenue recognition in respect of charter agreements that provide for varying charter rates. The portion of the deferred revenue that will be earned within the next twelve months is classified as current liability and the remaining as long-term liability.

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies – Continued

 

(c)

Accounting for Revenue, Voyage and Operating Expenses – Continued:

 

Vessel voyage expenses are direct expenses to voyage revenues and primarily consist of brokerage commissions, port expenses, canal dues and bunkers. Brokerage commissions are paid to shipbrokers for their time and efforts for negotiating and arranging charter party agreements on behalf of the Partnership and expensed over the related charter period and all the other voyage expenses are expensed as incurred except for expenses during the ballast portion of the voyage. Any expenses incurred during the ballast portion of the voyage (period between the contract date and the date of the vessel’s arrival to the load port) such as bunker expenses, canal tolls and port expenses are deferred and are recognized on a straight-line basis, in voyage expenses, over the voyage duration as the Partnership satisfies the performance obligations under the contract because these costs are (1) incurred to fulfill a contract that we can specifically identify, (2) able to generate or enhance resources of the company that will be used to satisfy performance of the terms of the contract, and (3) expected to be recovered from the charterer. These costs are considered ‘contract fulfillment costs’ and are included in ‘prepayments and other assets’ in the consolidated balance sheets.

Vessel operating expenses presented in the consolidated financial statements mainly consist of:

 

   

Management fees payable to the Partnership’s manager, Capital Ship Management Corp. (the “Manager” or “CSM”) under three different types of Management agreements (Note 4); and

 

   

Crew, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, spares, lubricants and other operating expenses.

Vessel operating expenses are expensed as incurred.

 

(d)

Foreign Currency Transactions: The functional currency of the Partnership is the U.S. Dollar because the Partnership’s vessels operate in international shipping markets that utilize the U.S. Dollar as the functional currency. The accounting records of the Partnership are maintained in U.S. Dollars. Transactions involving other currencies during the year are converted into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet dates, monetary assets and liabilities, which are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate at those dates. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) / income.

 

(e)

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Partnership considers highly liquid investments such as time deposits and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

(f)

Restricted cash: For the Partnership to comply with debt covenants under its credit facilities, it must maintain minimum cash deposits. Such deposits are considered by the Partnership to be restricted cash.

 

(g)

Trade Accounts Receivable: The amount shown as trade accounts receivable primarily consists of earned revenue that has not been billed yet or that it has been billed but not yet collected. At each balance sheet date all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate write off. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 there were no write offs.

 

(h)

Inventories: Inventories consist of consumable bunkers, lubricants, spares and stores and are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices less reasonably predictable costs of disposal and transportation. The cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method.

 

(i)

Vessels Held for Sale: The Partnership classifies vessels as being held for sale when the following criteria are met: (i) management is committed to sell the asset; (ii) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition; (iii) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated; (iv) the sale of the asset is probable, and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year; (v) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (vi) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

Vessels classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. These vessels are not depreciated once they meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale.

In the case that a plan to sell a vessel is cancelled, the Partnership reclassifies the vessel as held for use and re-measures it at the lower of (i) its carrying amount before the vessel was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation expense that would have been recognized if the vessel had been continuously classified as held and used and (ii) its fair value at the date of the subsequent decision not to sell.

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies – Continued

 

(j)

Fixed Assets: Fixed assets consist of vessels, which are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Vessel cost consists of the contract price for the vessel and any material expenses incurred upon their construction (improvements and delivery expenses, on-site supervision costs incurred during the construction periods, as well as capitalized interest expense during the construction period). Vessels acquired through acquisition of businesses are recorded at their acquisition date fair values. The cost of each of the Partnership’s vessels is depreciated; beginning when the vessel is ready for its intended use, on a straight-line basis over the vessel’s remaining economic useful life, after considering the estimated residual value. Management estimates the scrap value of the Partnership’s vessels to be $0.2 per light weight ton (LWT) and useful life to be 25 years.

 

(k)

Impairment of Long-lived Assets: An impairment loss on long-lived assets is recognized when indicators of impairment are present and the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is greater than its fair value and not believed to be recoverable. In determining future benefits derived from use of long-lived assets, the Partnership performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the related long-lived assets. If the carrying value of the asset, including any related intangible assets and liabilities, exceeds its undiscounted future net cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value. Various factors including future charter rates and vessel operating costs are included in this analysis.

In recent years, changing market conditions resulted in a decrease in charter rates and values of assets. The Partnership considered these market developments as indicators of potential impairment of the carrying amount of its long-lived assets. The Partnership has performed an undiscounted cash flow test based on U.S. GAAP as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, determining undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for the vessels and comparing them to the carrying values of the vessels, and any related intangible assets and liabilities. In developing estimates of future cash flows, the Partnership made assumptions about future charter rates, utilization rates, vessel operating expenses, future dry docking costs and the estimated remaining useful life of the vessels. These assumptions are based on historical trends as well as future expectations that are in line with the Partnership’s historical performance and expectations for the vessels’ utilization under the current deployment strategy. Based on these assumptions, the Partnership determined that the vessels held for use and their related intangible assets and liabilities were not impaired as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

(l)

Deferred charges, net: Deferred charges, net are comprised mainly of dry docking costs. The Partnership’s vessels are required to be dry docked every thirty to sixty months for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels are under operation. The Partnership has adopted the deferral method of accounting for dry docking activities whereby costs incurred are deferred and amortized on a straight line basis over the period until the next scheduled dry docking activity.

 

(m)

Intangible assets: The Partnership records all identified tangible and intangible assets or any liabilities associated with the acquisition of a business or an asset at fair value. When a vessel or a business that owns a vessel is acquired with an existing charter agreement, the Partnership considers whether any value should be assigned to the attached charter agreement acquired. The value to be assigned to the charter agreement is based on the difference of the contractual charter rate of the agreement acquired and the prevailing market rate for a charter of equivalent duration at the time of the acquisition, determined by independent appraisers as at that date. The resulting above-market (assets) or below-market (liabilities) charters are amortized using the straight line method as a reduction or increase, respectively, to revenues over the remaining term of the charters.

 

(n)

Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit: Basic net income per limited partner unit is calculated by dividing the Partnership’s net income less net income allocable to preferred unit holders, general partner’s interest in net income (including incentive distribution rights) and net income allocable to unvested units, by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period (Note 14). Diluted net income per limited partner unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue limited partner units were exercised.

 

(o)

Segment Reporting: The Partnership reports financial information and evaluates its operations by charter revenues and not by the length, type of vessel or type of ship employment for its customers, i.e. time or bareboat charters. The Partnership does not use discrete financial information to evaluate the operating results for each such type of charter or vessel. Although revenue can be identified for these types of charters or vessels, management cannot and does not identify expenses, profitability or other financial information for these various types of charters or vessels. As a result, management, including the chief operating decision maker, reviews operating results solely by revenue per day and operating results of the fleet, and thus the Partnership has determined that it operates as one reportable segment. Furthermore, when the Partnership charters a vessel to a charterer, the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide and, as a result, the disclosure of geographic information is impracticable.

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies – Continued

 

(p)

Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan: Equity compensation expense represents vested and unvested units granted to employees and to non-employee directors, for their services as directors, as well as to non-employees and are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) / income. Units granted to employees are measured at their fair value equal to the market value of the Partnership’s common units on the grant date. Unvested units granted to non-employees are initially and subsequently measured at their then current fair value as of the financial reporting dates. The units that contain a time-based service vesting condition are considered unvested units on the grant date and the total fair value of such units is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. In addition, unvested awards granted to non-employees are measured at their then-current fair value as of the financial reporting dates (Note 13).

