e424b3
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-174795
Dear Shareholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors (the Crude
Board) of Crude Carriers Corp. (Crude), we
would like to invite you to the Special Meeting of Crude
Shareholders to be held at Crudes offices located at 3
Iassonos Street, Piraeus, 18537 Greece on September 20,
2011 to consider and vote upon, among other items described in
the enclosed Notice of Special Meeting, a proposal to approve
the merger agreement that Crude signed with Capital Product
Partners L.P., a limited partnership organized under the laws of
the Republic of the Marshall Islands (CPLP), Capital
GP L.L.C., a limited liability company organized under the laws
of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (Capital
GP), and Poseidon Project Corp., a corporation organized
under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of CPLP (MergerCo), on
May 5, 2011. Following completion of the merger of MergerCo
with and into Crude under the Marshall Islands Business
Corporations Act (MIBCA), Crude will become a
wholly-owned subsidiary of CPLP (the merger or the
proposed transaction).
As defined and described in more detail under The Merger
Agreement Terms of the Merger; Merger
Consideration below, in the merger, each share of common
stock of Crude, par value $0.0001 per share (Crude common
stock) and each share of Class B stock of Crude, par
value $0.0001 per share (Crude Class B stock),
will be converted into the right to receive 1.56 common units of
CPLP (CPLP common units). CPLP will deliver up to an
aggregate of approximately 24,967,275 CPLP common units to Crude
shareholders in connection with the merger.
The CPLP common units are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol
CPLP. The closing price of the CPLP common units on
Nasdaq on August 4, 2011, the last practicable trading date
prior to the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) of the registration statement in which this
proxy statement/prospectus is included, was $6.94. The Crude
common stock is currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) under the symbol CRU. The Crude
common stock will be delisted upon completion of the merger. The
closing price of the Crude common stock on the NYSE on
August 4, 2011 was $10.11.
The merger was negotiated by the Independent Directors
Committee of the Crude Board (the Crude Independent
Committee). After review and consultation with its
independent legal and financial advisors, the Crude Independent
Committee determined that the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are
fair and reasonable to, and in the best interests of, holders of
Crude common stock other than (i) CPLP, (ii) Capital
GP, (iii) the officers and directors of Crude that are also
officers or directors of CPLP or Capital GP, respectively, or
affiliates of any of the foregoing or of Crude (collectively,
the Unaffiliated Shareholders), and recommended to
the Crude Board that it approve the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger. Upon
such recommendation by the Crude Independent Committee, the
Crude Board, by a unanimous vote of the seven directors present,
determined that the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the merger, are fair and
reasonable to, and in the best interests of, Crude and its
shareholders, including the Unaffiliated Shareholders and
adopted and approved the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the merger. The Crude Board
therefore recommends that you vote FOR approval of
the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement, including the merger.
The consummation of the merger is subject to approval by the
holders of a majority of the voting power of shares of Crude
common stock and Crude Class B stock outstanding and
entitled to vote at the special meeting, voting together as a
single class; by the sole holder of shares of Crude Class B
stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting,
voting as a separate class; and by holders of a majority of the
voting power of the shares of Crude common stock outstanding and
entitled to vote at the special meeting that are held by
Unaffiliated Shareholders, voting as a separate class. Evangelos
M. Marinakis, Chairman of the Crude Board and CEO of Crude,
Ioannis E. Lazaridis, President of Crude, Gerasimos G.
Kalogiratos, CFO of Crude, and Crude Carriers Investments Corp.
(CCIC), holder of all of the outstanding shares of
Crude Class B stock, have entered into a support agreement
pursuant to which they have agreed, subject to certain
conditions, to vote their shares in favor of the proposed
transaction.
This proxy statement/prospectus provides Crude shareholders with
detailed information about the special meeting of Crude
shareholders, the merger agreement and the proposed transaction.
You can also obtain information from publicly available
documents filed with or furnished to the SEC by Crude and CPLP.
We encourage you to read this entire document carefully. In
particular, you should carefully consider the section entitled
Risk Factors beginning on page 22.
We look forward to the successful combination of Crude and CPLP.
Sincerely yours,
Crude Carriers Corp.
/s/ Evangelos
M. Marinakis
Evangelos M. Marinakis
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Neither the SEC nor any state securities regulator has
approved or disapproved of the merger, passed upon the merits or
fairness of the merger or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy
of the disclosure in this document. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.
This proxy statement/prospectus is dated August 5,
2011 and is expected to first be mailed to Crude shareholders on
or around August 19, 2011.
Crude
Carriers Corp.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2011
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that a Special Meeting of Shareholders
(the Special Meeting) of Crude Carriers Corp., a
corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands (Crude), is scheduled to be held on
September 20, 2011 at 11:00 AM (Athens, Greece time)
at Crudes offices at 3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus, 18537
Greece for the following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt an
agreement and plan of merger, dated as of May 5, 2011, by
and among Capital Product Partners L.P., a limited partnership
organized under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands
(CPLP), Capital GP L.L.C. (Capital GP),
a limited liability company organized under the laws of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, Poseidon Project Corp., a
corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPLP
(MergerCo), and Crude, pursuant to which each share
of Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock will be
automatically converted into the right to receive 1.56 CPLP
common units, and to approve the merger of MergerCo with and
into Crude, with Crude continuing as the surviving corporation,
as a result of which Crude will become a wholly-owned subsidiary
of CPLP (the merger).
2. To consider and vote upon any proposal to adjourn the
Special Meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of
proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the
Special Meeting to adopt the merger agreement and approve the
proposed merger.
This Notice and the proxy statement/prospectus describe the
merger agreement and the proposed transaction in detail, and the
proxy statement/prospectus includes, as Appendix A, the
complete text of the merger agreement. We urge you to read these
materials carefully for a complete description of the merger
agreement and the proposed transaction. The proxy
statement/prospectus forms a part of this Notice.
The Independent Directors Committee (the Crude
Independent Committee) of the Board of Directors of Crude
(the Crude Board) (i) determined that the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the merger, are fair and reasonable to, and in the
best interests of, the holders of Crude common stock other than
(a) CPLP, (b) Capital GP, (c) the officers and
directors of Crude that are also officers or directors of CPLP
or Capital GP, respectively, or (d) affiliates of any of
the foregoing or Crude (collectively, the Unaffiliated
Shareholders), (ii) recommended to the Crude Board
that it declare the advisability of, and approve, the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including
the merger, and (iii) recommended to the Crude Board that
it recommend to the Crude shareholders that they adopt and
approve the merger agreement.
Upon such recommendation by the Crude Independent Committee, the
Crude Board, by a unanimous vote of the seven directors present,
(i) determined that the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are
fair and reasonable to, and in the best interests of, Crude and
its shareholders, including the Unaffiliated Shareholders,
(ii) adopted and approved the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, and
(iii) resolved to recommend to the Crude shareholders that
they approve the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the merger.
The Crude Board unanimously recommends that Crude
shareholders vote FOR adoption of the merger
agreement and approval of the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement, including the merger, and FOR the
proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting, if necessary, to
solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to
adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger.
The merger must be approved by: (i) holders of a majority
of the voting power of the shares of Crude common stock and
Crude Class B stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the
Special Meeting, voting together as a single class; (ii) by
the sole holder of the shares of Crude Class B stock
outstanding and entitled
to vote at the Special Meeting, voting as a separate class; and
(iii) by the holders of a majority of the voting power of
the shares of Crude common stock outstanding and entitled to
vote at the Special Meeting that are held by the Unaffiliated
Shareholders, voting as a separate class.
With respect to the merger, Evangelos M. Marinakis, Chairman of
the Board and CEO of Crude, Ioannis E. Lazaridis, President of
Crude, Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos, CFO of Crude, and Crude
Carriers Investments Corp. (CCIC), holder of all of
the outstanding shares of Crude Class B stock, have entered
into a support agreement pursuant to which they have agreed to
vote their shares in favor of the merger.
The Crude Board has fixed the close of business on
August 15, 2011 as the record date for determining the
shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special
Meeting and any adjournment of the Special Meeting. Only
shareholders of record as of the record date will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting.
YOUR VOTE
IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Your proxy is being solicited by the Crude Board. The merger
agreement must be adopted and the merger must be approved by
Crude shareholders in order for the proposed transaction to be
consummated.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting in
person, we urge you to vote your shares as promptly as possible
by proxy by completing, signing and dating your proxy card and
returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided, so that your
shares may be represented and voted at the Special Meeting. If
your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other
fiduciary, please follow the instructions furnished by the
record holder. You may revoke your proxy at any time before the
Special Meeting. If you attend the Special Meeting and vote in
person, your proxy vote will not be used.
Please do not send your Crude stock certificates at this
time. If the proposed transaction is completed, you will be sent
instructions regarding the surrender of your Crude stock
certificates.
If you have any questions about voting of your shares, please
contact Crudes proxy solicitor, Morrow & Co. LLC
(Morrow), at +1 800
662-5200.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Evangelos M. Marinakis
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
August 5, 2011
NOTICE OF INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy
Materials
for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on September 20,
2011:
The proxy statement/prospectus is
available at
http://www.capitalpplp.com/investors/sec.cfm
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Appendix A Agreement and Plan of Merger
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A-1
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Appendix B Opinion of
Jefferies & Company, Inc.
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B-1
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iii
NOTE ON
REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates business and
financial information about Crude and CPLP from other documents
that have not been included in or delivered with this proxy
statement/prospectus. These documents are available to you
without charge upon your written or oral request. You can obtain
the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement/prospectus by accessing the Internet website
maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC), at www.sec.gov, by accessing the
investor relations website of Crude at
www.crudecarrierscorp.com or of CPLP at
www.capitalpplp.com, or by requesting copies in writing
or by telephone from the appropriate company as follows:
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Crude Carriers Corp.
Attention: Secretary
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
+30 210 4584 900
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Capital Product Partners, L.P.
Attention: Secretary
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
+30 210 4584 900
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If you are a Crude shareholder and you would like to request
any documents incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement/prospectus, please do so by September 12, 2011 in
order to receive them before the Crude special meeting. If you
request any documents incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement/prospectus from Crude or CPLP, those documents will be
mailed to you promptly by first-class mail, or by similar
means.
Please see the section captioned Where You Can Find More
Information beginning on page 125 for additional
information about the documents incorporated by reference into
this proxy statement/prospectus.
iv
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE CRUDE SPECIAL MEETING
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Q: |
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What is the purpose of this document? |
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A: |
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This document serves as Crudes proxy statement and as the
prospectus of CPLP. As a prospectus, CPLP is providing this
document to Crude shareholders because CPLP is offering its
common units in exchange for shares of Crude common stock and
Crude Class B stock. As a proxy statement, this document is
being provided to Crude shareholders because the Crude Board is
soliciting their proxies to vote to approve, at a special
meeting of shareholders, the merger agreement, pursuant to which
MergerCo will merge with and into Crude, with Crude continuing
as the surviving company, as a result of which Crude will become
a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPLP. |
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Q: |
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What matters will Crude shareholders be asked to vote on at
the Crude special meeting? |
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A: |
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There are two proposals on which Crude shareholders are being
asked to vote: |
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a proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger
(the Merger Proposal); and
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a proposal to adjourn the special meeting in the
event Crude does not receive the requisite shareholder votes to
approve the Merger Proposal (the Adjournment
Proposal).
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Q: |
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When and where is the special meeting of Crude
shareholders? |
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A: |
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The special meeting of Crude shareholders will take place at
Crudes offices located at 3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus,
18537 Greece, on September 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM
(Athens, Greece time). |
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Q: |
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How can I attend the Crude special meeting in person? |
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A: |
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If you wish to attend the meeting in person you must be present
before 11:00 AM (Athens, Greece time) on September 20,
2011, at 3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus, 18537 Greece for your
identification as a holder of record of shares of Crude common
stock. Doors open at 10:30 AM (Athens, Greece time). |
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Q: |
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Who may vote at the special meeting? |
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A: |
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Only holders of record of shares of Crude common stock and
Crude Class B stock entitled to vote in respect thereof as
of the close of business on August 15, 2011 may vote
at the special meeting. As of August 5, 2011, there were
13,899,400 shares of Crude common stock and
2,105,263 shares of Crude Class B stock outstanding
and entitled to vote. |
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Q: |
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What is the quorum requirement for the special meeting? |
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A: |
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For purposes of the vote by the holders of shares of Crude
common stock and Crude Class B stock, considered as a
single class, the holders of a majority in total voting power of
the shares of Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock
issued and outstanding as of the record date entitled to vote at
the special meeting of the shareholders, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. For purposes of
the vote by the holder of all of the outstanding shares of Crude
Class B stock, the holders of a majority in total voting
power of the shares of Crude Class B stock issued and
outstanding as of the record date entitled to vote at the
special meeting of the shareholders, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. In the absence
of a quorum, the Chairman of the meeting or the holders of a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the shareholders of
Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock, considered as a
single class, who are present in person or by proxy may adjourn
the meeting. |
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Q: |
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What is the required vote to approve and authorize the
Merger? |
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A: |
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The merger must be approved by: (i) holders of a majority
of the voting power of the shares of Crude common stock and
Crude Class B stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the
Special Meeting, voting together as a single class; (ii) by
the sole holder of the shares of Crude Class B stock
outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, voting
as a separate class; and (iii) by the holders of a majority
of the voting power of the shares of Crude common stock
outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special |
v
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Meeting that are held by the Unaffiliated Shareholders, voting
as a separate class, such majority being 49.45% or more of the
outstanding shares of Crude common stock (1.11% of the
outstanding shares of Crude common stock is held by Crudes
executive officers and directors). |
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With respect to the merger, Evangelos M. Marinakis, Chairman of
the Board and CEO of Crude, Ioannis E. Lazaridis, President of
Crude, Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos, CFO of Crude, and CCIC, holder
of all of the outstanding shares of Crude Class B stock,
have entered into a support agreement pursuant to which they
have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the merger. |
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Q: |
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What is the required vote to approve the Adjournment
Proposal? |
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A: |
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Under our amended and restated bylaws, the Chairman of the
meeting or the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be
cast by the holders of Crude common stock and Crude Class B
stock, considered as a single class, who are present in person
or by proxy may adjourn the meeting. |
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Q: |
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Has the Crude Board recommended approval of the Merger
Proposal and the other Proposals? |
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A: |
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Yes. The Crude Board, acting on the recommendation of the Crude
Independent Committee, has recommended, by a unanimous vote of
the seven directors present, to Crude shareholders that they
vote FOR the approval of the Merger Proposal and the
Adjournment Proposal at the special meeting. After careful
deliberation of the terms and conditions of these proposals, the
Crude Board has determined that, the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the
merger, are fair and reasonable to, and in the best interests
of, Crude and its shareholders, including the Unaffiliated
Shareholders. Please see The Proposed
Transaction Background of the Proposed
Transaction and The Proposed Transaction
Recommendation of the Crude Independent Committee and the Crude
Board; Crudes Reasons for the Proposed Transaction
for a discussion of the factors that the Crude Board considered
in deciding to recommend the approval and authorization of the
merger. |
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Q: |
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What are the interests of the officers and directors of
Crude in the merger? |
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A: |
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There is substantial overlap of the ownership and control of
Crude and CPLP. CCIC, the owner of 100% of the Crude
Class B stock, is beneficially owned by the Marinakis
family, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Crude, Evangelos M. Marinakis. Evangelos M. Marinakis, Ioannis
E. Lazaridis and Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos collectively own 0.91%
of the outstanding shares of Crude common stock and
Mr. Marinakis is the Chief Executive Officer of Capital
Maritime, which is beneficially owned by the Marinakis family
and which is also the owner of Capital GP. Capital Maritime
currently owns a 41.9% interest in CPLP (including its 2%
general partner interest through its ownership of Capital GP),
and, following the merger, Capital Maritime will own a 27.1%
interest in the combined company, including ownership resulting
from the general partnership interest in the combined company
held by Capital GP, and collectively, Capital Maritime and CCIC
would own approximately 31.7% of the combined company. In
addition, there is significant overlap between the senior
management teams of each of Crude and Capital GP. Furthermore,
it was determined after the execution of the merger agreement
that Dimitris Christacopoulos, a member of the Crude Independent
Committee would be designated by Crude as the Crude director who
would, in accordance with the merger agreement, become a
director of CPLP upon consummation of the merger. See The
Proposed Transaction Interests of Crudes
Directors and Executive Officers in the Proposed
Transaction and The Proposed Transaction
Continuing Board and Management Positions beginning on
page 71. Finally, the vesting requirements relating to
shares of Crude common stock held by members of the Crude
Independent Committee, other than Dimitris Christacopoulos (who
collectively hold, subject to vesting requirements, an aggregate
of approximately 20,000 shares of Crude common stock, or
the right to receive approximately 31,200 CPLP common units),
will lapse immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger, and such shares will vest in full immediately prior to
the effective time of the merger. See The Proposed
Transaction Treatment of Crude Unvested Shares in
the Proposed Transaction beginning on page 84. |
vi
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What will I receive in the merger? |
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A: |
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Pursuant to the merger agreement, each outstanding share of
Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock will be
converted into the right to receive 1.56 CPLP common units.
Following completion of the merger, CPLP unitholders will own
approximately 65% of the combined entity, with Crude
shareholders owning the remaining approximately 35%. |
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How can I vote? |
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Please vote your shares of Crude common stock as soon as
possible after carefully reading and considering the information
contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. You may vote your
shares prior to the special meeting by signing and returning the
enclosed proxy card. If you hold your shares in street
name (which means that you hold your shares through a
bank, brokerage firm or nominee), you must vote in accordance
with the instructions on the voting instruction card that your
bank, brokerage firm or nominee provides to you. If you want to
attend the special meeting and vote in person, we will give you
ballots when you arrive. However, if your shares are held in the
name of your broker, bank or another nominee, you must get a
proxy from such broker, bank or other nominee. That is the only
way we can be sure that the broker, bank or nominee has not
already voted your shares. |
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Q: |
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What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card? |
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A: |
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It means you have multiple accounts at the transfer agent
and/or with brokers. Please sign and return all proxy cards to
ensure that all of your shares of Crude common stock are voted. |
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Q: |
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If my shares are held in street name by my bank,
brokerage firm or nominee, will they automatically vote my
shares for me? |
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A: |
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No. Your bank, brokerage firm or nominee cannot vote your
shares without instructions from you. You should instruct your
bank, brokerage firm or nominee how to vote your shares,
following the instructions contained in the voting instruction
card that your bank, brokerage firm or nominee provides to you. |
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What if I abstain from voting or fail to instruct my bank,
brokerage firm or nominee how to vote my shares? |
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A: |
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If you neither attend the meeting, return your proxy card or
instruct your bank, brokerage firm or nominee how to vote your
shares, and your bank, brokerage firm or nominee does not have
discretionary authority to vote on your behalf in the absence of
instructions, your shares will not be treated as shares present
for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum on any
matter. |
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If you do attend the meeting, return your proxy card, instruct
your bank, brokerage firm or nominee how to vote your shares, or
if your bank, brokerage firm or nominee has discretionary
authority to vote on your behalf and either attend the meeting
or return the proxy card, your shares will be treated as shares
present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, it makes
no difference whether you have instructed your bank, brokerage
firm or nominee to vote for, against or abstain. |
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Proxies that are marked abstain and proxies relating
to street name shares that are returned to us but
marked by brokers as not voted will be treated as
shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum on all matters. The latter will not be treated as shares
entitled to vote on the matter as to which authority to vote is
withheld by the broker. |
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Why is my vote important? |
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If you do not return your proxy card or vote in person at the
special meeting, it will be more difficult for Crude to obtain
the necessary quorum to hold the special meeting. In addition,
the adoption and approval of the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the
merger, require the affirmative votes of the holders of a
majority of the voting power of the shares of Crude common stock
and Crude Class B stock outstanding and entitled to vote at
the Special Meeting, voting as a single class; the sole holder
of the shares of Crude Class B stock outstanding and |
vii
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entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, voting as a separate
class; and a majority of voting power of the shares of Crude
common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting that are held by the Unaffiliated Shareholders, voting
as a separate class. Because these three required votes are
based on a majority of all shares outstanding (i.e., not just a
majority of the shares present at the meeting and voting), if
you abstain from voting, or if you fail to vote or fail to
instruct your bank, brokerage firm or nominee how to vote, that
will make it more difficult to achieve the votes required to
approve the Merger Proposal. |
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Can I change my vote after I have mailed my proxy card? |
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Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is
voted at the special meeting. You may revoke your proxy by
executing and returning a proxy card dated later than the
previous one, or by attending the special meeting in person and
casting your vote by ballot or by submitting a written
revocation stating that you would like to revoke your proxy. If
you hold your shares through a bank, brokerage firm or nominee,
you should follow the instructions of your bank, brokerage firm
or nominee regarding the revocation of proxies. You should send
any notice of revocation or your completed new proxy card, as
the case may be, to: |
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Crude Carriers Corp.
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Investor Relations Representative
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Nicolas Bornozis, President
Capital Link, Inc.
230 Park Avenue Suite 1536
New York, NY 10160, USA
Tel: +1 212
661-7566
E-mail:
crudecarriers@capitallink.com |
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When is the merger expected to occur? |
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A: |
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Assuming the requisite shareholder approval is received, Crude
expects that the merger will occur during the third quarter of
2011. |
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What happens if the merger is not consummated? |
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If the merger agreement is not adopted by the shareholders of
Crude or if the merger is not consummated for any other reason,
the shareholders of Crude would not receive any payment for
their shares of Crude common stock or Crude Class B stock
in connection with the merger. Instead, Crude would remain an
independent public company, and the Crude common stock would
continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE. Under specified
circumstances, Crude may be required to pay to CPLP a fee with
respect to the termination of the merger agreement, as described
under The Merger Agreement Termination Fees
and Reimbursement of Expenses beginning on page 99. |
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May I seek statutory appraisal rights with respect to my
shares? |
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A: |
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Under Marshall Islands law, a shareholder of a corporation has
the right to vote against any plan of merger to which the
corporation is a party. If such shareholders vote against the
plan of merger, they may have the right to seek payment from
their corporation of the appraised fair value of their shares
(instead of the contractual merger consideration). However, the
right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the
appraised fair value of his shares is not available if the
shares of such class or series of stock are (i) listed on a
securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than
2,000 holders. Since shares of Crude common stock are traded on
the NYSE, a dissenting holder of shares of Crude common stock
has no right to receive payment from Crude for the appraised
fair market value of his shares under Marshall Islands law.
Furthermore, pursuant to the Support Agreement, CCIC, as the
sole holder of the Crude Class B stock, has waived any
appraisal rights it might have under Marshall Islands law. |
viii
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Is the merger expected to be taxable to me? |
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A: |
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The merger has been structured to qualify as a reorganization
for United States federal income tax purposes, and it is a
condition to CPLPs and Crudes obligations to
complete the merger that CPLP receive a legal opinion from a
nationally recognized law firm, which is expected to be Akin
Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, and Crude receive a
legal opinion from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, to the
effect that the merger should qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code). Provided that the merger
qualifies as such, holders of Crude common stock generally will
not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income
tax purposes on the exchange of their Crude common stock for
CPLP common units pursuant to the merger, except for any gain or
loss that may result from the receipt by such holders of cash
instead of fractional CPLP common units. |
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It is important to note that the United States federal income
tax consequences described above may not apply to some holders
of Crude common stock, including certain holders specifically
referred to under Material United States Federal Income
Tax Consequences to Crude Shareholders beginning on
page 75. Your tax consequences will depend on your
individual situation. Accordingly, we strongly urge you to
consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax
consequences of the merger in your particular circumstances, as
well as any tax consequences that may arise from the laws of any
other taxing jurisdiction. |
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Where can I find more information about the companies? |
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A: |
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You can find more information about Crude and CPLP in the
documents described under Where You Can Find More
Information and Incorporation of Certain Documents
by Reference on page 128 and on the website of each
company at www.crudecarrierscorp.com for Crude and
www.capitalpplp.com for CPLP. |
ix
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this proxy
statement/prospectus and may not contain all the information
that is important to you. To understand the merger agreement and
the proposed transaction fully and for a more complete
description of the legal terms of the merger, you should
carefully read this entire proxy statement/prospectus and the
other documents to which CPLP refers you, including in
particular the copies of the merger agreement and the opinion of
Jefferies & Company, Inc. that are attached to this
proxy statement/prospectus and incorporated by reference into
this proxy statement/prospectus. Please see also Where You
Can Find More Information and Incorporation of
Certain Documents by Reference on page 128. CPLP has
included page references parenthetically to direct you to a more
complete description of many of the topics presented in this
summary.
The
Companies (page 44)
Crude Carriers Corp.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
+30 210 4584 900
Crude Carriers Corp. is a corporation organized under the laws
of the Republic of the Marshall Islands focusing on the maritime
transportation of crude oil cargoes. It employs its vessels in
the spot tanker market or under spot related employment. Crude
owns a modern, high specification fleet of crude oil tankers,
comprising two VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers) and three
Suezmax tankers, with a weighted average age of 2.7 years
as of June 30, 2011, and a total carrying capacity of
approximately 1,058,344 dwt. Crudes vessels transport
mainly crude oil and fuel oil along worldwide shipping routes.
Capital Ship Management Corp., a subsidiary of Capital
Maritime & Trading Corp. (Capital
Maritime), an international shipping company, serves as
the manager of Crudes vessels. Currently three out of
Crudes five vessels are employed with Shell International
Trading & Shipping Co. Ltd. (Shell) under
spot index linked time charter arrangements, which are also
subject to a profit sharing arrangement. Shares of Crude common
stock have traded on the NYSE under the symbol CRU
since Crudes initial public offering in March 2010. As of
June 30, 2011, Crude had approximately $407.5 million
in total assets.
Capital Product Partners L.P.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
+30 210 4584 900
Capital Product Partners L.P. is a limited partnership organized
under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, whose
vessels trade on a worldwide basis and are capable of carrying
crude oil, refined oil products, such as gasoline, diesel, fuel
oil and jet fuel, as well as edible oils and certain chemicals
such as ethanol. As of June 30, 2011, CPLPs fleet
consisted of 21 double-hull tankers with an average age of
approximately 5.0 years, including one of the largest Ice
Class 1A MR product tanker fleets in the world based on
number of vessels and carrying capacity, with 90% of the fleet
total days in the last six months of 2011 secured under
period charter coverage. In June 2011 CPLP began operating one
drybulk capesize vessel. Capital Ship Management Corp., a
subsidiary of Capital Maritime, serves as the manager of
CPLPs vessels. CPLP charters 19 of its 22 vessels
(including the capesize vessel) under medium- to long-term time
and bareboat charters to large charterers such as BP Shipping
Limited, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A., Capital Maritime and
subsidiaries of Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. CPLPs
common units trade on Nasdaq under the symbol
1
CPLP. CPLP unitholders also receive reports on
Form 1099, as the partnership is treated as a corporation
for U.S. tax purposes. As of June 30, 2011, CPLP had
approximately $847.0 million in total assets.
Capital GP L.L.C.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
+30 210 4584 900
Capital GP L.L.C. is a limited liability company organized under
the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It is the
general partner of CPLP and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capital
Maritime.
Poseidon Project Corp.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
+30 210 4584 900
Poseidon Project Corp. is a corporation incorporated under the
laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of CPLP. This entity was recently formed
for the sole purpose of effecting the merger.
Structure
of the Proposed Transaction (page 45)
The merger agreement provides for the transaction described
below. The merger agreement is attached to this document as
Appendix A and is incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement/prospectus. We urge you to read the merger agreement
carefully and in its entirety, as it is the legal document that
governs the proposed transaction and your rights and obligations
in connection with the proposed transaction.
Pursuant to the merger agreement at the time the proposed
transaction is completed:
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MergerCo will be merged with and into Crude, with Crude
continuing as the surviving corporation, as a result of which
Crude will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPLP; and
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each share of Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock
will be automatically converted into the right to receive 1.56
CPLP common units (the Crude exchange ratio).
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In addition, at the effective time of the proposed transaction:
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Crudes amended and restated articles of incorporation and
its amended and restated bylaws will be substantially in the
forms attached as Annex B and Annex C to
Appendix A of this proxy statement/prospectus;
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CPLPs current directors and one current member of the
Crude Independent Committee, which will be Dimitris
Christacopoulos, will be the directors of CPLP immediately after
the effective time of the proposed transaction, and Evangelos M.
Marinakis will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of
CPLP, as described in the section captioned The Proposed
Transaction Continuing Board and Management
Positions beginning on page 74;
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CPLPs current officers will remain in their positions.
There will be additional officers as described in the section
captioned The Proposed Transaction Continuing
Board and Management Positions beginning on page 74;
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CPLPs current headquarters will be the combined
companys headquarters; and
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CPLPs common units will continue to be listed and traded
on Nasdaq under the trading symbol CPLP. As promptly
as practicable following completion of the transaction, CPLP
will cause all shares of Crude common stock to be delisted from
the NYSE.
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Crude and CPLP expect to incur approximately $4.0 million
and $4.0 million, respectively, in fees and costs
associated with consummating the proposed transaction.
2
The structural organization of the companies before and after
completion of the proposed transaction is illustrated on the
following pages.
BEFORE
THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
(as of June 30, 2011)
3
Recommendation
to Crudes Shareholders (page 57)
The Crude Board (consistent with the recommendation of the Crude
Independent Committee) believes the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the
merger, are fair and reasonable to, and in the best interests
of, Crude and its shareholders, including the Unaffiliated
Shareholders, and recommends that you vote FOR the
Merger Proposal. When you consider the Crude Boards
recommendation, you should be aware that Crudes directors
may have interests in the transaction that may be different
from, or in addition to, your interest. These interests are
described in The Proposed Transaction
Interests of Crudes Directors and Executive Officers in
the Proposed Transaction.
Crudes
Reasons for the Proposed Transaction (page 57)
In evaluating the proposed transaction, the Crude Independent
Committee consulted its legal and financial advisors and, in
making its recommendation, considered a number of factors,
including those factors described under The Proposed
Transaction Background of the Proposed
Transaction, and The Proposed
Transaction Recommendation of the Crude Independent
Committee and the Crude Board; Crudes Reasons for the
Proposed Transaction.
Opinion
of the Crude Independent Committees Financial Advisor
(page 62)
The Crude Independent Committee retained Jefferies &
Company, Inc. (Jefferies) to act as its financial
advisor in connection with the merger and to render to the Crude
Independent Committee an opinion as to the fairness of the Crude
exchange ratio to the Unaffiliated Shareholders. At the meeting
of the Crude Independent Committee on May 5, 2011,
Jefferies rendered its opinion to the Crude Independent
Committee, to the effect that, as of that date, and based upon
and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed,
matters considered and limitations on the scope of the review
undertaken by Jefferies set forth in its opinion, the Crude
exchange ratio was fair, from a financial point of view, to the
Unaffiliated Shareholders.
Jefferies opinion sets forth, among other things, the
assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and
limitations on the scope of the review undertaken by Jefferies
in rendering its opinion. Jefferies opinion was directed
to the Crude Independent Committee and addresses only the
fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of
the opinion, of the Crude exchange ratio to the Unaffiliated
Shareholders. It does not address any other aspects of the
merger and does not constitute a recommendation as to how any
holder of Crude common stock or Crude Class B stock should
vote on the merger or any matter related thereto.
The full text of the written opinion of Jefferies is attached as
Appendix B to this proxy statement/prospectus. Crude
encourages its shareholders to read Jefferies opinion
carefully and in its entirety.
Crude
Special Meeting; Record Date; Required Vote
(page 40)
The special meeting of Crude shareholders is scheduled to be
held on September 20, 2011 at 3 Iassonos Street,
Piraeus, 18537 Greece (Athens, Greece time) at 11:00 AM.
You are entitled to vote at the Crude special meeting if you
were a holder of shares of Crude common stock at the close of
business on August 15, 2011, which is the record date for
the Crude special meeting.
The proposed transaction will not be consummated unless the
merger agreement is approved and adopted, and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, are
approved, by the holders of a majority of the voting power of
shares of Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock
outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, voting
together as a single class; by the sole holder of shares of
Crude Class B stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the
Special Meeting, voting as a separate class; and by a majority
of the voting power of the shares of Crude common stock
outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting that are
held by the Unaffiliated Shareholders, voting as a separate
class.
6
Shares Owned
by Directors and Executive Officers (page 73)
As of the record date for the Crude special meeting, the
directors and executive officers of Crude beneficially owned
154,000 shares of Crude common stock, which represented
approximately 1.10% of the shares of Crude common stock
outstanding on that date.
Interests
of Certain Persons in the Proposed Transaction
(page 73)
In considering the recommendations of the Crude Board
(consistent with the recommendation of the Crude Independent
Committee) with respect to the proposed transaction, you should
be aware of the benefits available to the executive officers and
directors of Crude in connection with the proposed transaction,
and the potential conflicts of interest which they may have with
Crudes shareholders. These individuals have certain
interests in the proposed transaction that may be different
from, or in addition to, the interests of Crudes
shareholders. The Crude Independent Committee and the Crude
Board were aware of these interests and considered them, among
other matters, in making their recommendations. These interests
and arrangements include:
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certain directors and officers of Crude are also directors
and/or
officers of CPLP, Capital GP, Capital Maritime and Capital Ship
Management, including Evangelos M. Marinakis, who is the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Crude as well as the
Chairman of the CPLP Board, a director of Capital Maritime and
the Chief Executive Officer and President of Capital Maritime,
Ioannis E. Lazaridis, who is the President of Crude as well as a
director of CPLP and Capital Maritime, the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Capital GP and the Chief
Financial Officer of Capital Maritime and Gerasimos G.
Kalogiratos, who is a director and the Chief Financial Officer
of Crude as well as the Finance Director of Capital Maritime and
the Investment Relations Officer of CPLP;
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beneficial ownership by Crude directors and executive officers
of CPLP common units, although no Crude director or executive
officer owns more than 1.0% of the outstanding CPLP common units;
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at the time the merger is consummated, the commencement of
service on the CPLP Board by Dimitris Christacopoulos, a member
of the Crude Board and Chairman of the Crude Independent
Committee who was designated to assume this position by the
Crude Board after the execution of the merger agreement and in
accordance with the merger agreement; and
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the lapsing of the vesting requirements relating to shares of
Crude common stock held by members of the Crude Independent
Committee, other than Dimitris Christacopoulos (who collectively
hold, subject to vesting requirements, an aggregate of
approximately 20,000 shares of Crude common stock, or the
right to receive approximately 31,200 CPLP common units),
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger.
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Information relating to the interests of Crudes directors
and executive officers generally is located beginning on
page 73.
M/V Cape
Agamemnon Acquisition
On June 10, 2011, CPLP acquired from Capital Maritime 100%
of the shares of capital stock of Patroklos Marine Corp. a
corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands, that was the registered owner of the dry cargo
vessel M/V Cape Agamemnon (the Cape Agamemnon) for a
total consideration of approximately $98.5 million, paid in
a combination of CPLP common units and cash. CPLP issued
6,958,000 CPLP common units to Capital Maritime based on a
$10.35 price per unit, as part of the consideration for the
acquisition of the Cape Agamemnon, and paid approximately
$26.5 million in cash. In connection with the transaction,
Capital Maritime caused Capital GP to contribute approximately
$1.5 million to CPLP in exchange for 142,000 general
partner units. The purchase value of the Cape Agamemnon of
$83.5 million used in CPLPs financial statements is
calculated based on the issuance of CPLP common units at their
closing price on June 9, 2011 of $8.20 per unit.
7
Assuming the consummation of the merger, CPLP unitholders will
own approximately 65% of the combined company, with Crude
shareholders owning the remaining approximately 35% of the
combined company (including 3,284,210 common units to be issued
to CCIC). As a result of the merger, Capital Maritime, the owner
of Capital GP, will own approximately 27.1% of the combined
company, including ownership resulting from the general
partnership interest in the combined company held by Capital GP
and, collectively, Capital Maritime and CCIC would own
approximately 31.7% of the combined company. Under the CPLP
Partnership Agreement, Capital GP, which is owned by Capital
Maritime, also has the right to contribute CPLP common units in
return for general partner units in order to maintain a 2%
general partner interest in CPLP. If the proposed transaction is
consummated, shortly thereafter Capital GP expects to contribute
approximately 499,346 CPLP common units in return for general
partner units in order to maintain its 2% general partner
interest.
The acquisition of the Cape Agamemnon makes CPLP subject to
various risks. Please see the section captioned Risk
Factors beginning on page 22.
Treatment
of Crude Unvested Shares in the Proposed Transaction
(page 87)
Crude has issued shares of Crude common stock subject to certain
vesting requirements pursuant to the Crude 2010 Equity Incentive
Plan, adopted March 1, 2010 (the Crude Equity
Plan). The proposed transaction will not have a
substantial effect on any such outstanding shares under the
Crude Equity Plan. The shares under the plan will be converted
into equivalent grants with respect to CPLP common units and all
the vesting requirements will remain the same. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the vesting requirements relating to the shares
held by those members of the Crude Independent Committee who are
not designated by Crude to serve as a member of the CPLP board
of directors (the CPLP Board) (an aggregate of
approximately 20,000 shares of Crude common stock or the
right to receive approximately 31,200 CPLP common units)
will lapse immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger, and such shares will vest in full immediately prior to
the effective time of the merger.
What
Crude Shareholders Will Receive in the Proposed Transaction
(page 45)
Crude shareholders will receive 1.56 CPLP common units for each
share of Crude common stock or Crude Class B stock they own.
Conditions
to Completion of the Proposed Transaction
(page 98)
The obligations of CPLP and Crude to complete the merger are
subject to the satisfaction of certain customary conditions,
including the adoption of the merger agreement by Crudes
shareholders, the accuracy of the representations and warranties
of the parties, and compliance by the parties with their
respective obligations under the merger agreement. The
obligations of CPLP and Crude to complete the merger are subject
to the satisfaction of certain other conditions, including
authorization for the listing on the Nasdaq of the CPLP common
units to be issued to Crude shareholders pursuant to the merger
and the effectiveness of the amendments contemplated in the
merger agreement to CPLPs second amended and restated
limited partnership agreement (the CPLP Partnership
Agreement) and CPLPs Omnibus Agreement (the
CPLP Omnibus Agreement).
Termination
of the Merger Agreement (page 99)
The merger agreement may be terminated under the following
circumstances:
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by mutual written consent of Crude and CPLP;
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by either Crude or CPLP upon written notice if:
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the merger is not consummated by September 30, 2011;
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the merger is enjoined or otherwise prohibited by law;
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Crude fails to obtain the requisite approvals; or
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8
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the other party materially breaches certain provisions of the
merger agreement.
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by CPLP, upon written notice to Crude, in the event of a company
change in recommendation;
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by Crude, upon written notice to CPLP, if Crude decides to
accept a superior proposal (as defined in the merger agreement),
as described in the merger agreement; or
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by CPLP, should any permanent injunction or court order
(i) require or permit Crude to act or fail to act in a
manner that would, in the absence of the injunction or court
order, constitute a material violation of the non-solicitation
provision of the merger agreement or (ii) reduce or
otherwise limit the rights of CPLP, Capital GP or MergerCo in
any material respect under such non-solicitation provision.
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Subject to certain procedural requirements, the Crude Board may
withdraw or change its recommendation to the Crude shareholders
with respect to the merger if the Crude Board determines that to
do otherwise would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties. In
addition, subject to certain procedural requirements (including
the ability of CPLP to revise its offer) and payment of the
termination fee and expense reimbursement discussed below, Crude
may terminate the merger agreement and enter into an agreement
with a third party that makes a superior proposal. See the
section captioned The Merger Agreement
Termination of the Merger Agreement beginning on
page 99 for a discussion of these and other rights of each
of Crude and CPLP to terminate the merger agreement.
Termination
Fees; Reimbursement of Expenses (page 100)
If the merger agreement is terminated in certain circumstances
described under The Merger Agreement
Termination Fees and Reimbursement of Expenses beginning
on page 100, Crude may be obligated to pay a termination
fee of $9.0 million less any expenses previously paid to
CPLP.
If the merger agreement is terminated by Crude because of
CPLPs breach of its representations and warranties or
covenants and agreements, CPLP will pay Crude the expenses of
Crude incurred in connection with the merger, up to
$3.0 million. If the merger agreement is terminated by CPLP
because of Crudes breach of its representations and
warranties or covenants and agreements, Crude will pay CPLP the
expenses of CPLP incurred in connection with the merger, up to
$3.0 million.
Acquisition
Proposals and a Company Change in Recommendation
(page 95)
The merger agreement provides that Crude is not permitted to
initiate, solicit, facilitate or encourage any acquisition
proposal (as described in The Merger Agreement
Acquisition Proposals and a Company Change in
Recommendation), participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any non-public
information regarding, any acquisition proposal or waive any
standstill agreement. Crude may furnish information
to, or enter into or participate in discussions or negotiations
with, any person that makes an unsolicited written acquisition
proposal under certain circumstances described under The
Merger Agreement Acquisition Proposals and a Company
Change in Recommendation.
The Crude Board may not (i)(A) withdraw, modify or qualify, in
any manner adverse to CPLP, the company recommendation or
(B) publicly approve or recommend any acquisition proposal
or (ii) approve, adopt or recommend, or allow Crude or any
of its subsidiaries to execute or enter into, any agreement or
any tender or exchange offer in connection with, any acquisition
proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to
obtaining the approval of Crudes shareholders, the Crude
Board may (x) make a company change in recommendation or
(y) in connection with a superior proposal, terminate the
merger agreement if it has concluded in good faith, after
consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial
advisors, that failure to take such action would constitute or
would be reasonably likely to constitute a violation of its
fiduciary duties to the shareholders under applicable law.
However, the Crude Board will not be entitled to make a company
change in recommendation pursuant to the previous sentence (or
to terminate the merger agreement in order to enter into a
transaction that the Crude Board has determined is a superior
proposal) unless Crude and its subsidiaries comply with those
procedures described under The Merger
Agreement Acquisition Proposals and a Company Change
in Recommendation.
9
Ownership
of Combined Company after Completion of the Proposed Transaction
(page 45)
If the proposed transaction is consummated, then based on the
number of shares of Crude common stock and Crude Class B
stock outstanding on August 5, 2011, CPLP would issue
approximately 24,967,275 CPLP common units to Crude shareholders
in the proposed transaction, including 3,284,210 common units to
be issued to CCIC. As a result of the proposed transaction and
CPLPs acquisition of the Cape Agamemnon, CPLP unitholders
would own approximately 65% of the combined company and Crude
shareholders would own approximately 35% of the combined
company. Capital Maritime, the owner of Capital GP, would own
approximately 27.1% of the combined company, including ownership
resulting from the general partnership interest in the combined
company held by Capital GP and, collectively, Capital Maritime
and CCIC would own approximately 31.7% of the combined company.
Under the CPLP Partnership Agreement, Capital GP, which is owned
by Capital Maritime, also has the right to contribute CPLP
common units in return for general partner units in order to
maintain a 2% general partner interest in CPLP. If the proposed
transaction is consummated, shortly thereafter Capital GP
expects to contribute approximately 499,346 CPLP common units in
return for general partner units in order to maintain its 2%
general partner interest.
Treatment
of Existing Debt Facilities in the Proposed Transaction
(page 75)
Neither Crude nor CPLP anticipates drawing down on its credit
facilities in connection with the consummation of the proposed
transaction. The parties anticipate that, following the merger,
CPLP may reach an arrangement with its lenders to draw down its
existing credit facilities to refinance the debt of Crudes
vessels unless CPLP obtains better or similar terms elsewhere,
but this is subject to certain conditions and entails various
risks. Please see the section captioned Risk Factors
beginning on page 22.
In connection with CPLPs acquisition of the dry cargo
vessel Cape Agamemnon from Capital Maritime, CPLP drew down on a
new credit facility of $25 million provided by Credit
Agricole Emporiki Bank in order to partially finance the
acquisition of the shares of the vessel owning company of the
Cape Agamemnon from Capital Maritime. This credit facility is
non-amortizing
until March 31, 2013 and will be repaid in twenty equal
consecutive quarterly installments commencing in June 2013 plus
a balloon payment in March 2018. Loan commitment fees are
calculated at 0.50% per annum on any undrawn amount and are paid
quarterly. This credit facility contains customary ship finance
covenants and is secured and guaranteed by the vessel owning
company of the Cape Agamemnon.
Material
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences to Crude
Shareholders (page 75)
The merger has been structured to qualify as a reorganization
for United States federal income tax purposes, and it is a
condition to CPLPs and Crudes obligations to
complete the merger that CPLP receive a legal opinion from a
nationally recognized law firm, which is expected to be Akin
Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, and Crude receive a
legal opinion from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, to the
effect that the merger should qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. Provided that the merger
qualifies as such, holders of Crude common stock generally will
not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income
tax purposes on the exchange of their Crude Carries common stock
for CPLP common units pursuant to the merger, except for any
gain or loss that may result from the receipt by such holders of
cash instead of fractional CPLP common units.
It is important to note that the United States federal income
tax consequences described above may not apply to some holders
of Crude common stock, including certain holders specifically
referred to under the section captioned Material United
States Federal Income Tax Consequences to Crude
Shareholders beginning on page 75. Your tax
consequences will depend on your individual situation.
Accordingly, we strongly urge you to consult your tax advisor
for a full understanding of the tax consequences of the merger
in your particular circumstances, as well as any tax
consequences that may arise from the laws of any other taxing
jurisdiction.
10
Regulatory
Matters (page 90)
No further regulatory filings or approvals will be required for
the completion of the merger other than the filing of the merger
agreement with the Republic of the Marshall Islands corporate
registry upon approval of the Merger Proposal by Crude
shareholders.
Appraisal
Rights of Dissenting Shareholders (page 127)
Under Marshall Islands law, a shareholder of a corporation has
the right to vote against any plan of merger to which the
corporation is a party. If such shareholders vote against the
plan of merger, they may have the right to seek payment from
their corporation of the appraised fair value of their shares
(instead of the contractual merger consideration). However, the
right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the
appraised fair value of his shares is not available if the
shares of such class or series of stock are (i) listed on a
securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than
2,000 holders. Since shares of Crude common stock are traded on
the NYSE, a dissenting holder of shares of Crude common stock
has no right to receive payment from Crude for the appraised
fair market value of his shares under Marshall Islands law.
Furthermore, pursuant to the Support Agreement, CCIC, as the
sole holder of the Crude Class B stock, has waived any
appraisal rights it might have under Marshall Islands law.
Risk
Factors (page 22)
An investment in CPLP common units involves risks, some of which
are related to the merger. In considering the proposed merger,
you should carefully consider the information about these risks
set forth under Risk Factors beginning on
page 22, together with the other information included or
incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus.
Listing
and Trading of CPLP Common Units after Completion of the
Proposed Transaction; Delisting of Crude Common Stock
(page 74)
CPLP common units will continue to be listed on Nasdaq after
completion of the proposed transaction. The Crude common stock
will be delisted from the NYSE and deregistered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act). Registration under the Exchange Act may be
terminated upon application to the SEC if the shares of Crude
common stock are neither listed on a national securities
exchange nor held by 300 or more holders of record. As a result
of such deregistration, Crude will no longer be required to file
reports with the SEC or otherwise be subject to the United
States federal securities laws applicable to public companies.
Comparison
of Rights of Shareholders of Crude and Unitholders of CPLP
(page 116)
Pursuant to the proposed transaction, Crude shareholders will
receive CPLP common units. Therefore, after the consummation of
the proposed transaction, current Crude shareholders will become
CPLP unitholders, and their rights as CPLP unitholders will be
governed by the CPLP Partnership Agreement, which will be
further amended to modify certain terms, as required by the
merger agreement. See the section captioned the Merger
Agreement Governance Matters after the Merger.
While both Crude and CPLP are organized under the laws of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, and accordingly their
equityholder rights are both governed by Marshall Islands law,
there are certain differences between the rights of Crude
shareholders and the rights of holders of CPLP common units. For
example, while the business and affairs of each of Crude and
CPLP are overseen by a board of directors, because CPLP is a
limited partnership, its
day-to-day
affairs are managed by its general partner and the general
partners officers, at the direction and subject to the
authority of the CPLP Board. Crude is a corporation and has its
own officers who are appointed by the Crude Board. Furthermore,
the CPLP Board is composed of seven directors, three directors
who are appointed by its general partner and four directors who
are elected by the holders of CPLP common units that are not
affiliated with the general partner or its affiliates. However,
both the Crude Board and the elected directors on the CPLP Board
are classified into three classes, with the terms of each of the
classes expiring in successive years. For a
11
further description of material differences, please see the
section captioned Comparison of Rights of Shareholders of
Crude and Unitholders of CPLP beginning on page 116.
Comparative
Stock Prices and Dividends (page 101)
CPLP common units are currently listed under the trading symbol
CPLP on Nasdaq, and the Crude common stock is listed
on the NYSE under the trading symbol CRU. On
May 4, 2011, the last full trading day prior to the public
announcement of the execution of the merger agreement, the
closing price of a CPLP common unit was $11.27 per unit, and the
closing price of a share of Crude common stock was $12.99 per
share. The averages of the closing prices of CPLP common units
and shares of Crude common stock for certain periods prior to
the public announcement of the execution of the merger agreement
are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crude Common
|
|
CPLP Common
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Units
|
|
|
(NYSE)
|
|
(Nasdaq)
|
|
30 consecutive trading day average ending May 4, 2011
|
|
$
|
14.05
|
|
|
$
|
10.81
|
|
60 consecutive trading day average ending May 4, 2011
|
|
$
|
14.53
|
|
|
$
|
10.26
|
|
90 consecutive trading day average ending May 4, 2011
|
|
$
|
15.10
|
|
|
$
|
10.11
|
|
On August 4, 2011, the most recent practicable trading date
prior to the printing of this proxy statement/prospectus, the
closing price of Crude common stock was $10.11 per share, and
the closing price of CPLP common units was $6.94 per unit. You
are urged to obtain current market quotations prior to making
any decision with respect to the proposed transaction.
CPLP has generally declared distributions in January, April,
July and October of each year and paid those distributions in
the subsequent month. In January 2010, CPLP introduced an annual
distribution guidance of $0.90 per annum, or $0.225 per quarter.
In July 2010, CPLP revised its annual distribution guidance to
$0.93 per annum, or $0.2325 per quarter. CPLP made distributions
in accordance with its guidance in November 2010, February 2011
and May 2011.
Crudes dividend policy is to pay a variable quarterly
dividend based on its cash available for distribution.
In November 2010, Crude declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per
share, and paid that dividend on December 7, 2010 to
shareholders of record on November 24, 2010. In February
2011, Crude declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per share, and
paid that dividend on March 2, 2011 to shareholders of
record on February 23, 2011. In May 2011, Crude declared a
cash dividend of $0.25 per share, and paid that dividend on
June 1, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 23, 2011.
The merger agreement provides that Crude may not declare or pay
any dividends except the declaration and payment of a regular
quarterly dividend for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and
the quarter ending June 30, 2011, in each case not in
excess of $0.25 per share of Crude common stock and Crude
Class B stock.
If the proposed transaction is consummated, CPLP intends to
maintain its current cash distribution target of $0.93 per unit.
The payment of distributions by CPLP following the merger,
however, will be subject to approval and declaration by the CPLP
Board and will depend on a variety of factors, including
business, financial, legal and regulatory considerations,
including but not limited to vessel earnings remaining at
current levels or improving, refinancing of current debt
obligations under similar terms as CPLPs existing debt
obligations in a timely fashion, operating and voyage expenses
remaining at comparable levels, no accidents or material loss to
its vessels occurring, as well as covenants under the combined
companys credit facilities. Please see the relevant
subheadings under the section captioned Risk Factors
beginning on page 22.
The Crude Board and the CPLP Board will continue to evaluate
their respective dividend and distribution policies in light of
applicable business, financial, legal and regulatory
considerations. For more information regarding dividend policy
and distributions of each of CPLP and Crude, and related
matters, please see the section captioned Comparative
Stock Prices and Dividends beginning on page 101.
12
SELECTED
HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF CPLP
The following table sets forth certain selected historical
consolidated financial data of CPLP prepared in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or
U.S. GAAP. The selected income statement data for each of
the three years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 and
the selected balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010 and
2009 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial
statements and the related notes of CPLP included in its Annual
Report on
Form 20-F
filed with the SEC on February 4, 2011. The historical
financial data presented for the years ended December 31,
2007 and 2006 have been derived from audited financial
statements not included in this proxy statement/prospectus and
are provided for comparison purposes only. The financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
are not comparable to CPLPs financial statements for the
years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. CPLPs
initial public offering on April 3, 2007, and certain other
transactions that occurred thereafter, including the delivery or
acquisition of 13 additional vessels, the exchange of two
vessels, the new charters for vessels, the agreement CPLP
entered into with Capital Ship Management for the provision of
management and administrative services to its fleet for a fixed
fee and certain new financing and interest rate swap
arrangements CPLP entered into, affected results of operations.
Furthermore, for the year ended December 31, 2006, only
eight of the vessels in CPLPs current fleet had been
delivered to Capital Maritime and only two were in operation for
the full year. The selected income statement and balance sheet
data as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and
2010 has been derived from the unaudited condensed and
consolidated financial statements and the related notes of CPLP
included in its Current Report on
Form 6-K
furnished to the SEC on August 5, 2011. Data presented for
the six months ended June 30, 2011 do not necessarily
represent the results that can be expected for the year ending
December 31, 2011.
The information presented below is only a summary and should be
read in conjunction with the respective audited and unaudited
financial statements of CPLP, including the notes thereto,
incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus.
See the section captioned Where You Can Find More
Information beginning on page 128.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2011
|
|
|
June 30, 2010
|
|
|
2010(1)
|
|
|
2009(1)
|
|
|
2008(1)
|
|
|
2007(1)
|
|
|
2006(1)
|
|
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except net income per unit,
distributions per unit and number of units)
|
|
|
Income Statement Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
43,909
|
|
|
$
|
61,828
|
|
|
$
|
113,562
|
|
|
$
|
134,519
|
|
|
$
|
147,617
|
|
|
$
|
98,730
|
|
|
$
|
33,976
|
|
Revenues related party
|
|
|
11,597
|
|
|
|
3,411
|
|
|
|
11,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
55,506
|
|
|
|
65,239
|
|
|
|
124,592
|
|
|
|
134,519
|
|
|
|
147,617
|
|
|
|
98,730
|
|
|
|
33,976
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voyage expenses(2)
|
|
|
1,776
|
|
|
|
4,204
|
|
|
|
7,009
|
|
|
|
3,993
|
|
|
|
5,981
|
|
|
|
6,238
|
|
|
|
3,103
|
|
Vessel operating expenses related parties(3)
|
|
|
14,903
|
|
|
|
14,426
|
|
|
|
30,261
|
|
|
|
30,830
|
|
|
|
26,193
|
|
|
|
12,958
|
|
|
|
1,319
|
|
Vessel operating expenses(3)
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
|
1,034
|
|
|
|
1,034
|
|
|
|
2,204
|
|
|
|
5,682
|
|
|
|
7,894
|
|
|
|
6,891
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
5,195
|
|
|
|
1,262
|
|
|
|
3,506
|
|
|
|
2,876
|
|
|
|
2,817
|
|
|
|
1,477
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
16,350
|
|
|
|
15,431
|
|
|
|
31,464
|
|
|
|
30,685
|
|
|
|
26,581
|
|
|
|
16,759
|
|
|
|
4,819
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
38,303
|
|
|
|
36,357
|
|
|
|
73,274
|
|
|
|
70,588
|
|
|
|
67,254
|
|
|
|
45,326
|
|
|
|
16,132
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
17,203
|
|
|
|
28,882
|
|
|
|
51,318
|
|
|
|
63,931
|
|
|
|
80,363
|
|
|
|
53,404
|
|
|
|
17,844
|
|
Interest expense and finance costs
|
|
|
(16,469
|
)
|
|
|
(16,523
|
)
|
|
|
(33,259
|
)
|
|
|
(32,675
|
)
|
|
|
(26,631
|
)
|
|
|
(14,792
|
)
|
|
|
(6,510
|
)
|
Loss on interest rate swap agreement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,763
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Gain from bargain purchase(8)
|
|
|
16,526
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other income/(expense)
|
|
|
281
|
|
|
|
559
|
|
|
|
860
|
|
|
|
1,460
|
|
|
|
1,254
|
|
|
|
655
|
|
|
|
(65
|
)
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
17,541
|
|
|
$
|
12,918
|
|
|
$
|
18,919
|
|
|
$
|
32,716
|
|
|
$
|
54,986
|
|
|
$
|
35,504
|
|
|
$
|
11,269
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2011
|
|
|
June 30, 2010
|
|
|
2010(1)
|
|
|
2009(1)
|
|
|
2008(1)
|
|
|
2007(1)
|
|
|
2006(1)
|
|
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except net income per unit,
distributions per unit and number of units)
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to Capital Maritime operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(983
|
)
|
|
|
983
|
|
|
|
3,491
|
|
|
|
4,219
|
|
|
|
13,933
|
|
|
|
11,269
|
|
CPLPs net income
|
|
|
17,541
|
|
|
|
11,935
|
|
|
|
17,936
|
|
|
|
29,225
|
|
|
|
50,767
|
|
|
|
21,571
|
|
|
|
|
|
General partners interest in CPLPs net income
|
|
|
351
|
|
|
|
239
|
|
|
|
359
|
|
|
|
584
|
|
|
|
13,485
|
|
|
|
431
|
|
|
|
|
|
Limited partners interest in CPLPs net income
|
|
|
17,190
|
|
|
|
11,696
|
|
|
|
17,577
|
|
|
|
28,641
|
|
|
|
37,282
|
|
|
|
21,140
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income allocable to limited partner per(4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common unit (basic and diluted)
|
|
|
0.44
|
|
|
|
0.41
|
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
1.15
|
|
|
|
1.56
|
|
|
|
1.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated unit (basic and diluted)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.17
|
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total unit (basic and diluted)
|
|
|
0.44
|
|
|
|
0.41
|
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
1.15
|
|
|
|
1.54
|
|
|
|
0.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average units outstanding (basic and diluted):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common units
|
|
|
37,958,265
|
|
|
|
29,104,705
|
|
|
|
32,437,314
|
|
|
|
23,755,663
|
|
|
|
15,379,212
|
|
|
|
13,512,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,061,488
|
|
|
|
8,805,522
|
|
|
|
8,805,522
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total units
|
|
|
37,958,265
|
|
|
|
29,104,705
|
|
|
|
32,437,314
|
|
|
|
24,817,151
|
|
|
|
24,184,734
|
|
|
|
22,318,022
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vessels, net and under construction
|
|
|
743,008
|
|
|
|
688,786
|
|
|
$
|
707,339
|
|
|
$
|
703,707
|
|
|
$
|
750,815
|
|
|
$
|
569,223
|
|
|
$
|
262,972
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
846,999
|
|
|
|
718,916
|
|
|
|
758,252
|
|
|
|
760,928
|
|
|
|
821,907
|
|
|
|
608,627
|
|
|
|
276,666
|
|
Total partners capital / shareholders equity(6)(7)
|
|
|
307,608
|
|
|
|
192,670
|
|
|
|
239,760
|
|
|
|
188,352
|
|
|
|
214,126
|
|
|
|
209,274
|
|
|
|
71,458
|
|
Number of units/shares
|
|
|
45,820,594
|
|
|
|
31,733,396
|
|
|
|
38,720,594
|
|
|
|
25,323,623
|
|
|
|
25,323,623
|
|
|
|
22,773,492
|
|
|
|
5,700
|
|
Common units
|
|
|
44,904,183
|
|
|
|
31,098,729
|
|
|
|
37,946,183
|
|
|
|
24,817,151
|
|
|
|
16,011,629
|
|
|
|
13,512,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated units(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,805,522
|
|
|
|
8,805,522
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Partner units
|
|
|
916,411
|
|
|
|
634,667
|
|
|
|
774,411
|
|
|
|
506,472
|
|
|
|
506,472
|
|
|
|
455,470
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends declared per unit
|
|
$
|
0.47
|
|
|
$
|
0.64
|
|
|
$
|
1.09
|
|
|
$
|
2.27
|
|
|
$
|
1.62
|
|
|
$
|
0.75
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flow Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
24,066
|
|
|
|
26,106
|
|
|
|
50,051
|
|
|
|
72,562
|
|
|
|
76,956
|
|
|
|
55,475
|
|
|
|
11,725
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(26,884
|
)
|
|
|
(50,271
|
)
|
|
|
(79,202
|
)
|
|
|
(55,770
|
)
|
|
|
(270,003
|
)
|
|
|
(335,696
|
)
|
|
|
(197,391
|
)
|
Net cash provided by / used in financing activities
|
|
|
8,215
|
|
|
|
24,227
|
|
|
|
58,070
|
|
|
|
(56,389
|
)
|
|
|
216,277
|
|
|
|
298,901
|
|
|
|
186,898
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The amount of historical net income attributable to Capital
Maritime operations for the following periods is excluded from
the calculation of net income per unit attributable to
CPLPs unitholders: |
|
|
|
a) |
|
the year ended December 31, 2006, |
|
b) |
|
the period from January 1, 2007 to April 3, 2007 for
the vessels in CPLPs fleet at the time of its initial
public offering, |
|
c) |
|
the period from January 1, 2007 to September 23, 2007,
March 26, 2008 and April 29, 2008 for the
M/T Attikos,
the M/T Amore Mio II and the M/T Aristofanis, respectively, |
|
d) |
|
the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 and the period
from January 1, 2009 to April 6, 2009 and
April 12, 2009 for the M/T Agamemnon II and M/T Ayrton
II, respectively, |
|
e) |
|
the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and for
the period from January 1, 2010 to June 29, 2010 for
the M/T Alkiviadis, and |
|
f) |
|
the period from April 13, 2009 to December 31, 2009
and from January 1, 2010 to February 28, 2010 for the
M/T Atrotos. The results of operations of the vessels mentioned
above are included in CPLPs income statements for the
periods prior to their acquisitions by CPLP as these vessels
were acquired from an entity under common control. However, such
earnings for the periods prior to their acquisitions were not
allocated to CPLPs unitholders and were not included in
the cash available for distribution |
14
|
|
|
|
|
calculation. Additionally, CPLP does not believe that a
presentation of earnings per unit for periods prior to its
initial public offering in 2007 would be meaningful to its
investors as the vessels comprising its current fleet were
either under construction or operated as part of Capital
Maritimes fleet with different terms and conditions than
those in place after their acquisition by CPLP. |
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Vessel voyage expenses primarily consist of commissions, port
expenses, canal dues and bunkers. |
|
(3) |
|
Since April 4, 2007, CPLPs vessel operating expenses
have consisted primarily of management fees payable to Capital
Ship Management Corp., its manager, who provides commercial and
technical services such as crewing, repairs and maintenance,
insurance, stores, spares and lubricants, as well as
administrative services pursuant to management and
administrative services agreements. |
|
(4) |
|
On January 1, 2009, CPLP retroactively adopted accounting
guidance newly available at the time 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. This guidance also considers whether the CPLP
Partnership Agreement contains any contractual limitations
concerning distributions to the incentive distribution rights
that would impact the amount of earnings to allocate to the
incentive distribution rights for each reporting period. In
addition, since the issuance of the non-vested units as
discussed in (7) below, CPLP has applied the
Two Class Method, which requires CPLP to
allocate the portion of net income to non-vested units resulting
in a reduction of net income available to common unitholders. |
|
(5) |
|
Following the early termination of the subordination period on
February 14, 2009, all of CPLPs 8,805,522
subordinated units converted into common units on a
one-for-one
basis. Please read Item 8: Financial
Information Termination of the Subordination
Period to CPLPs financial statements included in
CPLPs most recent 20-F, which is incorporated by reference
to this proxy statement/prospectus, for additional information. |
|
(6) |
|
In February and August 2010 CPLP successfully completed two
equity offerings of 6,281,578 and 6,052,254 common units,
respectively, which include the partial exercise of the
underwriters overallotment option of 481,578 and 552,254
common units, respectively. During the same periods CPLP issued,
in exchange for cash, 128,195 and 123,515 general partner units,
respectively, to Capital GP, its general partner, pursuant to
the terms of the CPLP Partnership Agreement which entitles
Capital GP to maintain its 2% interest in CPLP. |
|
(7) |
|
On August 31, 2010, CPLP issued either directly or through
Capital GP, its general partner, 795,200 units to the
members of the CPLP Board, to all employees of Capital GP,
CPLPs manager, Capital Maritime and certain key affiliates
and other eligible persons. |
Please read Item 6E: Share Ownership
Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan and Note 13
(Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan) to CPLPs financial
statements, which are incorporated by reference to this proxy
statement/prospectus, for additional information.
|
|
|
(8) |
|
During the six months period ended June 30, 2011 we
recorded gain from bargain purchase related to the acquisitions
of the shares of the vessel owning company of the M/V Cape
Agamemnon as the fair value of the vessel and the attached to
the vessel time charter exceeded the purchase consideration. |
15
SELECTED
HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF CRUDE
The following table sets forth certain selected historical
consolidated financial data of Crude prepared in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or
U.S. GAAP. The selected income statement data for each of
the years in the three years ended December 31, 2010, 2009,
and 2008 and the selected balance sheet data as of
December 31, 2010 and 2009 have been derived from the
audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes
of Crude included in its Annual Report on
Form 20-F
filed with the SEC on April 18, 2011. The historical
financial data presented for the year ended December 31,
2007 and the period from April 6, 2006 (inception) to
December 31, 2006 have been derived from financial
statements not included in this proxy statement/prospectus and
are provided for comparison purposes only. The financial
statements for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008,
2007 and for the period from April 6, 2006 (inception) to
December 31, 2006 are not comparable to Crudes
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Crudes initial public offering on March 17, 2010, and
certain other transactions that occurred thereafter, including
the delivery or acquisition of four additional vessels, the
agreement Crude entered into with Capital Ship Management for
the provision of management and administrative services to its
fleet and the new revolving credit facility Crude entered into,
as amended, have materially affected its results of operations.
Furthermore, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008,
2007 and for the periods from April 6, 2006 (inception) to
December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2010 to
March 30, 2010, only one of the vessels in Crudes
current fleet, the Miltiadis M II, had been delivered and was
operating. The selected statement of operations and balance
sheet data as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2011
and 2010 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated
financial statements and the related notes of Crude included in
its Current Report on
Form 6-K
furnished to the SEC on August 5, 2011. Data presented for
the six months ended June 30, 2011 do not necessarily
represent the results that can be expected for the year ending
December 31, 2011.
The information presented below is only a summary and should be
read in conjunction with the respective audited and unaudited
financial statements of Crude, including the notes thereto,
incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus.
See the section captioned Where You Can Find More
Information beginning on page 128.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
April 6, 2006
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
(inception) to
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2011
|
|
|
June 30, 2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Dec. 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except net income/(loss) per
share, dividends per share and number of shares)
|
|
|
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
22,621
|
|
|
$
|
28,290
|
|
|
$
|
55,882
|
|
|
$
|
16,870
|
|
|
$
|
39,166
|
|
|
$
|
24,665
|
|
|
$
|
15,017
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voyage expenses(1)
|
|
|
7,023
|
|
|
|
11,873
|
|
|
|
18,482
|
|
|
|
6,252
|
|
|
|
14,317
|
|
|
|
10,800
|
|
|
|
5,182
|
|
Vessel voyage expenses related party(1)
|
|
|
284
|
|
|
|
267
|
|
|
|
611
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vessel operating expenses(2)
|
|
|
7,245
|
|
|
|
3,217
|
|
|
|
9,152
|
|
|
|
2,457
|
|
|
|
2,351
|
|
|
|
2,243
|
|
|
|
1,292
|
|
Vessel operating expenses related party(2)
|
|
|
779
|
|
|
|
304
|
|
|
|
1,086
|
|
|
|
540
|
|
|
|
540
|
|
|
|
270
|
|
|
|
176
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
4,604
|
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
|
3,264
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
301
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vessel depreciation
|
|
|
8,011
|
|
|
|
3,304
|
|
|
|
11,317
|
|
|
|
3,357
|
|
|
|
3,356
|
|
|
|
3,356
|
|
|
|
2,238
|
|
Other operating income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,286
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
27,946
|
|
|
|
19,588
|
|
|
|
42,626
|
|
|
|
12,606
|
|
|
|
20,865
|
|
|
|
16,669
|
|
|
|
8,888
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (loss) / income
|
|
|
(5,325
|
)
|
|
|
8,702
|
|
|
|
13,256
|
|
|
|
4,264
|
|
|
|
18,301
|
|
|
|
7,996
|
|
|
|
6,129
|
|
Interest expense and finance costs
|
|
|
(2,705
|
)
|
|
|
(986
|
)
|
|
|
(3,687
|
)
|
|
|
(530
|
)
|
|
|
(1,590
|
)
|
|
|
(3,132
|
)
|
|
|
(3,059
|
)
|
Interest and other income/(expenses)
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
328
|
|
|
|
328
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
|
(7,973
|
)
|
|
$
|
8,044
|
|
|
$
|
9,897
|
|
|
$
|
3,736
|
|
|
$
|
16,712
|
|
|
$
|
4,846
|
|
|
$
|
3,066
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
April 6, 2006
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
(inception) to
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2011
|
|
|
June 30, 2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Dec. 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except net income/(loss) per
share, dividends per share and number of shares)
|
|
|
Net income/(loss) per share (basic and diluted):
|
|
$
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.80
|
|
|
$
|
0.76
|
|
|
$
|
1.77
|
|
|
$
|
7.94
|
|
|
$
|
2.30
|
|
|
$
|
1.97
|
|
Weighted-average number of shares (basic and diluted):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares (basic and diluted)
|
|
|
13,500,000
|
|
|
|
7,906,077
|
|
|
|
10,726,027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class B shares (basic and diluted)(3)
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
1,557,318
|
|
Total shares (basic and diluted)
|
|
|
15,605,263
|
|
|
|
10,011,340
|
|
|
|
12,831,290
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
1,557,318
|
|
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vessels, net
|
|
$
|
385,327
|
|
|
$
|
400,841
|
|
|
$
|
392,969
|
|
|
$
|
76,238
|
|
|
$
|
79,595
|
|
|
$
|
82,951
|
|
|
$
|
86,307
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
407,519
|
|
|
|
432,765
|
|
|
|
418,297
|
|
|
|
81,260
|
|
|
|
82,174
|
|
|
|
88,413
|
|
|
|
89,150
|
|
Total long-term debt including current portion
|
|
|
134,580
|
|
|
|
134,580
|
|
|
|
134,580
|
|
|
|
32,460
|
|
|
|
35,621
|
|
|
|
39,587
|
|
|
|
65,800
|
|
Total shareholders equity(4)
|
|
|
261,896
|
|
|
|
286,002
|
|
|
|
277,620
|
|
|
|
46,860
|
|
|
|
43,124
|
|
|
|
26,412
|
|
|
|
21,566
|
|
Number of common shares
|
|
|
13,899,400
|
|
|
|
13,500,000
|
|
|
|
13,894,400
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Class B shares(3)
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total number of shares
|
|
|
16,004,663
|
|
|
|
15,605,263
|
|
|
|
15,999,663
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
|
|
2,105,263
|
|
Dividends declared per share
|
|
$
|
0.55
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flow Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by / used in operating activities
|
|
$
|
5,476
|
|
|
$
|
(3,647
|
)
|
|
$
|
18,755
|
|
|
$
|
3,161
|
|
|
$
|
20,859
|
|
|
$
|
9,313
|
|
|
$
|
4,471
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
|
(403,948
|
)
|
|
|
(404,274
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(88,545
|
)
|
Net cash (used in) provided by / financing activities
|
|
|
(8,801
|
)
|
|
|
409,409
|
|
|
|
396,443
|
|
|
|
(3,161
|
)
|
|
|
(20,869
|
)
|
|
|
(9,310
|
)
|
|
|
84,082
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Voyage expenses primarily consist of commissions, port expenses,
canal dues and bunkers. Vessel voyage expenses
related party includes commissions payable to Crudes
manager, Capital Maritime. |
|
(2) |
|
Crudes vessel operating expenses consist primarily of crew
costs, insurance, repairs and maintenance, stores, lubricants,
spares and consumables, professional and legal fees and
miscellaneous expenses. Vessel operating expenses
related party also includes management fees payable to
Crudes manager. |
|
(3) |
|
Crude considers the issuance of shares of Class B stock as
an equity recapitalization. Crude has used the
2,105,263 shares of Class B stock in the calculation
of net income per share for all the periods presented herein,
with the exception of 2006 where the weighted-average number of
shares of Class B stock outstanding during the year was
used in the calculation. |
|
(4) |
|
On March 1, 2010, Crude adopted the Crude Equity Plan. On
August 31, 2010, Crude issued 394,400 shares in the
aggregate to the members of the Crude Board, all employees of
the company, its manager, Capital Maritime, and certain key
affiliates and other eligible persons. An additional
5,000 shares were issued in March 2011. |
Please read Item 6E: 2010 Equity Incentive Plan
and Note 11 (Equity Incentive Plan) to Crudes
Financial Statements, which are incorporated by reference to
this proxy statement/prospectus, for additional information.
17
SELECTED
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables present, as at the dates and for the
periods indicated, selected unaudited pro forma condensed
financial data, which has been prepared to give effect to the
proposed transaction using the acquisition method of accounting
as if the proposed transaction closed on June 30, 2011 for
selected balance sheet data and January 1, 2010 and carried
forward through six months ended June 30, 2011 for selected
income statement data.
You should read this information in conjunction with
(i) Crudes audited consolidated financial statements
and the related notes included in Crudes Annual Report on
Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on
April 18, 2011, Crudes unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements and the related notes for the
six months ended June 30, 2011 included in Crudes
Current Report on
Form 6-K
furnished to the SEC on August 5, 2011, CPLPs audited
financial statements and the related notes included in
CPLPs Annual Report on
Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on
February 4, 2011, and CPLPs unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements and the related notes for the
six months ended June 30, 2011 included in CPLPs
Current Report on
Form 6-K
furnished with the SEC on August 5, 2011, all of which are
incorporated by reference herein and (ii) the unaudited pro
forma condensed combined financial statements and accompanying
notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. See
the sections captioned Where You Can Find More
Information beginning on page 128 and Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information
beginning on page 103.
The selected unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
data is presented for illustrative purposes only and, therefore,
is not necessarily indicative of the financial position or
results of operations that might have been achieved had the
proposed transaction occurred on (i) December 31, 2010
and (ii) January 1, 2011 and was carried forward
through June 30, 2011, respectively. In addition, the
selected unaudited pro forma condensed financial data is not
necessarily indicative of the results of operations or financial
position of the company in the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except net income per unit,
distributions per unit and number of units)
|
|
|
Income Statement Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
78,127
|
|
|
$
|
180,474
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voyage expenses
|
|
|
8,799
|
|
|
|
25,491
|
|
Vessel voyage expenses related party
|
|
|
284
|
|
|
|
611
|
|
Vessel operating expenses
|
|
|
7,324
|
|
|
|
10,186
|
|
Vessel operating expenses related party
|
|
|
15,682
|
|
|
|
31,347
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
9,494
|
|
|
|
6,503
|
|
Vessel depreciation
|
|
|
23,849
|
|
|
|
41,765
|
|
Other operating income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,286
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
65,432
|
|
|
|
114,617
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
$
|
12,695
|
|
|
$
|
65,857
|
|
Interest expense and finance costs
|
|
|
(17,571
|
)
|
|
|
(34,589
|
)
|
|
|
|
16,526
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
338
|
|
|
|
1,188
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
11,988
|
|
|
$
|
32,456
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Dec. 31,
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except net income per unit,
distributions per unit and number of units)
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to Capital Maritime operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
983
|
|
CPLPs net income
|
|
$
|
11,988
|
|
|
$
|
31,473
|
|
General partners interest in CPLPs net income
|
|
|
240
|
|
|
|
629
|
|
Limited partners interest in CPLPs net income
|
|
|
11,748
|
|
|
|
30,844
|
|
Net income allocable to limited partner per:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common unit (basic and diluted)
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
|
$
|
0.59
|
|
Weighted-average units outstanding (basic and diluted)(1):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common units
|
|
|
61,862,070
|
|
|
|
52,069,715
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At June 30, 2011
|
|
|
Vessels, net
|
|
|
1,134,758
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
1,259,477
|
|
Total partners capital
|
|
|
574,463
|
|
Number of units(2)
|
|
|
70,787,869
|
|
Common units
|
|
|
69,372,112
|
|
General Partner units
|
|
|
1,415,757
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The pro forma weighted average number of common units, basic and
diluted, presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined
income statement for the six month period ended June 30,
2011, and for the year ended December 31, 2010,
respectively, include (i) CPLPs weighted average
number of units for the six month period ended June 30,
2011, and for the year ended December 31, 2010,
respectively, (ii) Crudes weighted average number of
shares of Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock for
the six month period ended June 30, 2011, and for the year
ended December 31, 2010, multiplied by the exchange ratio
of 1.56 respectively, and (iii) the weighted average of
20,000 shares of Crude common stock representing awards, to
a number of members of the Crude Independent Committee who are
not designated by Crude to serve as members of the CPLP Board,
whose vesting will be accelerated upon closing of the merger
multiplied by the exchange ratio of 1.56. Please see the section
captioned Comparative Historical and Pro Forma Per
Share/Unit Data below. |
|
(2) |
|
The numbers of CPLP common units and CPLP general partner units
have been calculated based on the units that would have been
outstanding as of end of the periods presented after giving
effect to the merger. |
19
COMPARATIVE
HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA PER SHARE/UNIT DATA (1)
The December 31, 2010 selected historical comparative per
share or per unit information of Crude and CPLP, set forth
below, was derived from their respective audited financial
statements. The June 30, 2011 selected historical
comparative per share or per unit information of Crude and CPLP
set forth below was derived from unaudited financial statements
and, in the opinion of the management of Crude and CPLP,
includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring
adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation for such periods.
You should read the information in this section along with
Crudes and CPLPs historical consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes for the periods referred to
above included in the documents described under the section
captioned Where You Can Find More Information
beginning on page 128. You should also read the section
captioned Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
Information beginning on page 103.
CPLP
Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Common Unit Data
The following table presents the net income per unit,
distributions per unit and book value per unit with respect to
CPLP on a historical basis and pro forma combined basis giving
effect to the transaction. The CPLP pro forma combined amounts
are presented as if the transaction had been effective for the
periods presented based on the acquisition method of accounting.
The CPLP pro forma combined amounts do not reflect the benefits
of expected cost savings, opportunities to earn additional
revenue, and merger related costs, or other factors that may
result as a consequence of the merger and, accordingly, do not
attempt to predict or suggest future results.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2011
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Unit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPLP historical
|
|
$
|
0.44
|
|
|
$
|
0.54
|
|
CPLP pro forma combined
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
|
$
|
0.59
|
|
Dividends Per Unit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPLP historical
|
|
$
|
0.47
|
|
|
$
|
1.09
|
|
CPLP pro forma combined(1)
|
|
$
|
0.47
|
|
|
$
|
1.09
|
|
Book Value Per Unit at Period End:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CPLP historical
|
|
$
|
6.71
|
|
|
$
|
6.19
|
|
CPLP pro forma combined
|
|
$
|
8.12
|
|
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Pro forma combined distributions of $0.47 and $1.09 per unit for
the six month period ended June 30, 2011 and for the
year ended December 31, 2010, respectively, are based on
historical distributions paid by CPLP. |
20
Crude
Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Common and Class B Share
Data
The following table presents the net income/(loss) per share for
historical, and net income per unit for pro forma, dividends per
share and book value per share with respect to Crude on a
historical basis and dividend per unit and book value per unit
on a pro forma equivalent basis. The pro forma equivalent
amounts with respect to the Crude common stock are calculated by
multiplying the corresponding CPLP pro forma combined amount by
the exchange ratio of 1.56.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2011
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
Net Income/(Loss) Per Share/Unit, Basic and Diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crude historical per share
|
|
$
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.76
|
|
Crude pro forma equivalent per unit
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
|
$
|
0.92
|
|
Dividends Per Share/Unit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crude historical per share
|
|
$
|
0.55
|
|
|
$
|
0.70
|
|
Crude pro forma equivalent per unit
|
|
$
|
0.73
|
|
|
$
|
1.70
|
|
Book Value Per Share/Unit at Period End:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crude historical per share
|
|
$
|
16.36
|
|
|
$
|
17.35
|
|
Crude pro forma equivalent per unit
|
|
$
|
12.67
|
|
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
21
RISK
FACTORS
Investing in the CPLP common units involves risks, some of
which are related to the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated therein. In considering whether to approve the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement, including the merger, Crude shareholders should
carefully consider the following information about these risks,
as well as the other information included in or incorporated by
reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, including
CPLPs Annual Report on
Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the extensive risk
factors relating to the businesses of CPLP described therein
beginning on page 8 thereof. The business of CPLP, as well
as its financial condition and results of operations, could be
materially adversely affected by any of these risks.
CPLP also encourages you to read and consider the risk
factors specific to Crudes businesses (that may also
affect CPLP) described in Crudes Annual Report on
Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2010 beginning on
page 8 thereof.
Please see Where You Can Find More Information
and Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
on pages 128 and 128, respectively, for information on
where you can find the periodic reports and other documents CPLP
and Crude have filed with or furnished to the SEC and which are
incorporated into this proxy statement/prospectus by
reference.
RISKS
RELATING TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION
Any
delay in the completion of the proposed transaction may
significantly reduce the benefits expected to be obtained from
the proposed transaction or could adversely affect the market
price of Crude common stock or CPLP common units or their future
business and financial results, including the ability to
maintain the current rate of Crude cash dividends and CPLP cash
distributions.
The proposed transaction is subject to a number of conditions,
including approvals of Crude shareholders and other required
approvals, many of which are beyond the control of Crude and
CPLP and which may prevent, delay or otherwise materially and
adversely affect completion of the proposed transaction. See the
section captioned The Merger Agreement
Conditions to Completion of the Proposed Transaction
beginning on page 98. Crude and CPLP cannot predict whether
and when these conditions will be satisfied.
Failure to complete the proposed transaction would prevent Crude
and CPLP from realizing the anticipated benefits of the proposed
transaction. Each company would also remain liable for
significant transaction costs, including legal, accounting and
financial advisory fees. Any delay in completing the proposed
transaction may significantly reduce the benefits that Crude and
CPLP expect to achieve if they successfully complete the
proposed transaction within the expected timeframe and integrate
their respective businesses.
In addition, the market price of Crude common stock or CPLP
common units may reflect various market assumptions as to
whether and when the proposed transaction will be completed.
Consequently, the completion of, the failure to complete, or any
delay in the completion of the proposed transaction could result
in a significant change in the market price of Crude common
stock or CPLP common units.
The
market price of the CPLP common units may decline following
completion of the proposed transaction.
Following completion of the merger, the market price of the CPLP
common units may decline if, among other reasons, the combined
company does not achieve the expected benefits to the proposed
transaction as rapidly or to the extent anticipated by it,
financial analysts or investors or at all, current Crude
shareholders sell a significant number of CPLP common units
after consummation of the proposed transaction, or the effect of
the proposed transaction on the financial results of the
combined company is not consistent with the expectations of
financial analysts or investors.
22
Fluctuations
in market prices may cause the value of the CPLP common units
that you receive to be less than the value of your shares of
Crude capital stock.
Upon completion of the proposed transaction, all shares of Crude
common stock and Crude Class B stock will be converted into
CPLP common units. The ratio at which the shares will be
converted is fixed, and there will be no adjustment for changes
in the market price of CPLP common units. Any change in the
price of CPLP common units will affect the value Crude
shareholders will receive in the proposed transaction. CPLP
common units have historically experienced significant
volatility, and the value of the consideration received in the
proposed transaction may go up or down as the market price of
CPLP common units goes up or down. Stock price changes may
result from a variety of factors that are beyond the control of
Crude and CPLP, including changes in their businesses,
operations and prospects, regulatory considerations,
fluctuations in the spot and period tanker market and vessel
values and general market and economic conditions. Crude is not
permitted to walk away from the proposed transaction
or resolicit the vote of its shareholders solely because of
changes in the market price of CPLPs common units.
The prices of Crude common stock and CPLP common units at the
closing of the proposed transaction may vary from their
respective prices on the date of this proxy statement/prospectus
and on the date of the Crude special meeting. Because the date
the proposed transaction is completed will be later than the
date of the Crude special meeting, the prices of Crude common
stock and CPLP common units on the date of the Crude special
meeting may not be indicative of their respective prices on the
date the proposed transaction is completed.
CPLPs
general partner and its other affiliates own a significant
interest in CPLP and they have conflicts of interest and limited
fiduciary and contractual duties, which may permit them to favor
their own interests over the interests of holders of CPLP common
units.
If the proposed transaction is consummated, then based on the
number of shares of Crude common stock and Crude Class B
stock outstanding on August 5, 2011, CPLP would issue
approximately 24,967,275 CPLP common units to Crude shareholders
in the proposed transaction, including 3,284,210 common units to
be issued to CCIC. Capital Maritime, the owner of Capital GP,
currently owns a 41.9% interest in CPLP (including its 2%
general partner interest through its ownership of CPLPs
general partner, Capital GP), and following the merger, Capital
Maritime will own a 27.1% interest in the combined company,
including ownership resulting from the general partnership
interest in the combined company held by Capital GP, and
collectively, Capital Maritime and CCIC would own approximately
31.7% of the combined company. The CPLP common units owned by
Capital Maritime have the same rights as CPLPs other
outstanding common units. Capital GP effectively controls
CPLPs
day-to-day
affairs consistent with policies and procedures adopted by and
subject to the direction of the CPLP Board. Capital GP and its
affiliates and its directors have a fiduciary duty to manage
CPLP in a manner beneficial to CPLP and the unitholders.
A number of the officers of Capital GP and certain of
CPLPs directors are directors or officers of Capital
Maritime and its affiliates, and as such they also have
fiduciary duties to Capital Maritime. As a result, conflicts of
interest may arise between Capital Maritime and its affiliates,
including Capital GP and its officers, on the one hand, and CPLP
and CPLP unitholders, on the other hand. These conflicts
include, among others, the following situations:
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One of the executive officers of Capital GP and three of
CPLPs current directors also serve as executive officers
and/or
directors of Capital Maritime;
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neither the CPLP Partnership Agreement nor any other agreement
requires Capital GP or Capital Maritime or its affiliates to
pursue a business strategy that favors CPLP or utilizes its
assets, and Capital Maritimes officers and directors have
a fiduciary duty to make decisions in the best interests of the
shareholders of Capital Maritime, which may not be in the best
interests of CPLP;
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Capital GP and the CPLP Board are allowed to take into account
the interests of parties other than CPLP, such as Capital
Maritime, in resolving conflicts of interest, which has the
effect of limiting their fiduciary duties to CPLP unitholders;
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Capital GP and CPLPs directors have limited their
liabilities and reduced their fiduciary duties under the laws of
the Republic of the Marshall Islands, while also restricting the
remedies available to CPLP unitholders, and, as a result of
purchasing CPLP units, unitholders are treated as having agreed
to the modified standard of fiduciary duties and to certain
actions that may be taken by Capital GP and CPLPs
directors, all as set forth in the CPLP Partnership Agreement;
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Capital GP and the CPLP Board will be involved in determining
the amount and timing of the combined companys 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 CPLP unitholders;
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Capital GP may have substantial influence over the CPLP
Boards decision to cause the combined company 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;
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Capital GP is entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable costs
incurred by it and its affiliates for CPLPs benefit;
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The CPLP Partnership Agreement does not restrict CPLP from
paying Capital GP or its affiliates for any services rendered to
the combined company or entering into additional contractual
arrangements with any of these entities on the combined
companys behalf provided that the terms of any such
payment of arrangement are fair and reasonable; and
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Currently, Capital GP may exercise its right to call and
purchase CPLPs outstanding units if it and its affiliates
own more than 80% of the CPLP common units. If the merger and
the transactions contemplated are consummated, Capital GP will
continue to have such right after the effective time of the
merger, provided that it and its affiliates own 90% of the CPLP
common units.
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Although a majority of the combined companys directors
will over time be elected by holders of CPLP common units,
Capital GP will likely have substantial influence on decisions
made by the CPLP Board. See Description of CPLP Common
Units and Comparison of Rights of Shareholders of
Crude and Unitholders of CPLP beginning on pages 114
and 116 respectively.
The
directors and officers of Crude may have interests that are in
addition to, or differ from, the interests of Crude
shareholders.
Certain directors and officers of Crude are also directors
and/or
officers of CPLP, Capital GP, Capital Maritime and Capital Ship
Management, including Evangelos M. Marinakis, who is the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Crude as well as the
Chairman of the CPLP Board, a director of Capital Maritime and
the Chief Executive Officer and President of Capital Maritime,
Ioannis E. Lazaridis, who is the President of Crude as well as a
director of CPLP and Capital Maritime, the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Capital GP and the Chief
Financial Officer of Capital Maritime and Gerasimos G.
Kalogiratos, who is a director and the Chief Financial Officer
of Crude as well as the Finance Director of Capital Maritime and
the Investment Relations Officer of CPLP.
In considering the recommendation of the Crude Board (consistent
with the recommendation of the Crude Independent Committee) for
the Merger Proposal, you should consider that the directors and
officers of Crude may have interests that differ from, or are in
addition to, their interests as Crude shareholders generally.
These interests include the following:
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such directors and officers have the right to indemnification
under the organizational documents of Crude and under the merger
agreement;
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the vesting requirements relating to shares of Crude common
stock held by members of the Crude Independent Committee, other
than Dimitris Christacopoulos (who collectively hold, subject to
vesting requirements, an aggregate of approximately
20,000 shares of Crude common stock, or the right to
receive approximately 31,200 CPLP common units), will lapse
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, and such
shares will vest in full immediately prior to the effective time
of the merger;
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as designated by the Crude Board after execution of the merger
agreement, and in accordance with the merger agreement, Dimitris
Christacopoulos, the Chairman of the Crude Independent
Committee, will commence service on the board of directors of
the combined company at the time the merger is
consummated; and
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certain Crude directors and executive officers own CPLP common
units.
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See The Proposed Transaction Interests of
Crudes Directors and Executive Officers in the Proposed
Transaction and The Proposed Transaction
Continuing Board and Management Positions beginning on
page 74 and The Proposed Transaction
Treatment of Crude Unvested Shares in the Proposed
Transaction beginning on page 87.
Crude
shareholders and CPLP unitholders will experience a reduction in
their percentage ownership and voting power with respect to
their units as a result of the consummation of the proposed
transaction. Crude shareholders will hold less than a majority
of the common units of the combined company and may be
outvoted.
As a result of the consummation of the proposed transaction,
Crude shareholders and CPLP unitholders will experience a
reduction in their percentage ownership interests and voting
power relative to their percentage ownership interests and
voting power in Crude and CPLP, respectively, prior to
consummation of the proposed transaction. Taking into account
CPLPs acquisition of the Cape Agamemnon, if the proposed
transaction is consummated, it is expected that Crude
shareholders will hold approximately 35% and current CPLP
unitholders will hold approximately 65% of the CPLP common units
outstanding immediately following the consummation of the
proposed transaction. In particular, Crude shareholders in the
aggregate will own less than a majority of CPLP and could, as a
result, be outvoted by current CPLP unitholders if current CPLP
unitholders voted together as a group. Therefore, Crude
shareholders will not have the same control over the combined
company as they had over Crude prior to consummation of the
proposed transaction.
The
proposed transaction may adversely affect the relationships of
Crude or CPLP with their respective charterers, customers and
suppliers, whether or not the proposed transaction is
completed.
In response to the announcement of the proposed transaction,
existing or prospective customers or suppliers of Crude or CPLP
may:
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delay, defer or cease purchasing services from or providing
goods or services to Crude or CPLP;
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delay or defer other decisions concerning Crude or CPLP, or
refuse to extend credit to Crude or CPLP;
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raise disputes under their business arrangements with Crude or
CPLP or assert purported consent or change of control
rights; or
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otherwise seek to change the terms on which they do business
with Crude or CPLP.
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Any such delays, disputes or changes to terms could seriously
harm the business of Crude or CPLP or, if the proposed
transaction is completed, the combined company.
The
integration of Crude and CPLP following the proposed transaction
will present challenges that may result in a decline in the
anticipated potential benefits of the proposed
transaction.
Crude and CPLP entered into the merger agreement with the
expectation that the proposed transaction would result in
various benefits, including, among other things, enhanced
liquidity, increased access to the capital markets, facilitation
of the combined companys growth, the potential for
improved distributions and operating efficiencies. Although the
companies expect to achieve the anticipated benefits of the
proposed transaction, achieving them cannot be assured.
Moreover, Crude and CPLP will face challenges in integrating
their organizations in a timely and efficient manner, and in
retaining key Crude personnel. There can be no assurance that
the integration will be
25
completed in a timely or effective manner, or that Crude
personnel will continue with the combined company if the
integration is time-consuming or ineffective.
Crude
and CPLP will incur significant costs in connection with the
proposed transaction.
Crude and CPLP expect to incur approximately $4.0 million
and $4.0 million, respectively, in fees and costs
associated with consummating the proposed transaction. For the
six month period ended June 30, 2011, Crude and CPLP have
already recognized the amounts of $1.9 million and
$2.3 million, respectively, in costs associated with the
merger, under general and administrative expenses. The amounts
of such fees and costs expected to be incurred by each of Crude
and CPLP are preliminary estimates and are subject to change.
Crude is in the early stages of assessing the magnitude of
transaction costs, and, therefore, these estimates may change
substantially, and additional unanticipated costs may be
incurred in the integration of the businesses of Crude and CPLP.
The
merger agreement contains provisions that could affect the
decision of a third party considering making an alternative
acquisition proposal to the proposed transaction.
The merger agreement contains no shop provisions
that, subject to limited exceptions, restrict Crudes
ability to initiate, solicit, facilitate or encourage competing
third-party proposals for the acquisition of Crudes stock
or assets. Further, even if the Crude Board withdraws or
qualifies its recommendation with respect to the merger, Crude
will still be required to submit the merger to a shareholder
vote. In addition, CPLP generally has an opportunity to offer to
modify the terms of the merger in response to any competing
acquisition proposals before the Crude Board may withdraw or
qualify its recommendation with respect to the merger. In some
circumstances, upon termination of the merger agreement, Crude
will be required to pay a termination fee of $9.0 million,
less previously paid expenses, to CPLP. See The Merger
Agreement Acquisition Proposals and a Company Change
in Recommendation beginning on page 95, The
Merger Agreement Termination of the Merger
Agreement beginning on page 99 and The Merger
Agreement Termination Fees and Reimbursement of
Expenses beginning on page 100.
These provisions could discourage a potential third-party
acquiror that might have an interest in acquiring all or a
significant portion of Crude from considering or proposing that
acquisition, even if it were prepared to pay consideration with
a higher per share cash or market value than the market value
proposed to be received or realized in the merger or might
result in a potential third-party acquiror proposing to pay a
lower price to the shareholders than it might otherwise have
proposed to pay because of the added expense of the
$9.0 million termination fee, less previously paid
expenses, that may become payable in certain circumstances.
If the merger agreement is terminated and Crude determines to
seek another business combination, it may not be able to
negotiate a transaction with another party on terms comparable
to, or better than, the terms of the merger.
RISKS
RELATING TO THE BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS OF THE COMBINED
COMPANY
The
recent global economic downturn may have a material adverse
effect on the combined companys business, financial
position, distributions and results of operations as well as on
its ability to recharter its vessels at favorable
rates.
Oil has been one of the worlds primary energy sources for
a number of decades. The global economic growth of previous
years had a significant impact on the demand for oil and
subsequently on the oil trade and shipping demand. However, the
second half of 2008, the year 2009 and parts of 2010 were marked
by a major economic slowdown which has had, and is expected to
continue to have, a significant impact on world trade, including
the oil trade. Demand for oil and refined petroleum products
contracted sharply as a result of the global economic slowdown,
which in combination with the diminished availability of trade
credit, deteriorating international liquidity conditions and
declining financial markets, led to decreased demand for tanker
vessels, creating downward pressure on charter rates. This
economic downturn also affected vessel values overall. Despite
certain indications of recovery during 2010 and upward revisions
of expected global oil demand growth for 2011, there has not
been a material increase in crude or product tanker charter
rates and global
26
economic conditions remain fragile with significant uncertainty
remaining with respect to recovery prospects, levels of recovery
and long-term effects. Such upward revisions are primarily based
on increased demand from countries not part of the Organization
for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, such as
China and India, and if economic growth in these countries slows
global oil demand and seaborne transport of oil may be
significantly affected.
If these global economic conditions persist the combined company
may not be able to operate its vessels profitably or employ its
vessels at favorable charter rates as they come up for
rechartering. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the market
value of the combined companys vessels may cause it to
recognize losses if any of its vessels are sold or if their
values are impaired, and may affect the combined companys
ability to comply with its loan covenants. A deterioration of
the current economic and market conditions or a negative change
in global economic conditions or the product or crude tanker
markets would be expected to have a material adverse effect on
the combined companys business, financial position,
results of operations and ability to make cash distributions and
comply with its loan covenants, as well as its future prospects
and ability to grow its fleet.
Charter
rates for tanker vessels are highly volatile and are currently
near historically low levels and may further decrease in the
future, which may adversely affect the combined companys
earnings and ability to make cash distributions.
Currently, Crude charters all of its five vessels and CPLP
charters one vessel in the spot charter market or on spot
market-linked time charter agreements. The period employment of
three of Crudes vessels and the CPLP vessel is scheduled
to expire during 2011. The combined company may only be able to
recharter these vessels at reduced or unprofitable rates as
their current charters expire, or it may not be able to
recharter these vessels at all. Throughout 2010 the period
charter market for product and Crude tanker vessels
(particularly in the second half of 2010 in the case of Crude
tanker vessels) was at close to historically low levels and the
majority of the vessels that entered into new charters during
this period were rechartered at rates lower than their original
charters. Recently, the product tanker period market has
improved but rates remain significantly below historical
averages. In the event the current low rate environment
continues and charterers do not display an increased interest in
chartering product or crude tanker vessels for longer periods at
improved rates or at all, the combined company may not be able
to obtain competitive rates for its vessels and its earnings and
ability to make cash distributions may be adversely affected.
Alternatively, the combined company may have to deploy these
vessels in the spot market, which, although common in the
product and crude tanker industries, is cyclical and highly
volatile, with rates fluctuating significantly based upon demand
for oil and oil products and tanker supply, among others. In the
past, the spot charter market has also experienced periods when
spot rates have declined below the operating cost of vessels.
The successful operation of the combined companys vessels
in the spot charter market depends upon, among other things,
obtaining profitable spot charters and minimizing, to the extent
possible, time spent waiting for charters and time spent
traveling unladen to pick up cargo. Furthermore, as charter
rates for spot charters are fixed for a single voyage which may
last up to several weeks, during periods in which spot charter
rates are rising, the combined company will generally experience
delays in realizing the benefits from such increases.
The demand for period charters may not increase and the tanker
charter market may not significantly recover over the next
several months or may decline further. The occurrence of any of
these events could have a material adverse effect on the
combined companys business, results of operations, cash
flows, financial condition and ability to meet its obligations
and to make cash distributions.
The
combined company may not be able to grow or to effectively
manage its growth.
A principal focus of the combined companys strategy is to
continue to grow consistently with CPLPs current business
model, to gradually reduce the combined companys crude
spot market exposure over the next six to 18 months as the
crude market recovers and opportunities arise, by entering into
fixed period charter contracts for Crudes two VLCCs and
three Suezmax vessels, which are currently employed in the spot
market
27
or spot related time charters. Currently, Crude charters all of
its five vessels and CPLP charters one vessel in the spot
charter market or pursuant to spot market-linked time charter
agreements. The period employment of three of Crudes
vessels, and the CPLP vessel, is scheduled to expire during
2011, and new charters have not been entered into at this time.
The combined companys future growth will depend upon a
number of factors, some of which it cannot control. These
factors include its ability to:
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capitalize on a potential recovery of the crude and product
tanker market by fixing period charters for its vessels at
attractive rates;
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identify businesses engaged in managing, operating or owning
vessels for acquisitions or joint ventures;
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identify vessels
and/or
shipping companies for acquisitions;
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integrate any acquired businesses or vessels successfully with
existing operations;
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hire, train and retain qualified personnel to manage, maintain
and operate its growing business and fleet;
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identify additional new markets;
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improve operating and financial systems and controls;
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complete accretive transactions in the future; and
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access financing and obtain required financing for existing and
new operations, including refinancing of existing indebtedness.
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The combined companys ability to grow is in part dependent
on its ability to expand its fleet through acquisitions of
suitable vessels. The combined company may not be able to
acquire newbuildings or product and crude tankers on favorable
terms, which could impede its growth and negatively impact its
financial condition and ability to pay distributions. The
combined company 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.
The failure to effectively identify, purchase, develop, employ
and integrate any vessels or businesses could adversely affect
the combined companys business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Following
the acquisition of the Cape Agamemnon, CPLP will be exposed to
various risks in the international drybulk shipping industry,
which is cyclical and volatile.
Following its acquisition of the Cape Agamemnon from Capital
Maritime, CPLP became subject to various risks of the drybulk
shipping industry. The drybulk shipping industry is cyclical
with attendant volatility in charter rates, vessel values and
profitability. In addition, the degree of charter hire rate
volatility among different types of drybulk carriers has varied
widely. After reaching historical highs in mid-2008, charter
hire rates for Capesize drybulk carriers such as the Cape
Agamemnon reached near historically low levels at the end of
2008, from which they have not significantly recovered. Although
the Cape Agamemnon is currently deployed on a period time
charter, in the future the combined company may have to charter
it pursuant to short-term time charters, and may be exposed to
changes in spot market and short-term charter rates for drybulk
carriers, and such changes may affect the combined
companys earnings and the value of the Cape Agamemnon at
any given time.
Moreover, the factors affecting the supply and demand for
drybulk vessels are outside of the combined companys
control and are difficult to predict with confidence. As a
result, the nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in
industry conditions are also unpredictable.
Factors that influence demand for vessel capacity include:
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demand for and production of drybulk products;
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global and regional economic and political conditions;
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environmental and other regulatory developments;
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the distance drybulk cargoes are to be moved by sea; and
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changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns.
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Factors that influence the supply of vessel capacity include:
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the number of newbuild deliveries, which among other factors
relates to the ability of shipyards to deliver newbuilds by
contracted delivery dates and the ability of purchasers to
finance such newbuilds;
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the scrapping rate of older vessels;
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port and canal congestion;
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the number of vessels that are in or out of service, including
due to vessel casualties; and
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changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit
the useful lives of vessels.
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CPLP currently anticipates that the future demand for the Cape
Agamemnon following completion of its charter and, in turn,
drybulk charter rates, will be dependent, among other things,
upon economic growth in the global economy including the
worlds 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 the combined companys business, financial condition
and results of operations.
The
Cape Agamemnon is currently chartered at rates that are at a
substantial premium to the spot and period market, and the loss
of this charter could result in a significant loss of expected
future revenues and cash flows.
The Cape Agamemnon is currently under a 10 year time
charter to Cosco Bulk Carrier Co. Ltd (Cosco), an
affiliate of the COSCO Group and one of the largest dry bulk
charterers globally, which commenced in July 2010, and the
earliest expiry under the charter is June 2020. The gross
charter rate is $53,100 ($50,445 net) per day until July 2015
and from July 2015 until the end of the term $33,100 gross
($31,445 net) per day, which is a substantial premium to current
market levels.
The loss of this customer could result in a significant loss of
revenues, cash flow and the combined companys ability to
maintain or improve distributions longer term. The combined
company could lose this customer or the benefits of the charter
entered into with it if, among other things:
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the customer faces financial difficulties forcing it to declare
bankruptcy or making it impossible for it to perform its
obligations under the charter, including the payment of the
agreed rates in a timely manner;
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the customer fails to make charter payments because of its
financial inability, disagreements with the combined company or
otherwise;
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the customer seeks to re-negotiate the terms of the charter
agreement due to prevailing economic and market conditions;
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the customer exercises certain rights to terminate the charter;
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the customer terminates the charter because the combined company
fails to comply with the terms of the charter, the vessel is
lost or damaged beyond repair, there are serious deficiencies in
the vessel or prolonged periods of off-hire, or the combined
company defaults under the charter;
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a prolonged force majeure event affecting the customer,
including war or political unrest prevents the combined company
from performing services for that the; or
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the customer terminates the charter because the combined company
fails to comply with the safety and regulatory criteria of the
charterer or the rules and regulations of various maritime
organizations and bodies.
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In the event the combined company loses the benefit of the
charter with Cosco prior to its expiration date, it would have
to recharter the vessel at the then prevailing charter rates. In
the event the current low rate environment continues, the
combined company may not be able to obtain competitive, or
profitable, rates for this vessel and the combined
companys earnings and ability to make cash distributions
may be adversely affected.
A
negative change in the economic conditions in the United States,
the European Union or the Asian region, especially in China,
Japan or India, could reduce drybulk trade and demand, which
could reduce charter rates and have a material adverse effect on
the combined companys business, financial condition and
results of operations.
A significant number of the port calls made by Capesize bulk
carriers involve the loading or discharging of raw materials in
ports in the Asian region, particularly China, Japan and India.
As a result, a negative change in economic conditions in any
Asian country, particularly China, Japan or, to a lesser extent,
India, could have a material adverse effect on the combined
companys business, financial position and results of
operations, as well as its future prospects, by reducing demand
and, as a result, charter rates and affecting the combined
companys ability to re-charter the Cape Agamemnon at a
profitable rate. In past years, China and India have had two of
the worlds fastest growing economies in terms of gross
domestic product and have been the main driving force behind
increases in marine drybulk trade and the demand for drybulk
vessels. If economic growth declines in China, Japan, India and
other countries in the Asian region, the combined company may
face decreases in such drybulk trade and demand. Moreover, a
slowdown in the United States and Japanese economies, as has
occurred recently, or the economies of the European Union or
certain Asian countries will likely adversely affect economic
growth in China, India and elsewhere. Such an economic downturn
in any of these countries could have a material adverse effect
on the combined companys business, financial condition and
results of operations.
An
oversupply of drybulk vessel capacity may lead to reductions in
charter rates and profitability.
The market supply of drybulk vessels has been increasing, and
the number of drybulk vessels on order as of May 1, 2011,
was approximately 45.6% of the then-existing global drybulk
fleet in terms of dwt, with deliveries expected mainly during
the succeeding 24 months, although available data with
regard to cancellations of existing newbuild orders or delays of
newbuild deliveries are not always accurate. During the recent
economic crisis, it was also observed that significantly fewer
vessels were being scrapped as compared with prior periods. As a
result, the drybulk fleet remains an aged fleet that has not
decreased in number. An oversupply of drybulk vessel capacity
will likely result in a reduction of charter hire rates. Upon
the expiration of its current period time charter in June 2020,
if the combined company cannot enter into a new period time
charter for the Cape Agamemnon on acceptable terms, it may have
to secure charters in the spot market, where charter rates are
more volatile and revenues are, therefore, less predictable, or
it may not be able to charter the vessel at all.
In addition, a material increase in the net supply of drybulk
vessel capacity without corresponding growth in drybulk vessel
demand could have a material adverse effect on the Cape
Agamemnons utilization, and could, accordingly, materially
adversely affect the combined companys business, financial
condition and results of operations.
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The
international drybulk shipping industry is highly competitive,
and as a new entrant in this industry with only one drybulk
vessel in its fleet, the combined company may not be able to
compete successfully for charters with established companies or
other new entrants with greater resources, and it may not be
able to successfully operate the vessel.
Both CPLP and Crude have historically owned tanker vessels and
been active in the tanker market only. CPLP employs the Cape
Agamemnon in the highly competitive drybulk market in which it
has no prior experience. The drybulk market is capital intensive
and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other
vessel owners, some of which have substantially greater
resources than CPLP has or the combined company will have.
Competition for the transportation of drybulk cargo by sea is
intense and depends on price, customer relationships, operating
expertise, professional reputation and size, age, location and
condition of the vessel. In this highly fragmented market,
established companies operating larger fleets as well as
additional competitors with greater resources may be able to
offer lower charter rates than the combined company is able to
offer, which could have a material adverse effect on the
combined companys ability to utilize the Cape Agamemnon
and, accordingly, its profitability.
The
operation of drybulk vessels has certain unique operational
risks, and failure to adequately maintain the Cape Agamemnon
could have a material adverse effect on the combined
companys business, financial condition and results of
operations.
The Cape Agamemnon is the only drybulk vessel in the combined
companys fleet. 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
vessels hull may lead to the flooding of the vessels
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 vessels bulkheads, leading to
the loss of a vessel. If CPLP or Capital Maritime, as manager,
does not adequately maintain the Cape Agamemnon, it may be
unable to prevent these events. The occurrence of any of these
events could have a material adverse effect on the combined
companys business, financial condition and results of
operations.
The
Crude vessels are managed under a floating fee management
agreement, whereby Crude reimburses the manager for all expenses
incurred in connection with the management of the vessels. An
increase in operating costs could adversely affect the combined
companys cash flows and financial condition and its
ability to make cash distributions.
Crude vessels are managed under a floating fee management
agreement and CPLP vessels are managed under a fixed-fee
management agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2010,
Crude paid $22.65 million to the manager under its
management agreement (including $4.82 million in management
fees and the remainder as reimbursement for vessel operating
expenses incurred by the manager). Under the Crude management
agreement, however, the combined company must pay for vessel
operating expenses (including crewing, repairs and maintenance,
insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses) as
incurred. These expenses depend upon a variety of factors, many
of which will be beyond the combined companys or its
managers control. Some of these costs, primarily relating
to crewing, insurance and enhanced security measures, have been
increasing and may increase in the future. Increases in any of
these costs would decrease the combined companys earnings,
cash flows and the amount of cash available for distribution to
its unitholders.
In addition, the manager has the right to terminate the Crude
management agreement and, under certain circumstances, could
receive substantial sums in connection with such termination;
however, even if the board of directors of the combined company
or its unitholders are dissatisfied with the manager, there are
limited circumstances under which the combined company can
terminate the Crude management agreement. If the manager elects
to terminate the Crude management agreement, in accordance with
the terms of the agreement a termination payment, which could be
substantial, will be payable to the manager. This termination
payment
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was initially set at $9.0 million and increases on each
one-year anniversary during which the Crude management agreement
remains in effect (on a compounding basis) in accordance with
the total percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price
Index over the immediately preceding twelve months. As of
March 18, 2011, the amount of the termination payment had
increased to $9.2 million.
If the
merger fails to qualify as a reorganization within
the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code,
Crude shareholders may be required to recognize gain or loss on
the exchange of their shares of Crude common stock and
Class B stock in the merger for United States federal
income tax purposes.
CPLP and Crude have structured the merger to qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. Neither CPLP nor Crude intends
to request any ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue
Service (the IRS) as to the tax consequences of the
exchange of shares of Crude common stock for CPLP common units
in the merger. If the merger fails to qualify as a
reorganization, a holder of Crude common stock or Crude
Class B stock would generally recognize gain or loss for
United States federal income tax purposes on each share of Crude
common stock or Crude Class B stock exchanged in the merger
in an amount equal to the difference between that holders
basis in such stock and the fair market value of the CPLP common
units the holder of Crude common stock or Crude Class B
stock receives or may receive in exchange for each such share of
Crude common stock or Crude Class B stock. Holders who
recognize gain will generally be subject to United States
federal income tax on such gain if they are U.S. persons
for United States federal income tax purposes but will generally
not be subject to United States federal income tax on such gain
if they are not U.S. persons. You are urged to consult with
your own tax advisor regarding the proper reporting of the
amount and timing of such gain or loss. See Material
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences to Crude
Shareholders The Merger beginning on
page 77.
U.S.
tax authorities could treat CPLP as a passive foreign
investment company, which could have adverse United States
federal income tax consequences to U.S. persons who hold CPLP
common units.
A foreign entity taxed as a corporation for United States
federal income tax purposes will be treated as a passive
foreign investment company (a PFIC) for United
States federal income tax purposes if (i) at least 75% of
its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types
of passive income, or (ii) at least 50% of the
average value of the entitys assets produce or are held
for the production of those types of passive income.
For purposes of these tests, passive income 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 CPLPs current and projected method of operation,
CPLP believes that it is not currently a PFIC and does not
expect to become a PFIC in the future. CPLP intends to treat its
income from 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 IRS will accept this position. There are legal
uncertainties involved in this determination. Accordingly, no
assurance can be given that the IRS or a United States court
will accept the position that CPLP is not a PFIC and there is a
risk that the IRS or a United States court could determine that
CPLP is a PFIC. Moreover, no assurance can be given that CPLP
would not become a PFIC for any future taxable year if there
were to be changes in CPLPs assets, income or operations.
See Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
to Crude Shareholders Ownership and Disposition of
CPLP Common Units Certain PFIC Considerations,
Applicable to U.S. Holders beginning on page 81.
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CPLP
may have to pay tax on United States source income, which would
reduce earnings.
Under 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 U.S. is characterized as
U.S. source shipping income, and such income generally is
subject to a 4% United States federal income tax without
allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for
exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code. CPLP
believes that it and each of its subsidiaries will qualify for
this statutory tax exemption, and CPLP will take this position
for United States federal income tax return reporting purposes.
See Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
to Crude Shareholders United States Federal Income
Tax Considerations Relating to CPLP The
Section 883 Exemption and the Taxation of Operating
Income beginning on page 85. However, there are
factual circumstances, including some that may be beyond
CPLPs control, which could cause CPLP to lose the benefit
of this tax exemption.
Additionally, a prerequisite for this statutory tax exemption is
that CPLPs common units represent more than 50% of the
voting power and value of CPLP, and while CPLP believes that the
CPLP common units represent more than 50% of the voting power of
CPLP because holders of the common units (other than Capital
Maritime and its affiliates) can elect a majority of the CPLP
Board, the IRS could disagree with CPLPs position. In
particular, although CPLP has elected to be treated as a
corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, for
corporate law purposes CPLP is organized as a limited
partnership under Marshall Islands law, and CPLPs general
partner will be responsible for managing our business and
affairs on a
day-to-day
basis and has been granted certain veto rights over decisions of
the CPLP Board. The IRS could assert that the aforementioned
powers of the general partner effectively reduce the voting
power of the CPLP common units to 50% or less of the overall
voting power of CPLP. Therefore, CPLP can give no assurances
that the IRS will not take a different position regarding
CPLPs qualification, or the qualification of any of
CPLPs subsidiaries, for this tax exemption.
If CPLP or its subsidiaries are not entitled to this exemption
under Section 883 for any taxable year, CPLP or its
subsidiaries generally would be subject for those years to a 4%
gross income tax on their U.S. source shipping income. The
imposition of this taxation could have a negative effect on
CPLPs business and would result in decreased earnings
available for distribution to holders of common units.
RISK
RELATING TO FINANCING ACTIVITIES
The
combined company will have incurred significant indebtedness,
which could affect its ability to finance its operations, pursue
desirable business opportunities or successfully run its
business in the future, as well as its ability to make cash
distributions. Any new or amended credit facilities the combined
company enters into in order to refinance its debt will contain
restrictive covenants, which may limit its business and
financing activities, including its ability to make cash
distributions.
Crude has borrowed approximately $134.6 million of
$200.0 million available under its revolving credit
facility. The combined company expects to refinance the Crude
facility, but its ability to do so will depend upon, among other
things, its compliance with its loan facility covenants as well
as future financial and operating performance, which may be
affected by the level of the vessel values of the combined
companys assets, financial ratios and earnings, prevailing
economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and
other factors, some of which are beyond its control. The
combined company may not be successful in refinancing the
existing Crude indebtedness on similar terms or at all, and any
new indebtedness it may enter into may have additional
restrictions that the combined company will need to comply with,
which may limit its business and financing activities, including
its ability to make cash distributions.
CPLP had drawn (i) $366.5 million of
$370.0 million available under its 2007 credit facility,
(ii) $107.5 million of $350.0 million available
under its 2008 credit facility, and
(iii) $25.0 million of $25.0 million available
under its 2011 credit facility. The combined companys
leverage and debt service obligations could have significant
consequences, including the following:
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If future cash flows are insufficient, it may need to incur
further indebtedness in order to make the capital expenditures
and other expenses or investments planned by it.
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If future cash flows are insufficient and the combined company
is not able to service its debt or, when the
non-amortizing
period of its existing credit facilities expires (which is
scheduled to occur as early as June 2012 in the case of the
$370.0 million facility and in March 2013 for the
$350.0 million and $25.0 million facilities), to
refinance its existing indebtedness, its obligation to make
principal payments under its credit facilities starting in
September 2012 may force the combined company to take
actions such as reducing or eliminating distributions, reducing
or delaying business activities, acquisitions, investments or
capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or
refinancing its debt, or seeking additional equity capital or
bankruptcy protection.
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Its indebtedness will have the general effect of reducing its
flexibility to react to changing business and economic
conditions insofar as they affect its financial condition and,
therefore, may pose substantial risk to its unitholders.
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In the event that it is liquidated, any of its senior or
subordinated creditors and any senior or subordinated creditors
of its subsidiaries will be entitled to payment in full prior to
any distributions to the holders of its CPLP common units.
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Crudes credit facility matures in 2015, and CPLPs
2007, 2008 and 2011 credit facilities mature in 2017, 2018 and
2018, respectively. The combined companys ability to
secure additional financing prior to or after that time, if
needed, may be substantially restricted by the existing level of
the combined companys indebtedness and the restrictions
contained in its debt instruments. Upon maturity, the combined
company will be required to dedicate a substantial portion of
its cash flow to the payment of such debt, which will reduce the
amount of funds available for operations, capital expenditures
and future business opportunities.
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The occurrence of any one of these events could have a material
adverse effect on the combined companys business,
financial condition, results of operations, prospects and
ability to make distributions and to satisfy its obligations
under its credit facilities or any debt securities.