 

(q)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2017-01 Business Combinations to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisition (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under prior implementation guidance the existence of an integrated set of acquired activities (inputs and processes that generate outputs) constitutes an acquisition of business. This ASU provides a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities does not constitute a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This update was effective for public entities with reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years. The amendments of this ASU should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. Early adoption was permitted, including adoption in an interim period 1) for transactions for which the acquisition date occurs before the issuance date or effective date of the ASU, only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance and 2) for transactions in which a subsidiary is deconsolidated or a group of assets is derecognized that occur before the issuance date or effective date of the amendments, only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. During 2018 the Partnership adopted this ASU. The implementation of this ASU resulted in acquisitions of vessel owning companies being treated as asset acquisitions while under the old standard may have been treated as acquisitions of a business. However, there is no impact in the financial statements of the Partnership as in both cases the transaction price was allocated to the vessel and the attached time charter.

In November 2016 the FASB issued the ASU 2016-18 – Restricted cash. This ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explains the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This update was effective for public entities with reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years and is required to be applied retrospectively. Early adoption was permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The implementation of this update on January 1, 2018, affected the presentation in the statement of cash flows relating to changes in restricted cash which are presented as part of cash whereas previously the Partnership presented these within investing activities and had no impact on the Partnership’s balance sheet and statement of comprehensive (loss) / income.

In August 2016, the FASB issued the ASU 2016-15 – classification of certain cash payments and cash receipts. This ASU addresses certain cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. This update was effective for public entities with reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption was permitted, including adoption in an interim period. There was no impact from the adoption of this update as the classification of the related cash payments and cash receipts has always been reported as described in the ASU.

In February 2016, the FASB issued the ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The main provision of this ASU is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. Accounting by lessors will remain largely unchanged from current U.S. GAAP. The requirements of this standard include an increase in required disclosures. The Partnership expects that its time charter arrangements will be subject to the requirements of the new Leases standard as the Partnership will be regarded as the lessor. The new leases standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after the date of initial application, amended subsequently with ASU 2018-11 below adding an option to use certain transition relief. This standard is effective for public entities with reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. In July 2018, the FASB issued

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies – Continued

 

(q)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Continued:

 

ASU 2018-11 to provide entities with relief from the costs of implementing certain aspects of the new leases standard, ASU 2016-02 (codified as ASC 842). Specifically, under the amendments in ASU 2018-11:

(a) Entities may elect not to recast the comparative periods presented when transitioning to ASC 842; and

(b) Lessors may elect not to separate lease and non-lease components when the following criteria are met: Criterion A — the timing and pattern of transfer for the lease component is the same as those for the non-lease component associated with that lease component and Criterion B — the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease.

The transition relief amendments in the ASU apply to entities that have not yet adopted ASC 842. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this update for entities that have not adopted Topic 842 before the issuance of this update are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Update 2016-02.

In December 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-20 to provide narrow scope improvements for lessors. The amendments in this update related to sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from lessees affect all lessors that elect the accounting policy election. In addition, amendments in this update related to lessor costs affect all lessor entities that have lease contracts that either require lessees to pay lessor costs directly to a third party or require lessees to reimburse lessors for costs paid by lessors directly to third parties. Finally, the amendments in this update related to recognition of variable payments for contracts with lease and non-lease components affect all lessor entities with variable payments that relate to both lease and non-lease components. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments in this update for entities that have not adopted Topic 842 before the issuance of this update are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in ASU 2016-02. The Partnership adopted this standard for the reporting period commencing on January 1, 2019 and elected the practical expedient under ASU 2018-11 for the vessels under time charter agreements. Furthermore, the Partnership applied the transition provisions of ASU 2016-02 at its adoption date, rather than the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, as permitted by ASU 2018-11. The nature of the lease component and non-lease component that were combined as a result of applying the practical expedient are the contract for the hire of a vessel and the fees for operating and maintaining the vessel respectively. The lease component is the predominant component and the Partnership accounts for the combined component as an operating lease in accordance with Topic 842. The Partnership applied the topic 842 with no significant impact on its financial statements and as a result no adjustment was posted in the Partnership’s opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2019.

In May 2014, the FASB issued the ASU No 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09, as amended, outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. The standard was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein, and shall be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. Under ASC 606, an entity is required to perform the following five steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations of the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfied a performance obligation. Additionally, the guidance requires improved disclosures as to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The Partnership adopted the provisions of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach for contracts that are not completed at the date of initial application. As such, the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for periods prior to January 1, 2018. The effect of the implementation of this update was insignificant as most of the Partnership’s vessels were operated under time charter arrangements as of December 31, 2017 and as a result no adjustment was posted in the Partnership’s opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2018. Time charter contracts are considered operating leases and therefore do not fall under the scope of ASC 606 because (i) the vessel is an identifiable asset (ii) the Company does not have substantive substitution rights and (iii) the charterer has the right to control the use of the vessel during the term of the contract and derives the economic benefits from such use. Since the Partnership’s performance obligation under each voyage contract is met evenly as the voyage progresses, the revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the voyage days from the date the vessel is ready to load the cargo to completion of its discharge and is not related to the timing of payment received from its customers. Payment terms under voyage charters are disclosed in the relevant voyage charter agreements. Prior to the adoption of this standard, revenues generated under voyage charter agreements were recognized on a pro-rata basis over the period of the voyage which was deemed to commence upon the later of the completion of discharge of the vessel’s previous cargo or upon vessel’s arrival to the agreed upon port, and deemed to end upon the completion of discharge of the delivered cargo.

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

2. Significant Accounting Policies – Continued

 

(q)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Continued:

 

Further, the adoption of ASC 606 impacted the accounts receivable, the prepayments and other assets and the current liabilities on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2018. Under ASC 606, receivables represent an entity’s unconditional right to consideration, billed or unbilled. As of December 31, 2018 prepayments and other assets include bunker expenses of $397 incurred between the contract date and the date of the vessel’s arrival to the load port. As of January 1, 2018 there was no balance relating to contract fulfillment costs. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 the unearned revenue related to undelivered performance obligations amounted to $371 and $0 respectively. The Partnership will recognize this revenue in the first quarter of 2019 as the performance obligations are met.

The following table shows the revenues earned from time and bareboat charters and voyage charters for the year ended December 31, 2018:

 

    

For the year ended

December 31, 2018

 

Time and bareboat charters (operating leases)

   $ 213,427  

Voyage charters (accounted for under ASC 606)

     65,827  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 279,254  
  

 

 

 

The following table presents the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our balance sheet at December 31, 2018:

 

     As at December 31, 2018  
     As reported     

Balances without adoption

of ASU 2014-09

     Effect of change  

Assets

        

Current Assets

        

Trade accounts receivable

   $ 16,126      $ 17,526      $ (1,400

Prepayments and other assets

     8,532        8,135        397  

Liabilities

        

Current liabilities

     115,159        115,194        35  

The following table presents the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our statement of comprehensive (loss) / income:

 

     For the year ended December 31, 2018  
     As reported     

Balances without adoption

of ASU 2014-09

     Effect of change  

Total revenues

   $ 279,254      $ 280,654      $ (1,400

Voyage expenses

     46,315        46,747        432  

Partnership’s net (loss) / income

     (104      864        (968
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss per common unit basic and diluted(adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split)

     (0.60      (0.55      (0.05
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The adoption of ASC 606 had no impact on net cash provided by operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

3. Acquisition of Filonikis Product Carrier S.A. (M/T Amor)

On October 24, 2016, following the unanimous recommendation of the conflicts committee and the unanimous approval of the board of directors, the Partnership acquired the shares of Filonikis, the owning company of the M/T Amor from CMTC for a total consideration of $16,911. The Partnership also assumed, on the acquisition date, CMTC’s guarantee with respect to the outstanding balance of $15,750 of the loan that Filonikis had entered into and was arranged by CMTC (Note 7). The vessel at the time of her acquisition by the Partnership was fixed on a two-year time charter with Cargill International S.A. (“Cargill”) ending October 2017, with the option to terminate 30 days earlier, and immediately thereafter with CMTC for a two-month period time charter.

The Partnership accounted for the acquisition of Filonikis as an acquisition of a business. All assets and liabilities of Filonikis except the vessel, necessary permits, the time charter agreements and the loan, were retained by CMTC. The purchase price of the acquisition has been allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

 

 

Purchase Price

The total purchase consideration of $16,911 was funded by $16,000 from the Partnership’s cash and the issuance of 40,528 new Partnership’s common units at a price of $22.47 per unit (both adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split) as quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange on October 24, 2016 the day of the acquisition of Filonikis (Note 12).

 

 

Acquisition related costs

Acquisition related costs of $264 are included in general and administrative expenses in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of comprehensive (loss) / income for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

 

Purchase price allocation

The allocation of the purchase price to acquired identifiable assets and liabilities assumed was based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The fair value allocated to each class of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Filonikis was calculated as follows:

 

    

As of

October 24, 2016

 

Vessel

   $ 31,600  

Above market acquired time charters

   $ 1,061  
  

 

 

 

Identifiable assets

   $ 32,661  
  

 

 

 

Loan

   $ (15,750
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

   $ 16,911  
  

 

 

 

Purchase price

   $ (16,911
  

 

 

 

The Partnership concluded that its measurements for the assets acquired appropriately reflect consideration of all available information that existed as of the acquisition date. The fair value of the vessel of $31,600 was quoted by independent ship brokers at the time of her acquisition by the Partnership and the fair value of the loan of $15,750 was determined to be its face value.

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

3. Acquisition of Filonikis Product Carrier S.A. (M/T Amor) – Continued

 

 

Identifiable intangible assets

The following table sets forth the component of the identifiable intangible asset acquired on the purchase of Filonikis which is being amortized over its duration on a straight-line basis as a reduction of revenue:

 

Intangible

assets

  

As of

October 24,

2016

    

Duration of

time charters

acquired

 

Above market acquired time charter

   $ 1,061        1 year  

The fair value of the above market time charter acquired was determined as the difference between the time charter rate at which the vessel was fixed and the market rate for comparable charters as provided by independent ship brokers on the business combination date discounted at a WACC of 7.5%.

Total revenues and net income of Filonikis since its acquisition by the Partnership were $980 and $222 respectively and are included in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

The supplemental pro forma financial information was prepared using the acquisition method of accounting and is based on the following:

 

   

The Partnership’s actual results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 and

 

   

Pro forma results of operations of Filonikis for the period from January 1, 2016 to October 24, 2016 as if the vessel was operating under post acquisition revenue and cost structure.

The combined results do not purport to be indicative of the results of the operations which would have resulted had the acquisition been effected at beginning of the applicable period noted above, or the future results of operations of the combined entity.

The following table summarizes total net revenues; net income and net income per common unit of the combined entity had the acquisition of Filonikis occurred on September 30, 2015 (vessel inception):

 

     For the year ended
December 31, 2016
 

Total revenues

   $ 245,825  

Partnership’s net income

   $ 53,677  

Preferred unit holders’ interest in Partnership’s net income

   $ 11,101  

General Partner’s interest in Partnership’s net income

   $ 850  

Common unit holders interest in Partnership’s net income

   $ 41,726  

Net income per common unit basic and diluted (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split)

   $ 2.42  

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

4. Transactions with Related Parties

The Partnership and its subsidiaries have related party transactions, including vessels acquisitions, with CMTC which is a related party unit holder. The Partnership and its subsidiaries have also related party transactions with the Manager arising from certain terms of the following three different types of management agreements.

 

  1.

Fixed fee management agreement: At the time of the completion of its Initial Public Offering (“IPO”), the Partnership entered into an agreement with its Manager, according to which the Manager provides the Partnership with certain commercial and technical management services for a fixed daily fee per managed vessel which covers the commercial and technical management services, the respective vessels’ operating costs such as crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, spares, and lubricants as well as the cost of the first special survey or next scheduled dry-docking, of each vessel. In addition to the fixed daily fees payable under the management agreement, the Manager is entitled to supplementary compensation for additional fees and costs (as defined in the agreement) of any direct and indirect additional expenses it reasonably incurs in providing these services, which may vary from time to time. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 management fees under the fixed fee management agreement amounted to $117, $488 and $981, respectively. The Partnership also pays a fixed daily fee per bareboat chartered vessel in its fleet, mainly to cover compliance and commercial costs, which include those costs incurred by the Manager to remain in compliance with the oil majors’ requirements, including vetting requirements. Since July 2018 none of the Partnership’s vessel was operated under fixed fee management agreement;

 

  2.

Floating fee management agreement: On June 9, 2011, the Partnership entered into an agreement with its Manager based on actual expenses per managed vessel. Under the terms of this agreement, the Partnership compensates its Manager for expenses and liabilities incurred on the Partnership’s behalf while providing the agreed services, including, but not limited to, crew, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, spares, lubricants and other operating costs. Costs and expenses associated with a managed vessel’s next scheduled dry docking are borne by the Partnership and not by the Manager. The Partnership also pays its Manager a daily technical management fee per managed vessel that is revised annually based on the United States Consumer Price Index. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 management fees under the floating fee management agreement amounted to $11,483, $10,100 and $8,865, respectively; and

 

  3.

Crude management agreement: On September 30, 2011, the Partnership completed the acquisition of Crude Carriers Corp. and its subsidiaries (“Crude”). Three of the five crude tanker vessels that the Partnership acquired at the time of the completion of the merger with Crude continue to be managed under a management agreement entered into in March 2010 with the Manager, whose initial term expires on December 31, 2020. Under the terms of this agreement the Partnership compensates the Manager for all of its expenses and liabilities incurred on the Partnership’s behalf while providing the agreed services, including, but not limited to, crew, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, spares, lubricants and other operating and administrative costs. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 management fees under the crude management agreement amounted to $1,065, $1,041 and $1,020, respectively. Prior to January 1, 2017 the Partnership paid its Manager the following fees:

(a) a daily technical management fee per managed vessel that is revised annually based on the United States Consumer Price Index;

(b) a sale & purchase fee equal to 1% of the gross purchase or sale price upon the consummation of any purchase or sale of a vessel acquired/disposed by Crude; and

(c) a commercial services fee equal to 1.25% of all gross charter revenues generated by each vessel for commercial services rendered.

Effective from January 1, 2017 the Manager agreed to waive going forward (i) the sale and purchase fee equal to 1% of the gross purchase or sale price upon the consummation of any purchase or sale of the three vessels and (ii) the commercial services fee equal to 1.25% of all gross charter revenues generated by each of the three vessels for commercial services rendered. For the year ended December 31, 2016, such commercial services amounted to $360 and are included in “Voyage expenses – related party” in the accompanying consolidated statement of comprehensive (loss) / income.

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

4. Transactions with Related Parties – Continued

 

The Manager has the right to terminate the Crude management agreement and, under certain circumstances, could receive substantial sums in connection with such termination. In March 2018 this termination fee was adjusted to $10,347 from $10,124.

All the above three agreements constitute the “Management Agreements” and the related management fees are included in “Vessel operating expenses – related party” in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) / income.

On April 4, 2007, the Partnership entered into an administrative services agreement with the Manager, pursuant to which the Manager has agreed to provide certain administrative management services to the Partnership such as accounting, auditing, legal, insurance, IT, clerical, and other administrative services. Also the Partnership reimburses the Manager and its general partner, Capital GP L.L.C. (the “CGP”) for reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of these services after the Manager submits to the Partnership an invoice for such costs and expenses, together with any supporting detail that may be reasonably required. These expenses are included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) / income. In January 2016, the Partnership amended the executive services agreement with CGP according to which CGP provides certain executive officers services for the management of the Partnership’s business as well as investor relation and corporate support services to the Partnership. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 such fees amounted to $1,688 for each year and are included in “General and administrative expenses” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) / income.