If the
combined company defaults under its credit facilities, it could
forfeit its rights in certain of its vessels and their charters
and its ability to make cash distributions may be
impaired.
Crude and CPLP have pledged their respective vessels as security
to the lenders under their respective credit facilities. 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 the combined company
could lose its rights in the vessels and their charters.
When final payment is due under loan agreements, each company
must repay any borrowings outstanding, including balloon
payments. To the extent that cash flows are insufficient to
repay any of these borrowings or asset cover is inadequate due
to a deterioration in vessel values, the combined company will
need to refinance some or all of its loan agreements, replace
them with alternate credit arrangements or provide additional
security. The combined company may not be able to refinance or
replace its loan agreements or provide additional security at
the time they become due.
In the event the combined company is not able to refinance its
existing debt obligations, or if its operating results are not
sufficient to service current or future indebtedness, or to make
relevant principal repayments if necessary, it 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 the
combined companys financial and operating flexibility and
its ability to make cash distributions.
34
If the
combined company is in breach of any of the terms of its credit
facilities, a significant portion of its obligations may become
immediately due and payable and its lenders commitments to
make further loans to it may terminate. It may also be unable to
execute its business strategy or make cash
distributions.
The combined companys ability to comply with the covenants
and restrictions contained in its credit facilities and any
other debt instruments it may enter into in the future may be
affected by events beyond its control, including prevailing
economic, financial and industry conditions. If vessel
valuations or market or other economic conditions deteriorate
further, the combined companys ability to comply with
these covenants may be impaired. If the combined company is in
breach of any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in
the combined companys credit facilities, especially if the
combined company triggers a cross-default currently contained in
its credit facilities or any interest rate swap agreements it
has entered into pursuant to their terms, a significant portion
of the combined companys obligations may become
immediately due and payable, and its lenders commitment to
make further loans to it may terminate. The combined company may
not be able to reach agreement with its lenders to amend the
terms of the loan agreements or waive any breaches and it may
not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make any
accelerated payments. In addition, obligations under the
combined companys credit facilities are secured by its
vessels, and if it is unable to repay debt under the credit
facilities, the lenders could seek to foreclose on those assets.
Furthermore, if funds under the combined companys credit
facilities become unavailable as a result of a breach of the
combined companys covenants or otherwise, it may not be
able to execute its business strategy, which could have a
material adverse effect on the combined companys business,
results of operations and financial condition and its ability to
make cash distributions.
Decreases
in asset values due to circumstances outside of the combined
companys control may limit its ability to refinance
existing debt or make further draw-downs under existing credit
facilities, which may limit the combined companys ability
to purchase additional vessels or pay distributions in the
future. In addition, if asset values continue to decrease
significantly, the combined company may have to pre-pay part of
its outstanding debt or provide additional security in order to
remain in compliance with covenants under existing credit
facilities.
Each of the credit facilities of the combined company requires
that a specific aggregate fair market value of the vessels in
the fleet be maintained as a percentage of the aggregate amount
outstanding under such credit facility. Any contemplated vessel
acquisitions will have to be at levels that do not impair the
required ratios. The recent global economic downturn has had an
adverse effect on tanker asset values which is likely to persist
if the economic slowdown resumes. If the estimated asset values
of the vessels in the combined companys fleet continue to
decrease, such decreases may limit the amounts the combined
company can draw down under its current credit facilities to
purchase additional vessels and the ability to expand the
combined companys fleet. In addition, the combined company
may be obligated to pre-pay part of its outstanding debt or
provide additional security in order to remain in compliance
with the relevant covenants under its existing credit
facilities. Such decreases could have a material adverse effect
on the combined companys business, results of operations
and financial condition and its ability to refinance its
existing facilities or to make cash distributions.
A
limited number of financial institutions hold Crudes and
CPLPs cash, including financial institutions located in
Greece.
Crude and CPLP maintain all of their cash with a limited number
of financial institutions, including institutions located in
Greece. The financial institutions located in Greece may be
subsidiaries of international banks or Greek financial
institutions. These balances may not be covered by insurance in
the event of default by these financial institutions. The
ongoing fiscal situation in Greece, including the possibility of
further sovereign credit rating downgrades and the restructuring
of Greeces sovereign debt, may result in an event of
default by some or all of these financial institutions. The
occurrence of such a default could therefore have a material
adverse effect on the combined companys business,
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
35
RISK
RELATING TO CPLPs COMMON UNITS
CPLP
cannot assure you that it will pay any
distributions.
Crude and CPLP currently observe a cash dividend and cash
distribution policy, respectively, implemented by their
respective boards of directors. The actual declaration of future
cash dividends or distributions, and the establishment of record
and payment dates, is subject to final determination by each
companys board of directors each quarter after its review
of financial performance. CPLPs ability to pay
distributions in any period will depend upon factors including
but not limited to financial condition, results of operations,
prospects and applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law.
The timing and amount of distributions, if any, could be
affected by factors affecting cash flows, results of operations,
required capital expenditures, or reserves. Maintaining the
distribution policy will depend on CPLPs and Crudes
cash earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and
could be affected by factors, including the loss of a vessel,
required capital expenditures, reserves established by the CPLP
Board, increased or unanticipated expenses, additional
borrowings and ability to refinance existing indebtedness, asset
valuations, or future issuances of securities, which may be
beyond CPLPs control.
Under Marshall Islands law, a limited partnership shall not make
a 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 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.
CPLPs distribution policy may be changed at any time, and
from time to time, by its board of directors.
Future
sales of CPLP common units could cause the market price of CPLP
common units to decline.
The market price of CPLP common units could decline due to sales
of a large number of units in the market, including sales of
units by CPLPs large unitholders, or the perception that
these sales could occur. These sales could also make it more
difficult or impossible for CPLP to sell equity securities in
the future at a time and price that it deems appropriate to
raise funds through future offerings of common units.
CPLPs
organization as a limited partnership under the laws of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands may limit the ability of
unitholders to protect their interests.
CPLPs affairs are governed by the CPLP Partnership
Agreement and the Marshall Islands Limited Partnership Act
(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 Act also
provides that it is to be applied and construed to make it
uniform with the Delaware Revised Uniform Partnership Act and,
so long as it does not conflict with the MILPA or decisions of
the Marshall Islands courts, interpreted according to the
non-statutory law (or case law) of the State of Delaware.
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, CPLPs public unitholders may have more
difficulty in
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protecting their interests in the face of actions by management,
directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of
a limited partnership organized in a U.S. jurisdiction.
It may
not be possible for investors to enforce U.S. judgments against
CPLP.
CPLP is organized under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands, as is its general partner, and most of its subsidiaries
are incorporated or organized under the laws of the Republic of
the Marshall Islands. Substantially all of CPLPs assets
and those of its 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 CPLP or to enforce judgment upon CPLP for civil liabilities
in U.S. courts. In addition, you should not assume that
courts in the countries in which CPLP or its subsidiaries are
incorporated or organized or where CPLPs assets or the
assets of its subsidiaries are located (i) would enforce
judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against CPLP
or its subsidiaries based upon the civil liability provisions of
applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws or
(ii) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities
against CPLP or its subsidiaries based upon these laws.
37
SPECIAL
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This proxy statement/prospectus and the documents that are
incorporated into this proxy statement/prospectus by reference
may contain or incorporate by reference statements that do not
directly or exclusively relate to historical facts, i.e.,
forward-looking statements.
Broadly speaking, forward-looking statements include:
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statements relating to the benefits of the merger;
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statements containing projections of revenues, income (including
income loss), earnings (including earnings loss) per share,
capital expenditures, dividends, distributions, capital
structure, or other financial items;
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statements of the plans and objectives of management for future
operations, including plans or objectives relating to products
or services;
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statements of future economic performance, including statements
contained in discussion and analysis of financial condition by
management or in results of operations;
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statements of assumptions underlying or relating to the
foregoing;
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reports issued by an outside reviewer retained by CPLP or Crude,
to the extent any such report assesses a forward-looking
statement made by CPLP or Crude, as applicable; and
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statements containing a projection or estimate of any other item
required by applicable regulations.
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You can typically identify forward-looking statements by the use
of forward-looking words, such as may,
will, could, project,
believe, anticipate, expect,
estimate, continue,
potential, plan, forecast
and other similar words. Those statements represent our
intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about
future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other
factors. Many of those factors are outside our control and could
cause actual results to differ materially from the results
expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements.
Included among the important factors that, in Crudes and
CPLPs view, could cause actual results to differ
materially from such forward-looking statements are the
following:
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the factors described under the section captioned Risk
Factors beginning on page 22;
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the ability to obtain the approval of the transaction by
Crudes shareholders;
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the ability to satisfy other conditions to the transaction on
the proposed terms and timeframe;
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the ability to realize the expected benefits to the degree, in
the amounts or in the timeframe anticipated;
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the ability to integrate Crudes businesses with those of
CPLP in a timely and cost-efficient manner;
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changes in demand and supply;
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a material decline in rates in the crude or product tanker
markets;
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a material decline in asset values;
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changes in production of or demand for oil and petroleum
products, generally or in particular regions;
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the ability to refinance existing indebtedness or the debt of
Crude;
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changes in the ability to access debt and equity markets;
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greater than anticipated levels of tanker new building orders or
lower than anticipated rates of tanker scrapping;
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changes in rules and regulations applicable to the tanker
industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by
international organizations such as the IMO and the European
Union or by individual countries;
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actions taken by regulatory authorities;
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changes in trading patterns significantly impacting overall
tanker tonnage requirements;
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changes in the typical seasonal variations in tanker charter
rates;
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changes in the cost of other modes of oil transportation;
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changes in oil transportation technology;
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increases in costs, including, without limitation, crew wages,
insurance, provisions, repairs and maintenance;
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changes in general domestic and international political
conditions;
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changes in the condition of Crudes or CPLPs vessels
or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may
affect, among other things, the combined companys
anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs);
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changes in the itineraries of Crudes or CPLPs
vessels;
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the fulfillment of the closing conditions under, or the
execution of customary additional documentation for, CPLPs
agreements to acquire vessels; and
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other factors listed from time to time in Crudes or
CPLPs filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including, without limitation, their respective Annual Reports
on
Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2010 and their respective
subsequent reports on
Form 6-K.
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The areas of risk and uncertainty described above should be
considered in connection with any written or oral
forward-looking statements that may be made after the date of
this proxy statement/prospectus by Crude or CPLP or anyone
acting for any or all of them. The ability of Crude, CPLP, or
the combined company to pay dividends or distributions, as the
case may be, in any period will depend upon factors including
applicable provisions of law and the final determination by the
board of directors each quarter after its review of the combined
companys financial performance. The timing and amount of
dividends or distributions, as the case may be, if any, could
also be affected by factors affecting cash flows, results of
operations, required capital expenditures, or reserves. As a
result, the amount of dividends or distributions, as the case
may be, actually paid may vary from the amounts currently
estimated. Crude and CPLP disclaim any intention or obligation
to update any forward-looking statements as a result of
developments occurring after the date of this proxy
statement/prospectus.
39
THE CRUDE
SPECIAL MEETING
General
Crude is furnishing this proxy statement/prospectus to the Crude
shareholders as part of the solicitation of proxies by the Crude
Board for use at the special meeting of Crude shareholders to be
held on September 20, 2011, and at any adjournment thereof.
This proxy statement/prospectus is first being furnished to
Crude shareholders on or about August 19, 2011 in
connection with the vote on the Merger Proposal and the
Adjournment Proposal. This document provides you with the
information you need to know to be able to vote or instruct your
vote to be cast at the Crude special meeting.
Date,
Time and Place
The special meeting of Crude shareholders will be held at 11:00
AM (Athens, Greece time), on September 20, 2011, at 3
Iassonos Street, Piraeus, 18357 Greece.
Purpose
of the Crude Special Meeting
At the special meeting, Crude is asking holders of Crude common
stock and Crude Class B stock to approve the following
proposals:
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The Merger Proposal a proposal to adopt the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 5, 2011, by
and among CPLP, Crude, Capital GP and MergerCo, and to approve
the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger,
pursuant to which MergerCo will merge with and into Crude, as a
result of which Crude will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of
CPLP; and
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The Adjournment Proposal a proposal to authorize the
adjournment of the special meeting to a later date or dates, if
necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in
the event there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in
connection with, the adoption of the Merger Proposal and the
transactions contemplated thereby.
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Recommendation
of Crude Independent Committee
The Crude Independent Committee:
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has determined that the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the merger, are fair and
reasonable to, and in the best interests of, the Unaffiliated
Shareholders;
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recommended to the Crude Board that it declare the advisability
of, and approve, the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the merger; and
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recommended to the Crude Board that it recommend that
Crudes shareholders vote FOR the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including
the merger.
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Recommendation
of Crude Board of Directors
The Crude Board:
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has determined that the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the merger, are fair to and
reasonable, and in the best interests of, Crude and its
shareholders, including the Unaffiliated Shareholders;
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has adopted and approved the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger; and
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recommends that the holders of the outstanding shares of Crude
common stock and the sole holder of all outstanding shares of
Crude Class B stock vote FOR the Merger
Proposal.
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Record
Date; Who is Entitled to Vote
The Crude Board has fixed the close of business on
August 15, 2011, as the record date for
determining those Crude shareholders entitled to notice of and
to vote at the special meeting. As of the close of business on
August 5, 2011, there were 13,899,400 shares of Crude
common stock and 2,105,263 shares of Crude Class B
stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each holder of Crude
common stock is entitled to one vote per share, and each holder
of Crude Class B stock is entitled to ten votes per share,
on each proposal on which such shares are entitled to vote at
the special meeting.
As of August 5, 2011, the Unaffiliated Shareholders, either
directly or beneficially, owned 13,745,400 shares, or
approximately 98.9% of Crudes outstanding common stock.
Quorum
For purposes of the vote by the holders of Crude common stock
and Crude Class B stock, considered as a single class, the
holders of a majority in total voting power of the shares of
Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock issued and
outstanding as of the record date entitled to vote at the
special meeting of the shareholders, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum. For purposes of
the vote by the sole holder of Crude Class B stock, the
holder of a majority in total voting power of shares of Crude
Class B stock issued and outstanding as of the record date
entitled to vote at the special meeting of the shareholders,
present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a
quorum. In the absence of a quorum the Chairman of the meeting
or the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by
the shareholders of Crude common stock and Crude Class B
stock, considered as a single class, who are present in person
or by proxy may adjourn the meeting.
Abstentions
and Broker Non-Votes
Proxies that are marked abstain and proxies relating
to street name shares that are returned to us but
marked by brokers as not voted will be treated as
shares present for purposes of determining the presence of a
quorum on all matters. The latter will not be treated as shares
entitled to vote on the matter as to which authority to vote is
withheld by the broker.
Vote of
Our Shareholders Required
The adoption of the Merger Proposal will require the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of shares
of Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock outstanding
and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, voting together as
a single class; by the sole holder of shares of Crude
Class B stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the
Special Meeting, voting as a separate class; and by a majority
of the voting power of the shares of Crude common stock
outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting that are
held by the Unaffiliated Shareholders, voting as a separate
class. Because these three required votes are based on a
majority of all shares outstanding (i.e., not just a majority of
the shares present at the meeting and voting), if you abstain
from voting, or if you fail to vote or fail to instruct your
bank, brokerage firm or nominee how to vote, that will make it
more difficult to achieve the votes required to approve the
Merger Proposal.
The adoption of the Adjournment Proposal will require the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast by the holders of Crude common stock and
Crude Class B stock, considered as a single class, who are
present in person or by proxy. The special meeting may also be
adjourned by the Chairman of the meeting.
Voting
Your Shares
Each share of Crude common stock that you own in your name
entitles you to one vote for each proposal on which such shares
are entitled to vote at the special meeting. Your proxy card
shows the number of shares of Crude common stock that you own.
41
There are two ways to ensure that your shares of Crude common
stock are voted at the special meeting:
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You can cause your shares to be voted by signing and returning
the enclosed proxy card. If you submit your proxy card, your
proxy, whose name is listed on the proxy card, will
vote your shares as you instruct on the proxy card. If you sign
and return the proxy card but do not give instructions on how to
vote your shares, your shares will be voted, as recommended by
our board, FOR the adoption of the Merger Proposal
and the Adjournment Proposal. Votes received after a matter has
been voted upon at the special meeting will not be counted.
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You can attend the special meeting and vote in person. We will
give you a ballot when you arrive. However, if your shares are
held in the name of your broker, bank or another nominee, you
must get a proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee. That is
the only way we can be sure that the broker, bank or nominee has
not already voted your shares.
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IF YOU RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD WITHOUT AN INDICATION OF HOW
YOU WISH TO VOTE, YOUR SHARES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE
MERGER PROPOSAL AND THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.
Revoking
Your Proxy
If you give a proxy, you may revoke it at any time before it is
exercised by doing any one of the following:
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you may send another proxy card with a later date;
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you may notify Crudes corporate secretary in writing
before the special meeting that you have revoked your
proxy; or
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you may attend the special meeting, revoke your proxy, and vote
in person, as indicated above.
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No
Additional Matters May Be Presented at the Special
Meeting
This special meeting has been called only to consider the
adoption of the Merger Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal.
Under Crudes bylaws, other than procedural matters
incident to the conduct of the special meeting, no other matters
may be considered at the special meeting if they are not
included in the notice of the special meeting.
Appraisal
Rights
Under Marshall Islands law, a shareholder of a corporation has
the right to vote against any plan of merger to which the
corporation is a party. If such shareholders vote against the
plan of merger, they may have the right to seek payment from
their corporation of the appraised fair value of their shares
(instead of the contractual merger consideration). However, the
right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the
appraised fair value of his shares is not available if the
shares of such class or series of stock are (i) listed on a
securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than
2,000 holders. Since shares of Crude common stock are traded on
the NYSE, a dissenting holder of shares of Crude common stock
has no right to receive payment from Crude for the appraised
fair market value of his shares under Marshall Islands law.
Furthermore, pursuant to the Support Agreement, CCIC, as the
sole holder of the Crude Class B stock, has waived any
appraisal rights it might have under Marshall Islands law.
Proxies
and Proxy and Consent Solicitation Costs
Crude is soliciting proxies on behalf of the Crude Board. This
solicitation is being made by mail but also may be made by
telephone or in person. Crude and its directors, officers and
employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone or by
other electronic means. Any solicitation made and information
provided in such a solicitation will be consistent with the
written proxy statement and proxy card. Morrow, a proxy
solicitation firm that Crude has engaged to assist it in
soliciting proxies, will be paid its customary fee of
approximately $15,000, plus
out-of-pocket
expenses.
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Crude will ask banks, brokers and other institutions, nominees
and fiduciaries to forward proxy materials to their principals
and to obtain their authority to execute proxies and voting
instructions. Crude will reimburse them for their reasonable
expenses.
If you send in your completed proxy card, you may still vote
your shares in person if you revoke your proxy before it is
exercised at the special meeting.
Crude
Support Agreement
Evangelos M. Marinakis, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Crude,
Ioannis E. Lazaridis, President of Crude, Gerasimos G.
Kalogiratos, CFO of Crude, and CCIC, holder of all of the
outstanding shares of Crude Class B stock, have entered
into a support agreement pursuant to which they have agreed to
vote their shares in favor of the transaction.
Representatives
of Deloitte. Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis
S.A.
Representatives of Deloitte. Hadjipavlou, Sofianos &
Cambanis S.A. are expected to be present at the Crude special
meeting. The representatives of Deloitte. Hadjipavlou,
Sofianos & Cambanis S.A. will have the opportunity to
make a statement regarding the proposed transaction if they
desire to do so, and they are expected to be available to
respond to appropriate questions from Crude shareholders at the
Crude special meeting.
Who Can
Answer Your Questions About Voting Your Shares
If you have any questions about how to vote or direct a vote in
respect of your shares of Crude common stock, you may call
Morrow, Crudes proxy solicitor, at +1 800
662-5200 or
Crudes corporate secretary at +30 210 4584 900.
43
THE
PROPOSED TRANSACTION
The
Companies
Crude
Carriers Corp.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
+30 210 4584 900
Crude Carriers Corp. is a corporation organized under the laws
of the Republic of the Marshall Islands focusing on the maritime
transportation of crude oil cargoes. It employs its vessels in
the spot tanker market or under spot related employment. Crude
owns a modern, high specification fleet of crude oil tankers,
comprising two VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers) and three
Suezmax tankers, with a weighted average age of 2.7 years
as of June 30, 2011 and a total carrying capacity of
approximately 1,058,344 dwt. Crudes vessels transport
mainly crude oil and fuel oil along worldwide shipping routes.
Capital Maritime, an international shipping company, serves as
the manager of Crudes vessels. Currently three out of
Crudes five vessels are employed with Shell under spot
index linked time charter arrangements, which are also subject
to a profit sharing arrangement. Shares of Crude common stock
have traded on the NYSE under the symbol CRU since
Crudes initial public offering in March 2010. As of
June 30, 2011, Crude had approximately $407.5 million
in total assets.
Capital
Product Partners L.P.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
+30 210 4584 900
Capital Product Partners L.P. is a limited partnership organized
under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, whose
vessels trade on a worldwide basis and are capable of carrying
crude oil, refined oil products, such as gasoline, diesel, fuel
oil and jet fuel, as well as edible oils and certain chemicals
such as ethanol. As of June 30, 2011, CPLPs fleet
consisted of 21 double-hull tankers with an average age of
approximately 5.0 years, including one of the largest Ice
Class 1A MR product tanker fleets in the world based on
number of vessels and carrying capacity, with 90% of the fleet
total days in the last six months of 2011 secured under period
charter coverage. In June 2011, CPLP began operating one drybulk
capesize vessel. Capital Ship Management Corp., a subsidiary of
Capital Maritime, serves as the manager of CPLPs vessels.
CPLP charters 19 of its 22 vessels (including the capesize
vessel) under medium- to long-term time and bareboat charters to
large charterers such as BP Shipping Limited, Petroleo
Brasileiro S.A., Capital Maritime and subsidiaries of Overseas
Shipholding Group Inc. CPLPs common units trade on Nasdaq
under the symbol CPLP. CPLP unitholders also receive
reports on Form 1099, as the partnership is treated as a
corporation for U.S. tax purposes. As of June 30,
2011, CPLP had approximately $847.0 million in total assets.
Capital
GP L.L.C.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
+30 210 4584 900
Capital GP L.L.C. is a limited liability company organized under
the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It is the
general partner of CPLP and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capital
Maritime.
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Poseidon
Project Corp.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537
Greece
+30 210 4584 900
Poseidon Project Corp. is a corporation incorporated under the
laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of CPLP. This entity was recently formed
for the sole purpose of effecting the merger.
Structure
of the Proposed Transaction
The merger agreement provides for the transactions described
below. The merger agreement is attached to this document as
Appendix A and is incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement/prospectus. We urge you to read the merger agreement
carefully and in its entirety, as it is the legal document that
governs the proposed transaction and your rights and obligations
in connection with the proposed transaction.
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On May 5, 2011, CPLP and Crude announced that they had
entered into a merger agreement, pursuant to which MergerCo
would merge with and into Crude, with the result of Crude
becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPLP.
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The transaction is structured as a unit for share transaction.
The exchange ratio is 1.56 CPLP common units for each share of
Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock, which equates
to a value of $17.58 per share of Crude common stock and Crude
Class B stock based on CPLPs closing unit price of
$11.27 on May 4, 2011. The transaction is subject to
customary closing conditions, including approval by a majority
of the voting power of the shares of Crude common stock held by
the Unaffiliated Shareholders.
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CPLP will become the sole parent of Crude and will continue to
be structured as a limited partnership.
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In addition, on June 10, CPLP acquired from Capital
Maritime 100% of the shares of capital stock of Patroklos Marine
Corp. a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of
the Marshall Islands, that was the registered owner of the dry
cargo vessel Cape Agamemnon for a total consideration of
approximately $98.5 million, paid in a combination of CPLP
common units and cash. CPLP issued 6,958,000 CPLP common units
to Capital Maritime based on a $10.35 price per unit, as part of
the consideration for the acquisition of the Cape Agamemnon, and
paid approximately $26.5 million in cash. The purchase
value of the Cape Agamemnon of $83.5 million used in
CPLPs financial statements is calculated based on the
issuance of CPLP common units at their closing price on
June 9, 2011 of $8.20 per unit.
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Capital Maritime also made a capital contribution of
approximately $1.5 million to Capital GP, which then made a
capital contribution in the same amount to CPLP in exchange for
142,000 general partnership interests in CPLP, so that Capital
GP could maintain a 2% general partnership interest in CPLP.
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Following completion of the merger, CPLP unitholders will own
approximately 65% of the combined company, with Crude
shareholders owning the remaining approximate 35% of the
combined company (including 3,284,210 common units to be issued
to CCIC). As a result of the merger, Capital Maritime, the owner
of Capital GP, will own approximately 27.1% of the combined
company, including ownership resulting from the general
partnership interest in the combined company held by Capital GP
and, collectively, Capital Maritime and CCIC would own
approximately 31.7% of the combined company. Under the CPLP
Partnership Agreement, Capital GP, which is owned by Capital
Maritime, also has the right to contribute CPLP common units in
return for general partner units in order to maintain a 2%
general partner interest in CPLP. If the proposed transaction is
consummated, shortly thereafter Capital GP expects to contribute
approximately 499,346 CPLP common units in return for general
partner units in order to maintain its 2% general partner
interest.
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CPLPs current directors and one current member of the
Crude Independent Committee, which will be Dimitris
Christacopoulos, will be the directors of CPLP immediately after
the effective time of the proposed transaction, and Evangelos M.
Marinakis will continue to serve as Chairman of the CPLP Board.
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CPLPs current headquarters will serve as the headquarters
of the combined company.
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45
Background
of the Proposed Transaction
Crude was formed in October 2009 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of
CCIC, to conduct a shipping business focused on the crude tanker
industry. Crude had no meaningful operating history as an
independent company prior to its initial public offering (the
IPO) in March 2010. Following its IPO, CCIC
continued to own, and currently owns, 2,105,263 shares of
Crude Class B stock, representing 100% of the outstanding
shares of the Crude Class B stock. CCIC does not own any
Crude common stock.
There is substantial overlap of the ownership and control of
Crude and CPLP. CCIC is controlled by Evangelos M. Marinakis,
the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Crude and the
Chairman of CPLP Mr. Marinakis also is the Chief Executive
Officer of Capital Maritime, which as of August 5, 2011
owns approximately 19,179,062 CPLP units (including general
partner units), or 41.9% of the CPLP units, and is the owner of
Capital GP. There also is significant overlap between the senior
management teams of each of Crude and Capital GP. In addition,
the vesting requirements relating to shares of Crude common
stock held by members of the Crude Independent Committee, other
than Dimitris Christacopoulos (who collectively hold, subject to
vesting requirements, an aggregate of approximately
20,000 shares of Crude common stock, or the right to
receive approximately 31,200 CPLP common units), will lapse
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, and such
shares will vest in full immediately prior to the effective time
of the merger.
Throughout 2010, Capital GP, as the manager of CPLP,
communicated to CPLP unitholders its belief that CPLP should be
looking for opportunities to further grow CPLP and take
advantage of the historically attractive vessel asset purchase
price environment in the tanker shipping sector. In that
context, in early December 2010, Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis
and Ioannis M. Lazaridis discussed a potential combination
between CPLP and Crude, including the potential for such a
combination to strengthen the balance sheet, provide a solid
basis of future fleet growth, provide a basis for future
distribution growth and enhance financing opportunities for both
entities. Mr. Lazaridis and Mr. Marinakis having
further discussed the above met again and decided to commence an
evaluation of a combination of Crude and CPLP. Senior management
of Capital GP and CPLP also agreed that the merits of such a
combination should be explored, and, accordingly, concluded that
a potential combination might be attractive to Crude, CPLP, and
their respective equityholders. In addition, Mr. Marinakis
indicated that CCIC, as the sole holder of Crude Class B
stock, could be receptive to such a transaction.
In December 2010, Mr. Lazaridis contacted a representative
of Evercore Group L.L.C. (Evercore) indicating that
Capital GP senior management was going to discuss a proposed
transaction involving Crude with the CPLP Board, and that the
matter would likely be submitted to the CPLP Conflicts Committee
for its consideration. The CPLP Conflicts Committee had
previously engaged Evercore as its financial advisor on three
separate occasions in 2010. Mr. Lazaridis met with
representatives of Evercore on December 7, 2010,
December 30, 2010 and January 12, 2011 to further
discuss the possibility of CPLP and Crude pursuing a proposed
transaction.
On January 19, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee, after
reviewing and considering the knowledge and experience of Akin
Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP (Akin Gump)
with public company mergers and acquisitions, the energy
industry generally, and Akin Gumps experience in advising
master limited partnerships (MLPs) and other
companies with respect to transactions similar to the proposed
transaction, as well as its past representations of the CPLP
Conflicts Committee, determined to engage Akin Gump as its legal
counsel in anticipation of a delegation by the CPLP Board to the
CPLP Conflicts Committee of certain responsibilities and
authority with respect to a proposed transaction.
On January 20, 2011, Mr. Lazaridis, Mr. Marinakis
and other members of Capital GPs management met with the
CPLP Board. During that meeting, members of management discussed
with the CPLP Board the outlook for CPLPs future growth
and distributions based on various assumptions regarding, among
other things, the tanker shipping market, the tanker financing
market and the general state of the overall economy. It was
further suggested that the CPLP Board consider a transaction
with Crude, as a combination of CPLP and Crude could provide
CPLP with a stronger balance sheet, improve its position in the
tanker shipping market and improve future distribution growth
prospects.
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On January 20, 2011, the CPLP Board (including the members
of the CPLP Conflicts Committee) along with representatives of
the law firms Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
(Sullivan & Cromwell), as counsel to
Capital Maritime, and Akin Gump, participated in a presentation
in which representatives of Evercore gave their preliminary
financial analysis of a combination of CPLP and Crude. During
the presentation, members of the CPLP Conflicts Committee
provided Evercore with feedback to refine its preliminary
financial analysis.
On January 20, 2011, as a result of the ongoing
consideration of such strategic factors, the CPLP Board, on the
recommendation of the CPLP Conflicts Committee, determined to
further analyze and pursue a potential business combination
transaction with Crude. The CPLP Board also determined that the
CPLP Conflicts Committee should analyze and, if determined
appropriate, pursue and negotiate, on behalf of the CPLP Board,
such a potential transaction. The members of the CPLP Conflicts
Committee are Keith Forman, Robert Curt and Abel Rasterhoff,
each of whom is an independent director of CPLP and has no
affiliations with Crude, CCIC or any of their affiliates.
Mr. Forman served as chairman of the CPLP Conflicts
Committee and continues to serve in that role.
The CPLP Board authorized the CPLP Conflicts Committee to, among
other things, (i) explore, consider and, if appropriate,
develop a proposal on behalf of CPLP with respect to a proposed
transaction, (ii) negotiate the terms and conditions of a
transaction and agreements related to a transaction, subject in
each case to final approval of the CPLP Board, and (iii) in
order to address any potential conflicts of interest between
CPLP, on the one hand, and Capital GP, Capital Maritime and each
of their affiliates, on the other hand, determine whether to
approve such a transaction by following the CPLP special
approval process, which in accordance with CPLPs
Partnership Agreement requires approval of a majority of the
members of the CPLP Conflicts Committee.
On January 20, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee engaged
Evercore to act as the CPLP Conflicts Committees financial
advisor with respect to a proposed transaction. Evercore was
chosen primarily because of its knowledge and experience with
public company mergers and acquisitions, the shipping and energy
industries generally, transactions involving MLPs and its work
with special committees, including the CPLP Conflicts Committee,
in past transactions.
In connection with the consideration of the proposed
transaction, on January 20, 2011, the CPLP Board approved
the payment of a one-time fee for each member of the CPLP
Conflicts Committee (other than the chairman) of $25,000, with
the chairman of the CPLP Conflicts Committee to be paid a
one-time fee of $40,000, in cash.
On January 24, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee held a
meeting with representatives of Akin Gump and Evercore to
discuss various matters, including (i) the duties of, and
the process to be followed by, the CPLP Conflicts Committee in
connection with delivering a proposal, and considering a
potential counter proposal, with respect to a proposed
transaction, (ii) potential conflicts of interest,
independence considerations and the special approval process
under CPLPs partnership agreement, (iii) fiduciary
duties of the members of the CPLP Conflicts Committee,
(iv) equityholder approval requirements, and
(v) general process, securities law and other
considerations to be taken into account in public transactions
similar to the proposed transaction. Evercore also discussed
with members of the CPLP Conflicts Committee its
January 20, 2011 presentation, including the pro forma
impact of a proposed transaction on accretion and dilution on
distributions to the equityholders of CPLP and Crude, taking
into account various financing, chartering rate, and asset
valuation scenarios, in each case based on information provided
by the management of CPLP. Evercore also discussed with the CPLP
Conflicts Committee the possibility of providing additional
financial analysis, including extending the analysis through
2013, based on additional forecasts and projections to be
provided by the respective managements of CPLP and, potentially,
Crude, utilizing various alternative scenarios.
On January 31, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee met with
representatives of Akin Gump and Evercore. Evercore provided an
update concerning its progress with respect to its financial
analysis of a proposed transaction with Crude, taking into
account various financing, chartering rate, and asset valuation
scenarios. The CPLP Conflicts Committee also discussed, among
other things, the appropriate exchange ratio for a proposal to
Crude, the exchange ratios impact on accretion and
dilution distributions to the stakeholders of CPLP and Crude,
negotiating strategy, the desirability of confidentiality and
whether exclusivity should be
47
required for some period of time (or whether exclusivity was
unnecessary under the circumstances). The CPLP Conflicts
Committee also discussed possible alternatives to a proposed
transaction with Crude, including the potential for raising
capital in the high yield debt or equity markets or the purchase
of additional assets in order to increase distribution cash
flow. After evaluating the potential costs and benefits of the
possible alternatives and their feasibility given current market
conditions, the CPLP Conflicts Committee determined that a
transaction with Crude still appeared to be a very attractive
alternative, with potentially more benefits for CPLP unitholders
than other options, and beneficial to pursue even if other
alternatives were potentially available. In particular, although
the Cape Agamemnon acquisition was subsequently considered and
approved by the CPLP Conflicts Committee, it was not perceived
as an alternative to the growth and other opportunities that a
transaction with Crude may provide. Additionally, the CPLP
Conflicts Committee believed it would be difficult to complete a
debt capital-raising transaction on acceptable terms given
current market conditions and before the completion of a
business combination or other acquisition by CPLP that would
enhance its growth and financing opportunities. As a result, the
CPLP Conflicts Committee determined that it would make a
non-binding proposal to acquire Crude in a merger transaction
pursuant to which each shareholder of Crude would receive 1.72
CPLP common units for each share of Crude common stock and Crude
Class B stock held by such shareholder. The committee also
determined to propose that Crude sign a mutual confidentiality
agreement without an exclusivity period. The CPLP Conflicts
Committee decided that the chairman of the CPLP Conflicts
Committee should contact the Crude Independent Committee, a
standing committee of the Crude Board, to deliver a non-binding
indication of interest to such effect.
On February 2, 2011, Mr. Forman sent via
e-mail a
letter to the Crude Independent Committee. At that time, Richard
Sages, Pierre de Demandolx Dedons, Gregory Timagenis and
Socrates Kominakis comprised the Crude Independent Committee.
Mr. Formans
e-mail
indicated CPLPs interest in pursuing a proposed
transaction, and included a draft confidentiality agreement.
Mr. Forman also left a voicemail for the Crude Independent
Committees chairman, Mr. Socrates Kominakis,
conveying a desire to meet in person in the near future to
discuss the Crude Independent Committees reaction to the
proposal. Mr. Formans letter included, among other
things, (i) a non-binding indication of CPLPs
interest in CPLPs acquiring Crude in a merger transaction
in which each outstanding share of Crude common stock and Crude
Class B stock would be exchanged for 1.72 CPLP common units
(the Initial Proposal) and (ii) a request for
the support of CCIC and its affiliates, as well as members of
Crude management (in their capacity as shareholders of Crude),
for such a potential transaction. Further discussion of a
proposed transaction was conditioned upon execution by the
parties of a mutual confidentiality agreement, which would
include mutual customary standstill and
non-solicitation provisions. Based on CPLPs common unit
price on February 1, 2011, the Initial Proposal had a value
of approximately $17.50 per share. The 1.72x exchange ratio was
based on (i) CPLPs calculation of Crudes net
asset value per share using a third party appraisal of the
vessels comprising Crudes fleet as of December 31,
2010, discounted by approximately 5% to take into account the
general trend of declining asset values, (ii) CPLPs
view that such offer would potentially enhance CPLPs
ability to maintain and potentially grow its distribution
forecast of $0.2325 per quarter in 2013, (iii) a
premiums-paid analysis suggesting a 12.4% premium to
Crudes share price of approximately $15.57 as of
January 31, 2011 and (iv) the fact that Crude
shareholders would experience significant and immediate
accretion with respect to distributions upon consummation of the
merger. The Crude Independent Committee promptly informed the
Crude Board of the proposal received from the CPLP Conflicts
Committee.
On February 3, 2011, the Crude Board met to discuss several
matters, including the receipt by the Crude Independent
Committee of the Initial Proposal. The Crude Board determined
that, given the independence of each of the members of the Crude
Independent Committee and its existing duties to resolve
conflicts between Crude and Capital Maritime and its affiliates,
the Crude Independent Committee should evaluate and, if
appropriate, negotiate the terms of any transaction with CPLP on
behalf of the Crude Board. To that end, the Crude Board adopted
resolutions to authorize the Crude Independent Committee, in its
sole discretion, (i) to review and respond to the Initial
Proposal and, (ii) if determined appropriate by the Crude
Independent Committee, to engage in further discussions with
respect to a potential transaction, and in connection therewith,
to engage independent legal and financial advisors to assist in
its evaluation and potential negotiations. The Crude Independent
Committee was also given the responsibility to coordinate the
process and any potential follow up actions with respect to a
potential transaction with CPLP. The Crude Board also
48
understood that it had granted the Crude Independent Committee
the authority to consider alternative transactions to the
proposed transaction with CPLP. However, the Crude Independent
Committee was subsequently informed on more than one occasion,
including at the Crude Boards
April 29th meeting, that CCIC would vote against any
reasonably foreseeable similar transaction with a party other
than CPLP.
The Crude Independent Committee retained Jones Day as its
independent legal advisor on February 10, 2011, after
confirming that the firm had not represented Crude, CPLP, CCIC
or their respective affiliates and was otherwise free of any
conflicting relationships.
On February 15, 2011, the Crude Independent Committee met
with Jones Day to discuss next steps, including the process for
selecting the committees financial advisor. The committee
discussed potential financial advisor candidates, including
Jefferies and two other internationally-recognized investment
banking firms, none of which had previously provided financial
advisory services to Crude, CPLP, CCIC or any of their
respective affiliates. Jones Day also explained to the committee
that the Crude Board had adopted authorizing resolutions for the
Crude Independent Committee, but that those resolutions did not
expressly provide the Crude Independent Committee the authority
to pursue alternative transactions. The committee decided that
it was still early in the process, and that the possibility of
confirming whether such authority had been provided should be
reconsidered after the Crude Independent Committee had selected
a financial advisor and had had the opportunity to review the
proposed transaction with its financial advisor.
During the next few days, members of the Crude Independent
Committee and Jones Day contacted representatives of Jefferies
and the two other investment banking firms to schedule meetings
with the Crude Independent Committee to be held during the week
of February 20th.
On February 17, 2011, Mr. Kominakis informed the other
members of the Crude Independent Committee that he would be
unable to continue participating in the committees
deliberations regarding any potential transaction with CPLP. He
explained that he was advising a private equity firm
unaffiliated with Crude or CPLP in connection with an unrelated
matter that he expected would require substantially all of his
time for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, Mr. Kominakis
delivered a letter dated February 17, 2011 to the Crude
Independent Committee resigning from his position as chairman of
the Crude Independent Committee and, due to his time
commitments, withdrawing from all deliberations of the Crude
Independent Committee regarding any proposed transaction between
Crude and CPLP. The following day, on February 18, 2011,
the other members of the Crude Independent Committee elected
Mr. Gregory Timagenis as the new chairman of the Crude
Independent Committee.
On February 18, 2011, the Crude Independent Committee sent
a preliminary response to the CPLP Conflicts Committee, stating,
among other things, that (i) the Crude Board had authorized
the Crude Independent Committee to consider the proposed
transaction and to engage legal, financial and other advisors in
connection therewith, (ii) Jones Day would serve as the
legal advisor to the Crude Independent Committee and
(iii) the Crude Independent Committee was in the process of
selecting a financial advisor from a list of highly qualified
firms.
During the week of February 20, 2011, the Crude Independent
Committee met with representatives of Jefferies and the two
other financial advisor candidates to discuss their
qualifications for advising the Crude Independent Committee.
Over the next several days, Jones Day and Mr. Timagenis
corresponded with each of the three investment banks, seeking
clarification on and negotiating their fee proposals.
On February 28, 2011, the Crude Independent Committee met
for the purpose of finalizing its selection of a financial
advisor. Even though it was the consensus of the Crude
Independent Committee that, because of, among other things,
Jefferies M&A experience, and financial advisory
experience in the shipping industry, Jefferies should be
selected as the Crude Independent Committees financial
advisor, a change in the composition of the Crude Independent
Committee delayed the retention of Jefferies. On March 3,
2011, Mr. Timagenis informed the committee that he could no
longer serve on the committee. He explained that his ongoing
responsibilities to his law firm made it impracticable to take a
meaningful role in the Crude Independent Committees
evaluation of the proposed transaction with CPLP.
Mr. Timagenis remained on the Crude Board following his
resignation from the committee.
49
As a result of Mr. Kominakiss recusal and
Mr. Timageniss resignation, only two members of the
Crude Independent Committee remained to participate in
deliberations regarding the Initial Proposal. Accordingly,
during the following week, the members of the Crude Independent
Committee and the Crude Board agreed that the Crude Board should
appoint a new independent director to the Crude Board with the
expectation that such new independent director would serve on
the Crude Independent Committee. On March 11, 2011, the
Crude Board met to elect Mr. Dimitris Christacopoulos to
the Crude Board and, subsequent to his election, he was
appointed by the Crude Board to the Crude Independent Committee.
Prior to Mr. Christacopouloss election, the Crude
Board had made the determination that Mr. Christacopoulos
was independent and had no prior relationships with Crude, CPLP,
CCIC or any of their respective affiliates, and had discussed
Mr. Christacopouloss qualifications, including his
background in the shipping and financing sectors and work in
business consulting. The members of the Crude Independent
Committee held a meeting shortly after the Crude Board meeting
and elected Mr. Christacopoulos to be the chairman of the
Crude Independent Committee.
After Mr. Christacopoulos had the opportunity to review the
background material provided by Jones Day and after he had
spoken to each of the three financial advisor candidates to
understand their qualifications, the Crude Independent Committee
met on March 18, 2011. After discussion of the relative
merits of the three firms, the committee re-confirmed its
selection of Jefferies as its financial advisor.
From March 18th through the end of April, the Crude
Independent Committees legal and financial advisors
conducted their due diligence review of CPLP, its subsidiaries
and their respective businesses and the CPLP Conflicts
Committees legal and financial advisors conducted their
due diligence review of Crude, its subsidiaries and their
respective businesses. The Crude Independent Committees
legal and financial advisors and the CPLP Conflicts
Committees legal and financial advisors exchanged, and
provided responses to, due diligence request lists and
participated in multiple due diligence calls with management of
each of CPLP and Crude. On April 5, 2011, Crude and CPLP
executed a confidentiality agreement, which, in addition to
customary bilateral confidentiality provisions, imposed a
two-year standstill on each of Crude and CPLP. Following the
execution of the confidentiality agreement, CPLP and Crude began
to exchange non-public information.
On April 13, 2011, the two chairmen of the companies
two independent committees, Dimitris Christacopoulos and Keith
Forman, met in Athens. Although the two spoke about general
process points and macroeconomic factors related to a potential
business combination relating to the proposed transaction, no
specific transaction terms were discussed at this meeting.
On April 18, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee met with
representatives of Evercore and Akin Gump to receive an update
from Evercore about its discussions with Jefferies and to
discuss and identify differences in the assumptions underlying
their respective financial analyses of CPLP and Crude.
On April 19, 2011, the Crude Independent Committee met with
representatives of Jefferies and Jones Day to receive an update
on the status of the advisors due diligence and to review
Jefferies preliminary financial analyses based on
projections provided by Crude management. An analyst report from
Wells Fargo was also released the same day, which report
downgraded Crudes shares based on the analysts
conclusions that Crude would not be able to maintain its current
dividend payments once the amortization payments under
Crudes credit facility became due beginning in the third
quarter of 2011. Crudes share price decreased from $14.20
at closing on April 18, 2011 to a closing price of $12.05
on April 19, 2011.
On April 21, 2011, during a regularly scheduled meeting,
the CPLP Board received an update from the CPLP Conflicts
Committee regarding the status of its and its advisors
discussions with the Crude Independent Committee and its
advisors. Mr. Forman summarized for the CPLP Board the
status of the discussions.
On April 21, 2011, members of the CPLP Conflicts Committee
and the Crude Independent Committee and representatives of
Evercore, Jefferies, Akin Gump and Jones Day met to receive
additional guidance from management of CPLP and Crude with
respect to their respective managements financial
projections and to discuss the effect of such additional
guidance on the financial advisors respective financial
analyses. Following the discussion, the CPLP Conflicts Committee
met with representatives of Evercore and Akin Gump
50
to discuss the additional guidance that management had given and
to discuss the status of Evercores analysis of
managements financial projections with respect to CPLP.
Evercore also reviewed with the CPLP Conflicts Committee its
updated preliminary financial analysis. Among other things, the
CPLP Conflicts Committee discussed the recent increase in
CPLPs unit price as compared to the decrease in
Crudes stock price, and the Initial Proposals 1.72x
exchange ratio in light of prevailing market conditions. It also
discussed the deterioration in the asset values of crude tanker
vessels similar to those that Crude owns, which, in turn, had
lowered Crudes per share net asset value. The CPLP
Conflicts Committee determined that a revised indication of
interest letter should be prepared proposing an exchange ratio
of 1.36 CPLP common units for each Crude share. The CPLP
Conflicts Committee also determined that its chairman should
contact the chairman of the Crude Independent Committee to
indicate that the CPLP Conflicts Committee was still interested
in pursuing a proposed transaction, but would likely propose a
lower exchange ratio under which the proposed transaction would
be consummated.
On April 23, 2011, Mr. Forman called
Mr. Christacopoulos and left him a voicemail, indicating
that the CPLP Conflicts Committee would likely be sending a new
letter with a lower proposed exchange ratio. Later that evening
(New York time), the Crude Independent Committee received a
revised proposal from the CPLP Conflicts Committee reflecting a
lower exchange ratio of 1.36 CPLP common units for each share of
Crude common stock and Class B stock (the Revised
Proposal). Based on CPLPs common unit price on
April 21, 2011, the Revised Proposal had a value of
approximately $15.00 per share. The 1.36x exchange ratio in the
Revised Proposal was based on (i) CPLPs calculation
of Crudes net asset value per share using a more recent
third party appraisal of the vessels comprising Crudes
fleet as of March 31, 2011, discounted by a range of
approximately 5% to 10% due to the general trend of declining
asset values, (ii) CPLPs view that the lower offer would
further enhance CPLPs ability to maintain and potentially
grow its distribution forecast of $0.2325 per quarter in 2013,
(iii) a premiums-paid analysis suggesting a 20% premium to
Crudes share price of approximately $12.50 following the
release of the Wells Fargo report and (iv) the fact that
Crude shareholders would experience significant and immediate
accretion with respect to distributions upon consummation of the
merger.
The Crude Independent Committee met on April 25, 2011 with
its financial and legal advisors to discuss the Revised Proposal
and the CPLP Conflicts Committees request that both
committees and their advisors meet in Athens within the week to
discuss the potential transaction. After discussing with its
financial and legal advisors, the Crude Independent Committee
determined that such a meeting would not be productive until
after the Crude Independent Committee had first discussed with
Jefferies its analysis of the Revised Proposal, which discussion
took place later that day.
Between April 25 and April 28, 2011, at the request of the
CPLP Conflicts Committee and the Crude Independent Committee,
representatives of Evercore and Jefferies met to discuss the
proposed exchange ratios and the financial assumptions
underlying the Initial and Revised Proposals.
Representatives of Jefferies and Evercore met briefly on
April 26, 2011 to discuss the proposed transaction, as well
as some of the alternatives being considered by CPLP to manage
some of its future cash requirements.
On April 27, 2011, the Crude Independent Committee met
again with representatives of Jefferies and Jones Day to discuss
the Revised Proposal. Representatives of Jefferies advised the
Crude Independent Committee that representatives of Jefferies
and Evercore had had a discussion on April 26, 2011
regarding the proposals, but that no terms were negotiated.
Representatives of Jefferies discussed with the Crude
Independent Committee its financial analysis of the Revised
Proposal. The Crude Independent Committee asked various
questions regarding Jefferies financial analysis,
including with respect to certain assumptions underlying its
analysis. The Crude Independent Committee also discussed, with
the input of its financial and legal advisors, what potential
alternatives Crude could consider on a standalone basis,
including refinancing Crudes credit facility and
undertaking a potential bond offering. However, the Crude
Independent Committee determined that given the deteriorated
state of the tanker industry and limited access to capital
markets, such alternatives were not sufficiently attractive to
warrant a detailed analysis from Jefferies.
51
After discussion among the Crude Independent Committee members
with input from representatives of Jefferies, it was the
consensus of the Crude Independent Committee that the 1.36x
exchange ratio proposed by the CPLP Conflicts Committee in the
Revised Proposal should not be accepted. And after further
discussion with its advisors, it was the consensus of the Crude
Independent Committee that a 1.75x exchange ratio (with an
implied offer price of approximately $19.00 per share, based on
CPLPs common unit price at the time), was an appropriate
counter proposal to the CPLP Conflicts Committee. The Crude
Independent Committee reached this consensus based on various
considerations, including: (i) the need for the premium to
be measured against net asset value per share because the merger
consideration would consist solely of CPLP common units and for
net asset value per share to be calculated using the average of
both of Crudes third party appraisals, rather than only
the lower appraisal prepared as of March 31, 2011,
(ii) the 1.75x exchange ratio represented an 11% premium to
net asset value per share (based on CPLPs common unit
price at the time), (iii) the proposed merger of the two
companies would increase the combined companys scale,
market capitalization and cash flow, and decrease the combined
companys
loan-to-value
ratio, thereby permitting the combined company greater access to
the capital markets and enhancing its ability to refinance
existing indebtedness, which would better enable CPLP to
maintain its distribution forecast of $0.2325 per quarter
through 2013, (iv) a desire to achieve value in the range
of the IPO price for the Crude shares and (v) the
combination would be a deleveraging transaction for CPLP that
would be significantly accretive to the net asset value per unit
for CPLPs common unitholders.
The Crude Independent Committee also discussed the scope of its
authority at the meeting and whether it was authorized to
solicit or consider business combination or other proposals from
third parties other than CPLP. After discussing this issue with
Jones Day, the Crude Independent Committee determined to contact
the Crude Board in order to confirm whether the committee had
sufficient authority from the Crude Board in order to explore
and/or
pursue alternatives to the proposed CPLP transaction. The
committee requested that Jones Day prepare a letter for
Mr. Christacopoulos to deliver to the Crude Board on behalf
of the Crude Independent Committee requesting confirmation of
such authority. The Crude Independent Committee also briefly
discussed certain other items that would need to be addressed in
connection with the proposed transaction, including whether any
changes to CPLPs limited partnership agreement should be
requested to harmonize the rights of unitholders of the combined
entity to that of the shareholders of Crude. For example, the
committee discussed the number of directors that Crude would be
able to designate on the CPLP Board, as well as increasing the
ownership threshold necessary for the general partner to have
right to call CPLP common units from 80% to 90% of the
outstanding CPLP common units.
At the request of the Crude Independent Committee,
representatives of Jefferies communicated the Crude Independent
Committees counter proposal of a 1.75x exchange ratio, or
an implied price of approximately $19.00 per share, to Evercore
on April 27, 2011. Evercore explained the premise of the
1.36x exchange ratio in the Revised Proposal as described above
and also argued that a 1.36x exchange ratio (i) still
represented a 20% premium to Crudes share price and
(ii) would be immediately and significantly accretive to
Crudes shareholders distributions. Evercore also
stated that it believed a 1.75x exchange ratio would make it
difficult for CPLP to maintain and potentially grow its
distribution forecast of $0.2325 per quarter in 2013, due to the
increased number of outstanding common units and the potential
debt amortization payments if CPLP had not refinanced its debt
by then. After discussion of both parties positions,
representatives of Evercore stated that they would need to
present the Crude Independent Committees counter proposal
to the CPLP Conflicts Committee and discuss an appropriate
response.
On April 27, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee met with
representatives of Evercore and Akin Gump to discuss, among
other things, (i) an analysis of the Revised Proposal and
recent Crude Independent Committee counter proposal and the
implications of these proposals at various prices, including
potential accretion and dilution on distributions, and
(ii) the terms of the proposed merger agreement being
prepared by Akin Gump, including various deal protection issues
such as, among other things, the circumstances under which the
Crude Board or Crude Independent Committee could change their
recommendations as to the merger, the termination fee, the
termination date and the scope of CCICs and Crude
managements obligation to vote their shares of Crude stock
in favor of the approval of the merger and against alternative
transactions.
52
On April 28, 2011, the Crude Independent Committee met
again with its advisors, and representatives of Jefferies
relayed to the Crude Independent Committee their discussion with
Evercore regarding the Crude Independent Committees
counter proposal of a 1.75x exchange ratio. The members of the
committee discussed the possibility of engaging the chairmen of
both committees in negotiations by having a call among
Mr. Christacopoulos, Mr. Forman and the
committees financial advisors. However, the Crude
Independent Committee determined that it first wished to hear
the CPLP Conflicts Committees response to the proposed
1.75x exchange ratio, as well as the Crude Boards response
to Mr. Christacopouloss letter requesting
confirmation of additional authority for the Crude Independent
Committee.
On April 28, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee met with
representatives of Evercore and Akin Gump to discuss potential
exchange ratios and the financial assumptions underlying the
proposals. Evercore updated the CPLP Conflicts Committee with
respect to its discussions with Jefferies regarding the proposed
exchange ratios and their underlying financial assumptions. The
CPLP Conflicts Committee discussed increasing the proposed
exchange ratio and determined to propose an exchange ratio of
1.48 CPLP common units for each share of Crude common stock and
Crude Class B stock. After further discussion, the CPLP
Conflicts Committee requested that Evercore organize a call with
Jefferies and the Crude Independent Committee to discuss the
proposed exchange ratio.
Later in the day on April 28, 2011, Evercore contacted
representatives of Jefferies to convey the CPLP Conflicts
Committees response to the 1.75x exchange ratio proposed
by the Crude Independent Committee. The CPLP Conflicts Committee
proposed a 1.48x exchange ratio, or approximately $16.55 per
share based on the closing price of $11.18 for CPLP common units
on April 27, 2011. Evercore also delivered written
materials with the following arguments in support of the 1.48x
exchange ratio: (i) the implied cash purchase price
represented a 30.8% premium above current Crude share prices,
(ii) based on CPLPs current distribution forecast,
Crudes shareholders would receive a 10.9% dividend yield
from the combined company going forward, almost all of which
would be attributable to CPLPs operating cash flows in
2012 and 2013, (iii) the implied aggregate purchase price
was equal to Crudes net asset value, taking into
consideration a declining asset value environment, Crudes
first quarter dividend and its drydock reserves and
(iv) the implied cash purchase price of $16.55, plus the
$1.25 in dividends the shareholders have received since
Crudes IPO (and would receive during the first quarter of
2011) and the additional $1.38 in aggregate distributions
anticipated from the combined company during the next
12 months would provide Crude shareholders who purchased at
the time of the IPO an aggregate of more than the IPO price of
$19.00 per share.
At the same time that the two financial advisor teams were
meeting, a representative from Sullivan & Cromwell
contacted Jones Day to discuss the Crude Independent
Committees letter to the Crude Board requesting additional
authority. In a subsequent call, the representative from
Sullivan & Cromwell informed Jones Day that a meeting
of the Crude Board would be held the next day and any
uncertainty regarding the scope of authority of the Crude
Independent Committee could be addressed at the meeting. During
that discussion, the representative from Sullivan &
Cromwell also expressed to Jones Day that Crudes largest
shareholder, CCIC, which as a result of its holdings of Crude
Class B stock controls approximately 49% of the shareholder
vote in connection with any such transaction that required Crude
shareholder approval, had informed Sullivan & Cromwell
that it would expect to vote against any reasonably foreseeable
similar transaction with a party other than CPLP.
On April 29, 2011, the Crude Board held a meeting to
receive an update from the Crude Independent Committee regarding
the status of its and its advisors discussions with the
CPLP Conflicts Committee and its advisors.
Mr. Christacopoulos summarized for the Crude Board the
status of the discussions. The Crude Board also discussed the
letter delivered to the Crude Board on
April 28th regarding the Crude Independent
Committees authority and the Crude Board confirmed that,
under the Crude Board resolutions of February 3rd, the
Crude Independent Committee was already authorized to consider
alternative transactions. In addition, the position of CCIC as a
shareholder of Crude also was reiterated to the Crude Board.
The Crude Independent Committee also met on
April 29th to discuss the events that had occurred
since their meeting on April 28th, including the full Crude
Board meeting. Based on the discussions with the Crude Board,
including the reality that any transaction with a party other
than CPLP would be voted down by CCIC,
53
the Crude Independent Committee determined not to explore
alternative transactions or other strategic alternatives to the
proposed transaction with CPLP at that time. The Crude
Independent Committee also discussed the latest exchange ratio
proposal from the CPLP Conflicts Committee of 1.48x, including
the reasonableness of the rationale and assumptions on which the
exchange ratio was based, as presented by Evercore to
representatives of Jefferies in their meeting the day before.
After a discussion about the best strategy for maximizing the
value received by Crudes unaffiliated shareholders, it was
the consensus of the Crude Independent Committee to respond with
a 1.65x exchange ratio. This exchange ratio was based on
substantially the same arguments that supported a 1.75x exchange
ratio, and still provided a significant premium to the net asset
value per share that was greater in terms of dollar
price based on CPLPs common unit price that
day than the implied dollar price proposed in the
Initial Proposal and would, together with paid and expected
dividends/distributions (both before and after the proposed
transaction), exceed the $19.00 Crude IPO price.
On April 30, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee received a
counter proposal from the Crude Independent Committee of an
exchange ratio of 1.65x.