Balances and transactions with related parties consisted of the following:

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   As of
December 31,
2018
     As of
December 31,
2017
 

Liabilities:

     

CSM – payments on behalf of the Partnership (a)

   $ 16,638      $ 13,218  

Management fee payable to CSM (b)

     1,104        1,016  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Due to related parties

   $ 17,742      $ 14,234  

Deferred revenue – current (e)

     —          2,829  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 17,742      $ 17,063  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

    

For the year ended

December 31,

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

   2018      2017      2016  

Revenues (c)

   $ 14,044      $ 44,653      $ 36,026  

Voyage expenses

     —          —          360  

Vessel operating expenses

     12,665        11,629        10,866  

General and administrative expenses (d)

     1,922        1,983        2,076  

(a) CSM—Payments on Behalf of the Partnership: This line item represents the amount outstanding for payments for operating and voyage expenses made by the Manager on behalf of the Partnership and its subsidiaries.

(b) Management fee payable to CSM: The amount outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 represents the management fee payable to CSM as a result of the Management Agreements the Partnership entered into with the Manager.

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

4. Transactions with Related Parties – Continued

 

(c) Revenues: The following table includes information regarding the charter agreements that were in place between the Partnership and CMTC and its subsidiaries during 2018 and 2017.

 

Vessel Name

   Time
Charter (TC)
in years
   Commencement of
Charter
   Termination or
earliest expected
redelivery
   Gross (Net) Daily
Hire Rate

M/T Arionas

   1.0    01/2017    05/2018    $11.0 ($10.9)

M/T Amore Mio II

   0.9    08/2016    09/2017    $21.0 ($20.7)

M/T Aristotelis

   1.0    01/2017    03/2018    $13.8 ($13.6)

M/T Ayrton II

   2.0    02/2016    03/2018    $18.0 ($17.8)

M/T Miltiadis M II

   0.9    08/2016    08/2017    $25.0 ($24.7)

M/T Miltiadis M II

   0.8 to 1.0    10/2017    08/2018    $18.0 ($18.0)

M/T Amadeus

   2.0    06/2015    08/2017    $17.0 ($16.8)

M/T Atlantas II

   1.0    10/2016    12/2017    $13.0 ($12.8)

M/T Atlantas II

   0.4 to 0.7    01/2018    07/2018    $11.0 ($10.9)

M/T Amoureux

   1.0    04/2017    04/2018    $22.0 ($22.0)

M/T Aktoras

   0.8 to 1.0    09/2017    01/2018    $11.0 ($10.9)

M/T Aiolos

   0.8 to 1.0    09/2017    07/2018    $11.0 ($10.9)

M/T Amor

   0.2    09/2017    01/2018    $14.0 ($13.8)

(d) General and administrative expenses: This line item mainly includes fees relating to internal audit, investor relations and consultancy fees.

(e) Deferred Revenue: As of December 31, 2017 the Partnership had received cash in advance for charter hire relating to revenue earned in a subsequent period from CMTC.

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

5. Vessels, net and assets held for sale

An analysis of vessels is as follows:

 

     Vessel Cost     

Accumulated

depreciation

     Net book value  

Balance as at January 1, 2017

   $ 1,775,689      $ (407,958    $ 1,367,731  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Acquisitions and improvements

     967        —          967  

Depreciation for the period

     —          (71,358      (71,358

Impairment of vessel

     (9,279      5,997        (3,282

Classification as asset held for sale

     (28,862      —          (28,862
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2017

   $ 1,738,515      $ (473,319    $ 1,265,196  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Acquisitions and improvements

     75,327        —          75,327  

Depreciation for the period

     —          (71,009      (71,009

Impairment of vessel

     (78,607      49,802        (28,805

Disposals

     (10,927      —          (10,927
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2018

   $ 1,724,308      $ (494,526    $ 1,229,782  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

All of the Partnership’s vessels as of December 31, 2018 have been provided as collateral to secure the Partnership’s credit facilities.

On September 11, 2018 the Partnership entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (“MOA”) with an unrelated party for the disposal of the M/T Amore Mio II at a price of $11,150. Upon entering into the agreement the Partnership considered that the M/T Amore Mio II met the criteria to be classified as held for sale as described in note 2(i) and measured the vessel at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less the cost associated with the sale. In this respect, the Partnership recognized an impairment charge of $28,805 in the consolidated statement of comprehensive (loss) / income for the year ended December 31, 2018, reducing the vessel’s carrying value to $10,927. The vessel was delivered to its buyer on October 15, 2018.

On May 4, 2018, pursuant to the agreement the Partnership had entered into in January 2018 and the Share Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) entered into with CMTC on May 4, 2018, the Partnership acquired the shares of the company owning the M/T Anikitos for a total consideration of $31,500, comprising of $15,875 in cash and the assumption of the then outstanding balance of $15,625 (the “Anikitos Tranche”) of a credit facility (“2015 credit facility”) previously arranged by CMTC with ING Bank NV (Note 7). The Partnership also assumed CMTC’s guarantee with respect to this loan. The vessel at the time of its acquisition was operated under a thirty month time charter with Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (“Petrobras”) ending in July 2020, with the option to terminate 30 days earlier, at a gross daily rate of $15.3. The Partnership accounted for this acquisition as acquisition of an asset as the fair values of the vessel and the time charter attached, are concentrated in a single identifiable asset. The Partnership considered whether any value should be assigned to the attached charter party agreement acquired and concluded that the contracted daily charter rate was above the market rates on the acquisition date and therefore the total consideration was allocated to the vessel cost and the above market acquired charter. The Partnership allocated the cost of the vessel and the time charter acquired on the basis of their relative fair values. Thus the vessel was recorded in the Partnership’s financial statements at a value of $31,004 and the above market acquired charter at a value of $496 (Note 6).

On January 17, 2018, the Partnership entered into an SPA with CMTC for the purchase of the shares of the company owning the M/T Aristaios for a total consideration of $52,500 comprising of $24,167 in cash and the assumption of the then outstanding balance of $28,333 of Advance A of a credit facility (the “Aristaios credit facility”) previously arranged by CMTC with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and ING Bank NV (Note 7). The Partnership also assumed CMTC’s guarantee with respect to this loan. The vessel at the time of its acquisition was operated under a five year time charter with Tesoro Far East Maritime Company (“Tesoro”) ending in January 2022, with the option to terminate 45 days earlier, at a gross daily rate of $26.4. The Partnership accounted for this acquisition as acquisition of an asset as the fair values of the vessel and the time charter attached, are concentrated in a single identifiable asset. The Partnership considered whether any value should be assigned to the attached charter party agreement acquired and concluded that the contracted daily charter rate was above the market rates on the acquisition date and therefore the total consideration was allocated to the vessel cost and the above market acquired charter. The Partnership allocated the cost of the vessel and the time charter acquired on the basis of their relative fair values. Thus the vessel was recorded in the Partnership’s financial statements at a value of $42,955 and the above market acquired charter at a value of $9,545 (Note 6).

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

5. Vessels, net and assets held for sale – Continued

 

On December 22, 2017 the Partnership entered into an MOA with an unrelated party for the disposal of the M/T Aristotelis at a price of $29,400. Upon entering into the agreement the Partnership considered that M/T Aristotelis met the criteria to be classified as held for sale and measured the vessel at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less the cost associated with the sale. In this respect, the Partnership recognized an impairment charge of $3,282 in the consolidated statement of comprehensive (loss) / income for the year ended December 31, 2017, reducing the vessel’s carrying value to $28,862. As of January 1, 2018 the amount of $29,027 represented the vessel’s fair value less cost to sell of $28,862 and inventories of $165. Under this agreement, as amended, the vessel was delivered to its Buyer on April 25, 2018.

During 2018 and 2017, certain of the Partnership’s vessels underwent improvements. The costs of these improvements amounted to $1,368 and $967 respectively and were capitalized as part of the vessels’ cost.

During 2018 and 2017 the Partnership paid advances relating to the construction of exhaust gas cleaning systems and ballast water treatment systems that will be installed to certain of its vessels of $3,090 and $0 respectively.

6. Above market acquired charters

On May 4, 2018 the Partnership acquired the shares of the company owning the M/T Anikitos from CMTC including a time charter attached to the vessel with a time charter daily rate exceeding the market rate for equivalent time charters prevailing at the time of acquisition. The value allocated to the above market acquired time charter of $496 was determined on the basis of the relative fair values of the assets in the asset group acquired. The fair value of the time charter representing the difference between the time charter rate at which the vessel was fixed and the market rate for comparable charters as determined by reference to market data on the acquisition date and was recorded as an asset in the consolidated balance sheet as of the acquisition date under “above market acquired charters” (Note 5).    

On January 17, 2018 the Partnership acquired the shares of the company owning the M/T Aristaios from CMTC including a time charter attached to the vessel with a time charter daily rate exceeding the market rate for equivalent time charters prevailing at the time of acquisition. The value allocated to the above market acquired time charter of $9,545 was determined on the basis of the relative fair values of the assets in the asset group acquired. The fair value of the time charter representing the difference between the time charter rate at which the vessel was fixed and the market rate for comparable charters as determined by reference to market data on the acquisition date and was recorded as an asset in the consolidated balance sheet as of the acquisition date under “above market acquired charters” (Note 5).    

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 revenues were reduced by $16,890, $15,208 and $14,542 corresponding to the amortization of the above market acquired charters, respectively.

An analysis of above market acquired charters is as follows:

 

Above market acquired charters

   Book Value  

Carrying amount as at January 1, 2017

   $ 90,243  
  

 

 

 

Amortization

   $ (15,208
  

 

 

 

Carrying amount as at December 31, 2017

   $ 75,035  
  

 

 

 

Acquisitions

   $ 10,041  

Amortization

   $ (16,890
  

 

 

 

Carrying amount as at December 31, 2018

   $ 68,186  
  

 

 

 

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

6. Above market acquired charters – Continued

 

As of December 31, 2018 the remaining carrying amount of unamortized above market acquired time charters was $68,186 and will be amortized in future years as follows:

 

For the year ending

December 31,

   Amount  

2019

   $ 17,084  

2020

   $ 14,287  

2021

   $ 10,652  

2022

   $ 8,371  

2023

   $ 8,371  

Thereafter

   $ 9,421  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 68,186  
  

 

 

 

7. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

     Bank loans   

As of December 31,

2018

    

As of December 31,

2017

     Margin

(i)

  

Issued in September 2017 maturing in October 2023 (the “2017 credit facility”)

     387,426        460,000      3.25%

(ii)

  

Assumed in October 2016 maturing in November 2022 (the “2015 credit facility”, the “Amor Tranche”)

     15,422        15,750      2.50%

(iii)

  

Assumed in January 2018 maturing in January 2024 (the “Aristaios credit facility ”)

     27,417        —        2.85%

(iv)

  

Assumed in May 2018 maturing in June 2023 (the “2015 credit facility ” the “Anikitos Tranche”)

     15,625        —        2.50%
     

 

 

    

 

 

    
  

Total long-term debt

   $ 445,890      $ 475,750     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    
  

Less: Deferred loan issuance costs

     4,866        6,635     
  

Less: loan associated with vessel held for sale

     —          14,781     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    
  

Total long-term debt, net

   $ 441,024      $ 454,334     
  

Less: Current portion of long-term debt

     53,680        52,057     
  

Add: Current portion of deferred loan issuance costs

     1,332        1,543     
  

Long-term debt, net

   $ 388,676      $ 403,820     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

7. Long-Term Debt – Continued

 

Changes in long-term debt that took place during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2018 are set out below.

On May 4, 2018, upon the completion of the acquisition of the shares of the company owning the M/T Anikitos (Note 5), the Partnership assumed CMTC’s guarantee with respect to the outstanding balance of $15,625 under the term loan that was entered into on November 19, 2015 with ING Bank N.V. The term loan is required to be repaid in thirteen consecutive equal quarterly installments of $355, beginning in May 2020, plus a balloon payment of $11,010 payable together with the final quarterly installment in June 2023. The term loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50%.

On January 17, 2018, upon the completion of the acquisition of the shares of the company owning the M/T Aristaios (Note 5), the Partnership assumed CMTC’s guarantee with respect to the outstanding balance of $28,333 under the term loan that was entered into on January 2, 2017 with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and ING Bank NV. The term loan is required to be repaid in twelve consecutive equal semi-annual installments of $916, beginning in July 2018, plus a balloon payment of $17,333 payable together with the final semi-annual installment due in January 2024. The term loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.85%.

On September 6, 2017, the Partnership entered into a new senior secured term loan facility for an aggregate principal amount of up to $460,000 with a syndicate of lenders led by HSH Nordbank AG and ING Bank N.V. On October 2, 2017, the Partnership fully repaid $14,000 outstanding under one of its then existing credit facilities, through available cash. On October 4, 2017, the Partnership repaid indebtedness of $102,246 and the outstanding indebtedness of its then remaining credit facilities, amounting to $460,000, was replaced by the 2017 credit facility. The 2017 credit facility is comprised of two tranches. Tranche A amounted to $259,000, was initially secured by 11 of the Partnership’s vessels and was required to be repaid in 24 equal quarterly installments of $4,833 in addition to a balloon installment of $143,008, which would be payable together with the final quarterly installment in the fourth quarter of 2023. Tranche B amounted to $201,000, was initially secured by 24 of the Partnership’s vessels and was required to be repaid fully in 24 equal quarterly installments of $8,375. The Partnership started paying quarterly installments under both tranches A and B on January 4, 2018. The loans drawn under the 2017 credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.25%. In 2018, upon the prepayment of $14,383 and $5,916 due to the disposal of the M/T Aristotelis and the M/T Amore Mio II respectively (Note 5), the repayment schedule of the 2017 credit facility was amended. The required quarterly installments under the Tranche A was reduced to $4,554 and the balloon installment to $134,758 and the required quarterly installments under the Tranche B to $8,079.

During 2017, the Partnership classified the M/T Aristotelis as vessel held for sale (Note 5). As of December 31, 2017, the portion of the Tranche A 2017 credit facility which was associated with this vessel amounted to $14,781 and was presented as “Liability associated with vessel held for sale” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

During 2018 the Partnership repaid the amount of $52,275 in line with the amortization schedule of its 2017 credit facility, $916 in line with the amortization schedule of its Aristaios credit facility and $328 in line with the amortization schedule of its 2015 credit facility.

During 2017 the Partnership repaid the amount of $13,016, in line with the amortization schedule of its then existing credit facility.

The Partnership’s credit facilities contain customary ship finance covenants, including restrictions as to changes in management and ownership of the mortgaged vessels, the incurrence of additional indebtedness and the mortgaging of vessels and requirements such as, the ratio of EBITDA to Net Interest Expenses to be no less than 2:1, a minimum cash requirement of $500 per vessel, the ratio of net Total Indebtedness to the Total Assets of the Partnership adjusted for the Market Value of the fleet not to exceed 0.75:1 for the 2017 credit facility and the ratio of net Total Indebtedness to the aggregate Market Value of the fleet not to exceed 0.725:1 for the 2015 and Aristaios credit facilities. The credit facilities also contain a collateral maintenance requirement under which the aggregate fair market value of the collateral vessels should not be less than 125% for the 2017 credit facility and 120% for the 2015 credit facility, of the aggregate outstanding amount under these facilities. In the case of the Aristaios credit facility the collateral maintenance requirement should not be less than 125% (as long as the vessel is under charter with Tesoro) and 140% (at all other times). Also the vessel-owning companies may pay dividends or make distributions when no event of default has occurred and the payment of such dividend or distribution has not resulted in a breach of any of the financial covenants. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 the Partnership was in compliance with all financial covenants.