On May 1, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee met with
representatives of Evercore and Akin Gump to discuss the results
of Evercores price discussions and the recently received
counter proposal. Representatives of Evercore indicated that the
Crude Independent Committee appeared to be seeking a premium to
net asset value and might accept an exchange ratio in the 1.52x
to 1.55x range, but appeared to be seeking an exchange ratio
closer to 1.55x. A discussion followed regarding negotiating
strategy, potential accretion and dilution to distributions at
various prices and, in particular, accretion/dilution as the
exchange ratio increased to 1.55x. The CPLP Conflicts Committee
noted that it was reluctant to increase its proposed exchange
ratio by much over its previous proposal. Following these
discussions, the CPLP Conflicts Committee authorized the
chairman of the CPLP Conflicts Committee to contact the chairman
of the Crude Independent Committee to initially propose an
exchange ratio of 1.525x, but with authority to increase the
offer to up to 1.55x. In addition, the CPLP Conflicts Committee
determined to seek a waiver of the termination payment that
would be due to Capital Ship Management under the Crude
management agreement in the event of a change of control of
Crude, if and to the extent the proposed transaction would be
considered a change of control under the management agreement.
Mr. Forman called Mr. Christacopoulos immediately
after the end of the CPLP Conflicts Committee meeting to propose
a new exchange ratio of 1.525x. Mr. Christacopoulos again
raised the issue of Crudes shareholders receiving at
least in dollar amounts $17.50 per share
so that they would receive at least the net asset value of Crude
per share and the need to build in a cushion in the exchange
ratio to protect Crude shareholders from fluctuations in
CPLPs unit price. After a series of further exchanges, the
two chairman agreed to discuss with the their respective
committees an exchange ratio of 1.56x, or an implied offer price
of $17.64 per share, based on CPLPs then current common
unit price, subject to satisfactory negotiation of the
transaction documents and the non-economic deal terms.
Later on May 1, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee met with
representatives of Evercore and Akin Gump to discuss the results
of the negotiations between the chairmen of the two committees.
Mr. Forman indicated that Mr. Christacopoulos, on
behalf of his committee, was asking for an exchange ratio of not
less than 1.56x. The CPLP Conflicts Committee then determined to
make another counter proposal of an exchange ratio of 1.55x,
with a value of approximately $17.53 (based on CPLPs then
current common unit price), that would be adjusted upward to
1.56x if CPLPs unit price decreased below an amount that
would yield an implied price at the time of the public
announcement of the transaction of less than $17.50 per share at
a 1.55x exchange ratio. Mr. Forman delivered via
e-mail the
CPLP Conflicts Committees proposal to
Mr. Christacopoulos after the meeting, indicating that the
CPLP Conflicts Committee did not propose to make any further
adjustments in its offer.
The Crude Independent Committee met on May 2, 2011, after
Mr. Christacopouloss receipt of the CPLP Conflicts
Committees revised proposal, to discuss an appropriate
response. The Crude Independent Committee considered several
possibilities, including the rejection of any transaction with
CPLP, which the Crude Independent Committee ultimately
determined not to be the best alternative, given the issues with
Crudes
54
credit facility and the amortization payments due to begin in
late 2011, as well as the attractiveness of the 1.55x exchange
ratio, which at then current CPLP unit prices would give
Crudes shareholders approximately $17.52 per share (based
on the closing price of the CPLP common units on April 29,
2011), a 35% premium to the then current market value of
Crudes share price, a 2.5% premium to Crudes net
asset value per share, and an immediate annual dividend of $1.44
per share. After further discussion and consultation with its
advisors, the Crude Independent Committee determined to accept
the economic terms proposed by the CPLP Conflicts Committee,
conditioned on the acceptance by the CPLP Conflicts Committee of
certain non-financial terms of the transaction to be included in
the merger agreement as described below. However, even though
the CPLP Conflicts Committees most recent proposal would
have adjusted the exchange ratio up to 1.56x as described above,
certain members of the Crude Independent Committee expressed a
preference for a fixed exchange ratio of 1.56x and directed
Mr. Christacopoulos to try to obtain the higher exchange
ratio on a fixed basis. Akin Gump delivered a draft of the
merger agreement to Jones Day on the morning of May 2,
2011, during the Crude Independent Committee meeting.
Later that day, after reviewing the draft merger agreement,
representatives of Jones Day discussed with representatives of
Akin Gump certain issues raised in the draft merger agreement,
as well as the non-financial terms on which the Crude
Independent Committees acceptance of the economic terms of
the CPLP Conflicts Committees last proposal would be
accepted. The matters discussed included the requirement that
the holders of a majority of Crudes common stock held by
Unaffiliated Shareholders approve the transaction, that certain
provisions in CPLPs Partnership Agreement be amended to
harmonize the rights that the combined companys
unitholders would have after the merger with the current rights
of Crude shareholders, to increase the size of the CPLP Board to
accommodate directors to be designated by Crude, that
CPLPs Omnibus Agreement with Capital Maritime be amended
to include substantially similar terms as the business
opportunities agreement between Crude and Capital Maritime, and
to include reasonable time periods during which CPLP could elect
to pursue business opportunities subject to the terms of the
Omnibus Agreement.
On May 2, 2011, Mr. Christacopoulos and
Mr. Forman discussed the proposed transaction again, and,
after Mr. Forman had conferred with the other members of
the CPLP Conflicts Committee and Evercore, they reached an
agreement on a fixed 1.56x exchange ratio, without any collars
or similar adjustments.
On May 1, 2011, Akin Gump sent an initial draft of the
support agreement to be entered into by Capital Maritime, CCIC
and certain of their affiliates to Sullivan &
Cromwell, and on May 3 to Jones Day. Revised drafts of the
agreement were exchanged among Akin Gump, Sullivan &
Cromwell and Jones Day from May 3rd until its
execution on May 5th.
On May 3, 2011, Jones Day sent a revised draft of the
merger agreement to Akin Gump reflecting the issues raised by
Jones Day on a May 2nd call between the two law firms.
Between May 3, 2011 and May 5, 2011, representatives
of Akin Gump received input from the CPLP Conflicts Committee on
the remaining open points in the merger agreement, which were
reflected in the drafts exchanged.
On May 4, 2011, the Crude Independent Committee met to
receive a status update on all exchanges since its last meeting
on May 2, 2011. Mr. Christacopoulos informed the
committee that the CPLP Conflicts Committee had agreed to the
fixed 1.56x exchange ratio. He also informed the committee of
CPLPs desire to execute the merger agreement prior to the
opening of the U.S. stock markets on Thursday,
May 5th, when CPLP planned to announce its first quarter
earnings. The Crude Independent Committee and its advisors
determined that finalizing the merger agreement within that
timing would be feasible and could potentially be advantageous
to the Unaffiliated Shareholders in the negotiation of the
non-financial terms of the merger agreement. In reaching this
conclusion, the committee made note of all the preparatory work
that it and its advisors had performed in the weeks leading up
to this point in the process.
Representatives of Jones Day then reviewed with the Crude
Independent Committee the current terms of the merger agreement
reflecting Jones Days revisions. Jones Day also reviewed
with the Crude Independent Committee key issues that remained
outstanding under the merger agreement, including the number of
Crude directors to be designated to the CPLP Board. The Crude
Independent Committee determined, after discussion
55
with its advisors, that the committee would request at least one
(but preferably two) Board seats, and that the designated
directors, who would be independent, be appointed to the CPLP
Conflicts Committee.
During this time, and until the resolution of all remaining
issues in the early morning of May 5th, Jones Day, Akin
Gump and Sullivan & Cromwell also exchanged and
negotiated several drafts of the transaction documents,
including the merger agreement and the support agreement to be
entered into by Capital Maritime, CCIC and certain of their
affiliates whereby Capital Maritime, CCIC and certain of their
affiliates agreed to vote in favor of the proposed transaction
and to waive any dissenters rights they might have.
Later on May 4th, members of the Crude Independent
Committee met with representatives of Jefferies again (with
representatives of Jones Day also present) to discuss
Jefferies financial analyses, as more fully described in
The Proposed Transaction Opinion of the Crude
Independent Committees Financial Advisor.
Also on May 4, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee and
representatives of Evercore and Akin Gump met with a
representative of Capital GPs senior management to discuss
the status of the potential transaction and to answer questions
relating to whether there existed any risks or approvals which
the CPLP Conflicts Committee had not already considered. The
representative confirmed the management teams financial
forecasts and projections and affirmed that there were no such
additional risks or approvals and no material changes in the
operations or performance of the CPLP or Crude, or other
material events or contingencies, other than as previously
disclosed.
Later on May 4, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts Committee met with
representatives of Evercore and Akin Gump to receive
Evercores updated financial analysis of the proposed
transaction. Representatives of Akin Gump reviewed the terms of
the transaction documents and the status of negotiations among
the parties. The CPLP Conflicts Committee discussed with its
legal and financial advisors the logistics of the CPLP Conflicts
Committee approval process with respect to the proposed
transaction, as well as the CPLP Board meeting that would
immediately follow the committee meeting.
The Crude Independent Committee reconvened on the morning of
May 5, 2011 to consider whether to recommend the proposed
transaction to the Crude Board. Representatives of Jones Day and
Jefferies were present, and drafts of the transaction documents,
including the merger agreement, and other materials prepared by
the committees advisors were distributed to the members of
the Crude Independent Committee in advance of the meeting. The
Crude Independent Committee and its advisors then discussed the
recent developments with respect to the negotiations and the
possible resolution of the terms of the merger agreement and the
related transaction documents, including the support agreement
pursuant to which Capital Maritime, CCIC and certain of their
affiliates would agree to vote in favor of the proposed
transaction. Representatives of Jefferies then discussed with
the Crude Independent Committee its financial analysis of the
1.56x exchange ratio in the proposed transaction, as more fully
described in The Proposed Transaction Opinion
of the Crude Independent Committees Financial
Advisor.
Representatives of Jefferies then delivered to the Crude
Independent Committee its opinion to the effect that, as of
May 5, 2011 and based upon and subject to various
assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and
limitations on the scope of the review undertaken by Jefferies
set forth in its opinion, the exchange ratio of 1.56x was fair,
from a financial point of view, to the Unaffiliated
Shareholders. Upon completion of its deliberations, all of the
members of the Crude Independent Committee who remained involved
in the evaluation of the proposal CPLP transaction
unanimously (i) determined that the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are
fair and reasonable to, and in the best interests of, the
Unaffiliated Shareholders, (ii) recommended to the Crude
Board that it declare the advisability of, and approve, the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the merger, and (iii) recommended to the Crude
Board that it recommend to the Crude shareholders that they
adopt and approve the merger agreement.
Following the Crude Independent Committee meeting, the Crude
Board met to consider the proposed transaction. Representatives
of management, Sullivan & Cromwell, Jefferies and
Jones Day attended the meeting. Drafts of the transaction
documents, including the merger agreement, and other materials
prepared by the Crude Independent Committees and
Crudes advisors were distributed to the members of the
Crude Board
56
in advance of the meeting. Mr. Christacopoulos described
the due diligence reviews undertaken, the history of the
discussions and the terms of the proposed transaction. A
representative of Jones Day reviewed the process and analyses
undertaken by the Crude Independent Committee and gave a
presentation to the Crude Board of the material terms of the
transaction documents. At the request of the Crude Independent
Committee, representatives of Jefferies informed the Board that
it had discussed with the Crude Independent Committee its
financial analysis and that it had delivered to the Crude
Independent Committee its opinion as described above. The Crude
Independent Committee reported to the Crude Board its
recommendation as described above.
The Crude Board, based in part on the recommendation of the
Crude Independent Committee:
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determined that the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the merger, are fair and
reasonable to, and in the best interests of, Crude and its
shareholders, including the Unaffiliated Shareholders;
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adopted and approved the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the merger; and
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resolved to recommend to the Crude shareholders that they
approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the merger.
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On the morning of May 5, 2011, the CPLP Conflicts
Committee, with representatives of Evercore and Akin Gump in
attendance, met to review and consider the proposed transaction.
Evercore presented a summary of the updated financial analysis
of the proposed transaction that was previously presented to the
committee.
Later on May 5, 2011, the CPLP Board determined, by
unanimous vote, that the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, are fair and reasonable to, and in the
best interests of, CPLP and its unitholders and approved the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
The CPLP Board and the CPLP Conflicts Committee consulted with
management and its legal and financial advisors and considered
many factors in approving the merger including, among other
factors, that the merger was expected to create a leader in the
tanker industry, with 26 vessels approximating a
2.2 million dwt fleet, comprised of ultra-modern, high
quality vessels with an average age of 2.6 years and vetted
with the key major oil companies on employment of crude and
product tankers. The CPLP Board and CPLP Conflicts Committee
also expected the merger to (i) create a large, diversified
platform to source growth opportunities, (ii) provide
significant additional operating leverage which should generate
incremental cash flow over time, (iii) improve access to
the debt and equity capital markets to fund growth initiatives,
and (iv) be accretive to net asset values and enhance the
potential to increase distributable cash flow to CPLP
unitholders. Furthermore, in approving the merger, the CPLP
Board and the CPLP Conflicts Committee expected that the greater
size of the combined company would create greater interest by
investors and the merger would result in a larger and more
liquid trading market for the benefit of both Crude stockholders
and CPLP unitholders.
Early in the morning of May 5, 2011 (New York time), the
parties executed the transaction documents. Thereafter, CPLP
published its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal
year 2011, and Crude and CPLP issued a joint press release
announcing the execution of the merger agreement.
Recommendation
of the Crude Independent Committee and the Crude Board;
Crudes Reasons for the Proposed Transaction
The Crude
Independent Committee
On February 3, 2011, following the receipt by the Crude
Independent Committee of the Initial Proposal from the CPLP
Conflicts Committee, the Crude Board, after considering, among
other factors, the relationships among Capital Maritime, CCIC,
Mr. Marinakis and their affiliates, authorized the Crude
Independent Committee to review the transactions proposed by the
CPLP Conflicts Committee and alternatives thereto, and to
evaluate, negotiate and make recommendations to the Crude Board
in connection with the proposed transaction. The Crude
Independent Committee, with the advice and assistance of its
independent legal and financial advisors, evaluated and
negotiated the transaction, including the terms and conditions
of the merger
57
agreement and the related agreements, with the CPLP Conflicts
Committee. Following the negotiations, the Crude Independent
Committee (i) determined that the transactions contemplated
by the merger agreement are fair and reasonable to, and in the
best interests of the, Unaffiliated Shareholders,
(ii) recommended to the Crude Board that it declare the
advisability of, and approve, the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, and
(iii) recommended to the Crude Board that it recommend to the
Crude shareholders that they adopt and approve the merger
agreement.
In the course of reaching its determination and making the
recommendation described above, the Crude Independent Committee
considered a number of factors and a substantial amount of
information, including at 16 meetings and substantial additional
discussions in between such meetings with its independent legal
and financial advisors. The principal factors and benefits that
the Crude Independent Committee believes support its conclusion
are set forth below.
Positive
Factors
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The enhanced liquidity and greater cash flows of the combined
company, which are expected to allow the combined company to
maintain, and potentially further grow, its distributions to the
combined companys unitholders, including former Crude
shareholders.
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The combined companys enhanced ability to provide earnings
and cash flow stability while also having greater potential to
benefit from stronger crude and product tanker rates.
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The fact that the exchange ratio in the proposed transaction was
determined based on the net asset values of Crude and CPLP and
the dollar value of the exchange ratio represented an
approximately 35% premium to Crudes share price on
May 4, 2011 and an approximately 2.9% premium to
Crudes net asset value per share.
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The combined companys improved balance sheet, financial
flexibility and size, potentially improving its access to debt
and equity capital markets and better enabling it to pursue
growth opportunities while maintaining, and potentially further
growing, its contemplated cash distribution target of $0.93 per
unit annually.
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The Crude Independent Committees conclusion that the terms
reflected by the exchange ratio and contained in the merger
agreement represent the best economic terms that could be
obtained from CPLP and would result in an approximately 35% pro
forma ownership interest in CPLPs assets by current
Unaffiliated Shareholders.
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The analyses and opinion of Jefferies, dated May 5, 2011,
to the effect that, as of that date, and based upon and subject
to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered
and limitations on the scope of the review undertaken by
Jefferies set forth in its opinion, the Crude exchange ratio was
fair, from a financial point of view, to the Unaffiliated
Shareholders, as more fully described in the section captioned
The Proposed Transaction Opinion of the Crude
Independent Committees Financial Advisor beginning
on page 62.
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The fact that the consideration to be paid to Crude shareholders
was consistent with recent comparable transactions in the
industry, thereby reinforcing the view that the merger
consideration was appropriate.
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The Crude Independent Committees view that the merger is
more favorable to the Unaffiliated Shareholders than the
possible alternatives to the merger, including continuing to
operate Crude as an independent publicly traded company in light
of the limitations that Crude could face as a result of its
capital structure, including its debt amortization obligations,
or pursuing alternative transactions in light of CCICs
intention, as conveyed to the Crude Independent Committee by the
Crude Board, that it did not expect to support any reasonably
foreseeable transaction with a third party other than CPLP, and
the uncertainties surrounding the availability of future equity
or debt financing in light of the current state of the tanker
market.
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The fact that the combined company will have substantially
larger, and more diversified, fleet of modern high specification
vessels, comprised of two VLCCs, four Suezmaxes, 18 MR Product
tankers,
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two smaller product tankers and one Capesize dry cargo vessel,
with an average age (weighted by dwt) of 3.2 years, making
it the youngest fleet among U.S. listed tanker companies as
of May 5, 2011, and which will have a presence in both the
crude oil and the petroleum product segments.
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The potential positive effects of the proposed transaction on
existing businesses and customer relationships of the combined
companies.
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The terms and conditions of the merger agreement, including:
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the merger consideration and the exchange ratio payable to Crude
shareholders;
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the condition to consummation of the proposed transaction that
the merger be approved by at least a majority of its
Unaffiliated Shareholders;
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the limitations on the interim business operations of Crude and
CPLP and the conditions to consummation of the proposed
transaction;
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the terms regarding third party proposals and termination
(including the potential reimbursement by CPLP of expenses in
specified circumstances); and
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the requirement to amend certain provisions in the CPLP
Partnership Agreement to cause the designation of a Crude
Independent Committee member to the CPLP Board and to harmonize
the rights of unitholders of the combined entity to that of the
shareholders of Crude.
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The fact that the exchange ratio was fixed and therefore the
value of the consideration payable to Crude shareholders would
increase in the event that the unit price of CPLP increased
prior to closing.
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The structuring of the merger to qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code, as in the event of
qualification, holders of Crude common stock will generally not
recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax
purposes.
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The relative market capitalization of Crude and CPLP and the
expected capital structure of the combined company following the
proposed transaction.
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The fact that CPLP unitholders receive Form 1099s and CPLP
and Crude are both treated as corporations for United States
federal income tax purposes, so Crude shareholders tax
position would not change.
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The similarities between ownership of Crude common stock and
CPLP common units, including, among other things, the fact that
(i) Crude common stock and CPLP common units are both
publicly traded on U.S. securities exchanges and
(ii) Crude and CPLP both distribute available cash to its
equityholders on a quarterly basis, and in the case of CPLP
unitholders, such distributions are a contractual right under
the CPLP Partnership Agreement. See Comparison of Rights
of Shareholders of Crude and Unitholders of CPLP.
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Negative
Factors
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The fact that the exchange ratio was fixed and therefore the
value of the consideration payable to Crude shareholders would
decrease in the event that the unit price of CPLP decreased
prior to closing.
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The fact that Crude shareholders will not be entitled to
appraisal rights under the merger agreement or Marshall Islands
law.
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The ownership by CCIC of 100% of the issued and outstanding
shares of Crude Class B stock and by Mr. Marinakis of
approximately 1% of Crudes outstanding common stock,
representing approximately 49% of the voting power of all shares
of outstanding Crude Class B stock and Crude common stock, taken
together, which could negatively impact the interest of third
parties in making alternative proposals that could be more
favorable for Crude than the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement.
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The fact that the Crude Independent Committee did not solicit
alternative proposals prior to executing the merger agreement
(because no alternative proposals were likely to be obtained or,
if obtained, successfully concluded) in light of CCICs
stated unwillingness to approve a transaction with a third party
other than CPLP.
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The risks and costs associated with the proposed transaction not
being completed in a timely manner or at all, even if approved
by Crudes shareholders.
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The risks and costs associated with diverting management and
employee attention and resources for an extended period of time
from other strategic opportunities and operational matters while
working to implement the proposed transaction.
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The potential adverse effects of the proposed transaction on
existing business and customer relationships.
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Potential litigation arising from the merger agreement or the
proposed transaction.
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The substantial transactional costs and expenses expected to be
incurred by Crude, as well as by CPLP, in connection with the
proposed transaction.
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Under the terms of the merger agreement, (i) Crude may not
solicit other takeover proposals and (ii) Crude, in certain
circumstances, may be required to pay CPLP a $9.0 million
termination fee (representing 2.2% of the estimated transaction
value), less previously paid expenses, if the merger agreement
is terminated.
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Restrictions under the merger agreement on the conduct of
Crudes business and its ability to pursue other strategic
opportunities prior to the completion of the proposed
transaction.
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The risk that, while the merger is expected to be completed,
there can be no assurance that all conditions to the
parties obligations to consummate the merger will be
satisfied, and, as a result, it is possible that the merger may
not be completed even if approved by Crudes shareholders.
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Risks relating to the overall economy, and more particularly the
crude tanker shipping market, which has deteriorated in recent
years and which may not recover. See the related risks described
under the section captioned Risk Factors beginning
on page 22.
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The risk that the combined company will be unable to refinance
Crudes debt in a timely fashion, on acceptable terms, or
at all. See the related risks described under the section
captioned Risk Factors beginning on page 22.
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The Crude Independent Committee believes that sufficient
safeguards were and are present to ensure the procedural
fairness of the transaction and to permit the Crude Independent
Committee to represent effectively the interests of the
Unaffiliated Shareholders. These procedural safeguards include
the following:
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Arms Length Negotiations. The Crude
Independent Committee engaged in arms length negotiations,
with the assistance of independent legal and financial advisors,
with the CPLP Conflicts Committee and its independent legal and
financial advisors regarding the merger consideration and the
other terms of the transaction and the merger agreement, which
the Crude Independent Committee believes resulted in the
transactions terms being more beneficial to the
Unaffiliated Shareholders. The Crude Independent Committee and
the CPLP Conflicts Committee took appropriate measures so that
all discussions regarding the exchange ratio and valuations of
the two companies were conducted between the two independent
financial advisors or the Chairmen of the two committees, each
of whom was an independent director. Furthermore, the
substantive negotiations of the non-financial terms of the
merger agreement were conducted directly between Akin Gump and
Jones Day on behalf of their respective committee clients.
Though the management of both Crude and CPLP provided the
information necessary for the two committees and their
respective financial and legal advisors to evaluate the proposed
transaction, each of the committees deliberations were
conducted without any members of management present.
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Committee Authority. The Crude Independent
Committee had the exclusive authority to negotiate the terms of
the transaction on behalf of Crude, had no obligation to
recommend the approval of the transaction and had the power to
reject the proposed the transaction on behalf of Crude.
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Required Vote of Unaffiliated
Shareholders. The merger agreement requires, as a
condition to the consummation of the transaction, that the
merger be approved by the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Crude common stock held by the
Unaffiliated Shareholders.
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Advisors. The Crude Independent Committee
received the advice and assistance of Jones Day, as its
independent legal advisor, and Jefferies, as its independent
financial advisor, which the Crude Independent Committee
determined had no relationships that would compromise their
independence.
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Interests of the Committee. All four members
of the Crude Independent Committee, including the three members
who participated in the deliberations regarding, and negotiated
the terms of, the proposed transaction are independent Crude
directors who are not affiliated with Capital Maritime, CCIC or
any of their affiliates and are not employees of Crude or any of
its affiliates. Other than the receipt of Crude board and
committee fees and reimbursement of expenses, which are not
contingent upon the consummation of the transaction or the Crude
Independent Committees recommendation of the transaction,
their indemnification and liability insurance rights under the
merger agreement and the lapsing of transfer restrictions and
forfeiture provisions with respect to restricted shares or
options to purchase Crude common stock held by members of the
Crude Independent Committee (other than the member who will be
designated to the CPLP Board pursuant to the merger agreement)
immediately prior to the merger, members of the Crude
Independent Committee do not have an interest in the transaction
different from that of Crude shareholders generally, including
the Unaffiliated Shareholders. While the merger agreement
provides that one member of the Crude Independent Committee will
be designated as an independent director of the combined company
following the completion of the transaction, the Crude
Independent Committee was not aware prior to acting on the
proposed transaction that such designation would occur.
Furthermore, no decision had been made at that time as to which
member of the Crude Independent Committee would be so designated.
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Recommendation Changes and Termination. Under
the terms of the merger agreement, the Crude Board, acting
through or consistent with the recommendation of the Crude
Independent Committee, may withdraw, modify or qualify its
recommendation, or terminate the merger agreement, in certain
circumstances as more fully described under The Merger
Agreement Acquisition Proposals and a Company Change
in Recommendation.
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The above discussion is not exhaustive, but it addresses the
material factors considered by the Crude Independent Committee
in connection with the proposed transaction. In view of the
variety of factors and the amount of information considered, as
well as the complexity of that information, the Crude
Independent Committee does not find it practicable to, and did
not, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the
specific factors it considered in reaching its decision. In
addition, individual members of the Crude Independent Committee
may have given different weight to different factors. This
explanation of the Crude Independent Committees reasoning,
and all other information presented in this section, is
forward-looking in nature and, therefore, should be read in
light of the factors discussed under the section captioned
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
beginning on page 38.
The Crude
Board of Directors
The Crude Board met on May 5, 2011 to consider the merger
agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. On the
basis of the Crude Independent Committees recommendations
and the other factors described below, the Crude Board, among
other things, (i) determined that the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are
fair and reasonable to, and in the best interests of, Crude and
its shareholders, including the Unaffiliated Shareholders,
(ii) adopted and approved the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger and
(iii) resolved to recommend to the Crude shareholders that
they approve the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the merger. See The
Proposed Transaction Background of the Proposed
Transaction.
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In determining that the merger agreement and the merger are fair
and reasonable to, and in the best interests of Crude and its
shareholders, including the Unaffiliated Shareholders, the Crude
Board considered:
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the unanimous determination and recommendation of the Crude
Independent Committee; and
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the factors considered by the Crude Independent Committee as
described in The Proposed Transaction
Recommendation of the Crude Independent Committee and the Crude
Board of Directors; Crudes Reasons for the Proposed
Transaction The Crude Independent Committee,
including the positive factors and potential benefits of the
merger agreement and the merger, the risks and potentially
negative factors relating to the merger agreement and the merger
and the factors relating to procedural safeguards.
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The above discussion is not exhaustive, but it addresses the
material factors considered by the Crude Board in connection
with the proposed transaction. In view of the variety of factors
and the amount of information considered, as well as the
complexity of that information, the Crude Board does not find it
practicable to, and did not, quantify, rank or otherwise assign
relative weights to the specific factors it considered in
reaching its decision. The Crude Board discussed the factors
described above and asked questions of Crudes management
and its advisors. This determination was made after the Crude
Board considered all of the factors as a whole. In addition,
individual members of the Crude Board may have given different
weight to different factors. This explanation of the Crude
Boards reasoning, and all other information presented in
this section, is forward-looking in nature and, therefore,
should be read in light of the factors discussed under the
section captioned Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements beginning on page 38.
Based in part on the recommendation of the Crude Independent
Committee, the Crude Board, by the unanimous vote of the
directors, recommends that Crudes shareholders vote
FOR the approval of the proposal to adopt the
merger agreement and to approve the merger.
Opinion
of the Crude Independent Committees Financial
Advisor
The Crude Independent Committee retained Jefferies to act as its
financial advisor in connection with the merger and to render to
the Crude Independent Committee an opinion as to the fairness of
the Crude exchange ratio to the Unaffiliated Shareholders. At
the meeting of the Crude Independent Committee on May 5,
2011, Jefferies rendered its opinion to the Crude Independent
Committee to the effect that, as of that date, and based upon
and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed,
matters considered and limitations on the scope of the review
undertaken by Jefferies set forth in its opinion, the Crude
exchange ratio was fair, from a financial point of view, to the
Unaffiliated Shareholders.
The full text of the written opinion of Jefferies, dated as
of May 5, 2011, is attached hereto as
Appendix B. Jefferies has consented to the inclusion
of, and reference to, its opinion in this proxy
statement/prospectus. The opinion sets forth, among other
things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters
considered and limitations on the scope of the review undertaken
by Jefferies in rendering its opinion. Crude encourages its
shareholders to read the opinion carefully and in its entirety.
Jefferies opinion is directed to the Crude Independent
Committee and addresses only the fairness, from a financial
point of view and as of the date of the opinion, of the Crude
exchange ratio to the Unaffiliated Shareholders. It does not
address any other aspects of the merger and does not constitute
a recommendation as to how any holder of Crude common stock or
Crude Class B stock should vote on the merger or any matter
related thereto. The summary of the opinion of Jefferies set
forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the opinion.
In arriving at its opinion, Jefferies, among other things:
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reviewed the merger agreement;
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reviewed certain publicly available financial and other
information about Crude and CPLP;
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62
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reviewed certain information furnished to Jefferies by the
managements of Crude and CPLP, including financial forecasts and
analyses, relating to the business, operations and prospects of
Crude and CPLP, respectively;
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held discussions with members of senior managements of Crude and
CPLP concerning the matters described in the prior two bullets;
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reviewed the share trading price history and valuation multiples
for the Crude common stock and the CPLP common units and
compared them with those of certain publicly traded companies
that Jefferies deemed relevant;
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compared the proposed financial terms of the merger with the
financial terms of certain other transactions that Jefferies
deemed relevant;
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reviewed the relative financial contributions of Crude and CPLP
to the future performance of the combined company on a pro forma
basis;
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reviewed certain third-party appraisals, each of which was as of
March 31, 2011, furnished to Jefferies by CPLP with regard
to the vessels owned by CPLP (the CPLP Appraisals),
and certain third-party appraisals, each of which was as of
March 31, 2011, furnished to Jefferies by Crude with regard
to the vessels owned by Crude (the Crude Appraisals, and
together with the CPLP Appraisals, the Appraisals);
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considered the potential pro forma impact of the merger; and
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conducted such other financial studies, analyses and
investigations as Jefferies deemed appropriate.
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In Jefferies review and analysis and in rendering its
opinion, Jefferies assumed and relied upon, but did not assume
any responsibility to independently investigate or verify, the
accuracy and completeness of all financial and other information
that was supplied or otherwise made available by Crude and CPLP
to Jefferies or that was publicly available (including, without
limitation, the information described above), or that was
otherwise reviewed by Jefferies. In its review, Jefferies relied
on assurances of the managements of Crude and CPLP that they
were not aware of any facts or circumstances that would make
such information inaccurate or misleading. In its review,
Jefferies did not obtain any independent evaluation or appraisal
of any of the assets or liabilities of, nor did Jefferies
conduct a physical inspection of any of the properties or
facilities of, Crude or CPLP, nor was Jefferies furnished with
any such evaluations or appraisals, other than the Appraisals,
nor did Jefferies assume any responsibility to obtain any such
evaluations or appraisals.
With respect to the financial forecasts provided to and examined
by Jefferies, Jefferies opinion noted that projecting
future results of any company is inherently subject to
uncertainty. Crude and CPLP informed Jefferies, and Jefferies
assumed, that such financial forecasts were reasonably prepared
on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and
good faith judgments of the managements of Crude and CPLP as to
the future financial performance of Crude and CPLP,
respectively. Jefferies expressed no opinion as to the financial
forecasts provided to Jefferies by Crude or CPLP or the
assumptions on which they are made.
Jefferies opinion was based on economic, monetary,
regulatory, market and other conditions existing and which could
be evaluated as of the date of its opinion. Jefferies expressly
disclaimed any undertaking or obligation to advise any person of
any change in any fact or matter affecting Jefferies
opinion of which Jefferies became aware after the date of its
opinion.
Jefferies made no independent investigation of any legal or
accounting matters affecting Crude or CPLP, and Jefferies
assumed the correctness in all respects material to
Jefferies analysis of all legal and accounting advice
given to Crude, the Crude Independent Committee and the Crude
Board, including, without limitation, advice as to the legal,
accounting and tax consequences of the terms of, and
transactions contemplated by, the merger agreement to Crude and
its shareholders. In addition, in preparing its opinion,
Jefferies did not take into account any tax consequences of the
merger to any holder of Crude common stock. Crude advised
Jefferies that the merger will qualify as a tax-free
reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes.
Jefferies also assumed that in the course of obtaining the
necessary regulatory or third party
63
approvals, consents and releases for the merger, no delay,
limitation, restriction or condition would be imposed that would
have an adverse effect on Crude, CPLP or the contemplated
benefits of the merger.
Jefferies was not authorized to and did not solicit any
expressions of interest from any other parties with respect to
the sale of all or any part of Crude or any other alternative
transaction.
Jefferies opinion was for the use and benefit of the Crude
Independent Committee in its consideration of the merger, and
Jefferies opinion did not address the relative merits of
the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement as
compared to any alternative transaction or opportunity that
might be available to Crude, nor did it address the underlying
business decision by Crude to engage in the merger or the terms
of the merger agreement or the documents referred to therein.
Jefferies opinion did not constitute a recommendation as
to how any holder of Crude common stock or Crude Class B
stock should vote on the merger or any matter related thereto.
Jefferies was not asked to address, and its opinion did not
address, the fairness to, or any other consideration of, the
holders of any class of securities, creditors or other
constituencies of Crude, other than the holders of Crude common
stock. Jefferies expressed no opinion as to the price at which
Crude common stock or CPLP common units would trade at any time.
Furthermore, Jefferies did not express any view or opinion as to
the fairness, financial or otherwise, of the amount or nature of
any compensation payable or to be received by any of
Crudes officers, directors or employees, or any class of
such persons, in connection with the merger, whether relative to
the Crude exchange ratio or otherwise. Jefferies opinion
has been authorized by the Fairness Committee of Jefferies.
In preparing its opinion, Jefferies performed a variety of
financial and comparative analyses. The preparation of a
fairness opinion is a complex process involving various
determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant
quantitative and qualitative methods of financial analysis and
the applications of those methods to the particular
circumstances and, therefore, is not necessarily susceptible to
partial analysis or summary description. Jefferies believes that
its analyses must be considered as a whole. Considering any
portion of Jefferies analyses or the factors considered by
Jefferies, without considering all analyses and factors, could
create a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying
the conclusion expressed in Jefferies opinion. In
addition, Jefferies may have given various analyses more or less
weight than other analyses, and may have deemed various
assumptions more or less probable than other assumptions, so
that the range of valuations resulting from any particular
analysis described below should not be taken to be
Jefferies view of Crudes or CPLPs actual
value. Accordingly, the conclusions reached by Jefferies are
based on all analyses and factors taken as a whole and also on
the application of Jefferies own experience and judgment.
In performing its analyses, Jefferies made numerous assumptions
with respect to industry performance, general business,
economic, monetary, regulatory, market and other conditions and
other matters, many of which are beyond Crudes and
Jefferies control. The analyses performed by Jefferies are
not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future
results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than
suggested by such analyses. In addition, analyses relating to
the per share value of Crude common stock do not purport to be
appraisals or to reflect the prices at which Crude common stock
may actually be sold. The analyses performed were prepared
solely as part of Jefferies analysis of the fairness, from
a financial point of view, of the Crude exchange ratio pursuant
to the merger agreement to the Unaffiliated Shareholders, and
were provided to the Crude Independent Committee in connection
with the delivery of Jefferies opinion.
The following is a summary of the material financial and
comparative analyses performed by Jefferies in connection with
Jefferies delivery of its opinion. The financial analyses
summarized below include information presented in tabular
format. In order to fully understand Jefferies financial
analyses, the tables must be read together with the text of each
summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete
description of the financial analyses. Considering the data
described below without considering the full narrative
description of the financial analyses, including the
methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could
create a misleading or incomplete view of Jefferies
financial analyses.
Transaction
Overview
Based upon the approximately 16.0 million shares of Crude
common stock and Crude Class B stock that were outstanding
as of May 3, 2011 on a fully diluted basis, the closing
price per CPLP common unit of
64
$11.32 on that date and the Crude exchange ratio of 1.56 CPLP
common units per share of Crude common stock and Crude
Class B stock, Jefferies noted that the implied value of
the merger consideration pursuant to the merger agreement was
approximately $17.66 per share of Crude common stock, which is
referred to as the Implied Merger Consideration
Value. Based on the implied equity value of
$282.6 million, plus approximately $134.6 million in
Crude indebtedness as of June 30, 2011 (Crude
Indebtedness), less approximately $14.2 million of
Crude cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2011 and net
of an estimated $3.9 million dividend to be paid to the
holders of Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock in
the second quarter of 2011 (Crude Cash and Cash
Equivalents), Jefferies noted that the Crude exchange
ratio of 1.56 implied an enterprise value for Crude of
approximately $403.0 million. Jefferies also noted that the
Implied Merger Consideration Value of $17.66 per share of Crude
common stock represented:
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a premium of approximately 36.3% over the closing price per
share of Crude common stock on May 2, 2011,
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a premium of approximately 39.8% over the closing price per
share of Crude common stock on April 26, 2011 and
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a premium of approximately 16.6% over the closing price per
share of Crude common stock on April 2, 2011.
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Crude
Analysis
Adjusted
Net Asset Value Analysis
Jefferies performed an adjusted net asset value, or NAV,
analysis for Crude based on the asset valuations set forth in
the Crude Appraisals totaling approximately $386 million
and $402 million, respectively, for the vessels comprising
Crudes fleet. In performing such analysis, such asset
valuations were adjusted, to the extent applicable where the
charter governing the use of a vessel does not provide for its
use at spot market rates, to reflect estimated cash flows over
the life of the vessels charter based on forward rates
provided by an internationally recognized ship valuation
company; however, no such adjustments were required to be made
for Crude. Jefferies derived the midpoint of such asset
valuations and subtracted Crude Indebtedness and added Crude
Cash and Cash Equivalents to determine an adjusted NAV for Crude
of approximately $273.5 million (the Crude Adjusted
NAV). This analysis indicated a range, based on the asset
valuations contained in such appraisals, of implied values per
share of Crude common stock, on a fully diluted basis, of $16.58
to $17.60, compared to the Implied Merger Consideration Value of
$17.66.
Selected
Public Company Analysis
Using publicly available information, financial forecasts and
other information provided by Crudes management, Jefferies
analyzed the trading multiples of Crude and the corresponding
trading multiples of the following publicly traded companies, in
each case as of May 3, 2011, with similar assets and
vessels and similar operating and financial characteristics,
which are referred to as the Selected Public
Companies:
Normal
Corporate Wet
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General Maritime Corporation
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Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation
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Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc.
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Scorpio Tankers Inc.
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Teekay Corporation
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TORM A/S
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Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited
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65
Yield-Oriented
Wet
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DHT Holdings, Inc.
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Frontline Ltd.
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Nordic American Tanker Shipping Limited
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Teekay Tankers Ltd.
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Yield-Oriented
MLP
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Golar LNG Partners L.P.
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Martin Midstream Partners L.P.
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Navios Maritime Partners L.P.
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Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
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Teekay Offshore Partners L.P.
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Each category referenced above includes companies operating in
the maritime transportation and related industries. The category
Wet includes only
companies that transport petroleum and petroleum related fluid
resources. The category Yield-oriented
includes companies that have historically
distributed all excess cash to their respective stockholders or
partners, as the case may be, whereas the category Normal
Corporate includes companies
that have historically distributed, at the discretion of their
respective boards of directors, only portions of excess cash to
their respective stockholders. Further, the category
Yield-Oriented MLP is a
separate and distinct category that differs from the category
Yield-Oriented Wet in that
the former category comprises only companies that are structured
as master limited partnerships (rather than corporations).
In its analysis, Jefferies derived and compared multiples or
percentages, as the case may be, for Crude and the Selected
Public Companies, calculated as follows:
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the total enterprise value divided by estimated earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, for
calendar year 2011, which is referred to as Enterprise
Value/2011E EBITDA;
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the total enterprise value divided by estimated EBITDA for
calendar year 2012, which is referred to as Enterprise
Value/2012E EBITDA; and
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where estimated adjusted net asset values were available, the
price per share divided by the adjusted net asset value per
share, which is referred to as Price/Adjusted NAV.
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This analysis indicated the following:
Selected
Public Company Multiples and Percentages
Normal Corporate Wet
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Benchmark
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High
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Low
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Mean
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Median
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Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA
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22.6
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x
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10.0
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x
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14.9
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x
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14.1
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x
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Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA
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12.4
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x
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7.8
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x
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10.1
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x
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9.9
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x
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Price/Adjusted NAV
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234.1
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%
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50.9
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%
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122.2
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%
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102.0
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%
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66
Selected
Company Multiples and Percentages
Yield-Oriented Wet
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Benchmark
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High
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Low
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Mean
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Median
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Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA
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15.7
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x
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8.7
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x
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11.3
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x
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10.4
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x
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Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA
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11.3
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x
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8.1
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x
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9.7
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x
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9.7
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x
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Price/Adjusted NAV
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162.2
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%
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120.2
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%
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148.0
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%
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161.7
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%
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Selected
Company Multiples and Percentages
Yield-Oriented MLP
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Benchmark
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High
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Low
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Mean
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Median
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Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA
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12.9
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x
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|
8.3
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x
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|
10.8
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x
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11.0
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x
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Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA
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|
12.0
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x
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7.9
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x
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10.4
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x
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10.1
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x
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Price/Adjusted NAV
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197.7
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%
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197.7
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%
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197.7
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%
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197.7
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%
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Using the reference ranges for Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA and
Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA set forth below and Crudes
estimated EBITDA for 2011 and 2012 (based on managements
projections), Jefferies determined implied total enterprise
values for Crude, then subtracted Crude Indebtedness and added
Crude Cash and Cash Equivalents to determine implied equity
values. Using the reference ranges for Price/Adjusted NAV set
forth below and the Crude Adjusted NAV, Jefferies determined
implied equity values for Crude. These analyses indicated the
ranges of implied values per share of Crude common stock, on a
fully diluted basis, set forth opposite the relevant benchmarks
below, compared, in each case, to the Implied Merger
Consideration Value of $17.66:
Selected
Public Company Reference Ranges and Implied Price
Ranges
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Implied Price
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Benchmark
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Reference Range
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Range
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Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA
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10.5x - 19.0
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x
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$
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6.34 - $17.57
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Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA
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8.5x - 12.0
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x
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$
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7.36 - $13.49
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Price/Adjusted NAV
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90.0% - 110.0
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%
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$
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15.38 - $18.79
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No company utilized in the selected public company analysis is
identical to Crude. In evaluating the Selected Public Companies,
Jefferies made judgments and assumptions with regard to industry
performance, general business, economic, market and financial
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond
Crudes and Jefferies control. Mathematical analysis,
such as determining the mean and median, is not in itself a
meaningful method of using comparable company data.
Precedent
Transactions Analysis
Using publicly available information, Jefferies examined the
following five transactions, announced since
September 2006, involving companies in the maritime
transportation and related industries that have financial and
operating characteristics that Jefferies, in its professional
judgment, considered to be similar to Crude. Jefferies did not
include any transactions announced after August 2008 in its
analysis because publicly
67
disclosed information was not available for any transaction
announced thereafter that Jefferies deemed relevant. The
transactions considered and the month and year each transaction
was announced were as follows:
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Date Announced
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Acquiror
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Target
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August 5, 2008
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General Maritime Corporation
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Arlington Tankers Limited
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February 29, 2008
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Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd.
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Quintana Maritime Limited
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July 30, 2007
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Bear Stearns Merchant Banking
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MC Shipping Inc.
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April 17, 2007
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Teekay Corporation and TORM A/S
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OMI Corporation
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September 25, 2006
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Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc.
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Maritrans Inc.
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Using publicly available estimates and other information for
each of these transactions, Jefferies reviewed the implied
enterprise value as a multiple of the target companys
EBITDA for the last 12 months as of the announcement date
of such transaction, or LTM EBITDA, which is referred to as
Enterprise Value/LTM EBITDA.
This analysis indicated the following:
Precedent
Transactions Multiples
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Benchmark
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High
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Low
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Mean
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Median
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Enterprise Value/LTM EBITDA
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13.8
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x
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7.3
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x
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10.1
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x
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10.2x
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Using a reference range of 7.5x 11.5x Enterprise
Value/LTM EBITDA and Crudes projected LTM EBITDA as of
June 30, 2011, Jefferies determined implied enterprise
values for Crude, then subtracted indebtedness and added cash
and cash equivalents to determine implied equity values. This
analysis indicated a range of implied values per share of Crude
common stock, on a fully diluted basis, of $3.05
$8.69, compared to the Implied Merger Consideration Value of
$17.66.
No transaction utilized as a comparison in the precedent
transaction analysis is identical to the merger. In evaluating
the merger, Jefferies made numerous judgments and assumptions
with regard to industry performance, general business, economic,
market, and financial conditions and other matters, many of
which are beyond Crudes and Jefferies control.
Mathematical analysis, such as determining the mean and median,
is not in itself a meaningful method of using comparable
transaction data.
Premiums
Paid Analysis
Using publicly available information, Jefferies analyzed the
premiums offered in completed transactions announced from
January 1, 2008 to May 3, 2011 having transaction
values between $100 million and $1 billion involving
all industries other than the real estate and financial
industries.
For each of these transactions, Jefferies calculated the premium
represented by the offer price over the target companys
closing share price one day, one week and one month prior to the
transactions announcement. This analysis indicated the
following premiums for those time periods prior to announcement:
Premiums
Paid Percentages
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75th
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25th
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Time Period Prior to Announcement
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High
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|
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Percentile
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Median
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|
|
Percentile
|
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Low
|
|
|
1 day
|
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|
207.1
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%
|
|
|
39.6
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%
|
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|
25.3
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%
|
|
|
11.8
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%
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|
(4.1
|
%)
|
1 week
|
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|
298.7
|
%
|
|
|
47.3
|
%
|
|
|
29.5
|
%
|
|
|
13.0
|
%
|
|
|
(7.4
|
%)
|
1 month
|
|
|
353.5
|
%
|
|
|
50.9
|
%
|
|
|
33.3
|
%
|
|
|
15.7
|
%
|
|
|
(4.4
|
%)
|
68
Using a reference range based on the 25th percentile to the 75th
percentile of the premiums set forth above for the one day, one
week and one month prior to May 3, 2011, Jefferies
performed a premiums paid analysis using the closing prices of
shares of Crude common stock for the periods one day, one week
and one month prior to May 3, 2011. These analyses
indicated a range of implied values per share of Crude common
stock of $14.27 to $22.85, compared to the Implied Merger
Consideration Value of $17.66.
CPLP
Analysis
Adjusted
NAV Analysis
Jefferies performed an adjusted NAV analysis for CPLP based on
the asset valuations set forth in the CPLP Appraisals, adjusted
as described below, which adjusted asset valuations totaled
approximately $801 million and $874 million,
respectively, for the vessels comprising CPLPs fleet and
the Cape Agamemnon. In performing such analysis, such asset
valuations were adjusted, to the extent applicable where a
vessels charter does not provide for its use at spot
market rates, to reflect estimated cash flows over the life of
the vessels charter based on forward rates provided by an
internationally recognized ship valuation company. Jefferies
derived the midpoint of such adjusted asset valuations and
subtracted indebtedness as of June 30, 2011 and pro forma
for the acquisition of the Cape Agamemnon (CPLP
Indebtedness) and added cash and cash equivalents as of
June 30, 2011 and pro forma for the acquisition of the Cape
Agamemnon and net of distributions for the second quarter of
2011 (CPLP Cash and Cash Equivalents) to determine
an adjusted NAV for CPLP of approximately $382.1 million
(the CPLP Adjusted NAV). This analysis indicated a
range of implied values per CPLP common unit, on a fully diluted
basis (including fully diluted units outstanding pro forma for
CPLPs acquisition of the Cape Agamemnon), of $7.56 to
$9.16, compared to the closing price per CPLP common unit on
May 3, 2011 of $11.32.
Selected
Public Company Analysis
Using publicly available information and financial forecasts and
other information provided to the financial advisors, Jefferies
analyzed the trading multiples of CPLP and the corresponding
trading multiples of the Selected Public Companies. In its
analysis, Jefferies derived and compared multiples for CPLP and
the Selected Public Companies, calculated as follows:
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Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA;
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Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA;
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the estimated dividend yield for calendar year 2011, which is
referred to as 2011E Dividend Yield; and
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the estimated dividend yield for calendar year 2012, which is
referred to as 2012E Dividend Yield.
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This analysis indicated the following:
Selected
Public Company Multiples and Percentages
Normal Corporate Wet
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Benchmark
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High
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Low
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Mean
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|
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Median
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Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA
|
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22.6
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x
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10.0
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x
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14.9
|
x
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14.1
|
x
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Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA
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12.4
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x
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7.8
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x
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10.1
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x
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9.9
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x
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2011E Dividend Yield
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6.2
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%
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0.0
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%
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3.0
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%
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3.7
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%
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2012E Dividend Yield
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6.2
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%
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0.0
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%
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2.7
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%
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2.5
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%
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69
Selected
Public Company Multiples and Percentages
Yield-Oriented Wet
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Benchmark
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High
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Low
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Mean
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Median
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Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA
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15.7
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x
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8.7
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x
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11.3
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x
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10.4
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x
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Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA
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11.3
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x
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8.1
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x
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9.7
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x
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9.7
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x
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2011E Dividend Yield
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11.0
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%
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3.3
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%
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7.3
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%
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7.4
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%
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2012E Dividend Yield
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10.1
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%
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5.2
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%
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8.1
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%
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8.6
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%
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Selected
Public Company Multiples and Percentages
Yield-Oriented MLP
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Benchmark
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High
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Low
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Mean
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|
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Median
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|
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Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA
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12.9
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x
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8.3
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x
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10.8
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x
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11.0
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x
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Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA
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12.0
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x
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7.9
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x
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10.4
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x
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10.1
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x
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2011E Dividend Yield
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8.4
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%
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5.7
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%
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7.0
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%
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6.7
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%
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2012E Dividend Yield
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|
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8.8
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%
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5.7
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%
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7.4
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%
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7.1
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%
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Using the reference ranges for Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA and
Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA set forth below and estimated
EBITDA of CPLP for 2011 (including a full year contribution from
the Cape Agamemnon acquisition) and 2012, Jefferies determined
implied total enterprise values for CPLP, then subtracted CPLP
Indebtedness and added CPLP Cash and Cash equivalents to
determine implied equity values. Using the reference ranges for
2011E Dividend Yield and 2012E Dividend Yield set forth below
and CPLPs projected distributions for 2011 and 2012,
Jefferies determined implied equity values per CPLP common
units. These analyses indicated the ranges of implied values per
CPLP common unit, on a fully diluted basis (including fully
diluted units outstanding pro forma for CPLPs acquisition
of the Cape Agamemnon), set forth opposite the relevant
benchmarks below, compared, in each case, to the closing price
per CPLP common unit on May 3, 2011 of $11.32:
Selected
Public Company Reference Ranges and Implied Price
Ranges
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Reference
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Implied Price
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Benchmark
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Range
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Range
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Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA
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8.5x - 12.0
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x
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$
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6.72 - $13.60
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Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA
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8.0x - 11.5
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x
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$
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5.30 - $11.97
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2011E Dividend Yield
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6.5% - 8.0
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%
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$
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11.63 - $14.31
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2012E Dividend Yield
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7.0% - 8.5
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%
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$
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10.94 - $13.29
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No company utilized in the selected public company analysis is
identical to CPLP. In evaluating the selected companies,
Jefferies made judgments and assumptions with regard to industry
performance, general business, economic, market and financial
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond
CPLPs and Jefferies control. Mathematical analysis,
such as determining the mean and median, is not in itself a
meaningful method of using comparable company data.
Implied
Exchange Ratio Analysis
Adjusted
NAV Analysis
Using the range of implied per share equity values for Crude of
$16.58 to $17.60 and the range of implied per unit equity values
for CPLP of $7.56 to $9.16 based on the adjusted NAV analysis
for each company on a standalone basis as described above,
Jefferies calculated implied exchange ratios by
(i) dividing the lowest implied value per share of Crude
common stock by the highest implied value per CPLP common unit
to arrive at the low end of the implied exchange ratio range and
(ii) dividing the highest implied value per share of Crude
common stock by the lowest implied value per CPLP common unit to
arrive at the high end of
70
the implied exchange ratio range. This analysis indicated a
range of implied exchange ratios of 1.81 to 2.33, compared to
the Crude exchange ratio set forth in the merger agreement of
1.56.
Selected
Public Company Analysis
Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA. Using
the range of implied per share equity values for Crude of $6.34
to $17.57 and the range of implied per unit equity values for
CPLP of $6.72 to $13.60 based on the Enterprise Value/2011E
EBITDA metric of the selected public company analysis for each
company on a standalone basis as described above, Jefferies
calculated implied exchange ratios by (i) dividing the
lowest implied value per share of Crude common stock by the
highest implied value per CPLP common unit to arrive at the low
end of the implied exchange ratio range and (ii) dividing
the highest implied value per share of Crude common stock by the
lowest implied value per CPLP common unit to arrive at the high
end of the implied exchange ratio range. This analysis indicated
a range of implied exchange ratios of 0.47 to 2.61, compared to
the Crude exchange ratio set forth in the merger agreement of
1.56.
Enterprise Value/2012E EBITDA. Using
the range of implied per share equity values for Crude of $7.36
to $13.49 and the range of per unit implied equity values for
CPLP of $5.30 to $11.97 based on the Enterprise Value/2012E
EBITDA metric of the selected public company analysis for each
company on a standalone basis as described above, Jefferies
calculated implied exchange ratios by (i) dividing the
lowest implied value per share of Crude common stock by the
highest implied value per CPLP common unit to arrive at the low
end of the implied exchange ratio range and (ii) dividing
the highest implied value per share of Crude common stock by the
lowest implied value per CPLP common unit to arrive at the high
end of the implied exchange ratio range. This analysis indicated
a range of implied exchange ratios of 0.61 to 2.55, compared to
the Crude exchange ratio set forth in the merger agreement of
1.56.
Precedent
Transaction Analysis
Using the range of implied per share equity values for Crude of
$3.05 to $8.69 based on the precedent transaction analysis for
Crude on a standalone basis as described above, and the range of
implied per unit equity values for CPLP of $6.72 to $13.60 based
on the Enterprise Value/2011E EBITDA metric of the selected
public company analysis for CPLP on a standalone basis as
described above, Jefferies calculated implied exchange ratios by
(i) dividing the lowest implied value per share of Crude
common stock by the highest implied value per CPLP common unit
to arrive at the low end of the implied exchange ratio range and
(ii) dividing the highest implied value per share of Crude
common stock by the lowest implied value per CPLP common unit to
arrive at the high end of the implied exchange ratio range. This
analysis indicated a range of implied exchange ratios of 0.22 to
1.29, compared to the Crude exchange ratio set forth in the
merger agreement of 1.56.
Implied
Historical Exchange Ratio Analysis
Based on the daily closing price per share of Crude common stock
and CPLP common unit on May 3, 2011 and using the various
time periods set forth below ending on that date, Jefferies
calculated a range of implied historical exchange ratios by
dividing the daily closing price per CPLP common unit by the
daily closing price per share of Crude common stock. This
analysis indicated the following implied historical
71
exchange ratios, compared, in each case, to the Crude exchange
ratio set forth in the merger agreement of 1.56:
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Period
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Implied Exchange Ratio
|
|
|
May 3, 2011
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|
1.1449
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|
30-day
average
|
|
|
1.2586
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|
60-day
average
|
|
|
1.3980
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|
90-day
average
|
|
|
1.4376
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|
120-day
average
|
|
|
1.4922
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|
1-year
average
|
|
|
1.8654
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|
1-year high
|
|
|
2.2606
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|
1-year low
|
|
|
1.1091
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|
Pro
Forma Relative Contribution Analysis
Based on information provided by the management of each of Crude
and CPLP, Jefferies compared the standalone contribution of each
of Crude and CPLP to projected EBITDA and operating cash flow,
calculated as EBITDA less net interest expense, for fiscal years
2011, 2012 and 2013 and adjusted NAV for the combined company,
as determined by combining the Crude Adjusted NAV and the CPLP
Adjusted NAV. Jefferies derived implied ownership of the
combined company by holders of Crude common stock and Crude
Class B stock and holders of CPLP common units for each
metric based on the relative contributions to each metric for
the combined company by each of Crude and CPLP, after, for
EBITDA calculations, subtracting Crude Indebtedness and CPLP
Indebtedness, as applicable. This analysis indicated implied
ownership as follows, compared, in each case, to the implied
actual ownership percentages of Crude stockholders and CPLP
unitholders of 35.1% and 64.9%, respectively, based on the Crude
exchange ratio set forth in the merger agreement of 1.56:
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|
|
|
|
|
Implied Ownership
|
|
Metric
|
|
(Crude / CPLP)
|
|
|
2011E EBITDA(1)
|
|
|
17.6% / 82.4%
|
|
2012E EBITDA
|
|
|
27.3% / 72.7%
|
|
2013E EBITDA
|
|
|
32.2% / 67.8%
|
|
2011E Operating Cash Flow(1)
|
|
|
20.9% / 79.1%
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|
2012E Operating Cash Flow
|
|
|
25.8% / 74.2%
|
|
2013E Operating Cash Flow
|
|
|
28.7% / 71.3%
|
|
Adjusted NAV
|
|
|
41.7% / 58.3%
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|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Estimated EBITDA and estimated operating cash flow for CPLP for
2011 was adjusted to include a full year contribution from the
Cape Agamemnon acquisition. |
Other
Factors
Using publicly available information and information provided by
the managements of CPLP and Crude, Jefferies reviewed, among
other things, the potential pro forma effect of the merger on
each of CPLPs and Crudes fiscal years 2011, 2012 and
2013 estimated distributions to holders of CPLP common units and
Crude common shares, as applicable. Based on, among other
things, an illustrative merger closing date of June 30,
2011 and assuming that Crude drydocking costs are expensed
rather than capitalized in fiscal year 2013, this analysis
indicated that the merger could, during the fiscal years
reviewed, (i) be neutral to CPLPs estimated
distributions to holders of CPLP common units and (ii) be
accretive to Crudes estimated distributions to holders of
Crude common shares.
General
Jefferies opinion was one of many factors taken into
consideration by the Crude Independent Committee in making its
determination to recommend the merger to the Crude Board and
should not be considered
72
determinative of the views of the Crude Independent Committee or
management with respect to the merger or the merger
consideration.
Jefferies was selected by the Crude Independent Committee based
on Jefferies qualifications, expertise and reputation.
Jefferies is an internationally recognized investment banking
and advisory firm. Jefferies, as part of its investment banking
business, is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses
and securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions,
negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private
placements, financial restructurings and other financial
services.
Jefferies maintains a market in the securities of Crude, and in
the ordinary course of business, Jefferies and its affiliates
may trade or hold securities of Crude or CPLP
and/or their
respective affiliates for its own account and for the accounts
of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or
short positions in those securities.
Pursuant to an engagement agreement between Crude, the Crude
Independent Committee and Jefferies dated April 6, 2011,
Crude has agreed to pay Jefferies a fee for its services in the
amount of approximately $2.6 million, a portion of which
was payable upon delivery of Jefferies opinion and a
significant portion of which is payable contingent upon
consummation of the merger. In addition, Crude has agreed to
reimburse Jefferies for expenses Jefferies has incurred in
connection with rendering its services under the engagement
agreement. Crude also has agreed to indemnify Jefferies against
liabilities arising out of or in connection with the services
rendered and to be rendered by it under its engagement. In
addition, Jefferies may seek to, in the future, provide
financial advisory and financing services to Crude, CPLP or
entities that are affiliated with Crude or CPLP, for which it
would expect to receive compensation.
Interests
of Crudes Directors and Executive Officers in the Proposed
Transaction
Crude shareholders should note that some Crude directors and
executive officers have interests in the proposed transaction as
directors or officers that are different from, or in addition
to, the interests of other Crude shareholders. The Crude Board
was aware of these interests and considered them, among other
matters, in reaching its decisions to approve the merger
agreement and to recommend that Crudes shareholders vote
in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement.
These interests and arrangements include:
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|
certain directors and officers of Crude are also directors
and/or
officers of CPLP, Capital GP, Capital Maritime and Capital Ship
Management, including Evangelos M. Marinakis, who is the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Crude as well as the
Chairman of the CPLP Board, a director of Capital Maritime and
the Chief Executive Officer and President of Capital Maritime,
Ioannis E. Lazaridis, who is the President of Crude as well as a
director of CPLP and Capital Maritime, the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Capital GP and the Chief
Financial Officer of Capital Maritime and Gerasimos G.
Kalogiratos, who is a director and the Chief Financial Officer
of Crude as well as the Finance Director of Capital Maritime and
the Investment Relations Officer of CPLP;
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|
beneficial ownership by Crude directors and executive officers
of CPLP common units, although no Crude director or executive
officer owns more than 1.0% of the outstanding, CPLP common
units;
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|
at the time the merger is consummated, the commencement of
service on the CPLP Board by Dimitris Christacopoulos, a member
of the Crude Board and Chairman of the Crude Independent
Committee who was designated to assume this position by the
Crude Board after the execution of the merger agreement and in
accordance with the merger agreement; and
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the lapsing of the vesting requirements relating to shares of
Crude common stock held by members of the Crude Independent
Committee, other than Dimitris Christacopoulos (who collectively
hold, subject to vesting requirements, an aggregate of
approximately 20,000 shares of Crude common stock, or the
right to receive approximately 31,200 CPLP common units),
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger.
|
In addition, there is substantial overlap of the ownership and
control of Crude and CPLP. CCIC, the owner of 100% of the Crude
Class B stock, is beneficially owned by the Marinakis
family, including the
73
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Crude, Evangelos M.
Marinakis. Evangelos M. Marinakis, Ioannis E. Lazaridis and
Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos collectively own 0.91% of the
outstanding shares of Crude common stock and Mr. Marinakis
is the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Maritime, which is
beneficially owned by the Marinakis family and which is also the
owner of Capital GP. Capital Maritime currently owns a 41.9%
interest in CPLP (including its 2% general partner interest
through its ownership of Capital GP), and following the merger,
Capital Maritime will own a 27.1% interest in the combined
company, including ownership resulting from the general
partnership interest in the combined company held by Capital GP,
and collectively, Capital Maritime and CCIC would own
approximately 31.7% of the combined company.
Indemnification
The merger agreement includes provisions relating to
indemnification and insurance for directors and officers of
CPLP. See the section captioned The Merger
Agreement Indemnification and Insurance; Rights of
Third Parties beginning on page 100.
Continuing
Board and Management Positions
At the effective time of the proposed transaction, the combined
company board of directors will consist of CPLPs current
directors and one member of the Crude Independent Committee
designated by Crude, namely Dimitris Christacopoulos. The
arrangements for Crudes executive officers will be
announced at a later time. For information about where you can
find out more about the combined companys directors and
executive officers at the effective time of the proposed
transaction, please see the section captioned Where You
Can Find More Information beginning on page 128.
Listing
of CPLP Common Units; Deregistration and Delisting of Crude
Common Stock
CPLP common units are currently listed and traded on Nasdaq
under the trading symbol CPLP. Upon consummation of
the proposed transaction, CPLP common units will continue to be
listed and traded on Nasdaq. Crude common stock is currently
listed and traded on the NYSE under the trading symbol
CRU. Upon consummation of the proposed transaction,
Crude common stock will no longer be listed or traded on the
NYSE. The Crude common stock will be delisted from the NYSE and
deregistered under the Exchange Act. Registration under the
Exchange Act may be terminated upon application to the SEC if
shares of Crude common stock are neither listed on a national
securities exchange nor held by 300 or more holders of record.
As a result of such deregistration, Crude will no longer be
required to file reports with the SEC or otherwise be subject to
the United States federal securities laws applicable to public
companies.
The shareholders of Crude will become unitholders of CPLP upon
consummation of the proposed transaction.
Distribution
and Dividend Information
Historically, CPLP has intended to pay quarterly cash
distributions of $0.3750 per common unit to the extent CPLP has
sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash
reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to
CPLPs general partner. CPLP has generally declared those
distributions in January, April, July and October of each year
and paid those distributions in the subsequent month. In January
2010 CPLP introduced an annual distribution guidance of $0.90
per annum, or $0.225 per quarter. In July 2010 CPLP revised its
annual distribution guidance to $0.93 per annum, or $0.2325 per
quarter.
In October 2010, CPLP declared a cash distribution of $0.2325
per unit, and paid that distribution on November 16, 2010
to unitholders of record on November 5, 2010. In January
2011, CPLP declared a cash distribution of $0.2325 per unit, and
paid that distribution on February 15, 2011 to unitholders
of record on February 4, 2011. In April 2011, CPLP declared
a cash distribution of $0.2325, and paid that distribution on
May 16, 2011 to unitholders of record on May 9, 2011.
Crudes dividend policy is to pay a variable quarterly
dividend based on its cash available for distribution, which
represents net cash flow generated by its vessels trading in the
crude tanker market during the previous
74
quarter, less any amount required to maintain a reserve the
Crude Board determines from time to time as appropriate for the
operation and future growth of the fleet.
In November 2010, Crude declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per
share, and paid that dividend on December 7, 2010 to
shareholders of record on November 24, 2010. In February
2011, Crude declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per share, and
paid that dividend on March 2, 2011 to shareholders of
record on February 23, 2011. In May 2011, Crude declared a
cash dividend of $0.25 per share, and paid that dividend on
June 1, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 23, 2011.
The merger agreement provides that Crude may not declare or pay
any dividends except the declaration and payment of a regular
quarterly dividend for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and
the quarter ending June 30, 2011, in each case not in
excess of $0.25 per share of Crude common stock and Crude
Class B stock.
The Crude Board and the CPLP Board will continue to evaluate
their respective dividend and distribution policies in light of
applicable business, financial, legal and regulatory
considerations.
CPLP has a cash distribution target of $0.93 per unit. The
payment of distributions by CPLP following the merger, however,
will be subject to approval and declaration by the CPLP Board
and will depend on a variety of factors, including business,
financial, legal and regulatory considerations, including but
not limited to vessel earnings remaining at current levels or
improving, refinancing of current debt obligations in a timely
fashion, operating and voyage expenses remaining at comparable
levels, no accidents or material loss to its vessels occurring,
as well as covenants under the combined companys credit
facilities. Please see the relevant subheadings under the
section captioned Risk Factors beginning on
page 22.
Treatment
of Existing Debt Facilities in the Proposed
Transaction
Neither Crude nor CPLP anticipates drawing down on its credit
facilities in connection with the consummation of the proposed
transaction. The parties anticipate that, following the merger,
CPLP may reach an arrangement with its lenders to draw down its
existing credit facilities to refinance the debt of Crudes
vessels unless CPLP obtains better or similar terms elsewhere,
but this is subject to certain conditions and entails various
risks. Please see the section captioned Risk Factors
beginning on page 22.
In connection with CPLPs acquisition of the dry cargo
vessel Cape Agamemnon from Capital Maritime, CPLP drew down on a
new credit facility of $25 million provided by Credit
Agricole Emporiki Bank in order to partially finance the
acquisition of the shares of the vessel owning company of the
Cape Agamemnon from Capital Maritime. This credit facility is
non-amortizing
until March 31, 2013 and will be repaid in twenty equal
consecutive quarterly installments commencing in June 2013 plus
a balloon payment in March 2018. Loan commitment fees are
calculated at 0.50% per annum on any undrawn amount and are paid
quarterly. This credit facility contains customary ship finance
covenants and is secured and guaranteed by the vessel owning
company of the Cape Agamemnon.
Marshall
Islands Tax Considerations
The following are the material Marshall Islands tax consequences
of the proposed transaction, the operations of combined company,
and the ownership and disposition of CPLP common units. Each of
Crude and CPLP are incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Under
current Marshall Islands law, no Marshall Islands withholding
tax or income tax will be imposed on any of the combined
company, Crude, CPLP, or their respective shareholders or
unitholders as a result of the proposed transaction. In
addition, the combined company will not be subject to tax in the
Marshall Islands on income or capital gains, and no Marshall
Islands withholding tax or income tax will be imposed upon
distributions by CPLP to unitholders who do not reside in the
Marshall Islands or with respect to proceeds from the
disposition of CPLP common units.
Material
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences to Crude
Shareholders
The following discussion of the material United States federal
income tax consequences of the merger to holders of Crude common
stock and of the ownership of CPLP common units received in the
merger, to the extent it consists of statements as to matters of
tax law, is the opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, and
that
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portion of the discussion under the heading The
Merger is also the opinion of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer
& Feld LLP. The below discussion applies to you only if you
exchange your shares of Crude common stock for CPLP common units
in the merger and you hold your shares of Crude common stock and
CPLP common units as capital assets for tax purposes. This
section does not address any United States federal income tax
considerations related to the Marshall Islands tax treatment of
a holder in connection with the merger. This section does not
apply to you if you are a member of a special class of holders
subject to special rules, including:
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a holder who acquired shares of Crude common stock pursuant to
the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as
compensation,
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a dealer in securities,
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a trader in securities that elects to use a
mark-to-market
method of accounting for securities holdings,
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a tax-exempt organization,
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a life insurance company,
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a person liable for alternative minimum tax,
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a person that, actually or constructively, owns or at any time
owned 10% or more of the Crude common stock prior to the merger
or that will own 5% or more of the CPLP common units after the
merger,
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a person that holds shares of Crude common stock or CPLP common
units as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion
transaction,
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a U.S. expatriate,
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a U.S. Holder (as defined below) whose functional currency
is not the U.S. dollar.
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This section is based on the Code, its legislative history,
existing and proposed regulations, and published rulings and
court decisions, all as currently in effect. These laws are
subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. CPLP and
Crude have not and will not seek any rulings from the IRS
regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance
that the IRS will not take positions concerning the tax
consequences of the merger that are different from those
discussed below.
If a partnership holds CPLP common units or shares of Crude
common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally
depend on the status of the partners and the tax treatment of
the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding
CPLP common units or shares of Crude common stock, you should
consult your tax advisors.
For purposes of this discussion, the term
U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of shares
of Crude common stock or CPLP common units, as relevant, that is:
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an individual citizen or resident of the United States for
United States federal income tax purposes,
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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized
in or under the laws of the United States, any U.S. state
or the District of Columbia,
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an estate the income of which is subject to United States
federal income taxation regardless of its source, or
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a trust which either (i) is subject to the primary
supervision of a court within the United States and one or more
United States persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust or (ii) has a valid
election in effect under applicable United States Treasury
regulations to be treated as a United States person.
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A
Non-U.S. Holder
is a beneficial owner of shares of Crude common stock or CPLP
common units (other than a partnership), as relevant, that is
not a United States person for United States federal income tax
purposes.
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This discussion does not address tax consequences that may
vary with, or are contingent on, individual circumstances.
Moreover, it only addresses United States federal income tax and
does not address any non-income tax or any foreign, state or
local tax consequences. You should consult your own tax advisors
concerning the United States federal income tax consequences of
the merger and the ownership of CPLP common units in light of
your particular situation, as well as any consequences arising
under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
Tax
Characterization of CPLP and Crude
CPLP has elected to be taxed as a corporation for United States
federal income tax purposes. As such, among other consequences,
U.S. Holders of CPLP common units will, subject to the
discussion of certain rules relating to PFICs below (please see
Ownership and Disposition of CPLP Common Units
Certain PFIC Considerations Applicable to
U.S. Holders), generally not be directly subject to
United States federal income tax on CPLPs income, but
rather will be subject to United States federal income tax on
distributions received from CPLP and dispositions of CPLP common
units, as described below. Additionally, distributions from CPLP
to its common unitholders will generally be reported on Internal
Revenue Service
Form 1099-DIV.
Crude is a corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes.
The
Merger
General
Tax Consequences of the Merger
The merger has been structured to qualify as a reorganization
for United States federal income tax purposes, and it is a
condition to CPLPs and Crudes obligations to
complete the merger that CPLP receive a legal opinion from a
nationally recognized law firm, which is expected to be Akin
Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, and Crude receive a
legal opinion from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, to the
effect that the merger should qualify as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. These opinions will be based on
assumptions, representations, warranties and covenants,
including those contained in the merger agreement and in tax
representation letters provided by CPLP and Crude. The accuracy
of such assumptions, representations and warranties, and
compliance with such covenants, could affect the conclusions set
forth in such opinions.
No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS as to the
United States federal income tax consequences of the merger, and
the opinions of counsel described above are not binding upon the
IRS or any court. Accordingly, there can be no assurances that
the IRS will not disagree with or challenge any of the
conclusions described herein.
The remainder of this discussion assumes that the merger will
qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code.
Subject to the discussion of certain rules relating to PFICs
below (please see Certain PFIC Considerations Related to
the Merger), the following material United States federal
income tax consequences will result from the merger:
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A U.S. Holder will not recognize any gain or loss upon
receipt of CPLP common units in exchange for shares of Crude
common stock in the merger, except with respect to cash received
in lieu of fractional CPLP common units;
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A U.S. Holders aggregate basis in the CPLP common
units received in the merger (including any fractional shares
deemed received and redeemed as described below) will be equal
to the U.S. Holders aggregate tax basis in the shares
of Crude common stock surrendered; and
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A U.S. Holders holding period for the shares of CPLP
common units received in the merger (including any fractional
shares deemed received and redeemed as described below) will
include the U.S. Holders holding period of the shares
of Crude common stock surrendered.
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Where different blocks of shares of Crude common stock were
acquired at different times and at different prices, the tax
basis and holding period of such shares of Crude common stock
may be determined with reference to each block of shares of
Crude common stock.
Cash in
Lieu of Fractional Units
A U.S. Holder of Crude common stock who receives cash in
lieu of a fractional CPLP common unit in the merger generally
will be treated as having received such fractional unit in the
merger and then as having received cash in redemption of such
fractional unit. Gain or loss generally will be recognized based
on the difference between the amount of cash received in lieu of
the fractional unit and the portion of the
U.S. Holders aggregate tax basis in the shares of
Crude common stock surrendered which is allocable to the
fractional unit. This gain or loss generally will be capital
gain or loss, and long-term capital gain or loss if the holding
period for the shares of Crude common stock is more than one
year at the effective time of the merger. Long-term capital gain
of non-corporate U.S. Holders that is recognized in taxable
years beginning before January 1, 2013 is generally taxed
at a maximum rate of 15%. The deductibility of capital losses is
subject to limitations.
Any gain realized by a
Non-U.S. Holder
pursuant to the above paragraph generally will not be subject to
United States federal income tax unless (i) the gain is
effectively connected with the
Non-U.S. Holders
conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and the
gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by
the
Non-U.S. Holder
in the United States if that is required by an applicable income
tax treaty as a condition for subjecting the
Non-U.S. Holder
to U.S. taxation on a net income basis, or (ii) the
Non-U.S. Holder
is an individual and is present in the United States for 183 or
more days in the taxable year of the sale and certain other
conditions exist. Effectively connected gains
recognized by a corporate
Non-U.S. Holder
may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an
additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or at a
lower rate if the corporate
Non-U.S. Holder
is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty that
provides for a lower rate.
Certain
PFIC Considerations Related to the Merger
Crude believes that it has at no time been a PFIC. If you
are a U.S. Holder of shares of Crude common stock, Crude
would generally be a PFIC with respect to you if for any taxable
year in which you held shares of Crude common stock:
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75% or more of its gross income for the taxable year consists of
passive income (generally including dividends,
interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property
and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are
received from unrelated parties in connection with the active
conduct of a trade or business, as defined in applicable
Treasury regulations); or
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at least 50% of its assets for the taxable year (averaged over
the year and generally determined based upon value) produce or
are held for the production of passive income.
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Because the determination of whether a foreign corporation is a
PFIC is primarily factual and, as described below in
Ownership and Disposition of CPLP common units
Certain PFIC Considerations, Applicable to
U.S. Holders, there is little administrative or
judicial authority on which to rely to make a determination, the
IRS might not agree that Crude is not and never has been a PFIC.
If it was determined that Crude was a PFIC, then a
U.S. Holder of shares of Crude common stock may be required
to recognize gain as a result of the merger, notwithstanding
that the merger qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Code. In particular,
Section 1291(f) of the Code generally requires that, to the
extent provided in regulations, a U.S. person who disposes
of stock of a PFIC recognizes gain notwithstanding any other
provision of the Code. No final Treasury regulations have been
promulgated under this statute. Proposed Treasury regulations
were promulgated in 1992 with a retroactive effective date. If
finalized in their current form, these regulations would
generally require gain recognition by U.S. persons
exchanging shares in a corporation that is a PFIC at any time
during such U.S. persons holding period of such
shares where such person has not made either (i) a
qualified electing fund election under
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Section 1295 of the Code for the first taxable year in
which such U.S. person owns such shares or in which the
corporation is a PFIC, whichever is later or (ii) a
mark-to-market
election under Section 1296 of the Code. There is an
exception to this rule in certain instances where the exchanging
shareholder receives shares of another corporation that is a
PFIC, but, as described below in Ownership and Disposition
of CPLP common units Certain PFIC Considerations
Applicable to U.S. Holders, CPLP believes that it has
not been and is not now a PFIC, and CPLP does not expect to
become a PFIC.
The tax on any gain recognized pursuant to the above paragraph
would be imposed at the rate applicable to ordinary income, and
an interest charge would apply based on a complex set of
computational rules designed to offset the tax deferral to such
persons on undistributed earnings of the subject foreign
corporation. CPLP and Crude are unable to predict at this time
whether, in what form, and with what effective date, final
Treasury regulations under Section 1291(f) of the Code will
be adopted, or how the proposed Treasury regulations will be
applied.
Backup
Withholding and Information Reporting on the Merger
Payments of cash made to a U.S. Holder in connection with
the merger may be subject to information reporting and
backup withholding at a rate of 28 percent,
unless the U.S. Holder of shares of Crude common stock:
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provides a correct taxpayer identification number and any other
required information to the exchange agent, or
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is a corporation or comes within certain exempt categories and
otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup
withholding rules.
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Backup withholding does not constitute an additional tax, but
merely an advance payment of tax, which may be refunded to the
extent it results in an overpayment of tax if the required
information is supplied to the IRS.
Reporting
Requirements in Respect of the Merger
A U.S. Holder of shares of Crude common stock who receives
CPLP common units as a result of the merger will be required to
retain records pertaining to the merger. Each U.S. Holder
of shares of Crude common stock who is required to file a United
States federal income tax return and who is a significant
holder that receives CPLP common units in the merger will
be required to file a statement with the holders United
States federal income tax return setting forth such
holders basis in the shares of Crude common stock
surrendered and the fair market value of the CPLP common units
and cash, if any, received in the merger. You are a
significant holder of shares of Crude common stock
if, immediately before the merger, you owned at least 5% (by
vote or value) of the outstanding capital stock of Crude or you
had an aggregate tax basis in securities of Crude of $1,000,000
or more.
Ownership
and Disposition of CPLP Common Units
Taxation
of Distributions to U.S. Holders
Subject to the discussion of PFICs below, any distributions made
by CPLP with respect to CPLP common units will generally
constitute dividends to the extent of CPLPs current or
accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United
States federal income tax principles.
Distributions in excess of those earnings and profits will be
treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of
the U.S. Holders tax basis in CPLP common units, and
thereafter as capital gain. Because CPLP is a
non-U.S. corporation
for United Stated federal tax purposes, 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 CPLP. Amounts taxable as dividends generally
will be treated as income from sources outside the United States
and will, depending on the U.S. Holders
circumstances, be passive or general
income which, in either case, is treated separately from other
types of income for purposes of computing the foreign
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tax credit allowable to the U.S. Holder. However, if
(i) CPLP is 50% or more owned, by vote or value, by United
States persons and (ii) at least 10% of CPLPs
earnings and profits are attributable to sources within the
United States, then for foreign tax credit purposes, a portion
of the dividends received by a U.S. Holder would be treated
as derived from sources within the United States. With respect
to any dividend paid for any taxable year, the United States
source ratio of dividends for foreign tax credit purposes would
be equal to the portion of CPLPs earnings and profits from
sources within the United States for such taxable year, divided
by the total amount of CPLPs earnings and profits for such
taxable year.
Dividends paid on CPLP common units to a U.S. Holder who is
an individual, trust or estate (a U.S. Non-Corporate
Holder) will generally be treated as qualified
dividend income that is taxable to such
U.S. Non-Corporate Holder at a maximum tax rate of 15% (for
payments made in taxable years beginning before January 1,
2013), provided that (i) the CPLP common units are readily
tradable on an established securities market in the United
States (such as Nasdaq, on which CPLPs common units are
traded); (ii) CPLP is not a PFIC for the taxable year
during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding
taxable year (as discussed below, CPLP believes that it has not
been a PFIC, is not a PFIC, and will not become a PFIC);
(iii) the U.S. Non-Corporate Holders holding
period of the CPLP common units includes more than 60 days
in the
121-day
period beginning 60 days before the date on which the CPLP
common units becomes ex-dividend; and (iv) the
U.S. Non-Corporate Holder is not under an obligation to
make related payments with respect to positions in substantially
similar or related property. Any dividends CPLP pays out of its
earnings and profits which are not eligible for these
preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a
U.S. Non-Corporate Holder.
Special rules may apply to any extraordinary
dividend generally, a dividend in an amount
which is equal to or in excess of 10% of a shareholders
adjusted basis (or fair market value in certain circumstances)
in a CPLP common unit paid by CPLP. If CPLP pays an
extraordinary dividend on its common units that is
treated as qualified dividend income, then any loss
derived by a U.S. Non-Corporate Holder from the sale or
exchange of such common units will be treated as long-term
capital loss to the extent of such dividend.
Taxation
of Distributions to
Non-U.S.
Holders
Dividends paid to a
Non-U.S. Holder
in respect of CPLP common units will not be subject to United
States federal income tax unless the dividends are
effectively connected with the
Non-U.S. Holders
conduct of a trade or business within the United States and the
dividends are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed
base maintained by the
Non-U.S. Holder
in the United States if that is required by an applicable income
tax treaty as a condition for subjecting the
Non-U.S. Holder
to U.S. taxation on a net income basis. In such cases, the
Non-U.S. Holder
generally will be taxed in the same manner as a
U.S. Holder. Effectively connected dividends
recognized by a corporate
Non-U.S. Holder
may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an
additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or at a
lower rate if the corporate
Non-U.S. Holder
is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty that
provides for a lower rate.
Taxation
of Disposition of CPLP Common Units by U.S. Holders
Subject to the discussion of PFICs below, a U.S. Holder who
sells or otherwise disposes of its CPLP common units will
recognize capital gain or loss for United States federal income
tax purposes equal to the difference between the amount that is
realized and the U.S. Holders tax basis in the common
units. Capital gain of a U.S. Non-Corporate Holder that is
recognized in taxable years beginning before January 1,
2013 is generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% where the
holder has a holding period greater than one year and is
otherwise expected to be taxed at preferential rates. The gain
or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the
United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. The
ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain
limitations.
Taxation
of Disposition of CPLP Common Units by
Non-U.S.
Holders
A
Non-U.S. Holder
will not be subject to United States federal income tax on gain
recognized on the sale or other disposition of your CPLP common
units unless (i) the gain is effectively
connected with the
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Non-U.S. Holders
conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and the
gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by
the
Non-U.S. Holder
in the United States if that is required by an applicable income
tax treaty as a condition for subjecting the
Non-U.S. Holder
to U.S. taxation on a net income basis, or (ii) the
Non-U.S. Holder
is an individual and is present in the United States for 183 or
more days in the taxable year of the sale and certain other
conditions exist. Effectively connected gains
recognized by a corporate
Non-U.S. Holder
may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an
additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or at a
lower rate if the corporate
Non-U.S. Holder
is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty that
provides for a lower rate.
Certain
PFIC Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders
CPLP believes that it has not been and is not, for United States
federal income tax purposes, a PFIC, and CPLP expects to operate
in such a manner so as not to become a PFIC, but this conclusion
is a factual determination that is made annually and thus may be
subject to change. If CPLP is or becomes a PFIC, a
U.S. Holder could be subject to additional United States
federal income taxes on gains recognized with respect to CPLP
common units and on certain distributions, plus an interest
charge on certain taxes treated as having been deferred under
the PFIC rules.
CPLP will be a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for
any taxable year in which the U.S. Holder held CPLP common
units, either:
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75% or more of its gross income for the taxable year consists of
passive income (generally including dividends,
interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property
and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are
received from unrelated parties in connection with the active
conduct of a trade or business, as defined in applicable
Treasury regulations); or
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at least 50% of its assets for the taxable year (averaged over
the year and generally determined based upon value) produce or
are held for the production of passive income.
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For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance
of services does not constitute passive income. By contrast,
rental income would generally constitute passive income unless
CPLP is treated under specific rules as deriving its rental
income in the active conduct of a trade or business. Based on
CPLPs planned operations and future projections, CPLP
believes that it will not be a PFIC with respect to any taxable
year. In this regard, CPLP intends to treat its income from the
spot charter and time charter of vessels as services income,
rather than rental income. Accordingly, CPLP believes that such
income does not constitute passive income, and that the assets
that it owns and operates in connection with the production of
that income, primarily certain of CPLPs vessels, do not
constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether
CPLP is a PFIC, at least to the extent that they generate income
that is not passive.
There is, however, no direct legal authority under the PFIC
rules addressing CPLPs 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 a vessel time charter at
issue generated predominantly rental income rather than services
income. However, the courts ruling was contrary to the
position of the IRS that the time charter income should have
been treated as services income. Additionally, the IRS recently
affirmed its position in Tidewater, adding further that
the vessel 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 CPLPs position, and there is a risk that
the IRS or a court of law could determine that CPLP is or was a
PFIC. Moreover, because there are uncertainties in the
application of the PFIC rules, because the PFIC test is an
annual test, and because, although CPLP intends to manage its
business so as to avoid PFIC status to the extent consistent
with its other business goals, there could be changes in the
nature and extent of CPLPs operations in future years,
there can be no assurance that CPLP will not become a PFIC in
any taxable year.
If CPLP were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year (and
regardless of whether CPLP remains a PFIC for subsequent taxable
years), each U.S. Holder who is treated as owning CPLP
common units for purposes of the PFIC rules would be liable to
pay United States federal income tax at the highest applicable
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income tax rates on ordinary income upon the receipt of excess
distributions (generally the portion of any distributions
received by the U.S. Holder on CPLP common units in a
taxable year in excess of 125 percent of the average annual
distributions received by the U.S. Holder in the three
preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the
U.S. Holders holding period for the CPLP common
units) and on any gain from the disposition of CPLP common
units, plus interest on such amounts, as if such excess
distributions or gain had been recognized ratably over the
U.S. Holders holding period of the CPLP common units.
The above rules relating to the taxation of excess distributions
and dispositions will not apply to a U.S. Holder who has
made a timely qualified electing fund
(QEF) election. Instead, each U.S. Holder who
has made a timely QEF election is required for each taxable year
to include in income a pro rata share of CPLPs ordinary
earnings as ordinary income and a pro rata share of CPLPs
net capital gain as long-term capital gain, regardless of
whether CPLP has made any distributions of the earnings or gain.
The U.S. Holders basis in CPLP common units will be
increased to reflect taxed but undistributed income.
Distributions of income that had been previously taxed will
result in a corresponding reduction in the basis of the CPLP
common units and will not be taxed again once distributed. A
U.S. Holder making a QEF election would generally recognize
capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition
of CPLP common units. If CPLP determines that it is a PFIC for
any taxable year, CPLP will provide U.S. Holders with such
information as may be required to make a QEF election effective.
Alternatively, if CPLP were to be treated as a PFIC for any
taxable year and provided that CPLPs common units are
treated as marketable, which CPLP believes will be
the case, a U.S. Holder may make a
mark-to-market
election. Under a
mark-to-market
election, any excess of the fair market value of the CPLP common
units at the close of any taxable year over the
U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the CPLP common
units is included in the U.S. Holders income as
ordinary income. These amounts of ordinary income will not be
eligible for the favorable tax rates applicable to qualified
dividend income or long-term capital gains. In addition, the
excess, if any, of the U.S. Holders adjusted tax
basis at the close of any taxable year over the fair market
value of the CPLP common units is deductible in an amount equal
to the lesser of the amount of the excess or the amount of the
net
mark-to-market
gains that the U.S. Holder included in income in prior
years. A U.S. Holders tax basis in CPLP common units
would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss. Gain
realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of CPLP
common units would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss
realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of CPLP
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.
A U.S. Holder who holds CPLP common units during a period
when CPLP is a PFIC generally will be subject to the foregoing
rules for that taxable year and all subsequent taxable years
with respect to that U.S. Holders holding of CPLP
common units, even if CPLP ceases to be a PFIC, subject to
certain exceptions for U.S. Holders who made a
mark-to-market
or QEF election. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their
tax advisors regarding the PFIC rules, including as to the
advisability of choosing to make a QEF or
mark-to-market
election.
Medicare
Tax
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a
U.S. person that is an individual or estate, or a trust
that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt
from such tax, will be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of
(i) the U.S. persons net investment
income for the relevant taxable year and (ii) the
excess of the U.S. persons modified adjusted gross
income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in
the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000,
depending on the individuals circumstances). A
holders net investment income will generally include its
dividend income and its net gains from the disposition of shares
of CPLP common units, unless such dividend income or net gains
are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or
business (other than a trade or business that consists of
certain passive or trading activities). If you are a
U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you are
urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability
of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your
investment in CPLP common units.
82
Backup
Withholding and Information Reporting
If you are a Non-Corporate U.S. Holder, information
reporting requirements, on IRS Form 1099, generally will
apply to:
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dividend payments or other taxable distributions made to you
within the United States, and
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the payment of proceeds to you from the sale of CPLP common
units effected at a U.S. office of a broker.
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Additionally, backup withholding may apply to such payments if
you are a Non-Corporate U.S. Holder that:
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fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number,
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is notified by the IRS that you have failed to report all
interest and dividends required to be shown on your federal
income tax returns, or
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in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable
certification requirements.
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If you are a
Non-U.S. Holder,
you are generally exempt from backup withholding and information
reporting requirements with respect to:
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dividend payments made to you outside the United States by CPLP
or another
non-U.S. payor, and
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other dividend payments and the payment of the proceeds from the
sale of CPLP common units effected at a U.S. office of a
broker, as long as the income associated with such payments is
otherwise exempt from United States federal income tax, and:
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the payor or broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to
know that you are a U.S. person and you have furnished the
payor or broker:
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an IRS
Form W-8BEN
or an acceptable substitute form upon which you certify, under
penalties of perjury, that you are a
non-United
States person, or
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other documentation upon which it may rely to treat the payments
as made to a
non-United
States person in accordance with U.S. Treasury
regulations, or
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you otherwise establish an exemption.
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Payment of the proceeds from the sale of CPLP common units
effected at a foreign office of a broker generally will not be
subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However,
a sale of CPLP common units that is effected at a foreign office
of a broker will be subject to information reporting and backup
withholding if:
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the proceeds are transferred to an account maintained by you in
the United States,
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the payment of proceeds or the confirmation of the sale is
mailed to you at a U.S. address, or
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the sale has some other specified connection with the United
States as provided in U.S. Treasury regulations,
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unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to
know that you are a United States person and the documentation
requirements described above are met or you otherwise establish
an exemption.
In addition, a sale of CPLP common units effected at a foreign
office of a broker will be subject to information reporting if
the broker is:
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a U.S. person,
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a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. tax purposes,
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a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is
effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or
business for a specified three-year period, or
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83
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a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year:
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one or more of its partners are U.S. persons,
as defined in United States Treasury regulations, who in the
aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest
in the partnership, or
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such foreign partnership is engaged in the conduct of a
U.S. trade or business,
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unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to
know that you are a United States person and the documentation
requirements described above are met or you otherwise establish
an exemption. Backup withholding will apply if the sale is
subject to information reporting and the broker has actual
knowledge that you are a U.S. person.
You generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under
the backup withholding rules that exceed your income tax
liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.
Information
with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
Under recently enacted legislation, individuals that own
specified foreign financial assets with an aggregate
value in excess of $50,000 are generally required to file an
information report with respect to such assets with their tax
returns. Specified foreign financial assets include
any financial accounts maintained by foreign financial
institutions, as well as any of the following, but only if they
are not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions:
(i) stocks and securities issued by
non-U.S. persons,
(ii) financial instruments and contracts held for
investment that have
non-U.S. issuers
or counterparties, and (iii) interests in foreign entities.
U.S. Holders that are individuals are urged to consult
their tax advisors regarding the application of this legislation.
United
States Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to
CPLP
Election
to be Taxed as a Corporation
CPLP has elected to be taxed as a corporation for United States
federal income tax purposes. As such, among other consequences,
U.S. Holders will not directly be subject to United States
federal income tax on CPLPs income, but rather will be
subject to United States federal income tax on distributions
received from CPLP and dispositions of common units as described
above. As a corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes, CPLP may be subject to United States federal income
tax on its income, as discussed below.
Taxation
of Operating Income
CPLP expects that substantially all of its gross income will
continue to be attributable to the transportation of crude oil
and related oil products. 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
United States federal income tax.
Based on current operations and also due to prohibitions under
U.S. law, CPLP does not expect to have U.S. Source
Domestic Transportation Income. However, certain of CPLPs
activities give rise to U.S. Source International
Transportation Income, and future expansion of its 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
84
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.
The
Section 883 Exemption and the Taxation of Operating
Income
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 only applies to U.S. Source
International Transportation Income. As discussed below, CPLP
believes that under its current ownership structure, the
Section 883 Exemption will apply and that, accordingly, it
will not be taxed on its U.S. Source International
Transportation Income. The Section 883 Exemption does not
apply to U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income.
CPLP will qualify for the Section 883 Exemption if, among
other matters, the following three requirements are met:
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CPLP is 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);
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CPLP satisfies the Publicly Traded Test (as
described below); and
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CPLP meets certain substantiation, reporting and other
requirements.
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The Publicly Traded Test requires that one or more classes of
equity representing more than 50% of the voting power and value
in 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 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 combined
vote 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
holder of common units 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 treated as primarily and regularly traded on an
established securities market (the Closely Held Block
Exception).
CPLP is 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, CPLPs
U.S. Source International Transportation Income (including,
for this purpose, (i) any such income earned by
subsidiaries that have properly elected to be treated as
partnerships or disregarded as entities separate from CPLP for
United States federal income tax purposes and (ii) any such
income earned by subsidiaries that are corporations for United
States 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 CPLP) will be
exempt from United States federal income taxation provided CPLP
meets the Publicly Traded Test. CPLPs common units are
listed exclusively on the Nasdaq Global Market, and based on
past trading patterns, CPLP believes that its common units have
been and are primarily traded on established
securities markets within the United States.
CPLP believes that it meets the trading volume requirements of
the Section 883 Exemption. 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 the subject equity
is regularly quoted by dealers who regularly and actively make
offers, purchases and sales of such units to unrelated
85
persons in the ordinary course of business, and CPLP believes
that such conditions will exist for the CPLP common units.
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 of shares of such class of stock
outstanding during such year, or as appropriately adjusted in
the case of a short taxable year. CPLP believes that trading of
the common units has satisfied these conditions in the past, and
expects that such conditions will continue to be satisfied.
Finally, CPLP believes that its common units represent more than
50% of its voting power and value and accordingly believes that
the common 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 CPLPs. In particular, although CPLP has elected to
be treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax
purposes, for corporate law purposes, CPLP is organized as a
limited partnership under Marshall Islands law and CPLPs
general partner is responsible for managing CPLPs business
and affairs and has been granted certain veto rights over
decisions of the CPLP Board. Accordingly, it is possible that
the IRS could assert that the common units do not meet the
regularly traded test.
CPLP expects that the common units will not lose eligibility for
the Section 883 Exemption as a result of the Closely Held
Block Exception, because the CPLP partnership agreement provides
that the voting rights of any 5% Unitholders (other than
CPLPs general partner and its affiliates, their
transferees and persons who acquired such common units with the
approval of the CPLP board of directors) are limited to a 4.9%
voting interest in CPLP regardless of how many 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
CPLPs general partner own 50% or more of the 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, CPLP believes
that it will satisfy the Publicly Traded Test. Should any of the
facts described above cease to be correct, CPLPs ability
to satisfy the Publicly Traded Test will be compromised.
Taxation
of Operating Income in the Absence of the Section 883
Exemption
If the Section 883 Exemption does not apply, CPLP would be
subject to a 4% tax on 50% of its gross U.S. Source
International Transportation Income, without benefit of
deductions, unless such income is treated as effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States (Effectively Connected Income), as described
below. CPLP does not currently anticipate that a significant
portion of its shipping income will be U.S. Source
International Transportation Income, though there can be no
assurance in this regard.
CPLPs U.S. Source International Transportation Income
would be treated as Effectively Connected Income if
(i) CPLP has a fixed place of business in the United States
and (ii) substantially all of its 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 current operations, CPLP believes that
none of its 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, CPLP does not anticipate that any of its
U.S. Source International Transportation Income will be
treated as Effectively Connected Income. However, there is no
assurance that CPLP will not earn income pursuant to regularly
scheduled transportation or bareboat charters
86
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.
Any income that CPLP earns that is treated as Effectively
Connected Income would be subject to United States federal
corporate income tax (the highest statutory rate is currently
35%). In addition, a 30% branch profits tax imposed under
Section 884 of the Code also could apply to such income,
and a branch interest tax could be imposed on certain interest
paid or deemed paid by CPLP.
Taxation
of Gain on the Sale of Vessel
Provided CPLP qualifies for the Section 883 Exemption, gain
from the sale of a vessel likewise should be exempt from tax
under Section 883. If, however, CPLP does 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.
Accounting
Treatment
CPLP intends to account for the merger as an acquisition of
Crude in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States applicable to business
combinations. Crude will be treated as the acquired entity for
such purposes. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value of the
consideration transferred by CPLP in connection with the merger
will be allocated to Crudes assets acquired and
liabilities assumed based on their fair values as of the
completion of the merger. If the fair value of Crudes net
assets is in excess of the aggregate fair value of the
consideration transferred by CPLP, the excess will be recorded
as a gain from bargain purchase. If the fair value of
Crudes net assets is less than the aggregate fair value of
the consideration transferred by CPLP, the difference will be
recorded as goodwill. The results of operations of Crude will be
included in CPLPs consolidated results of operations only
for periods subsequent to the completion of the merger.
Principal
Corporate Offices
After completion of the proposed transaction, the combined
company will maintain the headquarters and principal corporate
offices of CPLP in Piraeus, Greece.
Executive
Compensation Arrangements
None.
Treatment
of Crude Unvested Shares in the Proposed Transaction
Crude has granted shares of Crude common stock subject to
certain vesting requirements pursuant to the Crude Equity Plan,
adopted March 1, 2010. Except as described below, these
grants will be converted into equivalent grants with respect to
CPLP common units.
All shares of Crude common stock and other compensatory awards
denominated in shares of Crude common stock subject to a risk of
forfeiture, or right of repurchase by Crude (the Crude
Awards), will be converted to CPLP common units subject to
a risk of forfeiture, or right of repurchase by CPLP, with the
same terms and conditions as were applicable prior to such
conversion (the CPLP Awards), except to the extent
otherwise required by the terms of the Crude Awards or pursuant
to the Crude Equity Plan. Upon conversion, each holder of Crude
Awards will be entitled to receive a number of CPLP Awards equal
to the product of (x) the Crude Awards held by such holder
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger and
(y) 1.56.
Upon the effective time of the merger, the Crude Awards will be
converted into equivalent CPLP Awards and all the terms of such
awards will remain the same. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
transfer restrictions and forfeiture provisions relating to the
Crude Awards held by those members of the Crude Independent
Committee who are not designated by Crude to serve as a member
of the CPLP Board (an aggregate of approximately
20,000 shares of Crude common stock or the right to receive
approximately 31,200 CPLP
87
common units), will lapse immediately prior to the effective
time of the merger, and such Crude Awards will vest in full
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger.
Resale of
CPLP Common Units
The issuance of the CPLP common units that Crude shareholders
will receive in the proposed transaction will have been
registered under the Securities Act. Therefore, these units may
be traded in normal market and brokerage transactions by any
Crude shareholders following the consummation of the proposed
transaction as long as that person is not deemed to be an
affiliate of either CPLP or Crude under the
Securities Act. An affiliate, as defined by the
rules promulgated under the Securities Act, is a person who,
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
CPLP or Crude. Persons who are affiliates of CPLP or Crude at
the time the merger agreement is submitted to the vote of their
respective shareholders may not sell their CPLP common units
acquired in the proposed transaction except pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or
pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act, including Rules 144 and
145 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act. Affiliates
generally include directors, executive officers and beneficial
owners of 10% or more of any class of capital stock.
This proxy statement/prospectus does not cover any resale of
CPLP common units received in the proposed transaction by any
person that may be deemed to be an affiliate of CPLP or
Crude.
88
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS,
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The amounts and percentages of Crude common stock and Crude
Class B stock and CPLP common units beneficially owned are
reported on the basis of regulations of the SEC governing the
determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under the
rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to be a beneficial
owner of a security if that person has or shares
voting power, which includes the power to vote or to
direct the voting of that security, or investment
power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct
the disposition of that security. A person is also deemed to be
a beneficial owner of any securities as to which that person has
a right to acquire beneficial ownership presently or within
60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be
deemed a beneficial owner of the same securities, and a person
may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities as to
which that person has no economic interest.
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Executive
Officers of Crude
As of June 30, 2011, a total of 13,899,400 shares of
Crude common stock and 2,105,263 shares of Crude
Class B stock were outstanding. Each share of Crude common
stock is entitled to one vote and each share of Crude
Class B stock is entitled to ten votes on matters on which
Crude common shareholders and Crude Class B shareholders,
respectively, are eligible to vote.
The following table sets forth as of June 30, 2011 the
beneficial ownership of Crude common stock or Crude Class B
stock by each person Crude knew that beneficially owned more
than 5.0% of the outstanding shares of Crude common stock or
Crude Class B stock, and all of Crudes directors and
executive officers as a group. The number of shares beneficially
owned by each person is determined under SEC rules and the
information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial
ownership for any other purpose.
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Shares of
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Percentage of
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Common
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Percentage of
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Shares of
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Percentage of
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Total Common
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Stock
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Total Common
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Class B Stock
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Total Class B
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and Class B
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Name of Beneficial Owner
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Owned
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Stock Owned
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Owned
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Stock Owned
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Stock Owned
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All executive officers and directors as a group
(10 persons) (1)(2)(3)
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154,000
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1.11
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%
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2,105,163
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100
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%
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14.11
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%
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Ameriprise Financial Inc. and Columbia Management Investment
Advisers, LLC (4)
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1,615,064
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11.62
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%
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0
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0
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%
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10.09
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%
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Bank of America Corporation, Bank of America, NA and Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (5)
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1,043,453
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7.51
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%
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0
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0
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%
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6.52
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%
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TIAA-CREF Investment Management LLC and Teachers Advisors, Inc.
(6)
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906,928
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6.52
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%
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0
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0
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%
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5.67
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%
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Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. and Richard A. Kayne (7)
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726,570
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5.23
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%
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0
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0
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4.54
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%
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(1) |
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Other than Crudes Chairman, who owns 145,000 shares
of Crude common stock, representing a 1.04% ownership of Crude
common stock, no member of the Crude Board nor any executive
officers own shares of Crude common stock in a number
representing more than 1.00% of the outstanding shares of Crude
common stock. |
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(2) |
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The Marinakis family, including Crudes Chairman,
Mr. Marinakis, through its ownership of CCIC, may be deemed
to beneficially own, or to have beneficially owned, the Crude
Class B stock held by CCIC. Mr. Marinakis also
directly owns Crude common stock, as described in note (1). |
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(3) |
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Shares of Crude common stock were issued to all members of the
Crude Board and certain executive officers in August 2010 (March
2011 in the case of one newly elected director at the time)
under the terms of the Crude Equity Plan, which they may be
deemed to beneficially own, or to have beneficially owned. |
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(4) |
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This information is based on Amendment No. 2 to the
Schedule 13G filed with the SEC jointly by Ameriprise
Financial Inc. and Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC,
on May 10, 2011. |
89
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(5) |
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This information is based on the Schedule 13G filed with
the SEC jointly by Bank of America Corporation, Bank of America,
NA and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. on
February 14, 2011. |
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(6) |
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This information is based on the Schedule 13G filed with
the SEC jointly by TIAA-CREF Investment Management LLC and
Teachers Advisors, Inc. on February 11, 2011. |
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(7) |
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This information is based on the Schedule 13G filed with
the SEC jointly by Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. and
Richard A. Kayne on June 8, 2011. |
Holders of shares of Crude common stock and Crude Class B
stock have equivalent economic rights, but Crude common
shareholders are entitled to one vote per share and Crude
Class B shareholders are entitled to 10 votes per share.
However, the voting power of the Crude Class B stock is
limited to an aggregate maximum of 49% of the combined voting
power of Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock. Except
as otherwise provided by the MIBCA, holders of shares of Crude
common stock and Crude Class B stock vote together as a
single class on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders,
including the election of directors. In addition, if, at any
time, any person or group other than CCIC owns beneficially 5%
or more of the shares of Crude common stock then outstanding,
then any shares of common stock owned by that person or group in
excess of 4.9% may not be voted. The voting rights of any such
shareholders in excess of 4.9% shall be redistributed pro rata
among other holders of shares of Crude common stock holding less
than 5.0% of the outstanding shares of Crude common stock.
Support
Agreement
On May 5, 2011, Evangelos M. Marinakis, Chairman of the
Crude Board and CEO of Crude, Ioannis E. Lazaridis, President of
Crude, Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos, CFO of Crude, and CCIC, holder
of all of the outstanding shares of Crude Class B stock,
entered into a support agreement pursuant to which they have
agreed, subject to certain conditions, to vote their shares in
favor of the merger.
REGULATORY
MATTERS
No further regulatory filings or approvals will be required for
the completion of the merger other than the filing of the merger
agreement with the Republic of the Marshall Islands corporate
registry upon approval of the Merger Proposal by Crude
shareholders.
THE
MERGER AGREEMENT
The following section summarizes material provisions of the
merger agreement, which is included in this proxy
statement/prospectus as Appendix A and is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety. Because the following is a
summary, it does not contain all information that may be
important to you. The rights and obligations of CPLP and Crude
are governed by the express terms and conditions of the merger
agreement and not by this summary or any other information
contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. Crude shareholders
are urged to read the merger agreement carefully and in its
entirety as well as this proxy statement/prospectus before
making any decisions regarding the merger, including the
adoption of the merger agreement.
The merger agreement is included in this proxy
statement/prospectus to provide you with information regarding
its terms and is not intended to provide any factual information
about CPLP or Crude. The merger agreement contains
representations and warranties by each of the parties to the
merger agreement. These representations and warranties have been
made as of specific dates solely for the benefit of the other
parties to the merger agreement and:
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may not be intended as statements of fact, but rather as a way
of allocating the risk between the parties in the event the
statements therein prove to be inaccurate;
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have been qualified by certain disclosures that modify, qualify
or create exceptions to such representations and warranties and
that were made between the parties in connection with the
negotiation of the merger agreement, which disclosures are not
reflected in the merger agreement itself; and
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may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different
from what may be viewed as material by you or other investors.
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Accordingly, the representations and warranties are not intended
to provide you or other investors with any characterization of
the actual state of facts and circumstances and should not be
read alone, but instead, should be read together with the other
provisions of the merger agreement, the information provided
elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus and the information
in the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement/prospectus. See the section captioned Where You
Can Find More Information beginning on page 128.
This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
merger agreement.
Terms of
the Merger; Merger Consideration
The merger agreement provides that, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the merger agreement, at the effective
time of the merger, MergerCo, a corporation organized under the
laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and wholly-owned
subsidiary of CPLP, will merge with and into Crude. Crude will
be the surviving corporation in the merger and will become a
wholly-owned subsidiary of CPLP. At the effective time of the
merger, each outstanding share of Crude common stock and Crude
Class B stock (other than shares of Crude common stock and
Crude Class B stock owned by Crude, CPLP, Capital GP,
MergerCo or their respective subsidiaries, which will be
canceled and cease to exist) will be converted into the right to
receive 1.56 CPLP common units, the Crude exchange ratio.
CPLP will not issue fractions of CPLP common units pursuant to
the merger agreement. Instead, each holder of Crude common stock
or Crude Class B stock who otherwise would have been
entitled to receive a fraction of a CPLP common unit upon
exchange will receive in lieu thereof an amount in cash
calculated by multiplying (i) the closing sale price of
CPLP common units on the Nasdaq as reported by The Wall
Street Journal on the trading day immediately preceding the
date on which the effective time (as defined below) of the
merger will occur and (ii) the fraction of a CPLP common
unit to which such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive.
Completion
of the Merger
Unless the parties agree otherwise in writing, the closing of
the merger will take place on the third business day after all
conditions to the completion of the merger have been satisfied
or waived. The merger will be effective when the parties duly
file the articles of merger with the Registrar or Deputy
Registrar of Corporations in the Republic of the Marshall
Islands, or at such later date and time as the parties agree and
specify in the articles of merger (the effective
time).
CPLP and Crude currently expect the closing of the merger to
occur in the third quarter of 2011. However, as the merger is
subject to the satisfaction or waiver of other conditions
described in the merger agreement, it is possible that factors
outside the control of CPLP and Crude could result in the merger
being completed at an earlier time, a later time or not at all.
Exchange
of Shares in the Merger
Prior to the effective time, CPLP, subject to the reasonable
approval by Crude, will select an exchange agent to handle the
exchange of shares of Crude common stock and Crude Class B
stock for CPLP common units or, if applicable, cash in lieu of
fractional CPLP common units. At the effective time, shares of
Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock will be
converted into the right to receive CPLP common units or, if
applicable, cash in lieu of fractional CPLP common units,
without the need for any action by the holders of Crude common
stock or Crude Class B stock.
As soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time, CPLP
will instruct the exchange agent to send a letter of transmittal
specifying, among other things, that, in respect of certificated
shares, delivery will be effected, and risk of loss and title to
any certificates representing Crude shares will pass, only upon
proper delivery of such certificates to the exchange agent. The
letter will also include instructions explaining the
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procedure for surrendering Crude stock certificates or
book-entry shares in exchange for CPLP common units in
book-entry form or, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional
CPLP common units.
After the effective time of the merger, shares of Crude common
stock and Crude Class B stock will no longer be
outstanding, will be automatically canceled and will cease to
exist. Each certificate or book-entry share, as the case may be,
that previously represented a share of Crude common stock or
Crude Class B stock will represent only the right to
receive dividends for periods prior to the effective time that
were declared in accordance with the merger agreement, the
merger consideration as described above, any cash in lieu of
fractional CPLP common units and any dividends or distributions
to which the holders of the certificates become entitled upon
surrender of such certificates. With respect to such CPLP common
units deliverable upon the surrender of Crude stock certificates
or book-entry shares, until holders of such Crude stock
certificates or book-entry shares have surrendered such stock
certificates or book-entry shares to the exchange agent for
exchange, those holders will not receive dividends or
distributions with respect to such CPLP common units with a
record date after the effective time.
Treatment
of Crude Equity Awards
Stock-Based Awards. Prior to the effective
time, the Crude Board will adjust all outstanding Crude
stock-based awards to provide that such awards will be converted
into CPLP common units or other compensatory awards denominated
in CPLP common units, with substantially the same terms and
conditions as applicable under the Crude stock-based award. Each
holder of a Crude stock-based award will be entitled to receive
a number of stock-based awards denominated in CPLP units equal
to the product of the number of stock-based awards held by such
holder and the exchange ratio. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the transfer restrictions and forfeiture provisions relating to
Crude stock-based awards granted to Crudes five
independent directors (other than the director designated by
Crude to serve on the CPLP Board) will lapse immediately prior
to the effective time and vest in full immediately prior to the
effective time.
Crudes 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. At
the effective time, CPLP will assume all of Crudes
obligations under the Crude Equity Plan, including each
outstanding Crude stock-based award and the agreements
evidencing the grants of such awards. As soon as practicable
after the effective time, CPLP will deliver to holders of Crude
stock-based awards notices setting forth such holders
rights pursuant to the Crude Equity Plan, and the agreements
evidencing grants of such awards will continue in effect on the
same terms and conditions.
Dissenters
Rights
Under Marshall Islands law, a shareholder of a corporation has
the right to vote against any plan of merger to which the
corporation is a party. If such shareholders vote against the
plan of merger, they may have the right to seek payment from
their corporation of the appraised fair value of their shares
(instead of the contractual merger consideration). However, the
right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the
appraised fair value of his shares is not available if the
shares of such class or series of stock are (i) listed on a
securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than
2,000 holders. Since shares of Crude common stock are traded on
the NYSE, a dissenting holder of shares of Crude common stock
has no right to receive payment from Crude for the appraised
fair market value of his shares under Marshall Islands law.
Furthermore, pursuant to the Support Agreement, CCIC, as the
sole holder of Crude Class B stock, has waived any
appraisal rights it might have under Marshall Islands law.
Conduct
of Business
Each of CPLP and Crude has agreed to certain covenants in the
merger agreement restricting the conduct of its business between
the date of the merger agreement and the effective time. Among
other things, each of CPLP and Crude has agreed to (i) not
enter into a new material line of business that is not in the
shipping industry, (ii) carry on its existing business in
the ordinary course consistent with past practice and
(iii) take no action that would reasonably be expected to
prevent or materially delay or impede the consummation of the
merger or result in a material violation of the merger agreement.
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In addition, each of CPLP and Crude (except as noted below) has
agreed to specific restrictions relating to the conduct of its
business between the date of the merger agreement and the
effective time, including, but not limited to, the following
(subject, in each case, to exceptions specified below and in the
merger agreement or previously disclosed in writing to the other
party as provided in the merger agreement):
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(i) declaring or paying any special or extraordinary
distributions (in the case of CPLP only); (ii) splitting,
combining or reclassifying its common stock, Class B stock
or common units, as applicable; or (iii) repurchasing,
redeeming or otherwise acquiring any of its equity securities;
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issuing, delivering, selling, pledging or otherwise disposing of
its equity securities, other voting securities or equity
interests;
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amending its charter, bylaws or equivalent organizational
documents in a manner materially adverse to the equityholders of
the other party;
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merging or consolidating, or selling all or substantially all of
its assets;
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making any change in financial or tax accounting methods, except
as required by a change in GAAP; or
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agreeing or committing to do any of the foregoing.
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Crude has agreed to several additional restrictions, including,
but not limited to, the following (subject, in each case, to
exceptions specified below and in the merger agreement or
previously disclosed in writing to the other party as provided
in the merger agreement):
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declaring or paying any dividend greater than a $0.25 per share
dividend for each of the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and
the quarter ending June 30, 2011 or any dividend for any
period ending after June 30, 2011;
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incurring or committing to any capital expenditures or any
obligations or liabilities to unaffiliated third parties
relating to the construction of any vessel, acquiring any
vessel, or disposing of any vessel; or
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incurring any indebtedness or becoming responsible for the
indebtedness of another person, issuing or selling debt
securities, or entering any agreement to maintain the financial
condition of another person, except for (i) additional
borrowings under existing loan agreements and refinancing or
replacement of such agreements or obligations thereunder or
(ii) borrowings of up to $2.0 million principal amount
of indebtedness under short-term facilities in the aggregate.
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Representations
and Warranties
The merger agreement contains reciprocal representations and
warranties. Each of CPLP and Crude has made representations and
warranties regarding, among other things:
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organization, standing, corporate power and subsidiaries;
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capital structure;
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authority with respect to the execution and delivery of the
merger agreement and the due and valid execution, delivery and
enforceability of the merger agreement;
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absence of conflicts with, or violations of, organizational
documents, other contracts and applicable laws;
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SEC documents, financial statements, internal controls and
disclosure controls and procedures;
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status as a foreign private issuer (as defined in
the Securities Act);
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compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;
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absence of undisclosed liabilities;
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absence of certain changes and events from December 31,
2010 to the date of execution of the merger agreement;
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absence of certain litigation;
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compliance with applicable laws and permits;
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material contracts;
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maintenance of insurance;
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environmental matters;
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employee benefit plans;
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vessels, including flagging and chartering;
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inapplicability of takeover laws and dissent rights (except for
dissent rights available to holders of Crude Class B stock);
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opinions of financial advisors;
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approvals of the committees of independent directors and boards
of directors of CPLP and Crude;
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brokers fees payable in connection with the merger;
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tax matters;
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collective bargaining agreement;
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regulation as an investment company;
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export and sanctions laws; and
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accuracy of information supplied or to be supplied for use in
this proxy statement/prospectus.
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The merger agreement also contains certain representations and
warranties of CPLP with respect to its wholly-owned subsidiary,
MergerCo, including, without limitation, corporate organization,
lack of prior business activities, capitalization and authority
with respect to the execution and delivery of the merger
agreement.
Many of the representations and warranties in the merger
agreement are qualified by a materiality or
material adverse effect standard (that is, they will
not be deemed to be untrue or incorrect unless their failure to
be true or correct, individually or in the aggregate, would, as
the case may be, be material or have a material adverse effect).