The credit facilities have a general assignment of the earnings, insurances and requisition compensation of the respective collateral vessel or vessels. Each also requires additional security, such as pledge and charge on current accounts and mortgage interest insurance.

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

7. Long-Term Debt – Continued

 

As of December 31, 2018 there were no undrawn amounts under the Partnership’s credit facilities.

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Partnership recorded interest expense of $25,429 , $24,782 and $22,674 respectively which is included in “Interest expense and finance cost” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) / income. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 the weighted average interest rate of the Partnership’s loan facilities was 5.35% and 4.29% respectively.

The required annual loan payments to be made subsequent to December 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

    

2017 Credit

Facility (i)

    

2015 Credit

Facility (Amor

Tranche) (ii)

    

Aristaios Credit

Facility (iii)

    

2015 Credit

Facility (Anikitos

Tranche) (iv)

     Total  

2019

   $ 50,534      $ 1,313      $ 1,833      $ —        $ 53,680  

2020

     50,534        1,313        1,833        1,065        54,745  

2021

     50,534        1,313        1,833        1,420        55,100  

2022

     50,534        11,483        1,833        1,420        65,270  

2023

     185,290        —          1,833        11,720        198,843  

Thereafter

     —          —          18,252        —          18,252  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 387,426      $ 15,422      $ 27,417      $ 15,625      $ 445,890  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

8. Financial Instruments

(a)    Fair value of financial instruments

The Partnership follows the accounting guidance for financial instruments that establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. This guidance enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The statement requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date;

Level 2: Inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly;

Level 3: Inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, which are considered Level 1 items as they represent liquid assets with short-term maturities, trade receivables, amounts due to related parties, trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates their fair value. The fair values of long-term variable rate bank loans approximate the recorded values, due to their variable interest being the LIBOR and due to the fact the lenders have the ability to pass on their funding cost to the Partnership under certain circumstances, which reflects their current assessed risk. We believe the terms of our loans are similar to those that could be procured as of December 31, 2018. LIBOR rates are observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full terms of the loans and hence bank loans are considered Level 2 items in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

8. Financial Instruments – Continued

 

(a)    Fair value of financial instruments – Continued

 

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Partnership’s assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2017:

 

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis - Fair Value Measurements  
     Quoted prices
in active markets
for identical
assets
     Significant
other
observable
inputs
     Unobservable
Inputs
        

Non – Recurring Measurements:

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Loss  

Long-lived assets classified as held for sale (Note 5)

   $ —       $ 29,400      $ —       $ 3,282  

The M/T Aristotelis was classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2017 and was recognized at its fair value of $29,400 less costs to sell of $538. The fair value of the M/T Aristotelis was based on its transaction price, as the sale price was agreed with an unaffiliated third party hence it is considered level 2 (Note 5).

As of December 31, 2018, none of the Partnership’s vessels was classified as asset held for sale.

(b)    Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Partnership to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Partnership places its cash and cash equivalents, consisting mostly of deposits, with creditworthy financial institutions rated by qualified rating agencies. A limited number of financial institutions hold the Partnership’s cash. Most of the Partnership’s revenues were derived from a few charterers. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Petrobras, Hyundai Merchant Marine Co Ltd (“HMM”) and CMA CGM accounted for 19%, 16% and 15% of the Partnership’s total revenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017 Petrobras, CMTC, HMM and CMA CGM accounted for 19%, 18%, 18% and 17% of the Partnership’s total revenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2016 HMM, Petrobras, CMA CGM and CMTC accounted for 19%, 18%, 17% and 15% of the Partnership’s total revenue, respectively.

9. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2018      2017  

Accrued loan interest and loan fees

   $ 5,701      $ 5,221  

Accrued operating expenses

     5,519        5,199  

Accrued voyage expenses and commissions

     4,320        3,521  

Accrued general and administrative expenses

     1,200        1,170  

Accrued spin-off costs

     3,634        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 20,374      $ 15,111  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

10. Voyage Expenses and Vessel Operating Expenses

Voyage expenses and vessel operating expenses consist of the following:

 

     For the years ended December 31,  
     2018      2017      2016  

Voyage expenses:

        

Commissions

   $ 5,561      $ 4,440      $ 4,816  

Bunkers

     25,407        4,726        2,601  

Port expenses

     12,360        3,593        892  

Other

     2,987        2,406        1,971  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 46,315      $ 15,165      $ 10,280  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Vessel operating expenses:

        

Crew costs and related costs

   $ 49,526      $ 43,699      $ 37,342  

Insurance expense

     5,144        5,035        5,772  

Spares, repairs, maintenance and other expenses

     16,858        12,731        11,688  

Stores and lubricants

     9,584        7,937        8,203  

Management fees (Note 4)

     12,624        11,491        10,661  

Vetting, insurances, spares and repairs (Note 4)

     41        138        205  

Other operating expenses

     5,277        5,114        3,632  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 99,054      $ 86,145      $ 77,503  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

11. Income Taxes

Under the laws of the Marshall Islands and Liberia, the country in which the vessel-owning subsidiaries were incorporated, these companies are not subject to tax on international shipping income. However, they are subject to registration and tonnage taxes in the country in which the vessels are registered and managed from, which have been included in vessel operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) / income.

Pursuant to Section 883 of the United States Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and the regulations thereunder, a foreign corporation engaged in the international operation of ships is generally exempt from U.S. federal income tax on its U.S.-source shipping income if the foreign corporation meets both of the following requirements: (a) the foreign corporation is organized in a foreign country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to corporations organized in the United States for the types of shipping income (e.g., voyage, time, bareboat charter) earned by the foreign corporation and (b) more than 50% of the voting power and value of the foreign corporation’s stock is “primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market” in the United States and certain other requirements are satisfied (the “Publicly-Traded Test”).

The jurisdictions where the Partnership’s vessel-owning subsidiaries are incorporated each grants an “equivalent exemption” to United States corporations with respect to each type of shipping income earned by the Partnership’s vessel-owning subsidiaries. Additionally, our units are only traded on the Nasdaq Global Market, which is considered to be established securities market. The Partnership has satisfied the Publicly-Traded Test for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and the ship-owning subsidiaries are exempt from United States federal income taxation with respect to U.S.-source shipping income.

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

12. Partners’ Capital

General: The partnership agreement requires that within 45 days after the end of each quarter, beginning with the quarter ending June 30, 2007, all of the Partnership’s available cash will be distributed to unit holders.

Definition of Available Cash: Available Cash, for each fiscal quarter, consists of all cash on hand at the end of the quarter:

 

   

less the amount of cash reserves established by our board of directors to:

 

   

provide for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for our anticipated credit needs);

 

   

comply with applicable law, any of the Partnership’s debt instruments, or other agreements; or

 

   

provide funds for distributions to the Partnership’s unit holders and to the general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters;

 

   

plus all cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter. Working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under our credit agreements and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners subject to certain exceptions set forth in the limited partnership agreement.

General Partner Interest and IDRs: The general partner has a 1.71% interest in the Partnership and holds the IDRs. In accordance with Section 5.2(b) of the partnership agreement, upon the issuance of additional units by the Partnership, the general partner may elect to make a contribution to the Partnership to maintain its general partner interest.