For purposes of the merger agreement, a material adverse
effect means, with respect to a party, any events,
circumstances, changes, developments, violations, inaccuracies,
effects or other matters that, individually or taken together,
(i) are or could reasonably be expected to be materially
adverse to the financial condition, results of operations,
business, assets or properties of such party and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) materially impair
or could reasonably be expected to materially impair the ability
of such party to perform its respective obligations under the
merger agreement or otherwise materially threaten or materially
impede the consummation of the merger and the other transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement, except that the definition
of material adverse effect excludes the following or
the impact thereof:
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circumstances affecting the shipping or shipbuilding and repair
industries generally, or in any region in which such party
operates (unless such condition is disproportionately adverse as
compared to others in the shipping industry or geographic
region);
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any general market, economic, financial or political conditions,
or outbreak or hostilities or war, in the United States or
elsewhere (unless such condition is disproportionately adverse
as compared to others in the shipping industry or geographic
region);
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changes in law or changes in GAAP (unless such condition is
disproportionately adverse as compared to others in the shipping
industry or geographic region);
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earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, volcanic eruptions or other
natural disasters (unless such condition is disproportionately
adverse as compared to others in the shipping industry or
geographic region);
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any failure of such party to meet any internal or external
projections, forecasts or estimates of revenue or earnings for
any period (however, any change or failure will not prevent or
affect a determination that the event, circumstance, change,
development, violation, inaccuracy, effect or other matter
underlying such change or failure has resulted in, or
contributed to, a material adverse effect);
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changes in the market price or trading volume of Crude common
stock or CPLP common units (however, any change or failure will
not prevent or affect a determination that the event,
circumstance, change, development, violation, inaccuracy, effect
or other matter underlying such change or failure has resulted
in, or contributed to, a material adverse effect); or
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the entry into, announcement or pendency of the merger agreement
or the matters contemplated by the merger agreement or the
compliance by any party with the provisions of the merger
agreement (other than with respect to an acquisition proposal or
a company change in recommendation, both as defined below) or
any action taken or omitted to be taken by the such party at the
written request or with the prior written consent of the other
party (except that this exclusion does not apply to that portion
of any representation or warranty that expressly address the
foregoing).
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Efforts
to Obtain Required Shareholder Votes
Crude has agreed to hold a special meeting of its shareholders
and to take all reasonable lawful action to solicit and obtain
shareholder approval for the proposal to adopt the merger
agreement. The merger agreement requires Crude to submit the
merger agreement to a shareholder vote even if the Crude Board
no longer recommends adoption of the merger agreement. Upon the
recommendation by the Crude Independent Committee, the Crude
Board has (i) determined that the merger agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are
fair and reasonable to, and in the best interests of, Crude and
the Unaffiliated Shareholders, (ii) adopted and approved
the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the merger and (iii) resolved to recommend to the
Crude shareholders that they approve the merger agreement and
the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger (the
company recommendation).
Acquisition
Proposals and a Company Change in Recommendation
Crude and its subsidiaries will not, and will use their
commercially reasonable best efforts to cause their various
representatives not to, (i) initiate, solicit, facilitate
or encourage any acquisition proposal (as defined below),
(ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations
regarding, or furnish to any person any non-public information
regarding, any acquisition proposal or (iii) waive any
standstill agreement. Crude may furnish information
to, or enter into or participate in discussions or negotiations
with, any person that makes an unsolicited written acquisition
proposal if (i) the Crude Board, after consultation with
its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, determines in
good faith (A) that such acquisition proposal is likely to
result in a superior proposal (as defined below) and
(B) that failure to constitutes or take such action is
inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Crude Board and
(ii) prior to furnishing non-public information, Crude
receives an executed confidentiality agreement from the
receiving party.
The Crude Board may not (i)(A) withdraw, modify or qualify, in
any manner adverse to CPLP, the company recommendation or
(B) publicly approve or recommend any acquisition proposal
(the actions in this clause (i) being referred to as a
company change in recommendation) or
(ii) approve, adopt or recommend, or allow Crude or any of
its subsidiaries to execute or enter into, any agreement or any
tender or exchange offer in connection with, any acquisition
proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to
obtaining Crudes shareholder approval, the Crude Board may
(x) make a company change in recommendation or (y) in
connection with a superior proposal, terminate the merger
agreement if it has concluded in good faith, after consultation
with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that
failure to take such action would constitute or would be
reasonably likely to constitute a violation of its fiduciary
duties to the shareholders under applicable law. However, the
Crude Board will not be entitled to make a company change
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in recommendation pursuant to the previous sentence (or to
terminate the merger agreement in order to enter into a
transaction that the Crude Board has determined is a superior
proposal) unless Crude and its subsidiaries: (i) complied
in all material respects with their obligations regarding
non-solicitation under the merger agreement, (ii) provided
to CPLP and the Conflicts Committee of the CPLP Board three
business days prior written notice (such notice being referred
to as a notice of proposed recommendation change)
advising CPLP that the Crude Board intends to take such action
and specifying the reasons therefor in reasonable detail,
including, if applicable, the terms and conditions of any
purported superior proposal that is the basis of the proposed
action and the identity of the person making the proposal and
contemporaneously providing a copy of all relevant proposed
transaction documents for such superior proposal (it being
understood and agreed that any amendment to the terms of any
such superior proposal will require a new notice of proposed
recommendation change and an additional three business day
period), (iii) during such period, Crude will negotiate in
good faith with CPLP (to the extent that CPLP wishes to
negotiate) to amend the merger agreement so that the Crude Board
may proceed with the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement
and/or the
company recommendation and at the end of such period maintain
the company recommendation (after taking into account any agreed
modification to the terms of the merger agreement), in each case
as applicable, and (iv) if applicable, provide to CPLP all
materials and information delivered or made available to the
person making any acquisition proposal in connection with such
acquisition proposal (to the extent not previously provided).
If the Crude Board undertakes a company change in
recommendation, the board will nonetheless continue to be
obligated to hold its shareholders meeting and submit the
proposals described in this proxy statement/prospectus to its
shareholders for their vote.
The merger agreement requires Crude to notify CPLP within
twenty-four hours of, among other things, the receipt of an
acquisition proposal. Any such notification will include the
material terms and conditions of such acquisition proposal
(including any changes thereto) and identity of the person
making the acquisition proposal. Crude must keep CPLP informed
of any material developments regarding the acquisition proposal.
An acquisition proposal means any proposal or offer
from or by any person, whether in writing or otherwise, other
than CPLP, Capital GP or MergerCo, relating to (i) any
direct or indirect acquisition of (A) 20% or more of the
assets (including stock or equity interests of a subsidiary) of
Crude and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (B) 20% or
more of the outstanding equity securities of Crude or (C) a
business or businesses that constitute 20% or more of the cash
flow, net revenues, net income or assets of Crude and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (ii) any tender offer or
exchange offer, within the meaning of the Exchange Act, that, if
consummated, would result in any person beneficially owning
securities representing 20% or more of the total voting power of
Crude; or (iii) any merger, consolidation, amalgamation
business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution
or similar transaction involving Crude or any significant Crude
subsidiary, other than the merger, whether pursuant to a single
transaction or a series of transactions.
A superior proposal is any bona fide acquisition
proposal (except that references to 20% or more
within the definition of acquisition proposal will
be replaced by 50% or more) made by a third party,
that is not subject to a financing condition, on terms that the
Crude Board determines, in its good faith judgment and after
consulting with its financial advisor and outside legal counsel,
and taking into account the financial, legal, regulatory and
other aspects of the acquisition proposal (including, without
limitation, any conditions to and the expected timing of
consummation and any risks of non-consummation), to be more
favorable to the holders of Crude common stock and Crude
Class B stock, from a financial point of view, than the
merger (taking into account any revised proposal by the CPLP
Board on behalf of CPLP).
Efforts
to Complete the Merger
CPLP and Crude have each agreed to use commercially reasonable
best efforts in good faith to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary,
proper, desirable or advisable under applicable law to permit
consummation of the merger promptly and otherwise enable
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement, including obtaining any third-party approval, using
commercially reasonable best efforts to lift or rescind any
injunction or restraining order,
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defending any litigation seeking to enjoin, prevent or delay the
merger or seeking material damages and cooperating fully with
the other parties to that end.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither CPLP nor Crude is
required under the merger agreement to take measures that would
have a material adverse effect on the party and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Governance
Matters after the Merger
Prior to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement, Capital GP will cause the CPLP Partnership
Agreement to be amended to:
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modify the ability of Capital GP to acquire the remaining
outstanding units of any class of CPLP units held by all
unitholders other than Capital GP or its affiliates if Capital
GP or its affiliates hold at least 80% of all such units in such
class, so that such right is triggered at 90% instead of
80%; and
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provide that the CPLP Board will consist of eight members.
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Prior to the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus, Crude
has agreed to designate one member of the Crude Independent
Committee to serve as a member of the CPLP Board following the
effective time. The director so designated will serve as either
a class I or class II director on the CPLP Board
(whichever class would have a longer then-remaining term as of
the effective time), and the CPLP Board will appoint such
director to CPLPs audit committee and conflicts committee.
All seven members of the CPLP Board serving immediately prior to
the effective time will continue to serve as members of the CPLP
Board.
Other
Covenants and Agreements
The merger agreement contains certain other covenants and
agreements, including covenants relating to:
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cooperation between Crude and CPLP in the preparation of this
proxy statement/prospectus;
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cooperation between Crude and CPLP in connection with public
announcements;
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confidentiality and access by each party to certain information
about the other party during the period prior to the effective
time;
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Crudes delivery of a list of affiliates under
Rule 145 of the Securities Act and its use of its
commercially reasonable best efforts to cause such persons not
to sell any securities received under the merger in violation of
registration requirements of the Securities Act;
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any action that would subject the transactions contemplated to
the merger agreement to takeover laws;
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CPLPs use of its commercially reasonable best effort to
ensure that the CPLP common units to be issued in the merger are
authorized for listing on the Nasdaq;
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cooperation between Crude and CPLP to obtain all material
consents and approvals necessary to consummate the merger;
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each partys notification of the other party of facts and
circumstances reasonably likely to result in a material adverse
effect or material breach or failure of a condition of the
merger agreement;
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Crudes consultation with Capital GP regarding the
declaration and payment of distributions and dividends in
respect of Crude common stock so that no applicable unitholder
of CPLP will receive two distributions, or fail to receive on
distribution, for a calendar quarter with respect to the merger
consideration received by such shareholder;
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entry into an amended CPLP Omnibus Agreement to contain terms
similar to Crudes business opportunities agreement,
including the parties negotiation in good faith of reasonable
time periods pursuant to which CPLP may elect to pursue certain
business opportunities;
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each partys use of its commercially reasonable best
efforts to cause the merger to qualify as a reorganization
within the meaning of the Code; and
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MergerCos adoption of the merger agreement.
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Conditions
to Completion of the Proposed Transaction
The obligations of CPLP and Crude to complete the merger are
subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the
following:
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adoption of the merger agreement by the affirmative vote of
(i) the holders of a majority of the voting power of
outstanding shares of Crude common stock and Crude Class B
stock, voting together as a class, (ii) the holders of a
majority of the voting power of outstanding shares of Crude
Class B stock, voting separately, and (iii) the
holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding
shares of Crude common stock that are held by the Unaffiliated
Shareholders, voting separately;
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all filings required to be made prior to the effective time, and
all other consents, approvals, permits and authorizations
required to be obtained prior to the effective time from any
governmental authority in connection with the merger agreement
shall have been made or obtained (except for any approvals the
failure of which to obtain would not constitute a material
adverse effect on Crude or CPLP);
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absence of any action, proceeding, investigation order, decree
or injunction of any court or agency that enjoins, prohibits or
makes illegal the consummation of the merger or the other
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;
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all consents shall have been obtained and are in full force and
effect (except for any consent the failure of which to obtain
would not constitute a material adverse effect on Crude or CPLP);
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effectiveness of the registration statement of which this proxy
statement/prospectus forms a part and the absence of a stop
order or proceedings threatened or initiated by the SEC for that
purpose;
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|
receipt of tax opinions regarding the treatment of the merger as
a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code;
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authorization for the listing on the Nasdaq of the CPLP common
units to be issued to Crude shareholders pursuant to the merger,
subject to official notice of issuance; and
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effectiveness of the amendments to the CPLP Partnership
Agreement and the CPLP Omnibus Agreement.
|
In addition, each of CPLPs and Crudes obligations to
effect the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
the following additional conditions:
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|
(i) the representations and warranties of the other party
related to organization, standing and corporate power; capital
structure; authority with respect to execution and delivery of
the merger agreement; and absence of certain changes or events
since December 31, 2010 will be true and correct (other
than any inaccuracies that are de minimis in the aggregate) as
of the date of the merger agreement and as of the date of the
closing of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement
as though made on and as of that date (except to the extent that
such representations and warranties speak as of another date, in
which case such representations and warranties shall be so true
and correct as of such other date), and (ii) each of the
other representations and warranties of such party set forth in
the merger agreement (disregarding for this purpose all
qualifications and exceptions contained therein relating to
materiality or material adverse effect), shall be true and
correct as of the date of the merger agreement and as of the
date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement as though made on and as of that date (except
to the extent that such representations and warranties speak as
of another date, in which case such representations and
warranties shall be so true and correct as of such other date),
except as would not constitute a material adverse effect on such
party;
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each of the agreements and covenants to be performed and
complied with by the other party pursuant to the merger
agreement has been performed and complied with in all material
respects; and
|
98
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|
|
each party shall have received a certificate executed by the
other partys chief executive officer as to the
satisfaction of the conditions described in the preceding two
bullets.
|
Termination
of the Merger Agreement
The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
effective time, even after the receipt of the required
shareholder approvals, under the following circumstances:
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by mutual written consent of Crude and CPLP;
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|
by either Crude or CPLP upon written notice if:
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the merger is not consummated by the termination date, provided
that no party may terminate the merger agreement if such
partys failure to fulfill any material obligation under
the merger agreement or other material breach of the merger
agreement has been the primary cause of, or resulted in, the
failure to close by the termination date;
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|
any governmental authority has issued a final, non-appealable
order prohibiting the consummation of the merger or the merger
becomes illegal, provided that the terminating party is not in
breach of the merger agreement;
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Crude fails to obtain the requisite shareholder approvals,
provided that, in the case of termination by Crude, Crudes
material breach of the merger agreement did not cause the
failure to obtain approval;
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there is a material breach of or inaccuracy in any of the
representations or warranties on the part of the other party
that is not cured within 30 days following written notice
or cannot be cured and the terminating party is not then in
material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
other agreement contained in the merger agreement;
provided, however, that no party will have the
right to terminate the merger agreement pursuant to this section
unless the breach or inaccuracy of a representation or warranty,
together with all other such breaches or inaccuracies, would
entitle the party receiving such representation not to
consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement
due to a failure of a condition;
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there is a material breach of any covenant or agreement on the
part of the other party that is not cured within 30 days
following written notice or cannot be cured and the terminating
party is not then in material breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or other agreement contained in the merger
agreement; provided, however, that no party will
have the right to terminate the merger agreement pursuant to
this section unless the breach of covenants or agreement,
together with all other such breaches, would entitle the party
receiving such representation not to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement due to a failure of a
condition;
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by CPLP, upon written notice to Crude, in the event of a company
change in recommendation;
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by Crude, upon written notice to CPLP, if after the date of the
merger agreement but prior to obtaining approval of the
shareholders of Crude, Crude receives an acquisition proposal
that it determines in good faith is a superior proposal and
makes a company change in recommendation, Crude has not
intentionally breached the non-solicitation covenant, and the
Crude Board concurrently approves and Crude concurrently enters
into a definitive agreement with respect to the superior
proposal and pays the termination fee described in the section
captioned Termination Fees and Reimbursement of
Expenses; or
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by CPLP should any permanent injunction or court order
(i) require or permit Crude, its subsidiaries or its
representatives to act or fail to act in a manner that would, in
the absence of the injunction or court order, constitute a
material violation of the non-solicitation provision of the
merger agreement or (ii) reduce or otherwise limit the
rights of CPLP, Capital GP or MergerCo in any material respect
under such non-solicitation provision.
|
99
Termination
Fees and Reimbursement of Expenses
Each party will pay all costs and expenses incurred by it in
connection with the merger and the other transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement; provided,
however, that CPLP will pay any and all property or
transfer taxes imposed on either party in connection with the
merger, and the parties will share equally the fees and expenses
in relation to the filing, printing and mailing of this proxy
statement/prospectus.
If the merger agreement is validly terminated, the merger
agreement will become void and have no effect, without any
liability or obligation on the part of any party, except as
expressly set forth therein, and unless a party fraudulently or
willfully breaches the merger agreement.
Crude will be obligated to pay a termination fee of
$9.0 million, less previously paid expenses, to CPLP if:
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the merger agreement is terminated by CPLP because the Crude
Board made a company change in recommendation or Crude
terminates the agreement to enter into a definitive agreement
with respect to a superior proposal; or
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(i) an acquisition proposal is publicly proposed by any
person and is not withdrawn prior to the termination of the
merger agreement, (ii) thereafter the merger agreement is
terminated by either Crude or CPLP because the termination date
has passed, Crude fails to obtain shareholder approval, the
other party materially breaches its representations and
warranties or the other party materially breaches its covenants
and agreements and (iii) within twelve months Crude enters
into a definitive agreement relating to an acquisition proposal
or consummates an acquisition proposal; provided,
however, that the termination fee will be reduced by any
expenses previously paid to CPLP.
|
If the merger agreement is terminated by Crude because of
CPLPs breach of its representations and warranties or
covenants and agreements, CPLP will pay Crude the expenses of
Crude incurred in connection with the merger, up to
$3.0 million. If the merger agreement is terminated by CPLP
because of Crudes breach of its representations and
warranties or covenants and agreements, Crude will pay CPLP the
expenses of CPLP incurred in connection with the merger, up to
$3.0 million.
Waiver;
Amendment
Prior to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement, any provision of the merger agreement may be
(i) waived in writing by the party benefited by the
provision and approved by the Crude Independent Committee or the
Conflicts Committee of the CPLP Board (as applicable) and
executed in the same manner as the merger agreement, or
(ii) amended or modified at any time, whether before or
after Crudes shareholders approve the merger, by an
agreement in writing between the parties hereto approved by the
boards of directors of each party and executed in the same
manner as the merger agreement; provided, however,
that, after Crudes shareholder approve the merger
agreement, no amendment will be made that requires further
approval by Crudes shareholders without such approval.
Indemnification
and Insurance; Rights of Third Parties
While the merger agreement is not intended to confer upon any
person other than CPLP, Crude and MergerCo any rights or
remedies, it provides limited exceptions. CPLP has agreed to
assume all rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses
and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring
at or prior to the effective time of the merger existing in
favor of the current or former directors and officers of Crude.
CPLP has also agreed to purchase a tail
directors and officers liability insurance policy
for Crude and its current and former directors and officers and
employees who are currently covered by the liability insurance
coverage currently maintained by Crude. The indemnification and
insurance obligations of CPLP and the surviving corporation will
survive the consummation of the merger and, for a period of six
years from the effective date, will not be amended, repealed or
otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely affect any
indemnified party (it being expressly agreed that the
indemnified parties to whom the section applies will be third
party beneficiaries, each of whom may enforce the
indemnification and insurance provisions of the merger
agreement).
100
Specific
Performance
CPLP and Crude acknowledged and agreed in the merger agreement
that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of the merger agreement were not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached.
Each party is entitled to seek an injunction to prevent breaches
of the merger agreement and to enforce specifically the terms
and provisions of the merger agreement exclusively in the Court
of Chancery in the State of Delaware, or if (but only if) that
court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such action
or proceeding, in the United States District Court for the
District of Delaware.
COMPARATIVE
STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS
The Crude common stock is listed and traded on the NYSE under
the trading symbol CRU. CPLP common units are listed
on Nasdaq under the trading symbol CPLP. The
following table sets forth, during the periods indicated, the
high and low closing prices per share of Crude common stock, as
reported on the NYSE, and the high and low closing prices per
unit of CPLP common units, as reported on Nasdaq, as well as
historical cash dividends and distributions, as the case may be,
declared per share of Crude common stock and per unit of CPLP
common units.
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|
|
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|
Crude Common Stock
|
|
|
CPLP Common Units
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Dividends
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Distributions
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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$
|
19.85
|
|
|
$
|
10.44
|
|
|
$
|
0.41
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.85
|
|
|
$
|
5.70
|
|
|
$
|
1.05
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.61
|
|
|
$
|
5.23
|
|
|
$
|
0.41
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.38
|
|
|
$
|
6.75
|
|
|
$
|
0.41
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.21
|
|
|
$
|
7.55
|
|
|
$
|
0.41
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.41
|
|
|
$
|
7.53
|
|
|
$
|
0.41
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
18.55
|
|
|
$
|
16.30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.01
|
|
|
$
|
7.36
|
|
|
$
|
0.225
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
18.89
|
|
|
$
|
15.24
|
|
|
$
|
0.50
|
|
|
$
|
9.10
|
|
|
$
|
6.88
|
|
|
$
|
0.225
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$
|
18.65
|
|
|
$
|
16.12
|
|
|
$
|
0.20
|
|
|
$
|
9.18
|
|
|
$
|
7.99
|
|
|
$
|
0.2325
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
18.24
|
|
|
$
|
15.60
|
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
|
$
|
9.75
|
|
|
$
|
8.19
|
|
|
$
|
0.2325
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
17.02
|
|
|
$
|
14.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.25
|
|
|
$
|
10.79
|
|
|
$
|
9.34
|
|
|
$
|
0.2325
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
15.29
|
|
|
$
|
11.74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11.31
|
|
|
$
|
7.88
|
|
|
$
|
0.2325
|
|
Third Quarter (through August 4, 2011)
|
|
$
|
13.53
|
|
|
$
|
10.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9.30
|
|
|
$
|
6.94
|
|
|
|
|
|
On May 4, 2011, which was the last trading day prior to the
public announcement of the execution of the merger agreement,
the closing price for a share of Crude common stock was $12.99,
and the closing price for a CPLP common unit was $11.27. On
August 4, 2011, the most recent practicable date prior to
the printing of this proxy statement/prospectus, the closing
price for a share of Crude common stock was $10.11, and the
closing price for a CPLP common unit was $6.94. The averages of
the closing prices per share of Crude common stock and per CPLP
common unit for certain periods prior to the public announcement
of the execution of the merger agreement are as follows:
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|
Crude Common
|
|
|
CPLP Common
|
|
|
|
Stock (NYSE)
|
|
|
Units (Nasdaq)
|
|
|
30 consecutive trading day average ending May 4, 2011
|
|
$
|
14.05
|
|
|
$
|
10.81
|
|
60 consecutive trading day average ending May 4, 2011
|
|
$
|
14.53
|
|
|
$
|
10.26
|
|
90 consecutive trading day average ending May 4, 2011
|
|
$
|
15.10
|
|
|
$
|
10.11
|
|
We encourage you to obtain current market quotations for both
Crude common stock and CPLP common units prior to making any
decision with respect to the proposed transaction.
101
The merger agreement provides that Crude may not declare or pay
any dividends except the declaration and payment of a regular
quarterly dividend for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and
the quarter ending June 30, 2011, in each case not in
excess of $0.25 per share of each of Crude common stock and
Crude Class B stock. The respective boards of directors of
Crude and CPLP will continue to evaluate their respective
dividend and distribution policies in light of applicable
business, financial, legal and regulatory considerations.
CPLP has a cash distribution target of $0.93 per unit. The
payment of distributions by CPLP following the merger, however,
will be subject to approval and declaration by the CPLP Board
and will depend on a variety of factors, including business,
financial, legal and regulatory considerations and covenants
under the combined companys credit facilities.
102
UNAUDITED
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
At the time the proposed transaction is completed:
|
|
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|
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MergerCo will be merged with and into Crude, with Crude
continuing as the surviving corporation, as a result of which
Crude will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPLP;
|
The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance
sheet as at June 30, 2011 is presented in thousands of
U.S. dollars and reflects the combination of Crude and CPLP
using the acquisition method of accounting as if the proposed
transaction closed on June 30, 2011. The unaudited pro
forma condensed combined income statement for the year ended
December 31, 2010 and six months ended June 30, 2011
are presented in thousands of U.S. dollars and reflect the
combination of Crude and CPLP as if the proposed transaction
closed on January 1, 2010 and was carried forward through
the six months ended June 30, 2011.
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
information was derived from and should be read in conjunction
with Crudes audited consolidated financial statements and
the related notes included in Crudes Annual Report on
Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on
April 18, 2011, Crudes unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements for the six months ended
June 30, 2011, furnished to the SEC on August 5, 2011,
CPLPs audited consolidated financial statements included
in CPLPs Annual Report on
Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on
February 4, 2011, and CPLPs unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements for the six months ended
June 30, 2011, furnished to the SEC on August 5, 2011,
all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information
does not reflect future events that may occur after the proposed
transaction, including the potential realization of operating
cost savings, general and administrative synergies or
restructuring or other costs relating to the integration of the
two companies. The unaudited pro forma condensed financial
information was prepared in accordance with Article 11 of
Regulation S-X
of the SEC.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information
is provided for informational purposes only and is not
necessarily indicative of the financial position or results of
operations that would have occurred if the proposed transaction
had been completed on June 30, 2011 in the case of balance
sheet information, and January 1, 2010 and carried forward
through the six months ended June 30, 2011 in the case of
income statement information, nor are they necessarily
indicative of the future operating results or financial position
of the company. In addition, the unaudited pro forma financial
information does not purport to indicate the financial position
or results of operations of any future date or any future
period. The pro forma adjustments are preliminary, subject to
change and are based upon available information and certain
assumptions that Crude and CPLP believe are reasonable on the
date of this prospectus.
The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial information should be read in conjunction with the
historical financial statements and the managements
discussion and analysis of Crude and CPLP, which are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See the section
captioned Where You Can Find More Information,
beginning on page 128.
103
UNAUDITED
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF JUNE 30, 2011
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed
|
|
|
|
Product
|
|
|
Crude
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
Partners
|
|
|
Carriers
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
|
|
|
|
L.P.
|
|
|
Corp.
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Sheet
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except unit and share data)(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
37,868
|
|
|
$
|
7,576
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
45,444
|
|
Trade accounts receivable
|
|
|
2,380
|
|
|
|
4,280
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,660
|
|
Due from related parties
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Prepayments and other
|
|
|
458
|
|
|
|
350
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
808
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
272
|
|
|
|
3,216
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,488
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
$
|
40,981
|
|
|
$
|
15,422
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
56,403
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vessel, net
|
|
|
743,008
|
|
|
|
385,327
|
|
|
|
6,423
|
|
|
|
2
|
(b)
|
|
|
1,134,758
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fixed assets
|
|
$
|
743,008
|
|
|
$
|
385,327
|
|
|
$
|
6,423
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,134,758
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other non-current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Above market acquired bare-boat charter
|
|
|
55,075
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,075
|
|
Deferred finance charges
|
|
|
2,435
|
|
|
|
1,770
|
|
|
|
(1,464
|
)
|
|
|
2
|
(c)
|
|
|
2,741
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
5,500
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total non-current assets
|
|
$
|
806,018
|
|
|
$
|
392,097
|
|
|
$
|
4,959
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,203,074
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
846,999
|
|
|
$
|
407,519
|
|
|
$
|
4,959
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,259,477
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS CAPITAL/STOCKHOLDERS
EQUITY
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
19,305
|
|
|
$
|
(19,305
|
)
|
|
|
2
|
(c)
|
|
$
|
|
|
Trade accounts payable
|
|
|
2,215
|
|
|
|
4,810
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,025
|
|
Due to related parties
|
|
|
5,782
|
|
|
|
2,930
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,712
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
1,110
|
|
|
|
3,303
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,413
|
|
Deferred revenue current
|
|
|
4,106
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,106
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
$
|
13,213
|
|
|
$
|
30,348
|
|
|
$
|
(19,305
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
24,256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
499,000
|
|
|
|
115,275
|
|
|
|
19,305
|
|
|
|
2
|
(c)
|
|
|
633,580
|
|
Deferred revenue long term
|
|
|
3,301
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,301
|
|
Derivative instruments
|
|
|
23,877
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,877
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term liabilities
|
|
$
|
526,178
|
|
|
$
|
115,275
|
|
|
$
|
19,305
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
660,758
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
$
|
539,391
|
|
|
$
|
145,623
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
685,014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partners Capital / Stockholders Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,725
|
|
|
|
2
|
(d)
|
|
|
|
|
General Partner
|
|
|
7,045
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,583
|
|
|
|
2
|
(a)
|
|
|
12,353
|
|
Limited Partners Common (44,904,183 units
issued and outstanding at June 30, 2011)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
182,508
|
|
|
|
2
|
(d)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,558
|
|
|
|
2
|
(a)
|
|
|
582,224
|
|
|
|
|
320,677
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,481
|
|
|
|
2
|
(a)
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(20,114
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20,114
|
)
|
Common stock (par value $0.0001 per share: 1 billion shares
authorized; 13,899,400 issued and outstanding at June 30,
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
2
|
(e)
|
|
|
|
|
Class B Stock, par value $0.0001 per share:
100 million shares authorized; 2,105,263 shares issued
and outstanding at June 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
281,843
|
|
|
|
(281,843
|
)
|
|
|
2
|
(e)
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19,949
|
)
|
|
|
19,949
|
|
|
|
2
|
(e)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total partners capital/stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
307,608
|
|
|
$
|
261,896
|
|
|
$
|
4,959
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
574,463
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and partners
capital/stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
846,999
|
|
|
$
|
407,519
|
|
|
$
|
4,959
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,259,477
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)
Business Combinations establishes principles and
requirements for how the acquirer of a business combination
account for the acquisition related costs.
ASC 805.10.25.23 states that these costs shall account
for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred
and the services are received, with the exception of the costs
to issue debt or equity securities. Crude and CPLP expect to
incur approximately $4,000 and $4,000 respectively, in fees and
costs associated with the merger. For the six month period ended
June 30, 2011, Crude and CPLP have already recognized the
amounts of $1.9 million and $2.3 million,
respectively, in costs associated with the merger, under general
and administrative expenses. The remaining merger costs will be
expensed in the periods as incurred and therefore are not
reflected in the pro forma condensed combined financial
information. |
104
UNAUDITED
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed
|
|
|
|
Product
|
|
|
Crude
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
Partners
|
|
|
Carriers
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
|
L.P.
|
|
|
Corp.
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Statement
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
113,562
|
|
|
$
|
55,882
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
169,444
|
|
Revenues related party
|
|
|
11,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
$
|
124,592
|
|
|
$
|
55,882
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
180,474
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voyage expenses
|
|
|
7,009
|
|
|
|
18,482
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,491
|
|
Voyage expenses related party
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
611
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
611
|
|
Vessel operating expenses related party
|
|
|
30,261
|
|
|
|
1,086
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,347
|
|
Vessel operating expenses
|
|
|
1,034
|
|
|
|
9,152
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,186
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
3,506
|
|
|
|
3,264
|
|
|
|
(267
|
)
|
|
|
2
|
(f)
|
|
|
6,503
|
|
Vessel depreciation
|
|
|
31,464
|
|
|
|
11,317
|
|
|
|
(1,016
|
)
|
|
|
2
|
(g)
|
|
|
41,765
|
|
Other operating income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,286
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,286
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$
|
51,318
|
|
|
$
|
13,256
|
|
|
$
|
1,283
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
65,857
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense), net:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense & finance cost
|
|
|
(33,259
|
)
|
|
|
(3,687
|
)
|
|
|
2,357
|
|
|
|
2
|
(h)
|
|
|
(34,589
|
)
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
860
|
|
|
|
328
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,188
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense), net
|
|
$
|
(32,399
|
)
|
|
$
|
(3,359
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,357
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(33,401
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
18,919
|
|
|
$
|
9,897
|
|
|
$
|
3,640
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
32,456
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to Capital Maritime operations
|
|
|
983
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
983
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partnerships / Companys net income
|
|
$
|
17,936
|
|
|
$
|
9,897
|
|
|
$
|
3,640
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
31,473
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Partner interest in Partnerships net income
|
|
$
|
359
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
629
|
|
Limited Partners interest in Partnerships net income
|
|
$
|
17,577
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
30,844
|
|
Net income per:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common units (basic and diluted)
|
|
$
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.59
|
|
Weighted-average units outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common units (basic and diluted)(*)
|
|
|
32,437,314
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,069,715
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
The pro forma weighted average number of units, basic and
diluted, presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined
income statement for the year ended December 31, 2010
include (i) CPLP weighted average number of units for the
year ended December 31, 2010, (ii) Crude weighted
average number of common and class B shares for the year
ended December 31, 2010 multiplied by the exchange ratio of
1.56 and (iii) the weighted average of 20,000 Crude shares
representing awards, to a number of members of the Crude
Independent Committee who are not designated by Crude to serve
as members of the CPLP Board, whose vesting will be accelerated
upon closing of the merger multiplied by the exchange ratio of
1.56. |
105
The two class method which was used to calculate pro forma
combined earnings per unit for the year ended December 31,
2010 as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit data)
|
|
|
Numerators
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partnerships pro forma combined net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
31,473
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Partners interest in Partnerships pro forma
combined net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(629
|
)
|
Partnerships pro forma combined net income allocable to
unvested units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(276
|
)
|
Partnerships pro forma combined net income available to
common unit holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
30,568
|
|
Denominators
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
Adjustment
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
CPLP weighted average number of common units outstanding, basic
and diluted
|
|
|
32,437,314
|
|
|
|
(394,925
|
)
|
|
|
32,042,389
|
|
Weighted average number of common units outstanding,
representing converted Crude weighted average number of shares,
basic and diluted (12,831,290 X 1.56)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,016,812
|
|
|
|
20,016,812
|
|
Weighted average number of common units outstanding,
representing converted Crude share based payment awards whose
vesting will be accelerated, basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,514
|
|
|
|
10,514
|
|
Total weighted average number of units
|
|
|
32,437,314
|
|
|
|
19,632,401
|
|
|
|
52,069,715
|
|
Pro forma combined net income per common unit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.59
|
|
The pro forma adjustment of 394,925 for the year ended
December 31, 2010 represents the weighted average number of
499,190 common units that must be converted into general partner
units in order for Capital GP to maintain its 2% interest in
CPLP.
106
UNAUDITED
PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed
|
|
|
|
Product
|
|
|
Crude
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
Partners
|
|
|
Carriers
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
|
L.P.
|
|
|
Corp.
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Statement
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
43,909
|
|
|
$
|
22,621
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
66,530
|
|
Revenues related party
|
|
|
11,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,597
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
$
|
55,506
|
|
|
$
|
22,621
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
78,127
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voyage expenses
|
|
|
1,776
|
|
|
|
7,023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,799
|
|
Voyage expenses related party
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
284
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
284
|
|
Vessel operating expenses related party
|
|
|
14,903
|
|
|
|
779
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,682
|
|
Vessel operating expenses
|
|
|
79
|
|
|
|
7,245
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,324
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
5,195
|
|
|
|
4,604
|
|
|
|
(305
|
)
|
|
|
2
|
(f)
|
|
|
9,494
|
|
Vessel depreciation
|
|
|
16,350
|
|
|
|
8,011
|
|
|
|
(512
|
)
|
|
|
2
|
(g)
|
|
|
23,849
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$
|
17,203
|
|
|
$
|
(5,325
|
)
|
|
$
|
817
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,695
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income (expense), net:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense & finance cost
|
|
|
(16,469
|
)
|
|
|
(2,705
|
)
|
|
|
1,603
|
|
|
|
2
|
(h)
|
|
|
(17,571
|
)
|
Gain from bargain purchase
|
|
|
16,526
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,526
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
281
|
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
338
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total other income (expense), net
|
|
$
|
338
|
|
|
$
|
(2,648
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,603
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(707
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partnerships net income / Companys net (loss)
|
|
$
|
17,541
|
|
|
$
|
(7,973
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,420
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,988
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Partner interest in Partnerships net income
|
|
|
351
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
240
|
|
Limited Partners interest in Partnerships net income
|
|
|
17,190
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,748
|
|
Net income per:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common units (basic and diluted)
|
|
$
|
0.44
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
Weighted-average units outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common units (basic and diluted)(*)
|
|
|
37,958,265
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,862,070
|
|
|
|
|
(*) |
|
The pro forma weighted average number of units, basic and
diluted, presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined
income statement for the six month period ended June 30,
2011, include (i) CPLP weighted average number of units for
the six month period ended June 30, 2011, (ii) Crude
weighted average number of common and class B shares for
the six month period ended June 30, 2011, multiplied by the
exchange ratio of 1.56 and (iii) the weighted average of
20,000 Crude shares representing awards to a number of members
of the Crude Independent Committee who are not designated by
Crude to serve as members of the CPLP Board, whose vesting will
be accelerated upon closing of the merger multiplied by the
exchange ratio of 1.56. |
107
The two class method was used to calculate pro forma combined
earnings per unit for the six months ended June 30, 2011 as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Month Period
|
|
|
|
Ended June 30, 2011
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit data)
|
|
|
Numerators
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partnerships pro forma combined net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,988
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Partners interest in Partnerships pro forma
combined net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(240
|
)
|
Partnerships pro forma combined net income allocable to
unvested units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(257
|
)
|
Partnerships pro forma combined net income available to
common unit holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
11,491
|
|
Denominators
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
Adjustment
|
|
|
|
Pro forma
|
|
CPLP weighted average number of common units outstanding, basic
and diluted
|
|
|
37,958,265
|
|
|
|
(471,605
|
)
|
|
|
37,486,660
|
|
Weighted average number of common units outstanding,
representing converted Crude weighted average number of shares,
basic and diluted (15,605,263 X 1.56)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,344,210
|
|
|
|
24,344,210
|
|
Weighted average number of common units outstanding,
representing converted Crude share based payment awards whose
vesting will be accelerated, basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,200
|
|
|
|
31,200
|
|
Total weighted average number of units
|
|
|
37,958,265
|
|
|
|
23,903,805
|
|
|
|
61,862,070
|
|
Pro forma combined net income per common unit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.19
|
|
The pro forma adjustment of 471,605 for the six month period
ended June 30, 2011 represents the weighted average number
of 499,346 common units that must be converted into general
partner units in order for Capital GP to maintain its 2%
interest in CPLP.
108
Notes to
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements
(Amounts expressed in thousands of United States
Dollars except for unit/share and per
unit/share data, unless otherwise stated)
|
|
Note 1
|
Description
of transaction and basis of presentation:
|
Description
of Merger
On May 5, 2011, CPLP announced that it had entered into an
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated May 5, 2011, with
Crude, Capital GP and MergerCo. The merger is more fully
described in this prospectus and should be read in conjunction
with these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements.
Assumptions
Pro forma adjustments giving effect to the merger have been
reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined income
statements assuming the merger was completed on January 1,
2010 and carried forward to the six-months period ended
June 30, 2011 and are discussed in Note 2. Pro forma
adjustments giving effect to the merger have been reflected in
the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet
assuming the merger was completed on June 30, 2011 and are
discussed in Note 2.
With respect to the pro forma adjustments related to the
unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet, recurring
and non recurring adjustments are taken into consideration.
With respect to the pro forma adjustments related to the
unaudited pro forma condensed combined income statements, only
adjustments that are expected to have a continuing effect on the
financial information are taken into consideration.
Only adjustments that are factually supportable and that can be
estimated reliably are taken into consideration. For example,
the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information
does not reflect any cost savings potentially realizable from
the elimination of certain expenses.
|
|
Note 2
|
Pro forma
Adjustments related to the Merger:
|
The pro forma adjustments giving effect to the merger are as
follows:
a) In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the fair value
of the common unit consideration to be issued by CPLP
representing the consideration transferred for the acquisition
of Crude, has been allocated as of June 30, 2011 to the
estimated fair value of Crude identifiable assets and
liabilities to be acquired in accordance with the acquisition
method prescribed by Accounting Standards Codification,
Business Combinations, or ASC-805 and is based on
preliminary estimates of their respective fair values. The
merger consideration will be determined on the acquisition date
value of CPLP common units, which will be the date on which CPLP
will obtain a control of Crude and when CPLP will legally
transfer units issued as consideration to Crude and will acquire
its assets and assume its liabilities.
109
Notes to
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crude Book
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crude Fair
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value as of
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value as of
|
|
Description
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
June 30, 2011
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
June 30, 2011
|
|
|
Net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
15,422
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
15,422
|
|
Vessel, net
|
|
|
2
|
(b)
|
|
|
385,327
|
|
|
$
|
6,423
|
|
|
|
391,750
|
|
Other non-current assets
|
|
|
2
|
(c)
|
|
|
6,770
|
|
|
|
(1,464
|
)
|
|
|
5,306
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(145,623
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(145,623
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
261,896
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
266,855
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merger Consideration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of CPLPs units issued to Crude stockholders
|
|
|
2
|
(d)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
186,233
|
|
Fair-value-based measure of vested share based payment awards
attributable to pre-combination service
|
|
|
2
|
(f)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
217
|
|
Fair-value-based measure of unvested awards attributable to
pre-combination service
|
|
|
2
|
(f)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
1,264
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consideration provided
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
187,714
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain from bargain purchase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
79,141
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General Partner interest in gain from bargain purchase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,583
|
|
Limited Partners interest in gain from bargain purchase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
77,558
|
|
The gain from bargain purchase of $79,141 has resulted from the
difference between the unit price of CPLP units to be issued to
Crude stockholders and the fair value of Crudes net
assets. Gain from bargain purchase is presented as a non
recurring transaction in the unaudited pro forma condensed
combined balance sheet under Partners
Capital / Stockholders Equity, and is allocated
between the Partnerships general partner and limited
partners based on their ownership percentage. A sensitivity
analysis showing how the merger consideration is impacted from a
change in the CPLPs unit price is presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Goodwill)/Gain
|
|
|
CPLPs
|
|
from Bargain
|
|
|
Units Price
|
|
Purchase
|
|
CPLPs unit price 52-week high as of August, 3,
2011
|
|
$
|
11.39
|
|
|
$
|
(11,906
|
)
|
CPLPs unit price -52-week low as of August, 3, 2011
|
|
$
|
7.42
|
|
|
$
|
84,740
|
|
CPLPs unit price on May 4, 2011 (Closing price per
unit on a day prior to the merger announcement)
|
|
$
|
11.27
|
|
|
$
|
(8,985
|
)
|
b) The amount of $6,423 represents the difference
between the fair market value of Crudes vessels of
$391,750, which reflects the average of two valuations from
independent third party ship brokers, and their respective net
book value of $385,327 as of June 30, 2011;
c) Following the merger, Crudes credit
facility is expected to be refinanced by the available liquidity
in CPLPs credit facility of $350,000, which is
non-amortizing
up to June 30, 2013. Therefore the current portion of long
term debt of $19,305 will be converted into long term debt. As a
result deferred financing charges of Crudes existing
credit facility of $1,464 as reflected in the June 30, 2011
balance sheet will be written off.
d) Upon the closing of the merger each share of
Crude common stock and Crude Class B stock will be
converted into 1.56 CPLP common units. The amount of $186,233
(Note 2a) reflects the result of this
110
Notes to
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
Statements (Continued)
conversion and is the product of 13,500,000 shares of Crude
common stock and 2,105,263 shares of Crude Class B stock
issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2011 multiplied by
the exchange ratio of 1.56 times the price per CPLPs unit
of $7.65 as quoted on Nasdaq on August 3, 2011. Furthermore
out of the $186,233 the amount of $3,725 has been allocated to
Capital GP in order for it to maintain its 2% interest in CPLP
and the remaining amount of $182,508 is allocated to CPLPs
limited partners.
e) Upon the consummation of the merger agreement the
equity of Crude will be eliminated.
f) Upon the effective time of the merger,
Crudes share based payment awards granted on
August 31, 2010 will be converted into equivalent CPLP
common unit awards using an exchange ratio of 1.56 and all the
terms of such awards will remain the same. Crudes share
based payment awards to the members of the Crude Independent
Committee who are not designated by Crude to serve as a member
of the CPLP Board, will lapse immediately prior to the effective
time of the merger, and such 20,000 shares of Crude common
stock based payment awards will vest in full immediately prior
to the effective time of the merger.
The acquisition date fair value of the awards vesting upon
merger as noted above is included as part of the consideration
transferred in the business combination (Note 2a) and is
calculated based on 20,000 shares multiplied by the price
per Crude common share of $10.87 on the NYSE on August 3,
2011. The acquisition date fair value is estimated at $217 as of
August 3, 2011.
The remaining unvested share based payment awards will be valued
at fair value as of the acquisition date. The fair-value-based
measure of the replaced awards (Crude measured awards) will be
split into two portions: (i) fair value assigned to
pre-combination services to be recognized as part of the
consideration transferred in the business combination; and
(ii) fair value assigned to post-combination services to be
recognized as equity compensation expense in the
post-combination financial statements of CPLP over the remaining
vesting period.
The calculation related to unvested awards is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair-value-based measure of the CPLP replacement awards.
|
|
379,400 Crude shares multiplied by 1.56 exchange ratio resulting
in 591,864 units of CPLP and multiplied by 7.65 per CPLP
unit.*
|
|
$
|
4,528
|
***
|
Fair-value-based measure of the Crude awards being replaced.
|
|
379,400 Crude shares multiplied by $10.87 per Crude share.**
|
|
|
4,124
|
|
Excess of fair-value-based measure of replacement awards over
fair-value based measure of awards being replaced.
|
|
Attributable to post-combination service period.
|
|
|
404
|
|
Unvested portion of the fair value of awards attributable to
post-combination services.
|
|
Fair-value-based measure of the Crude awards being replaced
divided by the total service period of 3 years and
multiplied by the days of the post-combination service period
since August 31, 2010.
|
|
|
2,860
|
|
Total attributable to post-combination services.
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,264
|
|
Fair-value-based measure attributable to pre-combination
services.
|
|
Fair-value-based measure of the Crude awards being replaced
divided by the total service period of 3 years and
multiplied by the days of the pre-combination service period
since August 31, 2010.
|
|
$
|
1,264
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
CPLP per unit closing price of $7.65 as quoted on Nasdaq on
August 3, 2011. |
|
** |
|
Crude per share closing price of $10.87 as quoted on the NYSE on
August 3, 2011. |
|
*** |
|
The replacement awards will have a continuing effect on CPLP as
the fair value of the unvested portion of the replacement awards
issued will be recognized in income over the remaining term of
the awards from the grant date. Accordingly, an adjustment has
been made to the historical compensation expense |
111
Notes to
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
Statements (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
recognized by Crude on the previously existing awards in order
to reflect the estimated compensation expense based upon the
terms of the replacement awards as set out in the merger
agreement. The adjustment amounted to $(305) and $(267) and is
presented as a pro forma adjustment to general and
administrative expenses in the unaudited pro forma condensed
combined income statement for the six month period ended
June 30, 2011 and for the year ended December 31,
2010, respectively. An analysis of this pro forma adjustment is
as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Month
|
|
|
For the Year Ended
|
|
|
|
Period Ended June 30, 2011
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
Equity compensation expense, historical
|
|
$
|
1,050
|
|
|
$
|
768
|
|
Equity compensation expense based on terms of replacement awards
|
|
|
745
|
|
|
|
501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma adjustment
|
|
$
|
(305
|
)
|
|
$
|
(267
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(g) Vessel depreciation was adjusted by replacing
the Crude vessels carrying values with their respective
fair values and using Crude vessels estimated useful life
of 25 years from vessels delivery from respective
shipyards. In the case of four out of five of Crudes
vessels that were acquired during 2010, vessel depreciation for
the year ended December 31, 2010 was calculated from the
dates of their acquisitions. In the case of the fifth Crude
vessel, depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2010
was calculated for the period from January 1, 2010 to
December 31, 2010 as the vessel owning company of the
respective vessel and Crude were under common control prior to
Crudes initial public offering that was completed in March
2010. An analysis of vessel depreciation for the six months
ended June 30, 2011 and for the year ended
December 31, 2010 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Six Month
|
|
|
For the Year Ended
|
|
|
|
Period Ended June 30, 2011
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
Depreciation based on fair value of vessels
|
|
$
|
7,499
|
|
|
$
|
10,301
|
|
Depreciation based on carrying value of vessels
|
|
|
8,011
|
|
|
|
11,317
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma adjustment
|
|
$
|
(512
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,016
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(h) Interest expense was recalculated as if the
refinancing of the amount of $134,580 drawn-down under
Crudes credit facility by CPLPs credit facility of
up to $350,000 had occurred in June 2010 when the two advances
of $75,000 and $59,580 under the Crude credit facility were
originally drawn down. Calculations of the interest expense for
these two advances have been based on the six months actual
LIBOR plus the funding cost plus the margin of CPLPs
credit facility of up to $350,000 according to the last interest
fixation for the three month period starting on June 30,
2011 and ending on September 30, 2011. In addition non-cash
amortization expense of deferred finance charges as well as loan
commitment fees calculated on the undrawn portion of the Crude
credit facility for the six month period ended June 30,
2011 and for the year ended December 31, 2010 has been
reversed. For the same period commitment fees calculated on the
undrawn portion of CPLPs credit facility of up to $350,000
have been reduced by the assumed drawn-down of $134,580 in June
2010. For the refinancing of the Crude credit facility expenses
that could affect materially the unaudited pro forma condensed
combined income statements for the six month period ended
June 30, 2011 and for the year ended December 31, 2010
are not expected to be recognized. An analysis of the pro forma
adjustments in the interest expense and finance cost in the
unaudited pro forma condensed combined income
112
Notes to
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial
Statements (Continued)
statement as a result of the refinancing of Crude credit
facility for the six month period ended June 30, 2011 and
for the year ended December 31, 2010 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the six Month
|
|
|
For the Year Ended
|
|
|
|
Period Ended June 30, 2011
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
Reversal of actual interest expense already incurred under
Crudes current credit facility
|
|
$
|
2,209
|
|
|
$
|
2,479
|
|
Reversal of actual amortization expense of deferred finance
charges and commitment fees already incurred under Crudes
current credit facility
|
|
|
478
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
CPLPs adjusted commitment fees as a result of the assumed
drawn down of $134,580 from its credit facility of up to
$350,000 in June 2010
|
|
|
220
|
|
|
|
244
|
|
Pro-forma interest expense as a result of the assumed drawn down
of $134,580 from CPLPs credit facility of up to $350,000
|
|
|
(1,304
|
)
|
|
|
(1,448
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma adjustment
|
|
$
|
1,603
|
|
|
$
|
2,357
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An increase of 0.125% in the interest rate of CPLPs credit
facility of up to $350,000 will cause pro-forma interest expense
to increase by $85 and $94 for the six month period ended
June 30, 2011 and the year ended December 31, 2010,
respectively. A decrease of 0.125% in the interest rate of
CPLPs credit facility of up to $350,000 will cause
pro-forma interest expense to decrease by $85 and $94 for the
six month period ended June 30, 2011 and the year ended
December 31, 2010, respectively.
113
DESCRIPTION
OF CPLP COMMON UNITS
Set forth below is a summary of the material terms of the
CPLP common units as specified in the CPLP Partnership Agreement
and the MILPA, as it relates to the CPLP common units. This
description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to Republic of Marshall Islands law, including the
MILPA, and to the CPLP Partnership Agreement. CPLPs
Partnership Agreement was included as Exhibit I of
CPLPs Current Report on
Form 6-K
filed with the SEC on February 24, 2010. The CPLP
Partnership Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference into
this section, and the descriptions in this section are qualified
in their entirety by reference to the full text of the CPLP
Partnership Agreement. To find out where copies of these
documents can be obtained, please see Where You Can Find
More Information on page 128.
Authorized
and Outstanding Common Units
Upon consummation of the proposed transaction, CPLP will have a
total of approximately 69,871,458 million CPLP common units
outstanding. The CPLP common units represent limited partnership
interests in CPLP. The holders of CPLP common units are entitled
to participate in partnership distributions and exercise the
rights and privileges available to limited partners under the
CPLP Partnership Agreement.
CPLP
Common Units
Each outstanding CPLP common unit is entitled to one vote on
matters subject to a vote of the holders of CPLP common units.
CPLPs general partner, Capital GP, and as the sole member
of the general partner, Capital Maritime, has the right to
appoint three of the seven members of the CPLP Board with the
remaining four directors being elected by the holders of CPLP
common units. Election of directors is by plurality of votes
cast.
In voting their common units, CPLPs general partner,
Capital GP, and its affiliates will have no fiduciary duty or
obligation whatsoever to the holders of CPLP common units,
including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests
of the holders of CPLP common units.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions CPLPs Amended and Restated Limited
Partnership Agreement and the MILPA
Provisions in the CPLP Partnership Agreement might make it
harder for a person or group to acquire CPLP through a tender
offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions include, for
example, terms providing for:
Merger
of CPLP or the sale of all or substantially all of CPLPs
assets
Under the terms of the CPLP Partnership Agreement, the approval
of CPLPs general partner, Capital GP, and the CPLP Board
are required for the merger of CPLP and the sale of all or
substantially all of CPLPs assets.
Election
and Removal of Directors
The CPLP Partnership Agreement prohibits cumulative voting in
the election of directors and requires parties other than the
CPLP Board to give advance written notice of nominations for the
election of directors. CPLPs general partner may remove an
appointed board member with or without cause at any time. Any
and all of the members of the CPLP Board may be removed at any
time for cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
other board members. Any and all of the members of the CPLP
Board may be removed for cause at a properly called meeting of
the unitholders by a majority of the outstanding CPLP common
units. If any appointed CPLP Board member is removed, resigns or
is otherwise unable to serve as a CPLP Board member, CPLPs
general partner, Capital GP, may fill the vacancy. These
provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of
incumbent officers and directors.
114
Removal
of CPLP management or CPLPs general partner
The unitholders will be unable to remove CPLPs general
partner without its consent because the general partner and its
affiliates own sufficient units to be able to prevent such
removal. The vote of the holders of at least
662/3%
of all outstanding CPLP common units and a majority vote of the
CPLP Board are required to remove the general partner. As of
December 31, 2010, Capital Maritime owned a 31.2% interest
in CPLP, including 11,304,651 CPLP common units and its 2%
interest through its ownership of CPLPs general partner,
Capital GP, while 66.8% of the outstanding CPLP common units
were owned by public unitholders.
Common unitholders elect four of the seven members of the CPLP
Board. CPLPs general partner in its sole discretion has
the right to appoint the remaining three directors.
Election of the four directors elected by common unitholders is
staggered, meaning that the members of only one of three classes
of CPLPs elected directors are selected each year. In
addition, the directors appointed by Capital GP will serve for
terms determined by Capital GP.
The CPLP Partnership Agreement contains provisions limiting the
ability of unitholders to call meetings of unitholders, to
nominate directors and to acquire information about CPLP
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
CPLP Partnership Agreement provision providing that if any
person or group, other than Capital GP, its affiliates, their
transferees, and persons who acquired such units with the prior
approval of the CPLP Board, 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 the
CPLP Board, determining the presence of a quorum or for other
similar purposes, unless required by law. The voting rights of
any such unitholders in excess of 4.9% will be redistributed pro
rata among the other common unitholders holding less than 4.9%
of the voting power of all classes of units entitled to vote.
CPLP, as a foreign private issuer and limited partnership, is
not subject to certain applicable Nasdaq restrictions, and as
such, has substantial latitude in issuing equity securities
without unitholder approval.
Amendments
to the CPLP Partnership Agreement
Amendments to the CPLP Partnership Agreement may be proposed
only by the general partner or the CPLP Board. Neither the
general partner nor the CPLP Board has a duty or obligation to
propose any amendment to the CPLP Partnership Agreement and may
decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation
whatsoever to CPLP or any unitholder and, in declining to
propose an amendment, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law shall not be required to act in good faith or
pursuant to any other standard imposed by the CPLP Partnership
Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the
MILPA or any other applicable law, rule or regulation.
115
COMPARISON
OF RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS OF CRUDE AND UNITHOLDERS OF
CPLP
The rights of Crude shareholders are currently governed by the
MIBCA and the amended and restated articles of incorporation and
amended and restated bylaws of Crude. The rights of unitholders
of CPLP are currently governed by the MILPA and the CPLP
Partnership Agreement. Upon completion of the merger, the rights
of Crude shareholders who become unitholders of CPLP in the
merger will be governed by the MILPA and the CPLP Partnership
Agreement. While both Crude and CPLP are companies organized
under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and
accordingly, the shareholder or unitholder rights of both
companies are governed by Marshall Islands law, there are
certain differences between the rights of Crude shareholders and
the rights of unitholders of CPLP due to differences between the
amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and
restated bylaws of Crude and the CPLP Partnership Agreement. The
following discussion explains various differences, including any
material differences, between the current rights of Crude
shareholders and the rights they will have as unitholders of
CPLP if they receive CPLP common units in the merger. The
following comparison is necessarily a summary and is not
intended to identify all immaterial differences that may exist.
This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to
Marshall Islands law, the amended and restated articles of
incorporation and amended and restated bylaws of Crude and the
CPLP Partnership Agreement.
Authorized
Capital Stock
Crude
The authorized share capital of Crude is divided into three
classes, consisting of 1,000,000,000 shares of Crude common
stock, par value $0.0001 per share; 100,000,000 shares of
Crude Class B stock, par value $0.0001 per share; and
100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001
per share.
CPLP
CPLP has as of August 5, 2011, issued 44,904,183 common
units and 916,411 general partner units. Under its partnership
agreement, CPLP may issue an unlimited number of units at any
time and from time to time for such consideration and on such
terms and conditions as the CPLP Board shall determine, all
without the approval of any limited partners, but under certain
circumstances subject to the approval of the general partner.
Upon the issuance of any additional CPLP common units, the
general partner will have the right, but not the obligation, to
make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to
maintain its 2.0% general partner interest in CPLP.
Number of
Directors; Classification of Board of Directors
Crude
Under the MIBCA, Marshall Islands companies are required to have
at least one director. The directors of a Marshall Islands
company may be divided into two or more classes and those
classes of directors may serve for different terms. The Crude
Board currently consists of eight directors and is divided into
three classes, with the term of office of each of the three
classes expiring successively each year.
CPLP
The CPLP Board currently consists of seven individuals, three of
whom are appointed by the general partner of CPLP and four of
whom are elected by the unitholders that are unaffiliated with
Capital Maritime, the sole member of CPLPs general
partner. The directors elected by the unitholders are divided
into three classes: Class I, comprising one elected
director, Class II, comprising one elected director, and
Class III, comprising two elected directors, with the term
of office of each of the three classes expiring successively
each year.
116
Board
Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships
Crude
Under Crudes amended and restated articles of
incorporation, any vacancies in the Crude Board for any reason,
and any created directorships resulting from any increase in the
number of directors, may be filled by the vote of not less than
a majority of the members of the Crude Board then in office.
CPLP
Under the CPLP Partnership Agreement, any appointed directors
who resign, are removed, or are unable to serve will be replaced
by the general partner. Any elected directors who are removed,
resign or are unable to serve will be replaced by a majority of
the elected directors then serving.
Removal
of Directors
Crude
Crudes amended and restated articles of incorporation
provide that its directors may be removed only for cause upon
the affirmative vote of not less than
662/3%
of the outstanding shares of its capital stock entitled to vote
for those directors.
CPLP
Under the CPLP Partnership Agreement, any appointed directors
may be removed at any time without cause only by the general
partner and, with cause, by the general partner or by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
units at a properly called meeting of the unitholders. Elected
directors may be removed at any time, with cause, only by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the other elected directors or
at a properly called meeting of the unitholders by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
units.
Appointment
of Officers
Crude
Under Crudes amended and restated bylaws, the Crude Board
is required to elect a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief
Financial Officer and a Secretary, which officers are
responsible, under the direction of the Crude Board, for
supervising and managing the daily business and affairs of
Crude. The Crude Board may also elect from time to time such
other officers as, in the opinion of the Crude Board, are
desirable for the conduct of the business of Crude.