IDRs represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. The Partnership’s general partner as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 holds the IDRs. According to the partnership agreement, as amended in 2014, the following table illustrates the percentage allocations of the additional available cash from operating surplus among the unit holders and 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 unit holders and general partner in any available cash from operating surplus that is being distributed up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “Total Quarterly Distribution Target Amount per Unit,” until available cash from operating surplus the Partnership distributes reaches the next target distribution level, if any. The percentage interests shown for the unit holders and 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 below (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split) assume that the Partnership’s general partner maintains a 2% general partner interest and that it has not transferred its incentive distribution rights.

 

     Total Quarterly    Marginal Percentage
Interest
in Distributions
 
     Distribution Target Amount per
Unit
   Unitholders     General
Partner
 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

   $1.6275      98     2

First Target Distribution

   up to $1.6975      98     2

Second Target Distribution

   above $1.6975 up to $1.8725      85     15

Third Target Distribution

   above $1.8725 up to $2.0475      75     25

Thereafter

   above $2.0475      65     35

Following the 2014’s annual general meeting, CMTC unilaterally notified the Partnership that it has decided to waive its rights to receive quarterly incentive distributions between $1.6975 and $1.75 (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split). This waiver effectively increases the First Target Distribution and the lower band of the Second Target Distribution (as referenced in the table above) from $1.6975 to $1.75 (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split).

 

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Table of Contents

Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

12. Partners’ Capital – Continued

 

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus: Our partnership agreement requires that we will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter after the subordination period in the following manner:

 

   

first, 98% to all unit holders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and

 

   

thereafter, in the manner described in the above table.

Class B Convertible Preferred Units

During 2012 and 2013 the Partnership issued in total 24,655,554 Class B Convertible Preferred Units to a group of investors including CMTC according to two separate Class B Convertible Preferred Unit Subscription Agreements (the “Agreements”) that the Partnership had entered with this group of investors in 2012 and 2013. The holders of the Class B Convertible Preferred Units have the right to convert all or a portion of such Class B Convertible Preferred Units at any time into Common Units at the conversion price of $9 per Class B Convertible Preferred Unit and a conversion rate of one Common Unit per one Class B Convertible Preferred Unit. The Conversion Ratio and the Conversion Price shall be adjusted upon the occurrence of certain events described in the limited partnership agreement. Commencing on May 23, 2015, in the event the 30-day volume-weighted average trading price (“VWAP”) and the daily VWAP of the Common Units on the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to trading exceeds 130% of the then applicable Conversion Price for at least 20 Trading Days out of the 30 consecutive Trading Day period used to calculate the 30-day VWAP (the “Partnership Mandatory Conversion Event”) the Partnership acting pursuant to direction and approval of the Conflicts Committee (following consultation with the full board of directors), shall have the right to convert the Class B Convertible Preferred Units then outstanding in whole or in part into Common Units at the then-applicable Conversion Ratio. The holders of the outstanding Class B Convertible Preferred Units as of an applicable record date shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if authorized by the Partnership’s board of directors or any duly authorized committee, out of legally available funds for such purpose, (a) first, the minimum quarterly Class B Convertible Preferred Unit Distribution Rate on each Class B Convertible Preferred Unit and (b) second, any cumulative Class B Convertible Preferred Unit Arrearage then outstanding, prior to any other distributions made in respect of any other Partnership Interests pursuant to the Agreements in cash. The minimum quarterly Class B Convertible Preferred Unit Distribution Rate shall be payable quarterly which is generally expected to be February 10, May 10, August 10 and November 10, or, if any such date is not a business day, the next succeeding business day. No distribution on the Class B Convertible Preferred Units shall be authorized by the board of directors or declared or paid or set apart for payment by the Partnership at such time as the terms and provisions of any agreement of the Partnership, including any agreement relating to its indebtedness, prohibits such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment or provides that such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment would constitute a breach thereof, or a default thereunder, or if such authorization, declaration, payment or setting apart for payment shall be restricted or prohibited by law. The foregoing distributions with respect to the Class B Convertible Preferred Units shall accumulate as of the Class B Convertible Preferred Unit distribution payment date on which they first become payable whether or not any of the foregoing restrictions exist, whether or not there is sufficient Available Cash for the payment thereof and whether or not such distributions are authorized. A cumulative Class B Convertible Preferred Unit arrearage shall not bear interest and holders of the Class B Convertible Preferred Units shall not be entitled to any distributions, whether payable in cash, property or Partnership Interests, in excess of the then cumulative Class B Convertible Preferred Unit arrearage plus the minimum quarterly Class B Convertible Preferred Unit distribution rate for such quarter. With respect to Class B Convertible Preferred Units that are converted into Common Units, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to a Class B Convertible Preferred Unit distribution and a Common Unit distribution with respect to the same period, but shall be entitled only to the distribution to be paid based upon the class of Units held as of the close of business on the record date for the distribution in respect of such period; provided, however, that the holder of a converted Class B Convertible Preferred Unit shall remain entitled to receive any accrued but unpaid distributions due with respect to such Unit on or as of the prior Class B Convertible Preferred Unit distribution payment date; and provided, further, that if the Partnership exercises the Partnership Mandatory Conversion Right to convert the Class B Convertible Preferred Units pursuant to this Agreements then the holders’ rights with respect to the distribution for the Quarter in which the Partnership Mandatory Conversion Notice is received is as set forth in the limited partnership agreement.

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

12. Partners’ Capital – Continued

 

Common Units

In September 2016, the Partnership entered into an equity distribution agreement with UBS Securities LLC (“UBS”) under which the Partnership may sell, from time to time, through UBS, as its sales agent, new common units having an aggregate offering amount of up to $50,000 (the “ATM offering”). The equity distribution agreement provides that UBS, when it is acting as the Partnership’s sales agent, will be entitled to compensation of up to 2% of the gross sales price of the common units sold through UBS from time to time. During 2018 the Partnership did not issue any units under the ATM offering. During 2017 the Partnership issued 736,008 new common units under the ATM offering (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split) resulting in net proceeds of $17,815 after the payment of commission to the sales agent, but before offering expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Partnership recognized offering expenses of $176 in connection with the ATM offering. Since the launch of the ATM offering until December 31, 2016, the Partnership issued 200,212 new common units (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split) resulting in net proceeds of $4,546 after the payment of commission to the sales agent, but before offering expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Partnership recognized offering expenses of $890 in connection with the ATM offering.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 our partners’ capital included the following units (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split):

 

    

As of December 31,

2018

    

As of December 31,

2017

 

Common units

     18,178,100        18,178,100  

General partner units

     348,570        348,570  

Preferred units

     12,983,333        12,983,333  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total partnership units

     31,510,003        31,510,003  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

13. Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan

On April 29, 2008, the board of directors approved the Partnership’s Plan according to which the Partnership may issue a limited number of awards, not to exceed 71,429 units (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split). The Plan was amended on July 22, 2010 increasing the aggregate number of restricted units issuable under the Plan to 114,286 which was then increased to 235,714 common units on August 21, 2014 (both adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split), at the annual general meeting of the Partnership’s unit holders. The Plan was administered by the general partner as authorized by the board of directors. The persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan were officers, directors, and executive, managerial, administrative and professional employees of the Manager, or CMTC, or other eligible persons (collectively, “key persons”) as the general partner, in its sole discretion, shall select based upon such factors as it deems relevant. Members of the board of directors and officers of the general partner were considered to be employees of the Partnership (“Employees”) for the purposes of recognition of equity compensation expense, while employees of the Manager, CMTC and other eligible persons under the plan were not considered to be employees of the Partnership (“Non-Employees”). Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares.

On December 23, 2015 the Partnership awarded 34,286 and 87,143 unvested units to Employees and Non-Employees (both adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split), respectively. Awards granted to certain Employees and Non Employees vested in three annual installments. The awards vested on December 31, 2018.

All unvested units were conditional upon the grantee’s continued service as Employee and/or Non-Employee until the applicable vesting date.

The unvested units accrued distributions as declared and paid which were retained by the custodian of the Plan until the vesting date at which time they were payable to the grantee. As unvested unit grantees accrued distributions on awards that were expected to vest, such distributions were charged to Partner’s capital.

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

13. Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan – Continued

 

The following table contains details of our plan (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split):

 

     Employee equity compensation      Non-Employee equity compensation  

Unvested Units

   Units      Grant-date fair
value
     Units      Award-
date fair
value
 

Unvested on January 1, 2017

     29,524      $ 7,987        70,357      $ 20,951  

Vested

     5,238        1,414        16,786        2,765  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested on December 31, 2017

     24,286      $ 6,573        53,571      $ 18,186  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Vested

     24,286      $ 6,573        53,571      $ 18,186  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested on December 31, 2018

     —        $ —          —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 the equity compensation expense that has been charged in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) / income was $438, $438 and $439 for the Employee awards and $175, $718 and $635 for the Non-Employee awards, respectively. This expense has been included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) / income for each respective year.

The Partnership used the straight-line method to recognize the cost of the awards.

14. Net (Loss) / Income Per Unit

The general partner’s and common unit holders’ interests in net income are calculated as if all net income for periods subsequent to April 4, 2007, were distributed according to the terms of the partnership agreement, regardless of whether those earnings would or could be distributed. The partnership agreement does not provide for the distribution of net income; rather, it provides for the distribution of available cash (Note 12), which is a contractually-defined term that generally means all cash on hand at the end of each quarter after establishment of cash reserves determined by the Partnership’s board of directors to provide for the proper resources for the Partnership’s business. Unlike available cash, net income is affected by non-cash items. The Partnership follows the guidance relating to the Application of the Two-Class Method and its application to Master Limited Partnerships which considers whether the incentive distributions of a master limited partnership represent a participating security when considered in the calculation of earnings per unit under the Two-Class Method.

The Partnership also considers whether the Partnership Agreement contains any contractual limitations concerning distributions to the IDRs that would impact the amount of earnings to allocate to the IDRs for each reporting period.

Under the partnership agreement, the holder of the IDRs in the Partnership, which is currently CGP, assuming that there are no cumulative arrearages on common unit distributions, has the right to receive an increasing percentage of cash distributions (Note 12). The Partnership excluded the effect of the 12,983,333 Class B Convertible Preferred Units in calculating dilutive EPU as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, for each year as they were anti-dilutive.

For the year ended December 31, 2018 the Partnership excluded the effect of 77,857 units (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split) under the omnibus incentive compensation plan which vested in December 2018 (Note 13) in calculating dilutive EPU for its common unit holders as they were anti-dilutive. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 the Partnership excluded the effect of 77,857 and 99,881(both adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split), respectively, non-vested unit awards in calculating dilutive EPU for its common unit holders as they were anti-dilutive. The non-vested units are participating securities because they received distributions from the Partnership and these distributions do not have to be returned to the Partnership if the non-vested units are forfeited by the grantee.

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

14. Net (Loss) / Income Per Unit – Continued

 

Excluding the non-cash vessels’ impairment charge, as this was not distributed to the Partnership’s unit holders for the year ended December 31, 2018, the Partnership’s net income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 did not exceed the First Target Distribution Level, and as a result, the assumed distribution of net income did not result in the use of increasing percentages to calculate CGP’s interest in net income

On March 3, 2019 the board of directors of the Partnership approved a one for seven reverse unit split. Pursuant to the reverse split, every seven common units issued and outstanding as of March 27, 2019, the date of the reverse split, was converted into one common unit. The Partnership’s common units, immediately after the reverse split became effective, started trading on a split-adjusted basis on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

The reverse split reduced the number of common units issued and outstanding from 127,246,692 to 18,178,100 common units and the number of general partner units issued and outstanding from 2,439,989 to 348,570 general partner units.

The two class method used to calculate EPU is as follows:

 

BASIC AND DILUTED

   2018      2017      2016  

Numerators

        

Partnership’s net (loss) / income

   $ (104    $ 38,483      $ 52,489  

Less:

        

Preferred unit holders’ interest in Partnership’s net income

     11,101        11,101        11,101  

General Partner’s interest in Partnership’s net (loss) / income

     (211      522        818  

Partnership’s net (loss) / income allocable to unvested units

     (71      135        285  

Common unit holders’ interest in Partnership’s net (loss) / income

   $ (10,923    $ 26,725      $ 40,285  

Denominators

        

Weighted average number of common units outstanding, basic and diluted

     18,100,455        17,692,192        17,114,761  

Net (loss) / income per common unit:

        

Basic and Diluted

   $ (0.60    $ 1.51      $ 2.35  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

15. Commitments and Contingencies

Various claims, suits, and complaints, including those involving government regulations and product liability, arise in the ordinary course of the shipping business. In addition, losses may arise from disputes with charterers, agents, insurance and other claims with suppliers relating to the operations of the Partnership’s vessels. The Partnership is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Partnership accrues for the cost of environmental liabilities when management becomes aware that a liability is probable and is able to reasonably estimate the probable exposure. Currently, the Partnership is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the consolidated financial statements.

An estimated loss from a contingency should be accrued by a charge to expense and a liability recorded only if all of the following conditions are met:

 

   

Information available prior to the issuance of the financial statement indicates that it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements.

 

   

The amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

 

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Capital Product Partners L.P.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

(In thousands of United States Dollars)

 

 

15. Commitments and Contingencies – Continued

 

  (a)

Lease Commitments: Future minimum charter hire receipts, excluding any profit share revenue that may arise, based on non-cancellable long-term time charter contracts, as of December 31, 2018 were:

 

Year ended December 31,

   Amount  

2019

   $ 176,339  

2020

     123,347  

2021

     63,296  

2022

     53,564  

2023

     51,216  

Thereafter

     60,432  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 528,194  
  

 

 

 

(b) Vessel’s Equipment Commitments: As of December 31, 2018 the Partnership has outstanding commitments for certain of its vessels relating to the construction of exhaust gas cleaning systems and ballast water treatment systems which are payable as follows:

 

Year ended December 31,

   Amount  

2019

   $ 16,118  

2020

     8,699  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 24,817  

16. Subsequent Events

 

(a)

Dividends: On January 22, 2019, the board of directors of the Partnership declared a cash distribution of $0.315 per common unit (adjusted for the March 2019 Reverse Split) for the fourth quarter of 2018. The fourth quarter common unit cash distribution was paid on February 14, 2019, to unit holders of record on February 5, 2019.

 

(b)

Dividends: On January 22, 2019, the board of directors of the Partnership declared a cash distribution of $0.21375 per Class B Convertible Preferred Unit for the fourth quarter of 2018. The cash distribution was paid on February 8, 2019, to Class B unit holders of record on February 1, 2019.

(c) The DSS Transaction:

The DSS Transaction completed on March 27, 2019.

In connection with the DSS Transaction, among other things:

 

 

the Partnership spun off Diamond S, holding all of its 25 crude and product tankers, by way of pro rata distribution of the outstanding shares of common stock of Diamond S to the holders of the Partnership’s common and general partner units;

 

 

DSS paid to the Partnership, or at its direction, a total amount of $319,651;

 

 

the Partnership redeemed and retired all outstanding Class B Units at 100% of par value, translating into a total redemption price of $119,502;

 

 

the Partnership amended and prepaid an amount of $89,298 under the 2017 credit facility and fully repaid all amounts outstanding under the 2015 credit facility and the Aristaios credit facility; the aggregate amounts repaid were $146,517 plus accrued interest and breakage costs; and

 

 

the Partnership effected a reverse split of its common and general partner units, reducing the number of common units issued and outstanding from 127,246,692 to 18,178,100 common units and the number of general partner units issued and outstanding from 2,439,989 to 348,570 general partner units.

 

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