CPLP
Under the MILPA and the CPLP Partnership Agreement, the business
and affairs of CPLP are generally managed by Capital GP, as
general partner, under the direction and subject to the
authority of the CPLP Board, and the
day-to-day
activities of CPLP are managed by the officers of Capital GP,
although the CPLP Board has the authority to appoint and remove
such officers and to determine the scope of such officers
authority and compensation (in each case in such officers
capacity as managers to CPLP).
Appointment
of Auditors
Crude
The Crude Independent Committee, inter alia, determines the
appointment of the independent auditors of Crude and any change
in such appointment and ensures the independence of such
auditors.
117
CPLP
Under the CPLP Partnership Agreement, CPLP is required to
provide unitholders with an annual report containing financial
statements to be audited by a firm of independent public
accountants selected by the CPLP Board.
Quorum
Requirements
Crude
The holders of a majority of total voting power of the
outstanding capital stock of Crude entitled to vote at a meeting
of the shareholders, present in person or represented by proxy,
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any
annual or special meeting of the shareholders, provided that
where a separate vote by a class or series of capital stock is
required, the holders of a majority of total voting power of the
outstanding capital stock of such class or series, present in
person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum
entitled to take action with respect to such vote on such matter.
CPLP
The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class
or classes for which a meeting has been called (including
outstanding units deemed owned by the general partner)
represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a
meeting of unitholders of such class or classes unless any such
action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a
greater percentage of such units, in which case the quorum shall
be such greater percentage.
Voting
Rights and Required Votes Generally
Crude
Except as otherwise provided by the Crude amended and restated
articles of incorporation, the Crude amended and restated
bylaws, the rules or regulations of the NYSE or applicable law,
and except for the election of directors, any question brought
before any meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum is
present shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the total number of votes of the capital stock
present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote
on the applicable subject matter.
CPLP
Under the CPLP Partnership Agreement, at any meeting of the
unitholders at which a quorum is present, the act of unitholders
holding outstanding units that in the aggregate represent a
majority of the outstanding units entitled to vote and present
in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to
constitute the act of all unitholders, unless a greater or
different percentage is required with respect to such action
under the provisions of the CPLP Partnership Agreement, in which
case the act of the unitholders holding outstanding units that
in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different
percentage shall be required.
Voting on
Mergers, Consolidations and Certain Other Transactions
Crude
In the case of a merger or consolidation the voting rights
discussed in Voting Rights and Required Votes
Generally above will generally apply.
CPLP
In the case of a merger or consolidation the voting rights
discussed in Voting Rights and Required Votes
Generally above will generally apply.
118
Dissenters
Rights of Appraisal
Crude
Under Marshall Islands law, a shareholder of a corporation has
the right to vote against any plan of merger to which the
corporation is a party. If such shareholders vote against the
plan of merger, they may have the right to seek payment from
their corporation of the appraised fair value of their shares
(instead of the contractual merger consideration). However, the
right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the
appraised fair value of his shares is not available if the
shares of such class or series of stock are (i) listed on a
securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than
2,000 holders. Since shares of Crude common stock are traded on
the NYSE, a dissenting holder of shares of Crude common stock
has no right to receive payment from Crude for the appraised
fair market value of his shares under Marshall Islands law.
Furthermore, pursuant to the Support Agreement, CCIC, as the
sole holder of Crude Class B stock, has waived any
appraisal rights it might have under Marshall Islands law.
CPLP
Under the MILPA, no class or group of partners is entitled to
any appraisal rights unless the partnership agreement or an
agreement of merger provide for such rights. The CPLP
Partnership Agreement provides no appraisal rights.
Business
Combination Statutes
Crude
Under the MIBCA, any plan of merger or consolidation shall be
authorized by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote thereon. In addition, any sale, lease,
exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all the
assets of a Marshall Islands corporation, if not made in the
usual or regular course of the business actually conducted by
such corporation, requires the affirmative vote of the holders
of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote thereon, unless any class of shares is entitled to vote
thereon as a class, in which event such authorization shall
require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares of each class of shares entitled to vote as a class
thereon and of the total shares entitled to vote thereon.
CPLP
Under the MILPA, unless otherwise provided in the partnership
agreement, a merger or consolidation shall be approved by
(i) by all general partners, and (ii) by the limited
partners or, if there is more than one class or group of limited
partners, then by each class or group of limited partners, in
either case, by limited partners who own more than 50% of the
then current percentage or other interest in the profits of the
limited partnership owned by all of the limited partners or by
the limited partners in each class or group, as appropriate.
The CPLP Partnership Agreement provides that any merger or
consolidation of the partnership requires the approval of
CPLPs Board and the prior consent of the general partner
after which it must be approved by the affirmative vote the
holders of at least a majority of the outstanding CPLP common
units.
Nevertheless, under the partnership agreement, the approval of
the limited partners is not required:
|
|
|
|
|
to convert CPLP or any if its subsidiaries into a new limited
liability entity, to merge CPLP or any subsidiary into, or
convey all of CPLPs assets to, another limited liability
entity which shall be newly formed and shall have no assets,
liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion, merger
or conveyance other than those it receives from CPLP or a
subsidiary if (i) the conversion, merger or conveyance, as
the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited
liability of any limited partner, (ii) the sole purpose of
such conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change
in the legal form of CPLP into another limited liability entity
and (iii) the governing instruments of the new
|
119
|
|
|
|
|
entity provide the limited partners, the general partner and the
CPLP Board with the same rights and obligations as are herein
contained; or
|
|
|
|
|
|
to merge or consolidate CPLP with or into another entity if
(i) the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would
not result in the loss of the limited liability of any limited
partner, (ii) the merger or consolidation would not result
in an amendment to partnership agreement other than any
amendments that under the partnership agreement could be adopted
by the CPLP Board and general partner without the consent of the
limited partners, (iii) CPLP is the surviving entity in
such merger or consolidation, (iv) each common unit
outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the
merger or consolidation is to be an identical common unit of
CPLP after the effective date of the merger or consolidation,
and (v) the number of new common units to be issued by CPLP
in such merger or consolidation does not exceed 20% of the
common units outstanding immediately prior to the effective date
of such merger or consolidation.
|
Action by
Written Consent
Crude
Under the MIBCA, any action required to, or that may, be taken
by a shareholder meeting may be taken without a meeting if a
written consent to such action is signed by all the shareholders
entitled to vote with respect thereto.
CPLP
If authorized by the CPLP Board, any action that may be taken at
a meeting of the unitholders may be taken without a meeting if
an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is
signed by unitholders owning not less than the minimum
percentage of the outstanding units (including units deemed
owned by the general partner) that would be necessary to
authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the
unitholders were present and voted (unless such provision
conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of
Nasdaq, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or
requirement of Nasdaq shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking
of action without a meeting shall be given to the unitholders
who have not approved the action in writing.
Special
Meetings
Crude
Under the MIBCA, a special meeting of shareholders may be called
by the board of directors or by such persons as authorized by
the articles of incorporation or bylaws. At such meeting, only
business that is related to the purpose set forth in the
required notice may be transacted. Under the MIBCA, notice of
any shareholder meeting must state the purpose of such meeting
and that it is being called at the direction of whoever is
calling the meeting. Crudes amended and restated bylaws
provide that other than a special meeting in lieu of an annual
meeting and except as otherwise provided by applicable law,
special meetings of the shareholders may be called only by the
chairman of the Crude Board or Chief Executive Officer, in
either case at the direction of the Crude Board as approved by a
majority of the entire Crude Board. Only such business as is
specified in the notice of any special meeting of the
shareholders may come before such meeting.
CPLP
The CPLP Partnership Agreement provides that special meetings of
the unitholders may be called by the general partner, the CPLP
Board or by unitholders owning 20% or more of the outstanding
units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed.
Unitholders may call a special meeting by delivering to the CPLP
Board one or more requests in writing indicating the general or
specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called,
it being understood that the purposes of such special meeting
may only be to vote on matters that require the vote of the
unitholders pursuant to the CPLP Partnership Agreement.
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Amendments
to Governing Documents
Crude
Under the MIBCA, an amendment to the articles of incorporation
may be authorized by the holders of a majority of all
outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. In addition, and
notwithstanding any provision in the articles of incorporation
to the contrary, if an amendment would increase or decrease the
aggregate number of authorized shares of any class, or alter or
change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares
of such class so as to affect them adversely, the amendment
shall be authorized by a vote of the holders of a majority of
all outstanding shares of such class. If any proposed amendment
would alter or change the powers, preferences, or special rights
of one or more series of any class so as to affect them
adversely, but would not affect the entire class, then only the
shares of the series so affected by the amendment shall be
considered a separate class for purposes of this section.
The Crude Board is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal
any bylaw of Crude by a vote of not less than a majority of the
members of the Crude Board then in office, and the shareholders
may not make additional bylaws and may not alter or repeal any
bylaw except by the affirmative vote of not less than
662/3%
of the aggregate voting power of the voting stock. The
affirmative vote of more than 50% of the voting power of the
voting stock shall be required to amend, alter, change or repeal
the Crude amended and restated articles of incorporation, except
for certain provisions for which the affirmative vote of not
less than
662/3%
of the aggregate voting power of the voting stock is required.
CPLP
The MILPA does not provide any provisions for amending a
partnership agreement. Under the Marshall Islands Revised
Partnership Act, a partnership agreement may be
written, oral or implied, and need not be executed, and a
partnership agreement may provide for the taking of an action,
including the amendment of the partnership agreement, without
the vote or approval of any partner or class or group of
partners.
Under the CPLP Partnership Agreement, the CPLP Board, without
the approval of any unitholder, but with the approval of the
general partner required for any such amendment, may amend
certain provisions of the CPLP Partnership Agreement. In
general, the affirmative vote of a majority of common units (or
in certain cases a higher percentage), is required in order to
amend the provisions of the CPLP Partnership Agreement or to
reach certain decisions or actions, including: amendments to the
definition of available cash, operating surplus, adjusted
operating surplus; changes in CPLPs cash distribution
policy; elimination of the obligation to pay the minimum
quarterly distribution; elimination of the obligation to hold an
annual general meeting; removal of any appointed director for
cause; transfer of the general partner interest; transfer of the
incentive distribution rights; the ability of the board to sell,
exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of
CPLPs assets; resolution of conflicts of interest;
withdrawal of the general partner; removal of the general
partner; dissolution of CPLP; change to the quorum requirements;
approval of merger or consolidation; and any amendment to the
CPLP Partnership Agreement.
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
Crude
Under the MIBCA, for actions not by or in the right of a
Marshall Islands corporation, the corporation may indemnify any
person who was or is a party to any threatened or pending action
or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director or officer of the corporation against expenses
(including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person
acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and,
with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe that such conduct was unlawful.
In addition, under the MIBCA, in actions brought by or in right
of a Marshall Islands corporation, any agent who is or is
threatened to be made party can be indemnified for expenses
(including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably
incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of the
action if such person
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acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,
provided that indemnification is not permitted with respect to
any claims in which such person has been found liable for
negligence or misconduct with respect to the corporation unless
the appropriate court determines that despite the adjudication
of liability such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity.
Crudes amended and restated bylaws provide that Crude
shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, any person that was or is made or
is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, legislative or investigative, by reason of the
fact that such person is or was a director or officer of Crude
or, while a director or officer of Crude, is or was serving at
the request of Crude as a director, officer, employee or agent
of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with
respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and
loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys fees)
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such
proceeding or any claim made in connection therewith.
CPLP
Under the MILPA, a partnership agreement may set forth that the
partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless any partner or
other person from and against any and all claims and demands
whatsoever.
The CPLP Partnership Agreement provides that to the fullest
extent permitted by law, but subject to the limitations
expressly provided in the CPLP Partnership Agreement, the
general partner, the CPLP Board and any other person the CPLP
Board decides, shall be indemnified and held harmless by CPLP
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees
and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest,
settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims,
demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, in which such person may be
involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or
otherwise, provided, however, that such person shall not be
indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and
non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent
jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for
which the person is seeking indemnification, the person acted in
bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the
case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that his or her
conduct was unlawful; and, provided further, that
indemnification shall be available to the general partner or its
affiliates only for obligations incurred on behalf of CPLP.
Under the CPLP Partnership Agreement, each CPLP director is
reimbursed for
out-of-pocket
expenses in connection with attending meetings of the CPLP Board
or committees and is fully indemnified by CPLP for actions
associated with being a director to the fullest extent permitted
under Marshall Islands law, provided that indemnification is not
available where there has been a final, non-appealable judgment
entered by a court of competent jurisdiction that the director
acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct.
Limitations
on Personal Liability of Directors
Crude
Under Marshall Islands law, directors and officers shall
discharge their duties in good faith and with that degree of
diligence, care and skill which ordinarily prudent people would
exercise under similar circumstances in like positions. In
discharging their duties, directors and officers may rely upon
financial statements of the corporation represented to them to
be correct by the president or the officer having charge of its
books or accounts or by independent accountants.
The MIBCA provides that the articles of incorporation of a
Marshall Islands company may include, and Crudes amended
and restated articles of incorporation do include, a provision
for the elimination or limitation of liability of a director to
the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such
provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a
director:
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for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its shareholders;
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for acts or omissions not undertaken in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law; or
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for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit.
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To the fullest extent permitted by the MIBCA or any other law of
the Republic of the Marshall Islands, no director of Crude shall
be liable to Crude or its shareholders for monetary damages for
actions taken in their capacity as director or officer of Crude,
provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the
liability of a director for those actions identified above.
CPLP
The MILPA has no provision on personal liability of directors
and any provisions to this effect must be set out in the limited
partnership agreement.
The CPLP Partnership Agreement provides that no indemnitee shall
be liable for monetary damages to CPLP, the unitholders or any
other persons who have acquired an equity interest in any other
CPLP securities, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as
a result of any act or omission of an indemnitee unless there
has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court
of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the
matter in question, the indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged
in fraud or willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal
matter, acted with knowledge that the indemnitees conduct
was criminal.
Preemptive
Rights
Crude
Under the MIBCA, unless provided otherwise in the articles of
incorporation, the holders of any class of capital stock shall
have specified preemptive rights.
As provided in Crudes amended and restated articles of
incorporation, the holders of shares of Crude common stock have
no conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to
any of Crudes securities. The holders of Crude
Class B stock have preemptive rights to subscribe to any
issuance of Crude Class B stock.
CPLP
Under the MILPA, neither the general partner nor a limited
partner has any preemptive rights, but such rights may be set
out in the limited partnership agreement or other agreement.
Under the CPLP Partnership Agreement, except for the general
partners right to, upon the issuance of additional common
units by CPLP, make capital contributions in exchange for a
proportionate number of common units, no person shall have any
preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to
an issuance of common units or any other CPLP equity security,
whether unissued, held in the treasury or thereafter created.
The general partner shall 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 any other CPLP security from CPLP
whenever, and on the same terms that, CPLP issues common units
or any other CPLP equity security to persons other than the
general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to
maintain the ownership interest of the general partner and its
affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the
issuance of such common units or other CPLP equity security.
Cumulative
Voting Rights
Crude
The amended and restated articles of incorporation of Crude
provide that cumulative voting is not permitted for the election
of directors.
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CPLP
The CPLP Partnership Agreement does not provide for cumulative
voting.
Dividends
and Stock Repurchases
Crude
Under the MIBCA, a Marshall Islands corporation may declare and
pay dividends in cash, stock or other property on its
outstanding shares, except when the corporation is insolvent or
would thereby be made insolvent or when the declaration or
payment would be contrary to any restrictions contained in the
articles of incorporation. Dividends may be paid out of surplus
only, but in the event there is no surplus, dividends may be
declared or paid out of net profits for the fiscal year in which
the dividend is declared and for the preceding fiscal year.
Dividends upon the capital stock of Crude may be declared by the
Crude Board at any regular or special meeting, and may be paid
in cash, in property or in securities of Crude. Before payment
of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of
Crude available for dividends such sum or sums as Crude Board
from time to time, in its absolute discretion, deems proper as a
reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for purchasing any
of the shares of capital stock, warrants, rights, options,
bonds, debentures, notes, scrip or other securities or evidences
of indebtedness of Crude, or for equalizing dividends, or for
repairing or maintaining any property of Crude, or for any
proper purpose, and the Crude Board may modify or abolish any
such reserve.
CPLP
Under the MILPA, a limited partnership shall not make a
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 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
has no provisions for the repurchase of common units similar to
the repurchase by a corporation of its own stock.
The CPLP Partnership Agreement provides that all available cash
shall be distributed quarterly (after deducting expenses,
including estimated maintenance and replacement capital
expenditures and reserves), and contains detailed provisions for
distribution among the general partner and the limited partners.
Record
Date for Voting
Crude
In order that Crude may determine the shareholders entitled to
(i) notice of or vote at any meeting of the shareholders or
any adjournment thereof, (ii) express consent to corporate
action by written consent without a meeting unless otherwise
provided in the amended and restated articles of incorporation,
(iii) receive payment of any dividend or other distribution
or allotment of any rights, or exercise any rights in respect of
any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or
(iv) undertake any other lawful action, the Crude Board may
fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which
the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Crude
Board and which record date shall, unless otherwise required by
law, not be, (a) in the case of clause (i) or
(ii) above, more than 60 nor less than 15 days before
the date of such meeting or the date on which such action by
written consent is required to occur, and (b) in the case
of clauses (iii) and (iv) above, more than
60 days prior to such action.
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CPLP
Under the CPLP Partnership Agreement, for purposes of
determining the unitholders entitled to notice of or to vote at
a meeting of the unitholders or to give approvals without a
meeting, the CPLP Board may set a record date, which shall not
be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (i) the
date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any
rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of Nasdaq, in which
case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of the
Nasdaq shall govern) or (ii) in the event that approvals
are sought without a meeting, the date by which unitholders are
requested in writing by the CPLP Board to give such approvals.
If the CPLP Board does not set a record date, then (i) the
record date for determining the unitholders entitled to notice
of or to vote at a meeting of the unitholders shall be the close
of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is
given, and (ii) the record date for determining the
unitholders entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall
be the date the first written approval is deposited with CPLP in
care of the CPLP Board.
Notice of
Meetings
Crude
Under the MIBCA, notice of any shareholder meeting must be given
not less than 15 nor more than 60 days before the meeting
to each shareholder of record entitled to notice of the meeting,
and shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and, in
the case of a special meeting, shall also state the purpose of
such meeting and that the meeting is being called at the
direction of whoever is calling the meeting.
As provided in Crudes amended and restated articles of
incorporation, notice of each meeting of the shareholders,
whether annual or special, shall be given not less than
15 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the
meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to notice of the
meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed given when
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to the
shareholder at such shareholders address as it appears on
the records of Crude or, if such shareholder shall have filed
with Crudes secretary a written request that notices be
sent to some other address, then directed to such shareholder at
such other address. Each such notice shall state the place, date
and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting,
the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and by
whose direction the notice of the meeting is being issued.
Notice of any meeting of the shareholders shall not be required
to be given to any shareholder who shall waive notice thereof as
provided in Crudes amended and restated bylaws.
CPLP
Under the MILPA, the partnership agreement may set forth
provisions relating to notice of the time, place or purpose of
any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by any limited
partners, waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a
meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum
requirements, voting in person or by proxy, or any other matter
with respect to the exercise of any such right to vote.
The CPLP Partnership Agreement provides that within 60 days
after receipt of a request for a special meeting by the
unitholders or within such greater time as may be reasonably
necessary for CPLP to comply with any statutes, rules,
regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements
governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of
proxies for use at such a meeting, the CPLP Board shall send a
notice of the meeting to the unitholders either directly or
indirectly through the transfer agent.
Advance
Notice of Shareholder Nominations for Directors and Shareholder
Proposals
Crude
Crudes amended and restated bylaws provide that
shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as
directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of
shareholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in
writing to the corporate secretary. Generally, to be timely, a
shareholders notice must be received at Crudes
principal executive offices not less than 90 days or more
than 120 days before the anniversary date of the
immediately precedent annual meeting or, for any special
meeting, not earlier than the 120th day prior to such
special meeting and not later than the close of business on the
later of the 90th day
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prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day
on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is
first made. Crudes amended and restated bylaws also
specify requirements as to the form and content of a
shareholders notice.
CPLP
Under the CPLP Partnership Agreement, any unitholder or group of
unitholders that beneficially owns 10% or more of the
outstanding common units shall be entitled to nominate one or
more individuals to stand for election as elected directors at
an annual meeting by providing written notice thereof to the
CPLP Board not more than 120 days and not less than
90 days prior to the date of such annual meeting; provided,
however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting
was not publicly announced by CPLP by mail, press release or
otherwise more than 100 days prior to the date of such
meeting, such notice, to be timely, must be delivered to the
CPLP Board not later than the close of business on the tenth day
following the date on which the date of the annual meeting was
announced.
Inspection
of Corporate Records
Crude
Under the MIBCA, any shareholder, during the usual hours of
business, may inspect, for a purpose reasonably related to its
interest as a shareholder, and make copies of extracts, from the
share register, books of account, and minutes of all proceedings
of Marshall Islands companies. The right of inspection may not
be limited in the articles of incorporation or bylaws. A list of
registered shareholders must be produced at any meeting of
shareholders upon request of any shareholder at the meeting or
prior thereto.
Any records maintained by Crude in the regular course of its
business, including its stock ledger, books of account and
minute books, are kept on, or are in the form of, magnetic tape,
computer disks, photographs, microphotographs or any other
information storage device, provided that the records so kept
will be able to be converted into clearly legible form within a
reasonable time. Crude will convert any records upon the request
of any person entitled to inspect them.
CPLP
Under the MILPA, each limited partner has the right, subject to
such reasonable standards (including standards governing what
information and documents are to be furnished, at what time and
location and at whose expense) as may be set forth in the
partnership agreement or otherwise established by the general
partner, to obtain from the general partner from time to time
upon reasonable demand for any purpose reasonably related to the
limited partners interest as a limited partner
(i) true and full information regarding the status of the
business and financial condition of the limited partnership,
(ii) a copy of the limited partnerships financial
statements or income tax returns, (iii) a current list of
the name and mailing address of each partner, (iv) a copy
of any written partnership agreement and certificate of limited
partnership and all amendments thereto with copies of any
written powers of attorney pursuant to which the partnership
agreement and any certificate and all amendments thereto have
been executed, (v) information regarding the amount of cash
and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other
property or services contributed by each partner and which each
partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on
which each became a partner, and (vi) other information
regarding the affairs of the limited partnership as is just and
reasonable. However, a general partner has the right to keep
confidential from limited partners for such period of time as
the general partner deems reasonable, any information which the
general partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade
secrets or other information the disclosure of which the general
partner in good faith believes is not in the best interest of
the limited partnership or could damage the limited partnership
or its business or which the limited partnership is required by
law or by agreement with a third party to keep confidential. The
rights of a limited partner to obtain the above-mentioned
information may only be restricted in an original partnership
agreement or in any subsequent amendment approved or adopted by
all of the partners and in compliance with any applicable
requirements of the partnership agreement.
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The CPLP Partnership Agreement provides that a unitholder can,
for a purpose reasonably related to his interest as a
unitholder, upon reasonable demand and at the unitholders
own expense, have furnished to the unitholder: (i) a
current list of the name and last known address of each partner;
(ii) information as to the amount of cash, and a
description and statement of the agreed value of any other
property or services, contributed or to be contributed by each
partner and the date on which each became a partner;
(iii) copies of the CPLP Partnership Agreement, the
certificate of limited partnership of the partnership, related
amendments and powers of attorney under which they have been
executed; (iv) information regarding the status of
CPLPs business and financial position; and (v) any
other information regarding CPLPs affairs as is just and
reasonable.
Interested
Director Transactions
Crude
The MIBCA provides that a transaction entered into by Crude in
which a director has an interest will not be voidable by Crude,
and such director will not be liable to Crude for any profit
realized pursuant to such transaction as a result of such
interest, provided the nature of the interest is disclosed at
the first opportunity at a meeting of directors, or in writing,
to the directors.
CPLP
While the MILPA contains no provisions regarding transactions in
which a director has an interest, the partnership agreement may
set forth rules relating thereto.
APPRAISAL
RIGHTS OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS
Under Marshall Islands law, a shareholder of a corporation has
the right to vote against any plan of merger to which the
corporation is a party. If such shareholders vote against the
plan of merger, they may have the right to seek payment from
their corporation of the appraised fair value of their shares
(instead of the contractual merger consideration). However, the
right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the
appraised fair value of his shares is not available if the
shares of such class or series of stock are (i) listed on a
securities exchange or (ii) held of record by more than
2,000 holders. Since shares of Crude common stock are traded on
the NYSE, a dissenting holder of shares of Crude common stock
has no right to receive payment from Crude for the appraised
fair market value of his shares under Marshall Islands law.
Furthermore, pursuant to the Support Agreement, CCIC, as the
sole holder of Crude Class B stock, has waived any
appraisal rights it might have under Marshall Islands law.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The validity of the common units of CPLP offered hereby will be
passed upon for CPLP by Watson, Farley & Williams (New
York) LLP, Marshall Islands counsel to CPLP.
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, U.S. counsel to Crude,
will deliver an opinion to Crude concerning certain
U.S. federal tax consequences of the proposed transaction,
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, special tax
counsel to CPLP, will deliver an opinion to CPLP concerning
certain U.S. federal tax consequences of the proposed
transaction and Watson, Farley & Williams (New York)
LLP, Marshall Islands counsel to Crude, will deliver an opinion
to Crude concerning certain Marshall Islands tax consequences of
the proposed transaction.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of CPLP, incorporated in
this proxy statement/prospectus by reference from CPLPs
Annual Report on
Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2010, and the effectiveness
of CPLPs internal control over financial reporting have
been audited by Deloitte. Hadjipavlou, Sofianos &
Cambanis S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm,
as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by
reference (which reports (1) express an unqualified opinion
on the consolidated
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financial statements and include explanatory paragraphs relating
to: (i) the preparation of the portion of the financial
statements attributable to the Ross Shipmanagement Co., Baymont
Enterprises Incorporated, Forbes Maritime Co., Mango Finance
Co., Navarro International S.A., Epicurus Shipping Company, and
Adrian Shipholding Inc., prior to the vessels acquisition
by CPLP, from the separate records maintained by Capital
Maritime, and (ii) the retroactive adjustments to
previously issued financial statements resulting from
transactions between entities under common control and
(2) express an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of
CPLPs internal control over financial reporting). Such
consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in
reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Crude, incorporated in
this proxy statement/prospectus by reference from Crudes
Annual Report on
Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2010, have been audited by
Deloitte. Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A., an
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in
their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such
consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in
reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
FUTURE
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
If the merger is completed, Crude will no longer be a publicly
held company, and there will be no Crude annual meeting of
shareholders in 2011 or thereafter. However, if the merger is
not completed, Crude shareholders will continue to be entitled
to attend and participate in its shareholders meetings,
and Crude will hold a 2011 annual meeting of shareholders.
Crudes amended and restated bylaws require that Crude be
given advance written notice of any matters which shareholders
wish to present for action at an annual meeting. The Secretary
must receive such notice not less than 90 days nor more
than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the
immediately preceding annual meeting.
If Crude holds an annual meeting of shareholders in 2011,
shareholder proposals to be presented at that meeting must be
received by Crude at its principal executive offices at 3
Iassonos Street, Piraeus, 18357 Greece, addressed to the
Secretary, not earlier than , nor later
than , . Such
proposals must comply with Crudes amended and restated
bylaws.
A copy of the full text of Crudes amended and restated
bylaws as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus is
attached as Exhibit 3.2. Any proposals, nominations or
notices should be sent to 3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus, 18357
Greece.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Each of Crude and CPLP files annual reports with and furnishes
other reports and information to the SEC. You may read and copy
any document Crude or CPLP files with or furnishes to the SEC at
the SECs public reference room at 100 F Street,
N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also
obtain documents Crude and CPLP file with or furnish to the SEC
on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. The address of the
SECs website is provided solely for the information of
prospective investors and is not intended to be an active link.
Please visit the website or call the SEC at 1
(800) 732-0330
for further information about its public reference room. Reports
and other information concerning the business of Crude may also
be inspected at the offices of the NYSE at 20 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10005, and of CPLP at the offices of Nasdaq
at One Liberty Plaza, 165 Broadway, New York, NY 10006.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows Crude and CPLP to incorporate by
reference certain information filed with or furnished to
the SEC, which means that Crude and CPLP can disclose important
information to you by referring you to those documents. The
information incorporated by reference is an important part of
this proxy statement/prospectus. With respect to this proxy
statement/prospectus, information that Crude or CPLP later
128
file with or furnish to the SEC and that is incorporated by
reference will automatically update and supersede information in
this proxy statement/prospectus and information previously
incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.
Each document incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement/prospectus is current only as of the date of such
document, and the incorporation by reference of such document is
not intended to create any implication that there has been no
change in the affairs or Crude or CPLP since the date of the
relevant document or that the information contained in such
document is current as of any time subsequent to its date. Any
statement contained in such incorporated documents is deemed to
be modified or superseded for the purpose of this proxy
statement/prospectus to the extent that a subsequent statement
contained in another document that is incorporated by reference
into this proxy statement/prospectus at a later date modifies or
supersedes that statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or
superseded, to constitute a part of this proxy
statement/prospectus.
This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference the
documents listed below, which Crude and CPLP have previously
filed with or furnished to the SEC. These documents contain
important information about Crude and CPLP and their financial
condition, business and results.
Crude
Filings (File
No. 001-34651)
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Annual Report on
Form 20-F
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010; and
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Current Reports on
Form 6-K
furnished on February 11, 2011 (Earnings Release and
Announcement of Quarterly Cash Dividend), March 14, 2011
(Appointment of Dimitris P. Christacopoulos to Board of
Directors), May 5, 2011 (Announcement of merger with CPLP),
May 13, 2011 (Q1 2011 Earnings Release), June 9, 2011
(Q1 2011 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
with Related Notes), and August 5, 2011 (Q2 2011 Unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements with Related Notes).
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CPLP
Filings (File
No. 001-33373):
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Registration statement on
Form F-1,
dated March 29, 2007;
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Annual Report on
Form 20-F
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010;
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Current Reports on
Form 6-K
furnished on January 21, 2011 (Announcement of Cash
Distribution), April 21, 2011 (Announcement of Cash
Distribution), May 5, 2011 (Q1 2011 Earnings Release and
Announcement of merger with Crude), June 9, 2011 (Q1 2011
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements with
Related Notes), and August 5, 2011 (Q2 2011 Unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements with Related
Notes); and
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CPLPs amended and restated limited partnership agreement,
furnished in CPLPs Current Report on
Form 6-K
furnished on February 24, 2010.
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Each of Crude and CPLP is also incorporating by reference
additional documents that each files with the SEC between the
date of this proxy statement/prospectus and the date of the
Crude special meeting.
Crude has supplied all information contained or incorporated by
reference in this proxy statement/prospectus relating to Crude,
and CPLP has supplied all information contained or incorporated
by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus relating to CPLP.
You may obtain copies of these documents in the manner described
above under the section captioned Where You Can Find More
Information. You may also request copies of these
documents (excluding exhibits) at no cost by contacting Crude or
CPLP, as applicable, as follows:
For Crude
filings:
Crude
Carriers Corp.
Investor Relations Representative
Nicolas Bornozis, President
129
Capital Link, Inc.
230 Park Avenue Suite 1536
New York, NY 10160, USA
Tel: +1 212
661-7566
For CPLP
filings:
Capital
Product Partners L.P.
Investor Relations Representative
Nicolas Bornozis, President
Capital Link, Inc.
230 Park Avenue Suite 1536
New York, NY 10160, USA
Tel: +1 212
661-7566
You should rely on the information contained in or incorporated
by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus to vote on the
proposals to Crude shareholders in connection with the proposed
transaction.
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information
that is different from what is contained in this proxy
statement/prospectus. This prospectus is dated August 5,
2011. You should not assume that the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus is
accurate as of any date other than the date of this proxy
statement/prospectus or the date of such information
incorporated by reference, as applicable, and neither the
mailing of the proxy statement/prospectus to shareholders nor
the issuance of CPLP common units in the proposed transaction
shall create any implication to the contrary.
LIMITATIONS
ON ENFORCEMENT OF U.S. LAWS
Because Crude and CPLP are Marshall Islands entities
headquartered in Greece, many of their directors and executive
officers (as well as certain directors, managers and executive
officers of their respective subsidiaries), and certain experts
named in this proxy statement/prospectus, reside outside the
United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to serve
legal process on Crude, CPLP or the directors and executive
officers of Crude and CPLP (as well as certain directors,
managers and executive officers of their respective
subsidiaries) or have any of them appear in a U.S. court.
In addition, U.S. investors may find it difficult in a
lawsuit based on the civil liability provisions of the
U.S. federal securities laws to enforce in U.S. courts
or outside the U.S. judgments obtained against those
persons in U.S. courts, to enforce in U.S. courts
judgments obtained against those persons in courts in
jurisdictions outside the U.S., or to enforce against those
persons in the Marshall Islands or Greece, whether in original
actions or in actions for the enforcement of judgments of
U.S. courts, civil liabilities based solely upon the
U.S. federal securities laws.
130
Appendix A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
by and among
CAPITAL GP L.L.C.
CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P.
POSEIDON PROJECT CORP.
and
CRUDE CARRIERS CORP.
Dated as of May 5, 2011
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
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Section 1.1
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Certain Definitions
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A-2
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ARTICLE II
THE MERGER; EFFECTS OF THE MERGER
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Section 2.1
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The Merger
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A-10
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Section 2.2
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Closing
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A-10
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ARTICLE III
MERGER CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
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Section 3.1
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Merger Consideration
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A-11
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Section 3.2
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Rights As Unitholders; Unit Transfers
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A-11
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Section 3.3
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Exchange of Certificates
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A-11
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Section 3.4
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Anti-Dilution Provisions
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A-14
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Section 3.5
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Equity Awards
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A-14
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ARTICLE IV
ACTIONS PENDING MERGER
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Section 4.1
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Covenants of the Company
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A-15
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Section 4.2
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Covenants of the Partners Entities
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A-16
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Section 4.3
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Governmental Filings
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A-18
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ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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Section 5.1
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Representations and Warranties of the Company
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A-18
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Section 5.2
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Representations and Warranties of the Partners Entities
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A-27
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ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS
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Section 6.1
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Best Efforts
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A-36
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Section 6.2
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Stockholder Approval
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A-37
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Section 6.3
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Benefit Plans
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A-37
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Section 6.4
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Registration Statement
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A-37
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Section 6.5
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Press Releases
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A-38
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Section 6.6
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Access; Information
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A-38
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Section 6.7
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Acquisition Proposals; Change in Recommendation
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A-39
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Section 6.8
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Affiliate Arrangements
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A-41
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Section 6.9
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Takeover Laws
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A-41
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Section 6.10
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Reserved
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A-41
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Section 6.11
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New Partners Common Units Listed
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A-41
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Section 6.12
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Third Party Approvals
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A-41
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Section 6.13
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Indemnification; Directors and Officers Insurance
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A-41
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Section 6.14
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Notification of Certain Matters
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A-43
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Section 6.15
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Distributions
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A-43
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Section 6.16
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Amendment of Omnibus Agreement
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A-43
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Section 6.17
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Amendment of Partners Partnership Agreement; Partners Board
Membership
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A-44
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Section 6.18
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Qualification as Reorganization
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A-44
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Section 6.19
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MergerCo Obligations
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A-45
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A-i
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ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
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Section 7.1
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Stockholder Vote
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A-45
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Section 7.2
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Governmental Approvals
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A-45
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Section 7.3
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No Actions
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A-45
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Section 7.4
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Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Partners
Entities
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A-45
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Section 7.5
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Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company
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A-46
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Section 7.6
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Other Approvals
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A-46
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Section 7.7
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Effective Registration Statement
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A-46
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Section 7.8
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Company Tax Opinion and Partners Tax Opinion
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A-46
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Section 7.9
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NASDAQ Listing
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A-46
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Section 7.10
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Partners Partnership Agreement Amendment and Partners Omnibus
Agreement Amendment
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A-46
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ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
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Section 8.1
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Termination
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A-47
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Section 8.2
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Effect of Termination
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A-48
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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
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Section 9.1
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Fees and Expenses
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A-48
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Section 9.2
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Waiver; Amendment
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A-49
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Section 9.3
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Counterparts
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A-49
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Section 9.4
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Governing Law
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A-49
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Section 9.5
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Confidentiality
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A-49
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Section 9.6
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Notices
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A-49
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Section 9.7
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Entire Understanding; No Third Party Beneficiaries
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A-50
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Section 9.8
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Severability
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A-50
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Section 9.9
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Headings
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A-50
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Section 9.10
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Jurisdiction
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A-51
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Section 9.11
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Waiver of Jury Trial
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A-51
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Section 9.12
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Specific Performance
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A-51
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Section 9.13
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Survival
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A-51
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Section 9.14
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No Act or Failure to Act
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A-51
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ANNEXES
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Annex A
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FORM OF SUPPORT AGREEMENT
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A-1
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Annex B
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AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF SURVIVING
ENTITY
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B-1
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Annex C
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AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF SURVIVING ENTITY
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C-1
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A-ii
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of May 5, 2011
(this Agreement), is entered into by
and among Capital Product Partners L.P., a Marshall Islands
limited partnership (Partners),
Capital GP L.L.C., a Marshall Islands limited liability company
(Partners GP), Poseidon Project Corp., a
Marshall Islands corporation and a wholly-owned direct
subsidiary of Partners (MergerCo and,
together with Partners and Partners GP, Partners
Entities), and Crude Carriers Corp., a Marshall
Islands corporation (the Company).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company Board (as defined herein), upon the
recommendation of the Company Independent Directors
Committee (as defined herein), and the Partners Board (as
defined herein), upon the recommendation of the Partners
Conflicts Committee (as defined herein), have approved the
business combination provided for herein, pursuant to which
MergerCo will, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, merge with and into the Company, with the Company being
the surviving entity (the Merger),
such that following the Merger, Partners will be the sole
stockholder of the Surviving Entity (as defined herein) and,
upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, each share of
Company Common Stock and Company Class B Stock will be
converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration
(each, as defined herein);
WHEREAS, the Company Board has, upon the recommendation of the
Company Independent Directors Committee,
(i) determined that it is in the best interests of the
Company and the Company Unaffiliated Stockholders (as defined
herein), and declared it advisable, to enter into this
Agreement, (ii) approved this Agreement and the execution,
delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the Merger and (iii) resolved to recommend to the
Stockholders (as defined herein) that they adopt and approve
this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Company Independent Directors Committee has
determined that the Merger is fair and reasonable to, and in the
best interests of, the Company and the Company Unaffiliated
Stockholders (as defined herein);
WHEREAS, the Partners Board has, upon the recommendation of the
Partners Conflicts Committee, (i) determined that the
business combination provided for herein is fair and reasonable
to, and in the best interests of, Partners and its unitholders
and (ii) approved this Agreement and the execution,
delivery and performance by Partners of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including
the Merger;
WHEREAS, the Partners Conflicts Committee has determined that
the Merger is fair and reasonable to, and in the best interests
of the Partners and the Partners Unaffiliated Unitholders (as
defined herein);
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Partners Partnership Agreement
(as defined herein) and the MILPA (as defined herein), Partners
GP has consented to the execution, delivery and performance by
Partners of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger;
WHEREAS, simultaneously with, and as a condition to, the
execution hereof, Evangelos M. Marinakis, Ioannis E. Lazaridis,
Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos and Crude Carriers Investments Corp.
are executing a support agreement with Partners substantially in
the form of Annex A (the Support
Agreement); and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to make certain
representations, warranties and agreements in connection with
the Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the
Merger.
A-1
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
respective representations, warranties, covenants, agreements
and conditions contained herein, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Certain
Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
Acquisition Proposal shall mean any proposal
or offer from or by any Person, whether in writing or otherwise,
other than any Partners Entity, relating to (i) any direct
or indirect acquisition of (A) 20% or more of the assets
(including stock or equity interests of a Subsidiary) of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (B) 20% or
more of the outstanding equity securities of the Company or
(C) a business or businesses that constitute 20% or more of
the cash flow, net revenues, net income or assets of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (ii) any tender
offer or exchange offer, within the meaning of the Exchange Act,
that, if consummated, would result in any Person beneficially
owning securities representing 20% or more of the total voting
power of the Company; or (iii) any merger, consolidation,
amalgamation, business combination, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the
Company or any Significant Company Subsidiary, other than the
Merger, in the case of each of (i) (iii) above,
whether pursuant to a single transaction or a series of
transactions.
Action shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.13(a).
Affiliate shall have the meaning set forth in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act, unless otherwise expressly
stated herein.
Agent shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 9.10(b).
Agreement shall have the meaning set forth in
the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Articles of Merger shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.1(b).
Assets means all of the assets of every kind
and nature (whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or
intangible and including the Company Real Property or the
Partners Real Property, as the case may be) used for the conduct
of the business of the Company or the Partners Entities, as the
case may be, and their respective Subsidiaries businesses
as it is presently conducted.
beneficial ownership, beneficial
owner or any similar derivation thereof has the
meaning ascribed to such terms under Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Book-Entry Shares shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.1(b).
Business Day shall mean any day which is not
a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks are authorized or
required to be closed in the City of New York or the Republic of
the Marshall Islands.
Capital Maritime shall mean Capital
Maritime & Trading Corp., a Marshall Islands
corporation.
Capital Ship Management Corp. means Capital
Ship Management Corp., a company duly organized and existing
under the laws of Republic of Panama.
Certificate shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.1(b).
Claim shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.13(a).
Closing shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.2.
Closing Date shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 2.2.
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended.
A-2
Company shall have the meaning set forth in
the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Company Articles of Incorporation shall mean
the Amended and Restated Articles of the Company effective as of
March 1, 2010, as they may be further amended from time to
time.
Company Board shall mean the Board of
Directors of the Company
and/or a
committee thereof, as applicable.
Company Bylaws means the Amended and Restated
Bylaws of the Company, as they may be further amended from time
to time.
Company Change in Recommendation shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(c).
Company Class B Stock shall mean the
Class B Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company,
having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the
Company Class B Stock in the Company Articles of
Incorporation.
Company Common Stock shall mean the Common
Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, having the
rights and obligations specified with respect to Company Common
Stock in the Company Articles of Incorporation.
Company Contract shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.1(l)(i).
Company Credit Facility shall mean that
certain Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of
September 30, 2010, by and among the Company, Nordea Bank
Finland PLC, as lead arranger and security trustee and the
lenders party thereto, as it may be further amended from time to
time.
Company Director Designee shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.17(b).
Company Disclosure Schedule shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
Company Employee means any employee of the
Company or its Subsidiaries, or an employee of Capital Ship
Management Corp. who performs services for the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries.
Company 20-F shall mean that certain
Form 20-F
filed by the Company on April 18, 2011.
Company Incentive Plan shall mean the
Companys 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, adopted March 1,
2010, as may be amended from time to time.
Company Independent Directors Committee
shall mean the Independent Directors Committee of the
Company Board, consisting solely of independent directors.
Company Management Agreement means that
certain Management Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2010,
between the Company and Capital Ship Management Corp., as
amended from time to time.
Company Meeting shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.2(a).
Company Necessary Consents shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.1(d).
Company Real Property means all real property
owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries or used for the conduct
of the business of the Company or its Subsidiaries as it is
presently conducted.
Company Recommendation shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.2(b).
Company SEC Documents shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 5.1(e)(i).
Company Stock-Based Award shall mean shares
of Company Common Stock and other compensatory awards
denominated in shares of Company Common Stock subject to a risk
of forfeiture to, or right of repurchase by, the Company.
Company Stockholder Approval shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
Company Termination Fee shall mean an amount
equal to $9.0 million in cash.
A-3
Company Tax Opinion shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.18(b).
Company Unaffiliated Stockholder Approval
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
Company Unaffiliated Stockholders means the
holders of shares of the Company Common Stock other than
(a) Partners, (b) Partners GP, (c) the officers
and directors of the Company that are also officers or directors
of Partners or Partners GP, respectively, or (d) Affiliates
of any of the foregoing or of the Company.
Company Vessels shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.1(p)(i).
Compensation and Benefit Plans shall mean,
with respect to any entity, any employee compensation, benefit
plan, program, policy, practice, agreement, contract or other
arrangement providing benefits to any current or former
employee, officer or director of such entity or any of its
Subsidiaries or any beneficiary or dependent thereof that is
sponsored or maintained by such entity or any of its
Subsidiaries, or under which any employee who performs services
for such entity receives any benefit, or to which such entity or
any of its Subsidiaries contributes or is obligated to
contribute or with respect to which such entity or any of its
Subsidiaries may have any liability, contingent or otherwise,
whether or not written, including, any employee welfare benefit
plan within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA, any
employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of
Section 3(2) of ERISA (whether or not such plan is subject
to ERISA) and any bonus, incentive, deferred compensation,
vacation, stock purchase, stock option, severance, employment,
change of control or fringe benefit plan, program, policy or
agreement and any related trusts or other funding vehicles.
Confidentiality Agreement shall mean a
confidentiality agreement of the nature generally used in
similar circumstances containing customary
standstill and non-solicitation provisions, as
determined by the Company in its reasonable business judgment,
with terms and conditions no less restrictive on a Receiving
Party than the NDA is with respect to Partners.
Converted Company Stock-Based Award shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a)(i).
DDTC shall have the meaning set forth in the
definition of Export and Sanctions Laws.
Denied Party Lists shall mean a Person
(i) subject to any restrictions under the Export and
Sanctions Laws including those sanctions targeting government
entities or individuals that support terrorism, or
(ii) included on any denied, prohibited, or restricted
party list maintained by the United States or any other
applicable jurisdiction, including the U.S. Department of
Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security Denied Persons List,
Entity List, Unverified List, the OFAC Specially Designated
Nationals and Blocked Persons List, or the DDTC Debarred Parties
List.
Disregarded MergerCo shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.18(c).
Effective Time shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.1(b).
Environmental Laws means any and all Laws,
agreements between a Person and any Governmental Authority and
rules of common law concerning or relating to public health and
safety, worker/occupational health and safety, and pollution or
protection of the environment, including those relating to the
presence, use, manufacturing, refining, production, generation,
handling, transportation, treatment, recycling, transfer,
storage, disposal, distribution, importing, labeling, testing,
processing, discharge, Release, threatened Release, control, or
other action or failure to act involving cleanup of any
Hazardous Substances, substances or wastes, chemical substances
or mixtures, pesticides, pollutants, contaminants, toxic
chemicals, petroleum products or byproducts, asbestos,
polychlorinated biphenyls, noise, or radiation, including, but
not limited to, the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C.
Section 9601 et seq., the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq., the
Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq., the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C.
Section 1251 et seq., the Oil Pollution Act of 1990,
33 U.S.C. Section 2701 et seq., the Toxic Substances
Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq., the Safe
Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq.,
the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C.
Section 651 et seq.,
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the Atomic Energy Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 2014 et seq.,
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act,
7 U.S.C. Section 136 et seq., and the Federal
Hazardous Materials Transportation Law, 49 U.S.C.
Section 5101 et seq., and their state analogues, each as
has been amended from time to time.
Environmental Permits shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 5.1(n).
ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
Evercore shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.2(r).
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
Exchange Agent shall mean such entity as may
be selected by Partners subject to the reasonable approval of
the Company.
Exchange Fund shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.3(a).
Exchange Ratio shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3.1(a).
Expenses shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 9.1(e).
Export and Sanctions Laws means all Laws of
the United States and all other applicable jurisdictions
relating to any economic sanction or export restriction
including: (i) the sanctions regulations administered by
U.S. Department of Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets
Control, (ii) export and trade controls and related
sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce,
Bureau of Industry and Security, and (iii) the
International Traffic in Arms Regulations administered by the
U.S. Department of States Directorate of Defense
Trade Controls (DDTC).
GAAP means U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles.
Governmental Authority shall mean any
international, foreign, national, state, local, county, parish
or municipal government, any agency, board, bureau, commission,
court, tribunal, subdivision, department or other governmental
or regulatory authority or instrumentality, or any arbitrator in
any case, domestic, foreign or supranational, that has
jurisdiction over the Company or the Partners Entities, as the
case may be, or any of their respective properties or assets.
Hazardous Substances means any
(x) chemical, product, substance, waste, material,
pollutant or contaminant that is defined or listed as hazardous
or toxic or that is otherwise regulated under any Environmental
Law; (y) asbestos containing materials, whether in a
friable or non-friable condition, polychlorinated biphenyls,
naturally occurring radioactive materials or radon; and
(z) any oil or gas exploration or production waste or any
petroleum, petroleum hydrocarbons, petroleum products, crude oil
and any components, fractions, or derivatives thereof.
Indemnification Expenses shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.13(a).
Indemnified Parties shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.13(a).
Indemnitees shall mean those Person entitled
to indemnification under the Company Bylaws.
Jefferies shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.1(r).
Knowledge or Known shall
mean, with respect to any entity, the knowledge of such
entitys (or its general partners) executive officers
after reasonable inquiry.
Law shall mean any law, rule, regulation,
directive, ordinance, code, governmental determination,
guideline, judgment, order, treaty, convention, governmental
certification requirement or other legally enforceable
requirement, U.S. or
non-U.S., of
any Governmental Authority.
Lien shall mean any charge, mortgage, pledge,
security interest, restriction, claim, lien, or encumbrance of
any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing).
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Material Adverse Effect shall mean, with
respect to either the Company or the Partners Entities, any
events, circumstances, changes, developments, violations,
inaccuracies, effects or other matters that, individually or
taken together, that (x) are or could reasonably be
expected to be materially adverse to the financial condition,
results of operations, business, assets or properties of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or the Partners
Entities and their respective Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
respectively, or (y) materially impair or could reasonably
be expected to materially impair the ability of the Company or
the Partners Entities, respectively, to perform their respective
obligations under this Agreement or otherwise materially
threaten or materially impede the consummation of the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
provided, however, that Material Adverse Effect
shall not be deemed to include any of the following or the
impact thereof: (a) circumstances affecting the shipping or
shipbuilding and repair industries generally, or in any region
in which such Person operates, (b) any general market,
economic, financial or political conditions, or outbreak or
hostilities or war, in the United States or elsewhere,
(c) changes in Law or changes in GAAP,
(d) earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, volcanic eruptions or
other natural disasters, (e) any failure of the Company or
any of the Partners Entities, as applicable, to meet any
internal or external projections, forecasts or estimates of
revenue or earnings for any period, (f) changes in the
market price or trading volume of the Company Common Stock or
Partners Common Units, (g) the entry into, announcement or
pendency of this Agreement or the matters contemplated hereby or
the compliance by any party with the provisions of this
Agreement (other than Section 6.7) or any action
taken or omitted to be taken by the Company, MergerCo or the
Partners Entities, as the case may be, at the written request or
with the prior written consent of Partners, MergerCo or the
Company, as the case may be (provided, however, that the
exceptions in this clause (g) shall not apply to that
portion of any representation or warranty contained in this
Agreement to the extent that the purpose of such portion of such
representation or warranty is to address the consequences
resulting from the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
public announcement or pendency of the Merger or any of the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
performance of obligations or satisfaction of conditions under
this Agreement); provided further, however, (i) that
in the case of clauses (e) or (f), any change or failure
shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any
event, circumstance, change, development, violation, inaccuracy,
effect or other matter underlying such change or failure has
resulted in, or contributed to, a Material Adverse Effect and
(ii) that, in the case of clauses (a), (b), (c) or
(d), the impact on the Company or the Partners Entities, as
applicable, is not disproportionately adverse as compared to
others in the industry or geographic region.
Meeting shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.2(a).
Merger shall have the meaning set forth in
the recitals to this Agreement.
Merger Consideration shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 3.1(a).
MergerCo shall have the meaning set forth in
the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
MergerCo Articles of Incorporation shall mean
the Articles of Incorporation of MergerCo filed with the
Registrar or Deputy Registrar of Corporations of the Republic of
the Marshall Islands on May 3, 2011, as amended from time
to time.
MergerCo Bylaws shall mean the Bylaws of
MergerCo, as amended from time to time.
MergerCo Common Stock shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.1(g).
MIBCA means the Business Corporations Act of
the Associations Law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as
amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any
successor to such statute.
MILPA means the Limited Partnership Act of
the Associations Law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as
amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any
successor to such statute.
NASDAQ shall mean the Nasdaq Global Market.
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NDA shall mean that certain Confidentiality
Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2011, between Partners and
the Company, as amended.
New Partners Common Unit Certificates shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).
New Partners Common Units shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
Notice of Proposed Recommendation Change
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.7(c).
NYSE shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.
Other Approvals shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.1(d).
Partially Owned Entity shall mean, with
respect to a specified Person, any other Person that is not a
Subsidiary of such specified Person but in which such specified
Person, directly or indirectly, owns less than 100% of the
equity interests thereof (whether voting or non-voting and
including beneficial interests).
Partners shall have the meaning set forth in
the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Partners Administrative Services Agreement
means that certain Administrative Services Agreement, dated as
of April 3, 2007, as amended through the date of this
Agreement, between Partners and Capital Ship Management Corp.
Partners Board shall mean the board of
directors of Partners
and/or a
committee thereof, as applicable.
Partners Certificate of Limited Partnership
shall mean the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Partners
effective as of January 16, 2007, as amended from time to
time.
Partners Common Units shall mean the common
units representing limited partner interests in Partners having
the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common
Units in the Partners Partnership Agreement.
Partners Conflicts Committee shall mean the
Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of Partners,
consisting solely of independent directors.
Partners Contract shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.2(l)(i).
Partners Credit Facilities shall mean
(a) that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of March 22,
2007, by and among Partners, HSH Nordbank AG, as agent and
security trustee, and the lenders party thereto and
(b) that certain Loan Agreement, dated as of March 19,
2008, by and among Partners, HSH Nordbank AG as lead arranger
and security trustee, DnB Nor Bank SA as co-arranger and the
lenders party thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.
Partners Disclosure Schedule shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
Partners Employee means any employee of any
of the Partners Entities or any of their respective
Subsidiaries, or an employee of Capital Ship Management Corp.
who performs services for any Partners Entity or Subsidiary of
Partners.
Partners Entities shall have the meaning set
forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Partners GP shall have the meaning set forth
in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.
Partners GP Certificate of Formation shall
mean the Certificate of Formation of Partners GP effective as of
January 16, 2007, as amended from time to time.
Partners GP LLC Agreement shall mean the
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Partners GP, dated as of
January 16, 2007, as amended from time to time.
Partners Incentive Plan shall mean
Partners 2008 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, adopted
April 29, 2008 and amended July 22, 2010, as it may be
further amended from time to time.
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Partners Management Agreement shall mean that
certain Management Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2007, as
amended through the date of this Agreement, between Partners and
Capital Ship Management Corp.
Partners Omnibus Agreement Amendment shall
mean an amendment to, or an amendment and restatement of, that
certain Omnibus Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2007, by
and among Capital Maritime, Partners GP, Capital Product
Operating GP L.L.C. and Partners, as amended from time to time,
containing the provisions provided for in
Section 6.16.
Partners Partnership Agreement shall mean the
Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Partners, dated as of February 22, 2010, as it may be
further amended from time to time, including the Partners
Partnership Agreement Amendment.
Partners Partnership Agreement Amendment
shall mean an amendment to, or an amendment and restatement of,
the Partners Partnership Agreement that includes the terms
contemplated by Section 6.17(a).
Partners Incentive Distribution Rights shall
mean the Incentive Distribution Rights as defined in
the Partners Partnership Agreement.
Partners Necessary Consents shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 5.2(d).
Partners Real Property means all real
property owned by the Partners Entities or any of their
respective Subsidiaries or used for the conduct of the business
of the Partners Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries
as it is presently conducted.
Partners SEC Documents shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 5.2(e)(i).
Partners Tax Opinion shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.18(c).
Partners Unaffiliated Unitholders shall mean
the holders of Partners Common Units other than
(a) Partners, (b) Partners GP, (c) Capital
Maritime, (d) the Company, (e) members of management
of the Partners, Partners GP and the Company, (f) members
of the Partners Board and the Company Board, and
(vii) their respective Affiliates.
Partners Vessels shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.2(p)(i).
Partners 2010 20-F shall mean that certain
Form 20-F
filed by Partners on February 4, 2011.
Person shall mean any individual, bank,
corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
association, joint-stock company, business trust or
unincorporated organization or any other form of business or
professional entity.
Policies means all policies of property,
casualty and liability insurance, including crime insurance,
liability and casualty insurance, property insurance, business
interruption insurance, workers compensation, excess or
umbrella liability insurance and any other type of property and
casualty insurance.
Pre-Closing Tax Period shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 5.1(u)(viii).
Proxy Statement shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.4(a).
Receiving Party shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 6.7(a).
Registration Statement shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.4(a).
Release means any depositing, spilling,
leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, discarding, emptying,
discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or
disposing of Hazardous Substances into the environment.
Representatives shall mean with respect to a
Person, its directors, officers, employees, agents and
representatives, including any investment banker, financial
advisor, attorney, accountant or other advisor, agent or
representative.
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Rights shall mean, with respect to any
Person, securities or obligations convertible into or
exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe
for or acquire, or any options, calls or commitments relating
to, equity securities of such Person.
Rule 145 Affiliate shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 6.8(a).
SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Significant Company Subsidiary means any
Company Subsidiary that would be a Significant
Subsidiary as defined in
Rule 12b-2
of the Exchange Act.
SOX means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and
the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Stockholders means the holders of the Company
Common Stock and Company Class B Stock.
Subsidiary shall have the meaning ascribed to
such term in
Rule 1-02
of
Regulation S-X
under the Securities Act.
Superior Proposal shall mean any bona fide
Acquisition Proposal (except that references to 20% or
more within the definition of Acquisition
Proposal shall be replaced by 50% or more)
made by a third party, which is not subject to a financing
condition, on terms that the Company Board determines, in its
good faith judgment and after consulting with its financial
advisor and outside legal counsel, and taking into account the
financial, legal, regulatory and other aspects of the
Acquisition Proposal (including, without limitation, any
conditions to and the expected timing of consummation and any
risks of non-consummation), to be more favorable to the holders
of Company Common Stock and Company Class B Stock, from a
financial point of view, than the Merger (taking into account
any revised proposal by the Partners Board on behalf of
Partners).
Support Agreement shall have the meaning set
forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Surviving Entity shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.1(a).
Takeover Law shall mean any fair
price, moratorium, control share
acquisition, business combination or any other
anti-takeover statute or similar statute enacted under state,
federal or foreign law.
Taxes shall mean all taxes, charges, fees,
levies, duties, or other assessments, including, without
limitation, all net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales,
use, ad valorem, goods and services, capital, transfer,
franchise, profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment,
employer health, excise, estimated, severance, stamp,
occupation, property or other taxes, together with any interest
and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts
imposed by any taxing authority, whether disputed or not.
Tax Law shall mean any Law relating to Taxes.
Tax Returns means any return, report or
similar statement (including any attached schedules thereto and
any amendments thereof) required to be filed with respect to any
Tax, including any information return, claim for refund, amended
return or declaration of estimated Tax.
Termination Date shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 8.1(b)(i).
Voting Debt shall mean any bonds, debentures,
notes or other indebtedness having the right to vote on any
matters on which holders of capital stock or members or partners
of the same issuer may vote (or that are convertible into, or
exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote on such
matters).
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ARTICLE II
THE MERGER;
EFFECTS OF THE MERGER
Section 2.1 The
Merger.
(a) The Surviving Entity. Subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time,
MergerCo shall merge with and into the Company, the separate
existence of MergerCo shall cease and the Company shall survive
and continue to exist as a Marshall Islands corporation (the
Company, as the surviving entity in the Merger, sometimes being
referred to herein as the Surviving
Entity), such that following the Merger, Partners
will be the sole stockholder of the Company.
(b) Effectiveness and Effects of the
Merger. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
the conditions set forth in Article VII in
accordance with this Agreement, the Merger shall become
effective upon the filing in the office of the Registrar or
Deputy Registrar of Corporations in the Republic of the Marshall
Islands of a properly executed articles of merger (the
Articles of Merger) or such later date
and time as may be set forth in the Articles of Merger (the
Effective Time), in accordance with
the MIBCA. The Merger shall have the effects prescribed in the
MIBCA.
(c) The Company and MergerCo Governing
Documents. At the Effective Time, (i) the
Company Articles of Incorporation shall be amended and restated
in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex B
and such Company Articles of Incorporation as so amended and
restated shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Entity and (ii) the Company Bylaws shall be amended and
restated in substantially the form attached hereto as
Annex C and such Company Bylaws as so amended and
restated shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Entity, in each
case until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and
applicable Law and pursuant to such amendment and restatement.
(d) Partners Partnership Agreement. At
the Effective Time, the Partners Partnership Agreement (as in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time), shall be
amended by the Partners Partnership Agreement Amendment.
(e) Directors. The directors of MergerCo
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become the
directors of the Surviving Entity, until the earlier of their
resignation or removal or until their respective successors are
duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.
(f) Officers. The officers of the Company
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become the
officers of the Surviving Entity, until the earlier of their
resignation or removal or until their respective successors are
duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.
(g) Capital Stock of MergerCo. As of the
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of the holder of any shares of Company Common Stock
or Company Class B Stock or any shares of capital stock of
MergerCo, each share of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per
share, of MergerCo issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time (MergerCo Common
Stock) shall be converted into and become one
fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value
$0.0001 per share, of the Surviving Corporation and such shares
shall, following the Merger, represent all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Surviving Entity, all of which
shall be owned by Partners at the Effective Time.
(h) Cancellation of Treasury Stock. Each
share of Company Common Stock and Company Class B Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
that is owned by the Company, Partners, Partners GP, MergerCo or
any of their respective Subsidiaries, if any, shall no longer be
outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease
to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange
therefor.
Section 2.2 Closing. Subject
to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions as set forth in
Article VII in accordance with this Agreement, the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (the
Closing) shall occur (a) at
10:00 a.m. (New York Time) on the third Business Day after
the day on which the last of the conditions set forth in
Article VII shall have been satisfied or waived in
accordance with the terms of this
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Agreement or (b) such other date and time to which the
parties may agree in writing. The date on which the Closing
occurs is referred to as the Closing
Date. The Closing of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement shall take place at the offices of Akin Gump
Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, 1111 Louisiana Street,
Houston, TX.
ARTICLE III
MERGER
CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
Section 3.1 Merger
Consideration. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of the Partners Entities, the Company or any
Stockholder:
(a) Each share of (i) Company Common Stock and
(ii) Company Class B Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares of
Company Common Stock and Company Class B Stock held by the
Company, the Partners Entities or any of their respective
Subsidiaries, if any) shall be converted into the right to
receive 1.56 (the Exchange Ratio)
Partners Common Units (the Merger
Consideration), which Partners Common Units shall
be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with
applicable Laws and the Partners Partnership Agreement, fully
paid (to the extent required under the Partners Partnership
Agreement) and non-assessable (except to the extent such
non-assessability may be affected by the MILPA) (such Partners
Common Units described in this clause (a) shall be referred
to herein as the New Partners Common
Units).
(b) All the shares of Company Common Stock and Company
Class B Stock, when converted in the Merger, shall cease to
be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and cease to
exist. At the Effective Time, each holder of a certificate
representing a share of Company Common Stock or Company
Class B Stock (a Certificate) and
each holder of non-certificated shares of Company Common Stock
or Company Class B Stock represented by book-entry
(Book-Entry Shares) shall cease to
have any rights with respect thereto, except (A) the right
to receive dividends in accordance with Section 3.2,
and (B) the right to receive (i) the Merger
Consideration, (ii) any cash to be paid in lieu of any
fractional New Partners Common Unit in accordance with
Section 3.3(e) and (iii) any distributions in
accordance with Section 3.3(c), and in each case to
be issued or paid in consideration therefor in accordance with
Section 3.3.
Section 3.2 Rights
As Unitholders; Unit Transfers. At the Effective
Time, holders of shares of Company Common Stock and shares of
Company Class B Stock shall cease to be, and shall have no
rights as Stockholders, other than to receive (a) any
dividend with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock or
Company Class B Stock with a record date occurring prior to
the Effective Time that may have been declared by the Company on
such shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and
the Company Articles of Incorporation and Company Bylaws and
that remains unpaid at the Effective Time and (b) the
consideration provided under this
Article III. After the Effective Time,
there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of the
Company with respect to the shares of Company Common Stock or
Company Class B Stock.
Section 3.3 Exchange
of Certificates.
(a) Exchange Agent. At or prior to the
Effective Time, Partners shall deposit or shall cause to be
deposited with the Exchange Agent for the benefit of
Stockholders, for exchange in accordance with this
Article III, through the Exchange Agent, the
certificates representing New Partners Common Units (such
certificates, whether represented in certificated or
non-certificated book-entry form, to the extent applicable, the
New Partners Common Unit Certificates) and
cash as required by this
Article III. Partners agrees to make
available to the Exchange Agent, from time to time as needed,
cash sufficient to pay any distributions pursuant to
Section 3.2 and Section 3.3(c) and to
make payments in lieu of any fractional New Partners Common
Units pursuant to Section 3.3(e). Any
cash and New Partners Common Unit Certificates deposited with
the Exchange Agent (including as payment for any fractional New
Partners Common Units in accordance with
Section 3.3(e) and any distributions in accordance
with Section 3.3(c)) shall hereinafter be referred
to as
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the Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent
shall, pursuant to irrevocable instructions, deliver the Merger
Consideration contemplated to be paid for shares of Company
Common Stock and Company Class B Stock pursuant to this
Agreement out of the Exchange Fund. Except as contemplated by
Sections 3.3(c) and 3.3(e), the Exchange Fund
shall not be used for any other purpose.
(b) Exchange Procedures. As soon as
reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, Partners shall
instruct the Exchange Agent to mail to each record holder of a
share of Company Common Stock or Company Class B Stock
(i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that in
respect of certificated shares, delivery shall be effected, and
risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon
proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent, and
shall be in customary form and agreed to by Partners and the
Company prior to the Effective Time) and (ii) instructions
for effecting the surrender of the Certificates or transfer of
the Book-Entry Shares, as the case may be, in exchange for the
Merger Consideration payable in respect of shares of Company
Common Stock and Company Class B Stock represented by such
Certificates or Book-Entry Shares. Upon proper surrender of a
Certificate or transfer of Book-Entry Share, as the case may be,
for cancellation to the Exchange Agent together with such
letters of transmittal, properly completed and duly executed,
and such other documents (including in respect of Book-Entry
Shares) as may be required pursuant to such instructions, the
holder of such Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall be entitled
to receive in exchange therefor (A) a New Partners Common
Unit Certificate representing, in the aggregate, the whole
number of New Partners Common Units that such holder has the
right to receive pursuant to this Article III (after
taking into account and aggregating all shares of Company Common
Stock and Company Class B Stock then held by such holder)
and (B) a check in the amount equal to the aggregate amount
of cash that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to
this Article III, including cash payable in lieu of
any fractional New Partners Common Units pursuant to
Section 3.3(e) and distributions pursuant to
Section 3.3(c) and the Certificate so surrendered
and the Book-Entry Share so transferred shall immediately be
cancelled. No interest shall be paid or accrued on any Merger
Consideration or on any unpaid distributions payable to holders
of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares. In the event of a transfer
of ownership of shares of Company Common Stock or Company
Class B Stock that is not registered in the transfer
records of the Company, the Merger Consideration payable in
respect of such shares may be paid to a transferee, if the
Certificate representing such shares or evidence of ownership of
the Book-Entry Shares are presented to the Exchange Agent, and
in the case of both certificated and book-entry shares,
accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect
such transfer and the Person requesting such exchange shall pay
to the Exchange Agent in advance any transfer or other Taxes
required by reason of the delivery of the Merger Consideration
in any name other than that of the record holder of such shares,
or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent
that such Taxes have been paid or are not payable. Until the
required documentation has been delivered and Certificates have
been surrendered and the Book-Entry Shares have been
transferred, as the case may be, as contemplated by this
Section 3.3, each Certificate or Book-Entry Share
shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to
represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the
Merger Consideration payable in respect of shares of Company
Common Stock or Company Class B Stock, as the case may be
(including any cash in lieu of fractional units pursuant to
Section 3.3(e)), and any distributions to which such
holder is entitled pursuant to Section 3.2.
(c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares of
Company Common Stock and Company Class B
Stock. No distributions declared or made with
respect to Partners Common Units with a record date after the
Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered
Certificate or untransferred Book-Entry Share with respect to
the New Partners Common Units that such holder would be entitled
to receive in accordance herewith and no cash payment in lieu of
fractional New Partners Common Units shall be paid to any such
holder until such holder shall deliver the required
documentation and surrender any Certificate or transfer any
Book-Entry Share, as the case may be, as contemplated by this
Section 3.3. Subject to applicable Law,
following compliance with the requirements of
Section 3.3(b), there shall be paid to such holder
of the New Partners Common Units issuable in exchange therefor,
without interest, (i) promptly after the time of such
compliance, the amount of any cash payable in lieu of fractional
New Partners Common Units to which such holder is entitled
pursuant to Section 3.3(e) and the amount of
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
theretofore paid with respect to the New Partners Common Units
and payable with respect to such New Partners Common Units, and
(ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of
distributions with a
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record date after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender
and a payment date subsequent to such compliance payable with
respect to such New Partners Common Units.
(d) Further Rights in the Company Common Stock and
Company Class B Stock. The Merger
Consideration issued upon conversion of a share of Company
Common Stock or Company Class B Stock in accordance with
the terms hereof and any cash paid pursuant to
Section 3.2, Section 3.3(c) or
Section 3.3(e) shall be deemed to have been issued
and paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such
share of Company Common Stock or Company Class B Stock, as
the case may be.
(e) Fractional Partners Common Units. No
certificates or scrip of the New Partners Common Units
representing fractional New Partners Common Units or book entry
credit of the same shall be issued upon the exchange of shares
of Company Common Stock or Company Class B Stock in
accordance with Section 3.3(b), and such fractional
interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to have
any rights as a holder of any New Partners Common Units.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each
holder of a share of Company Common Stock or Company
Class B Stock exchanged in the Merger who would otherwise
have been entitled to receive a fraction of a New Partners
Common Unit (after taking into account all such shares exchanged
by such holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, cash (without
interest rounded up to the nearest whole cent) in an amount
equal to the product of (i) the closing sale price of the
Partners Common Units on the NASDAQ as reported by The Wall
Street Journal on the trading day immediately preceding the
date on which the Effective Time shall occur and (ii) the
fraction of a New Partners Common Unit that such holder would
otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to this
Article III. As promptly as practicable
after the determination of the amount of cash, if any, to be
paid to holders of fractional interests, the Exchange Agent
shall so notify Partners, and Partners shall, or shall cause the
Surviving Entity to, deposit such amount with the Exchange Agent
and shall cause the Exchange Agent to forward payments to such
holders of fractional interests subject to and in accordance
with the terms hereof.
(f) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any
portion of the Exchange Fund constituting New Partners Common
Units or cash that remains undistributed to the Stockholders
after one year following the Effective Time shall be delivered
to Partners upon demand and, from and after such delivery, any
former holders of such shares who have not theretofore complied
with this Article III shall thereafter look only to
Partners for the Merger Consideration payable in respect of such
shares, any cash in lieu of fractional New Partners Common Units
to which they are entitled pursuant to
Section 3.3(e) and any distributions with respect to
the New Partners Common Units to which they are entitled
pursuant to Section 3.3(c), in each case, without
any interest thereon.
(g) No Liability. None of the Partners
Entities, the Company nor the Surviving Entity shall be liable
to any Stockholder for any Partners Common Units (or
distributions with respect thereto) or cash from the Exchange
Fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any abandoned
property, escheat or similar Law. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, any amounts remaining unclaimed by
Stockholders as of the second anniversary of the Effective Time
(or immediately prior to such earlier time as such amounts would
otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental
Authority) shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law,
become the property of Partners, free and clear of any Liens,
claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.
(h) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate
shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an
affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate
to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Partners,
the posting by such Person of a bond, in such reasonable amount
as Partners may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may
be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the
Exchange Agent shall pay in exchange for such lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration payable in
respect of the shares of Company Common Stock or Company
Class B Stock represented by such Certificate and any
distributions to which the holders thereof are entitled pursuant
to Section 3.2.
(i) Withholding. Each of Partners, the
Surviving Entity and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to
deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable
pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of shares of Company
Common Stock or Company Class B Stock such amounts as
Partners, the Surviving Entity or the Exchange Agent are
required to deduct and withhold under the Code or any provision
of state, local, or
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foreign Tax Law, with respect to the making of such payment;
provided, however, that Partners, the Surviving Entity or
the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, shall provide reasonable
notice to the applicable Stockholders prior to withholding any
amounts pursuant to this
Section 3.3(i). To the extent that
amounts are so deducted and withheld by Partners, the Surviving
Entity or the Exchange Agent, such amounts shall be treated for
all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the
Stockholders in respect of whom such deduction and withholding
was made by Partners, the Surviving Entity or the Exchange
Agent, as the case may be.
(j) Book Entry and Admission of Holders of New Partners
Common Units as Additional Limited Partners of
Partners. Holders of New Partners Common Units
will be admitted to Partners as Limited Partners upon the
issuance of New Partners Common Units to the Stockholders in
accordance with this Section 3.3 and the reflection
of such admission on the books and records of Partners pursuant
to Section 10.2 of the Partners Partnership Agreement.
Section 3.4 Anti-Dilution
Provisions. In the event of any subdivisions,
reclassifications, recapitalizations, splits, combinations or
distributions in the form of equity interests with respect to
the shares of Company Common Stock or Company Class B Stock
and the Partners Common Units (in each case, as permitted
pursuant to Section 4.1(c) or
Section 4.2(c), as applicable), the number of New
Partners Common Units to be issued in the Merger and the average
closing sales prices of the Partners Common Units determined in
accordance with Section 3.3(e) will be
correspondingly adjusted.
Section 3.5 Equity
Awards.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board (or, if
appropriate, any committee thereof administering the Company
Incentive Plan) will adopt such resolutions or take such other
actions as may be required to effect the following:
(i) adjust the terms of all outstanding Company Stock-Based
Awards, if any, to provide that, at the Effective Time, such
Company Stock-Based Awards outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time will be converted into Partners Common Units or
other compensatory awards denominated in Partners Common Units
subject to a risk of forfeiture to, or right of repurchase by,
Partners (each, a Converted Company Stock-Based
Award), with the same terms and conditions as were
applicable under such Company Stock-Based Awards, except to the
extent otherwise required by the terms of such Company
Stock-Based Awards or pursuant to the Company Incentive Plan,
and each holder of Company Stock-Based Awards will be entitled
to receive a number of Converted Company Stock-Based Awards
equal to the product of (x) the number of Company
Stock-Based Awards held by such holder immediately prior to the
Effective Time and (y) the Exchange Ratio; provided,
however, that the transfer restrictions and forfeiture
provisions relating to any Company Stock-Based Awards that have
been granted to the five independent directors of the Company
(other than the independent director to be designated by the
Company pursuant to Section 6.17(c) to serve as a
member of the Partners Board) will lapse immediately prior to
the Effective Time, and such Company Stock-Based Awards will
vest in full immediately prior to the Effective Time;
(ii) make such other changes to the Company Incentive Plan
as may be necessary, proper, desirable or advisable to give
effect to the Merger (subject to the approval of Partners, which
will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or
delayed); and
(iii) ensure that, after the Effective Time, no Company
Stock-Based Awards may be granted under the Company Incentive
Plan and that from and after the Effective Time awards under the
Company Incentive Plan will be granted with respect to Partners
Common Units.
(b) At the Effective Time, and subject to compliance by the
Company with Section 3.5(a), Partners will assume
all the obligations of the Company under the Company Incentive
Plan, each outstanding Company Stock-Based Award and the
agreements evidencing the grants thereof. As soon as practicable
after the Effective Time, Partners will deliver to the holders
of Company Stock-Based Awards appropriate notices setting forth
such holders rights pursuant to the Company Incentive
Plan, and the agreements evidencing the
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grants of such Company Stock-Based Awards will continue in
effect on the same terms and conditions (subject to the
adjustments required by this Section 3.5 after
giving effect to the Merger).
(c) Partners will take all corporate action necessary to
reserve for issuance a sufficient number of Partners Common
Units for delivery at the Effective Time of Converted Company
Stock-Based Awards assumed in accordance with this
Section 3.5.
ARTICLE IV
ACTIONS PENDING MERGER
Section 4.1 Covenants
of the Company. During the period from the date
of this Agreement and continuing until the Effective Time, the
Company agrees as to itself and its Subsidiaries that without
the written consent of Partners, which shall not be unreasonably
withheld, delayed or conditioned (except as expressly
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or a correspondingly
numbered subsection of the Company Disclosure Schedule):
(a) New Business. The Company shall not,
and the Company shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
enter into any new material line of business that is not in the
shipping industry.
(b) Ordinary Course. The Company and its
Subsidiaries shall carry on their existing businesses in the
ordinary course consistent with past practices in all material
respects and in material compliance with all applicable Laws.
(c) Dividends; Changes in Share
Capital. Except as required under the Company
Articles of Incorporation, the Company Bylaws or the
organizational documents of the Companys Subsidiaries or
as contemplated by this Agreement, the Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) declare or
pay any dividends or other distributions (whether in the form of
cash, equity or property) in respect of any of its equity
securities except, solely in the case of the Company, the
declaration and payment of a regular quarterly dividend for the
quarter ended March 31, 2011 and the quarter ending
June 30, 2011, in each case not in excess of $0.25 per
share of Company Common Stock and Company Class B Stock
with usual record and payment dates for such dividend in
accordance with past dividend practice, (ii) split, combine
or reclassify any of its Company Common Stock or Company
Class B Stock, or (iii) repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any of its equity securities, except by a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company that remains a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company after consummation of
such transaction.
(d) Issuance of Securities. Except as
provided in the Company Incentive Plan, the Company shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue, deliver,
sell, pledge or dispose of, or propose or authorize the
issuance, delivery, sale, pledge or disposition of, any of its
equity securities of any class, any Voting Debt or any
securities convertible into or exercisable for, or any Rights,
warrants, calls or options to acquire, any such securities,
partnership units or Voting Debt, or enter into any commitment,
arrangement, undertaking or agreement with respect to any of the
foregoing, other than issuances, sales or deliveries by a
Subsidiary of the Company of equity securities to such
Subsidiarys parent or another Subsidiary of the Company.
(e) Governing Documents. Except to the
extent required to comply with its obligations hereunder or
applicable Law, the Company shall not amend or propose to amend
the Company Articles of Incorporation or Company Bylaws, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not to amend or propose to
amend the organizational documents of any of such Subsidiary, in
a manner that would be materially adverse to the interests of
the holders of Partnership Common Units or that would adversely
affect the holders of Partners Common Units compared to
Stockholders.
(f) No Merger. The Company shall not
merge or consolidate with or sell all or substantially all of
its assets to any Person or effect any unit exchange having a
substantially similar effect, other than such transactions
between or among direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries of
the Company.
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(g) Accounting Methods; Tax
Elections. Except as disclosed in the Company SEC
Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, or as
required by a Governmental Authority, the Company shall not
change in any material respect its methods of accounting in
effect at December 31, 2010, except to comply with changes
in GAAP as concurred in by the Companys independent public
accountants. The Company shall not (i) change its fiscal
year or any method of tax accounting or (ii) make any
material Tax election, in each case except as required by Law.
(h) Certain Actions. The Company and its
Subsidiaries shall not take any action or omit to take any
action which action or omission would reasonably be expected to
(i) prevent or materially delay or impede the consummation
of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or Merger or (ii) result in a material violation
of this Agreement, except, in each case, as may be required by
applicable Law.
(i) Acquisitions and Dispositions. Except
for acquisitions set forth in Section 4.1(i) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule and other than capital expenditures
and obligations or liabilities allocated under the Company
Management Agreement and other capital expenditures and
obligations, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, (A) incur or commit to any capital
expenditures or any obligations or liabilities to unaffiliated
third parties in connection therewith relating to the
construction of one or more vessels, or (B) acquire, or
agree to acquire, by merger or consolidation, or by purchasing a
substantial equity interest in or a substantial portion of the
assets of, or by any other manner any business or any
corporation, partnership, association or other business
organization or division thereof or otherwise acquire or agree
to acquire any vessel. The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise
dispose of, or agree to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of, in
each case including, but not limited to, by way of merger, any
of their vessels (including equity securities of Subsidiaries of
the Company), except the chartering of vessels in the ordinary
course of business, consistent with past practice, and except
for dispositions to or from wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the
Company, or dispositions to Partially Owned Entities of the
Company to the extent required pursuant to the governing
documents of such entities set forth, or not required to be set
forth, in Section 5.1(a)(iii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule.
(j) Indebtedness. The Company shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, except for
(A) solely with respect to the Company and any of its
Subsidiaries, additional borrowing under existing loan
agreements and refinancing or replacement of such agreements or
obligations thereunder (provided the aggregate amount of
indebtedness that may be incurred thereunder is not increased)
and (B) borrowings (and associated guarantees) of up to an
aggregate of $2.0 million principal amount of indebtedness
under one or more new short-term credit facilities, incur any
indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee, assume, endorse or
otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for any such
indebtedness of another Person, issue or sell any debt
securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt
securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or enter
into any keep well or other agreement to maintain
any financial condition of another Person (other than any
wholly-owned Subsidiary). Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be
entitled to transfer funds and make payments to its Subsidiaries
(i) to reimburse its Subsidiaries for obligations (which
otherwise were incurred in compliance with the Agreement) of the
Company or its Subsidiaries incurred by its Subsidiaries or
(ii) in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice.
(k) No Related Actions. The Company shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, agree or
commit to do any of the foregoing.
Section 4.2 Covenants
of the Partners Entities. During the period from
the date of this Agreement and continuing until the Effective
Time, each of the Partners Entities agrees as to itself and its
Subsidiaries that without the written consent of the Company,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or
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conditioned (except as expressly contemplated or permitted by
this Agreement or a correspondingly numbered subsection of the
Partners Disclosure Schedule):
(a) New Business. The Partners Entities
shall not, and the Partners Entities shall not permit any of
their respective Subsidiaries to, enter into any new material
line of business that is not in the shipping industry.
(b) Ordinary Course. The Partners
Entities and their respective Subsidiaries shall carry on their
existing businesses in the ordinary course consistent with past
practices in all material respects.
(c) Distributions; Changes in Unit
Capital. Except as required under the Partners
Certificate of Limited Partnership, Partners Partnership
Agreement or the organizational documents of its Subsidiaries or
as contemplated by this Agreement, Partners shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) solely in the
case of Partners, declare or pay any special or extraordinary
distributions in respect of any of its Partners Common Units or
other equity securities, (ii) split, combine or reclassify
any of its Partners Common Units, or (iii) repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any of its equity securities or
Partners Common Units, except for any such transaction or
distribution consistent with past practices or by a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of Partners that remains a wholly-owned Subsidiary of
Partners after consummation of such transaction.
(d) Issuance of Securities. Except as
provided in the Partners Incentive Plan and in
Section 4(i), Partners and Partners GP shall not,
and shall not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to,
issue, deliver, sell, pledge or dispose of, or propose or
authorize the issuance, delivery, sale, pledge or disposition
of, any of its equity securities of any class, any Voting Debt
or any securities convertible into or exercisable for, or any
Rights, warrants, calls or options to acquire, any such
securities, partnership units or Voting Debt, or enter into any
commitment, arrangement, undertaking or agreement with respect
to any of the foregoing, other than issuances, sales or
deliveries by a Subsidiary of Partners of equity securities to
such Subsidiarys parent or another Subsidiary of Partners.
(e) Governing Documents. Except to the
extent required to comply with its obligations hereunder or
applicable Law, Partners GP and Partners shall not amend or
propose to amend the Partners GP Certificate of Formation,
Partners GP LLC Agreement, Partners Certificate of Limited
Partnership, Partners Partnership Agreement, or the
organizational documents of any of their respective
Subsidiaries, in a manner that would be materially adverse to
the interests of the Stockholders or that would adversely affect
the Stockholders compared to holders of Partners Common Units.
(f) No Merger. Neither Partners nor
MergerCo shall merge or consolidate with or sell all or
substantially all of its assets to any Person or effect any unit
exchange having a substantially similar effect, other than such
transactions between or among direct or indirect wholly-owned
Subsidiaries of Partners.
(g) Accounting Methods; Tax
Elections. Except as disclosed in Partners SEC
Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement, or as
required by a Governmental Authority, Partners shall not change
in any material respect its methods of accounting in effect at
December 31, 2010, except to comply with changes in GAAP as
concurred in by Partners independent public accountants.
Partners shall not (i) change its fiscal year or any method
of tax accounting or (ii) make any material Tax election,
in each case except as required by Law.
(h) Certain Actions. The Partners
Entities and their respective Subsidiaries shall not take any
action or omit to take any action which action or omission would
reasonably be expected to (i) prevent or materially delay
or impede the consummation of the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or Merger or
(ii) result in a material violation of this Agreement,
except, in each case, as may be required by applicable Law.
(i) No Related Actions. The Partners
Entities shall not, and shall not permit any of their respective
Subsidiaries to, agree or commit to do any of the foregoing;
provided, however, that nothing in this
Section 4.2 will prohibit any of the Partners
Entities from acquiring or entering into agreements to
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acquire vessels (including non-tanker vessels) or the equity of
any Person owning such vessels and financing such acquisitions
(by the issuance of equity securities, debt securities or
otherwise) and taking all other actions reasonably incidental
thereto.
Section 4.3 Governmental
Filings. To the extent permitted by Law or
regulation or any applicable confidentiality agreement, each of
the Company and Partners shall confer on a reasonable basis with
each other on operational matters. The Company and Partners
shall file all reports required to be filed by each of them with
the SEC (and all other Governmental Authorities) between the
date of this Agreement and the Effective Time and shall, if
requested by the other party (to the extent permitted by Law or
any applicable confidentiality agreement) deliver to the other
party copies of all such reports, announcements and publications
promptly upon request.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 5.1 Representations
and Warranties of the Company. Except as
disclosed in a section of the Companys disclosure schedule
delivered to the Partners Entities concurrently herewith (the
Company Disclosure Schedule)
corresponding to the subsection of this Section 5.1
to which such disclosure applies (provided that the disclosure
in any paragraph of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall
qualify other paragraphs in this Section 5.1,
information called for by other sections of the Company
Disclosure Schedule or the annexes or exhibits to this Agreement
to the extent it is reasonably apparent from a reading of such
disclosure that it also qualifies or applies to such other
paragraphs, information, annexes or exhibits), or as disclosed
in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof to
the extent such disclosure on its face appears to constitute
information that would reasonably be deemed a qualification or
exception to the following representations and warranties, the
Company represents and warrants to the Partners Entities as
follows:
(a) Organization.
(i) The Company is a corporation duly formed, validly
existing and in good standing under the Laws of the Republic of
the Marshall Islands. The Company has the requisite corporate
power and authority to own, lease or otherwise hold, use and
operate all of its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted, and is duly licensed or
qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the
nature of the business conducted by it or the character or
location of the properties and assets owned or leased by it
makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where
the failure to have such power or authority or to be so licensed
or qualified would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company. True and complete copies of the Company Articles of
Incorporation and Company Bylaws, as in effect as of the date of
this Agreement, have previously been made available to the
Partners Entities by the Company.
(ii) Each Subsidiary of the Company (1) is duly formed
or organized and validly existing under the Laws of its
jurisdiction of formation or organization, (2) is duly
qualified to do business and in good standing in all
jurisdictions (whether federal, state, local or foreign) where
its ownership, leasing or otherwise holding, using and operating
of property or assets or the conduct of its business requires it
to be so qualified, and (3) has all requisite corporate,
partnership or limited liability company power and authority to
own or lease its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as now conducted, except in each case where the failure
to have such power or authority or to be so formed or organized,
in existence or qualified would not constitute a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company.
(iii) Section 5.1(a)(iii) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule sets forth, as of the date of this
Agreement, a true and complete list of each of the
Companys Subsidiaries and Partially Owned Entities.
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(b) Capitalization. Except as set forth
in Section 5.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule:
(i) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of
1,000,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock,
100,000,000 shares of Company Class B Stock and
100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001
per share. The Company has no equity interests issued and
outstanding other than, as of the date of this Agreement,
(1) 13,899,400 shares of Company Common Stock (of
which shares 399,400 are restricted shares), and
(2) 2,105,263 shares of Company Class B Stock.
Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, as of the date of
this Agreement, there are no outstanding (x) options,
warrants, preemptive rights, subscriptions, calls or other
Rights, convertible securities, exchangeable securities,
agreements or commitments of any character obligating the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, transfer or sell
any equity interest in the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such
equity interests or (y) contractual obligations of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire any equity interest in the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or any such securities or agreements listed in
clause (x) of this sentence. The Company has no Voting
Debt. There are no obligations in excess of $100,000 of the
Company or its Subsidiaries, in the aggregate, to make any
investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or
otherwise) in any Person, or pursuant to which the Company or
any Subsidiary is or could be required to register any units,
shares or any equity interests of the Company or its
Subsidiaries or other securities under the Securities Act.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns, or has any
contractual or other obligation to acquire, any equity
securities or other securities of any Person (other than in the
Company or its Subsidiaries) or any direct or indirect equity or
ownership interest in any other business. Except for this
Agreement, there are no voting trusts, proxies or other
agreements, commitments or understandings of any character to
which either the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of them is bound with respect to the holding, voting
or disposition of any units, shares or any equity interests of
the Company or its Subsidiaries, except pursuant to the
applicable governing documents of the Company or its
Subsidiaries.
(ii) The shares of Company Common Stock and Company
Class B Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued
in accordance with applicable Laws and the Company Articles of
Incorporation and Company Bylaws, and are fully paid and
non-assessable. Such equity interests were not issued in
violation of pre-emptive or similar rights or any other
agreement or understanding binding on the Company. All of the
outstanding equity interests of the Subsidiaries of the Company
and the Partially Owned Entities of the Company have been duly
authorized and are validly issued, fully paid (to the extent
required under the applicable governing documents) and
non-assessable and free of pre-emptive rights (except in each
case (1) with respect to general partner interests,
(2) as set forth to the contrary in the applicable
governing documents and (3) to the extent such
non-assessability may be affected by applicable Laws) and were
not issued in violation of pre-emptive or similar rights; and
all such units, shares and other equity interests, other than
interests in the Partially Owned Entities of the Company that
are owned by others, are owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company, free and clear of all Liens, except pursuant to the
applicable governing documents.
(iii) No Subsidiary or any Partially Owned Entity of the
Company has any Voting Debt.
(c) Authority; No Violation. Except as
set forth in Section 5.1(c) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule:
(i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly
approved by the Company Board (upon recommendation by the
Company Independent Directors Committee), at a duly
convened meeting thereof. The Company, acting through the
Company Board, has directed that this Agreement be submitted to
the Stockholders for approval at the Company Meeting. Except for
approvals that have been previously obtained, the Company
Stockholder Approval and the Company Unaffiliated Stockholder
Approval, no other votes or
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approvals on the part of the Company are necessary to approve
this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by the Company and (assuming due authorization,
execution and delivery by the Partners Entities) constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with its terms (except insofar as such
enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws
relating to or affecting creditors rights generally and by
general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
Law)).
(ii) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Company, nor the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by the Company
with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will (1) (subject to
receiving the Company Stockholder Approval and the Company
Unaffiliated Stockholder Approval) violate any provision of the
Company Articles of Incorporation or Company Bylaws or the
organizational documents of its Subsidiaries, or
(2) assuming that the consents and approvals referred to in
Section 5.1(d) are duly obtained, (x) violate
any Law applicable to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or,
to the Companys Knowledge, any Partially Owned Entities of
the Company or any of their respective properties or assets or
(y) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any
provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a
default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or
both, would constitute a default) under, result in the
termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under,
accelerate the performance required by, accelerate any right or
benefit provided by, or result in the creation of any Lien upon
any of the respective properties or assets of the Company, any
of its respective Subsidiaries or, to the Companys
Knowledge, any Partially Owned Entities of the Company under,
any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or
other instrument or obligation to which the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company or, to the Companys Knowledge,
any Partially Owned Entities of the Company is a party, or by
which they or any of their respective properties or assets are
bound, except in each case for such violations, conflicts,
breaches, losses, defaults, terminations, cancellations,
accelerations or Liens which would not constitute a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company.
(d) Consents and Approvals. Except for
(i) the filing of any required applications or notices with
any state or foreign agencies of competent jurisdiction and
approval of such applications and notices (the Other
Approvals) as set forth on
Section 5.1(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
(ii) the filing of the Proxy Statement and the Registration
Statement, (iii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with
the Registrar or Deputy Registrar of Corporations of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, (iv) any consents,
authorizations, approvals, filings or exemptions in connection
with compliance with the rules of the NYSE or NASDAQ, as
applicable, (v) such filings and approvals as may be
required to be made or obtained under the securities or
Blue Sky laws of various states in connection with
the issuance of the New Partners Common Units pursuant to this
Agreement (the consents, authorizations, approvals, filings and
registration required under or in relation to the foregoing
clauses (i) through (v) being referred to as the
Company Necessary Consents),
(vi) any consents or waivers required to be obtained under
the Company Credit Facility and (vii) such other consents,
authorizations, approvals, filings and registrations, the
failure of which to obtain or make would not constitute a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company, no consents or approvals
of or filings or registrations with any Governmental Authority
are necessary in connection with (1) the execution and
delivery by the Company of this Agreement or (2) the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(e) Financial Reports and SEC Documents; Disclosure and
Internal Controls.
(i) The Company 20-F and all other reports, registration
statements, definitive proxy statements or information
statements filed or furnished by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries subsequent to March 1, 2010, including, but
not limited to, items incorporated by reference into or referred
to in such reports, registration statements, proxy statements or
information statements under the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, in the form filed or furnished (collectively, the
Company SEC Documents), with the SEC
as of their respective dates, (1) complied in all material
respects as to form with the applicable
A-20
requirements under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or SOX,
as the case may be, and (2) did not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. The historical financial
statements (including the related notes and supporting
schedules) contained in the Company SEC Documents
(A) comply in all material respects with the applicable
requirements under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
(B) present fairly in all material respects the financial
position, results of operations and cash flows of the entities
purported to be shown thereby on the basis stated therein at the
respective dates or for the respective periods, and
(C) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied throughout the periods involved, except in each case to
the extent disclosed therein. There are no outstanding comments
from, or unresolved issues raised by, the SEC with respect to
the Company SEC Documents. No enforcement action has been
initiated, or to the Knowledge of the Company, is threatened,
against the Company relating to disclosures contained in any
Company SEC Document.
(ii) The Company has designed and maintains a system of
internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable
assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and
the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with GAAP. The Company has (1) designed
disclosure controls and procedures (within the meaning of Rules
13a-15(e)
and
15d-15(e) of
the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information relating
to the Company and its Subsidiaries is made known to the
management of the Company by others within those entities as
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure and to make the certifications required by the
Exchange Act with respect to the Company SEC Documents and
(2) disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to
the date of this Agreement, to the Companys outside
auditors and the audit committee of the Company Board
(i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in
the design or operation of internal controls over financial
reporting (within the meaning of
Rule 13a-l
5(f) of the Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to
adversely affect the Companys ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial information and (ii) any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the
Companys internal controls over financial reporting.
(iii) Deloitte, Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis,
S.A., who audited the audited financial statements contained in
the Company 20-F, is an independent registered public accounting
firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the
Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations
thereunder adopted by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States).
(iv) The Company has made available (to the extent not
available to the public on the SECs EDGAR website) to
Partners each Company SEC Document, each in the form (including
exhibits and any amendments thereto) filed with or furnished to
the SEC prior to the date of this Agreement.
(f) Foreign Private Issuer. The Company
is a foreign private issuer (as defined in
Rule 405 under the Securities Act).
(g) Relations with Governments. To the
Knowledge of the Company, except as would constitute a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company, neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent or employee
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has (i) used any
funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other
unlawful expenses related to political activity, (ii) made
any unlawful payment or offered anything of value to foreign or
domestic government officials or employees or to foreign or
domestic political parties or campaigns, (iii) made any
other unlawful payment, or (iv) violated any applicable
export control, money laundering or anti-terrorism Law or
regulation, nor have any of them otherwise taken any action
which would cause the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to be
in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as
amended, or any applicable Law of similar effect.
(h) Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except as disclosed in the audited
financial statements (or notes thereto) included in the Company
20-F or in the financial statements (or notes thereto) included
in subsequent Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date
hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries had at
December 31, 2010, or has incurred since that date, any
liabilities or obligations
A-21
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether
due or to become due) of any nature, except liabilities,
obligations or contingencies that (i) are accrued or
reserved against in the financial statements of the Company
included in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date
hereof, or reflected in the notes thereto, (ii) were
incurred since December 31, 2010 in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practices, (iii) would
not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the Company,
(iv) have been discharged or paid in full prior to the date
hereof or (v) arise under this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(i) Absence of Certain Changes or
Events. Since December 31, 2010, no event or
events have occurred that would constitute a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.
(j) Legal Proceedings. Except as set
forth in Section 5.1(j) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, there is no suit, action or proceeding or
investigation pending before any Governmental Authority or, to
the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting
the Company or any its Subsidiaries that would constitute a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company, nor is there any
judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any Governmental
Authority outstanding against the Company or any Subsidiary that
would constitute any such effect. There is no order or
settlement agreement imposed on the Company or its Subsidiaries
(or that, upon consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby) that would constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the
operations and business of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(k) Compliance with Applicable Law. The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries hold all licenses,
franchises, permits and authorizations necessary for the lawful
conduct of their respective businesses under and pursuant to
each, and have complied in all respects with, and are not in
default under any, applicable Law relating to the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, except where the failure to hold such
license, franchise, permit or authorization or such
noncompliance or default would not constitute a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.
(l) Contracts.
(i) Except for this Agreement or as designated as an
exhibit to the Company 20-F or to a Company SEC Document filed
thereafter and prior to the date of this Agreement, and except
as set forth in Section 5.1(l)(i) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by, as of the date hereof,
any agreement, contract, arrangement, commitment or instrument
(whether written or oral) (1) which is a material
contract (as such term is used in Item 601(b)(10) of
Regulation S-K
of the SEC) with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries
required to be filed with the SEC that has not been filed,
(2) which, upon the consummation of the Merger or upon
receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval or the Company
Unaffiliated Stockholder Approval, will (either alone or upon
the occurrence of any additional acts or events) result in any
payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise) becoming due
from the Company, Partners GP, Partners, the Surviving Entity or
any of their respective Subsidiaries to any director, officer,
employee, consultant or contractor who performs services for the
benefit of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company,
(3) which is a material contract (as such term
is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of
Regulation S-K),
or an amendment to or termination thereof, that would be
required to be disclosed on a Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed with the SEC (if the Company were required to file such
reports), to be performed after the date of this Agreement that
has not been filed or incorporated by reference in the Company
SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement or
(4) which are material and containing change of control
provisions triggered by the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Each agreement, contract,
arrangement, commitment or instrument of the type described in
this Section 5.1(l), whether or not set forth in the
Company Disclosure Schedule or in such Company SEC Documents, is
referred to herein as a Company
Contract. No Company Contract has been amended or
modified, except for such amendments or modifications which have
been filed as an exhibit to a subsequently dated and filed
Company SEC Document or are not required to be filed with the
SEC and set forth in Section 5.1(l)(i) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule.
A-22
(ii) All of the Company Contracts are valid and in full
force and effect and enforceable in accordance with their terms,
except insofar as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar Laws relating to or affecting
creditors rights generally and by general principles of
equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law), except (i) to the
extent that they have previously expired in accordance with
their terms or (ii) for any failures to be in full force
and effect that would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries,
nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any counterparty to any of
the Company Contracts, has violated any provision of, or
committed or failed to perform any act which, with or without
notice, lapse of time or both, would constitute a default under
the provisions of any of the Company Contracts, except in each
case for those violations and defaults which would not
constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(m) Insurance. All material Policies of
the Company and its Subsidiaries are in full force and effect
and provide insurance in such amounts and against such risks as
is sufficient to comply with applicable Law and as is customary
for the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries
operate, in each case, except as, individually or in the
aggregate, would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries are in breach
or default under, and neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries
have taken any action or failed to take any action which, with
notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or
default, or permit termination or modification of, any Policies,
in each case, except as would not constitute a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company. To the Knowledge of the Company, there is
no threatened termination of, or material premium increase with
respect to, any current Policy.
(n) Environmental Matters. Except as set
forth in Section 5.1(n) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, and except as would not constitute a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company: (1) the Company, its Subsidiaries,
Partially Owned Entities of the Company and their respective
businesses, operations, properties and Assets are and have been
in compliance with all Environmental Laws and all permits,
registrations, licenses, approvals, exemptions, variances, and
other authorizations required under Environmental Laws
(Environmental Permits); (2) the
Company, its Subsidiaries and Partially Owned Entities of the
Company have obtained or timely filed for all Environmental
Permits for their respective businesses, operations, properties
and Assets as they currently exist and are operated and all such
Environmental Permits are currently in full force and effect;
(3) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company
nor any of their respective businesses, operations, properties
or Assets, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, Partially Owned
Entities of the Company, or their respective businesses,
operations, properties and Assets, are subject to any pending
or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened claims, actions,
suits, writs, injunctions, decrees, orders, judgments,
investigations, inquiries or proceedings relating to their
compliance with Environmental Laws; (4) within the six
years prior to the date of this Agreement, there has been no
Release of Hazardous Substances on, under or from the current or
former property owned, leased or operated by the Company, its
Subsidiaries, or Partially Owned Entities of the Company and
none of the Company, its Subsidiaries or Partially Owned
Entities of the Company has treated, recycled, stored, disposed
of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported,
handled, Released any substance, including any Hazardous
Substances, or owned or operated any property or facility in a
manner that has given or would give rise to any damages,
including any damages for response costs, corrective action
costs, personal injury, property damage or natural resource
damages, pursuant to any Environmental Laws; (5) none of
the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Partially Owned Entities
of the Company has received any notice regarding any actual or
alleged violation of any Environmental Laws or any liabilities,
including any investigatory, remedial or corrective liabilities,
relating to the Company, its Subsidiaries or Partially Owned
Entities of the Company arising under Environmental Laws;
(6) none of the Company, its Subsidiaries or Partially
Owned Entities of the Company has, either expressly or by
operation of Law, assumed or undertaken any liability, including
any obligation for the corrective or remedial action, of any
other Person relating to Environmental Laws; and (7) there
are not any existing, or to the Knowledge of the Company,
pending or threatened actions, suits, claims, investigations,
inquiries or proceedings by or before any court or any other
Governmental
A-23
Authority directed against the Company, its Subsidiaries or
Partially Owned Entities of the Company that pertain to or
relate to the actual or alleged violation of Environmental Laws.
(o) Employee Benefit Plans; Distribution Reinvestment
Plan. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any employees or sponsors, maintains,
participates in or contributes to or has any Compensation and
Benefit Plans other than reimbursements pursuant to the Company
Management Agreement and the Company Incentive Plan.
(p) Vessels; Property.
(i) Section 5.1(p)(i) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth the name, owner, flag state of registration
(including any bareboat registration), charterer, International
Maritime Organization number and call sign, classification
society, year of construction and capacity (gross tonnage or
deadweight tonnage, as specified therein) for all of the vessels
currently owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries (the
Company Vessels). Each Company Vessel
is owned directly by the applicable Subsidiary of the Company as
set forth on Section 5.1(p)(i) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule and such Subsidiary of the Company has good
and marketable title to the applicable Company Vessel owned by
it, free and clear of all Liens. Except as would not constitute
a Material Adverse Event on the Company, each Company Vessel
listed on Section 5.1(p)(i) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule is duly registered in the name of the
Subsidiary that owns it under the Laws and the flag of such
Companys Vessels flag state (as set forth on
Section 5.1(p)(i) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule) and no other action is necessary to establish and
perfect such Subsidiarys title to and interest in the
applicable Company Vessel as against any charterer or third
party. The Company or its Subsidiaries do not own, operate, use
or charter any vessels other than those set forth on Section
5.1(p)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
(ii) Except as set forth in Section 5.1(p)(ii)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule (x) each Company Vessel
is (1) certified by a member of the International
Association of Classification Societies and (2) materially
in class with valid classification certificates and national
certificates, as well as all other valid certificates such
Company Vessel had as of the date of this Agreement and
(y) to the Knowledge of the Company, (1) no event has
occurred and no condition exists that would cause such Company
Vessels class to be suspended or withdrawn and
(2) each Company Vessel is free of average damage affecting
its class.
(q) Takeover Laws; Dissent Rights. No
Takeover Laws or anti-takeover provision in the Company Articles
of Incorporation or Company Bylaws will apply to this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated hereby, or would prohibit or
restrict the ability of the Company to perform its obligations
under this Agreement or its ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger. No
Stockholder has any right to demand appraisal of any shares of
Company Common Stock, Company Class B Stock or other
securities of the Company or rights to dissent which may arise
with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby, other than any holder of Company Class B Stock, in
such capacity.
(r) Opinion of Financial Advisor. The
Company Independent Directors Committee has received the
opinion of Jefferies & Company, Inc.
(Jefferies), dated the date of this
Agreement, to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion,
the Exchange Ratio is fair to the Company Unaffiliated
Stockholders from a financial point of view.
(s) Approvals of the Company Independent Directors
Committee and the Company Board. At a meeting
duly called and held, the Company Independent Directors
Committee, by unanimous vote of all its members, other than
Socrates Kominakis, who recused himself on February 17,
2011, from all Company Independent Directors Committee
deliberations regarding the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, (i) determined that this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, are fair
and reasonable to, and in the best interests of, the Company and
the Company Unaffiliated Stockholders, (ii) recommended to
the Company Board that it declare the advisability of, and
approve, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Merger and (iii) resolved to
recommend that the Stockholders adopt this Agreement. At a
meeting duly called and held, the
A-24
Company Board, by unanimous vote of all members,
(w) determined that this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the Merger, are fair and
reasonable to, and in the best interests of the Company and the
Company Unaffiliated Stockholders, (x) declared it
advisable to enter into this Agreement, (y) approved this
Agreement and the execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger and
(z) resolved to recommend to the Stockholders that they
adopt this Agreement.
(t) Brokers Fees. Neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective
officers or directors has employed any broker or finder or
incurred any liability for any brokers fees, commissions
or finders fees in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, except Jefferies, whose fees and
expenses will be paid by the Company in accordance with the
existing agreement with such firm.
(u) Certain Tax Matters.
(i) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of
the Company and its Subsidiaries by the Code or by applicable
state, local or foreign Tax Laws with any Tax authority prior to
the date hereof have been timely filed. All Tax Returns filed by
the Company and its Subsidiaries are true, correct and complete
in all material respects. All material Taxes due and payable of
the Company and its Subsidiaries (whether or not reflected on
any such Tax Returns) have been timely paid in full.
(ii) None of the Company or its Subsidiaries have any
liability for any unpaid Taxes which have not been accrued for
or reserved on the Companys balance sheets included in the
latest Company SEC Document filed prior to the date hereof
(without taking into account any reserve for deferred taxes),
which is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, other
than any liability for unpaid Taxes that may accrue on the
Closing Date or may have accrued since the end of the most
recent fiscal year in connection with the operation of the
business of the Company in the ordinary course, none of which is
material to the business, results of operations or financial
condition of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(iii) There are no liens for Taxes with respect to any of
the assets or properties of the Company or its Subsidiaries,
other than with respect to Taxes not yet due and payable.
(iv) All material Taxes that the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is required by Law to withhold or collect have been
duly withheld or collected, and have been timely paid over to
the proper Governmental Authorities or deposited in accordance
with applicable Law.
(v) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
been delinquent in the payment of any material Tax nor is there
any material Tax deficiency outstanding, proposed or assessed in
writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as
applicable, nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
executed, or been requested to execute, any unexpired waiver of
any statute of limitations on or extending the period for the
assessment or collection of any material Tax. Neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has requested any extension
of time within which to file any Tax Return, which return has
not yet been filed. No power of attorney with respect to any
material Taxes has been executed or filed with any Tax authority
by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(vi) No audit or other examination of any Tax Return of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries by any Tax authority is in
progress, nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries been
notified in writing of any request for such an audit or other
examination.
(vii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
(x) is a party to or is bound by any Tax sharing agreement,
Tax indemnity obligation or similar agreement, arrangement or
practice with respect to Taxes (including, without limitation,
any advance pricing agreement, closing agreement or other
agreement relating to Taxes with any Tax authority); (y) is
or has ever been a member of an affiliated group (other than a
group the common parent of which is the Company) filing a
consolidated federal income tax return; or (z) has any
liability for Taxes of any Person arising from the application
of Treasury Regulation 1.1502-6 or any analogous provision of
state, local or foreign law, or as a transferee or successor, or
by contract.
A-25
(viii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will
be required to include in a taxable period ending after the
Closing Date any taxable income attributable to income that
accrued, but was not recognized, in any taxable period ending on
or before the Closing Date or, with respect to the portion of
such period that ends on the Closing Date, any taxable period
that includes (but does not end on) such date (a
Pre-Closing Tax Period), as a result
of an adjustment under Section 481 of the Code, the
installment method of accounting, the long-term contract method
of accounting, the cash method of accounting, any comparable
provision of state, local, or foreign Tax law, or for any other
reason.
(ix) The Company has made available for inspection to the
Partners Entities complete and correct copies of all material
Tax Returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries for all taxable
periods for which the applicable statute of limitations has not
yet expired.
(x) Section 5.1(u)(x) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth (i) each jurisdiction in which the
Company or any Subsidiary joins, has joined or is or has been
required to join for any taxable period ending after 2008 in the
filing of any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return, and
(ii) the common parent corporation and the other individual
members of the consolidated, combined or unitary group filing
such Tax Return.
(xi) Section 5.1(u)(xi) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule sets forth each state or foreign
jurisdiction in which the Company or any Subsidiary files, or is
or has been required to file, a Tax Return relating to material
state income, franchise, license, excise, net worth, property or
sales and use taxes or is or has been liable for any material
Taxes on a nexus basis at any time for a taxable
period for which the relevant statutes of limitation have not
expired.
(xii) The Company is not a passive foreign investment
company within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code.
(xiii) The Company is not aware of any fact or circumstance
that would prevent or impede, or could be reasonably be expected
to prevent or impede, the Merger from qualifying as a
reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code.
(v) Collective Bargaining
Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining or other
labor union contract applicable to Company Employees, and no
collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract is
being negotiated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. No
labor organization or group of Company Employees that are
situated at any facility (or on any vessel) owned, leased or
operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has made a
pending demand for recognition or certification, and there are
no representation or certification proceedings or petitions
seeking a representation proceeding presently pending or, to the
Knowledge of the Company, threatened to be brought or filed,
with any labor relations tribunal or authority. Except as would
not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, to the
Knowledge of the Company, (i) there is no labor dispute,
strike, slowdown, work stoppage or any other similar dispute or
controversy against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
pending or threatened against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and (ii) no unfair labor practice or labor
charge or complaint has occurred with respect to the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries.
(w) Regulation as an Investment
Company. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is an investment company, as defined
in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended.
(x) Export and Sanctions Laws. The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries has been in material
compliance with all applicable Export and Sanctions Laws. To the
Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries nor any Person controlling the Company is
designated on any Denied Party Lists or has engaged in any
transaction with or for the benefit of any Person that is
designated on any Denied Party Lists or that is subject to any
Law prohibitions including Laws relating to any export sanction
or export restriction.
A-26
(y) Proxy Statement and Other
Filings. None of the information to be supplied
by the Company for inclusion in (i) the Proxy Statement to
be filed by the Company with the SEC, and any amendments or
supplements thereto, or (ii) the Registration Statement to
be filed by Partners with the SEC in connection with the Merger,
and any amendments or supplements thereto, will, at the
respective times such documents are filed, and, in the case of
the Proxy Statement, at the time the Proxy Statement or any
amendment or supplement thereto is first mailed to Stockholders,
at the time of the Meeting and at the Effective Time, and, in
the case of the Registration Statement, when it becomes
effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be made therein or necessary in order to make the statements
made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.
Section 5.2 Representations
and Warranties of the Partners Entities. Except
as disclosed in a section of the Partners disclosure schedule
delivered to the Company concurrently herewith (the
Partners Disclosure Schedule)
corresponding to the subsection of this Section 5.2
to which such disclosure applies (provided that the disclosure
in any paragraph of the Partners Disclosure Schedule shall
qualify other paragraphs in this Section 5.2,
information called for by other sections of the Partners
Disclosure Schedule or the annexes or exhibits to this Agreement
to the extent it is reasonably apparent from a reading of such
disclosure that it also qualifies or applies to such other
paragraphs, information, annexes or exhibits), or as disclosed
in the Partners SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof to
the extent such disclosure on its face appears to constitute
information that would reasonably be deemed a qualification or
exception to the following representations and warranties, each
of the Partners Entities represents and warrants to the Company,
jointly and severally, as follows:
(a) Organization.
(i) Partners GP is a limited liability company duly formed,
validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands. Partners is a limited
partnership duly formed, validly existing and in good standing
under the Laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. MergerCo
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Each of the Partners Entities has the requisite limited
liability company, limited partnership and corporate,
respectively, power and authority to own, lease or otherwise
hold, use and operate all of its properties and assets and to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and is duly
licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in
which the nature of the business conducted by it or the
character or location of the properties and assets owned or
leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary,
except where the failure to have such power or authority or to
be so licensed or qualified would not constitute a Material
Adverse Effect on the Partners Entities. True and complete
copies of the Partners GP Certificate of Formation and Partners
GP LLC Agreement, as in effect as of the date of this Agreement,
have previously been made available to the Company by Partners
GP. True and complete copies of Partners Certificate of Limited
Partnership and Partners Partnership Agreement, as in effect as
of the date of this Agreement, have previously been made
available to the Company by Partners. True and complete copies
of MergerCo Articles of Incorporation and MergerCo Bylaws, as in
effect as of the date of this Agreement, have previously been
made available to the Company by MergerCo.
(ii) Except as contemplated by this Agreement, MergerCo
does not hold and has not held any material assets or incurred
any material liabilities, and has not carried on any business
activities other than in connection with the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
authorized capital stock of MergerCo consists of 500 shares
of MergerCo Common Stock, all of which have been duly issued,
are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly by
Partners.
(iii) Each Subsidiary of Partners (1) is duly formed
or organized and validly existing under the Laws of its
jurisdiction of formation or organization, (2) is duly
qualified to do business and in good standing in all
jurisdictions (whether federal, state, local or foreign) where
its ownership, leasing or otherwise holding, using and operating
of property or assets or the conduct of its business requires it
to be so qualified and (3) has all requisite corporate,
partnership or limited liability company power and authority
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to own or lease its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as now conducted except in each case where the failure
to have such power or authority or to be so formed or organized
in existence or qualified, either individually or in the
aggregate, would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the
Partners Entities.
(iv) Section 5.2(a)(iv) of the Partners
Disclosure Schedule sets forth, as of the date of this
Agreement, a true and complete list of each of the Partners
Entities respective Subsidiaries and Partially Owned
Entities.
(b) Capitalization. Except as set forth
in Section 5.2(b) of the Partners Disclosure
Schedule:
(i) Partners GP is the sole general partner of Partners.
Partners GP is the beneficial owner and sole record owner of the
general partner interest in Partners, represented as of the date
of this Agreement by 774,411 General Partner Units, and such
General Partner Units have been duly authorized and validly
issued in accordance with applicable Laws and the Partners
Partnership Agreement. Partners GP owns such General Partner
Units free and clear of any Liens except pursuant to the
Partners Partnership Agreement. Partners GP is the beneficial
owner and sole record holder of all of the Partners Incentive
Distribution Rights and owns such rights free and clear of all
Liens except pursuant to the Partners Partnership Agreement.
Partners GP has no Voting Debt.
(ii) As of the date of this Agreement Partners has no
equity interests issued and outstanding other than
(1) 37,946,183 Partners Common Units (of which 799,200 are
restricted Partners Common Units), and (2) the general
partner interest represented by 774,411 General Partner Units,
and Partners Incentive Distribution Rights described in
Section 5.2(b)(i) above. As of the date of this
Agreement, except as set forth in the preceding sentence, the
Partners Partnership Agreement, there are no outstanding
(x) options, warrants, preemptive rights, subscriptions,
calls or other Rights, convertible securities, exchangeable
securities, agreements or commitments of any character
obligating Partners or any of its Subsidiaries to issue,
transfer or sell any partnership interest or other equity
interest in Partners or any Subsidiary of Partners or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for such equity interests or
(y) contractual obligations of Partners or any of its
Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
partnership interest or other equity interest in Partners or any
of its Subsidiaries or any such securities or agreements listed
in clause (x) of this sentence. Partners has no Voting
Debt. There are no obligations in excess of $100,000 of the
Partners Entities or any of its Subsidiaries, in the aggregate,
to make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital
contribution or otherwise) in any Person, or pursuant to which
Partners or any Subsidiary is or could be required to register
any units, shares or any equity interests of Partners or its
Subsidiaries or other securities under the Securities Act.
Neither Partners nor any of its Subsidiaries owns, or has any
contractual or other obligation to acquire, any equity
securities or other securities of any Person (other than in
Partners or its Subsidiaries) or any direct or indirect equity
or ownership interest in any other business. Except for this
Agreement and the Support Agreement, there are no voting trusts,
proxies or other agreements, commitments or understandings of
any character to which either Partners or its Subsidiaries is a
party or by which any of them is bound with respect to the
holding, voting or disposition of any units, shares or any
equity interests of Partners or its Subsidiaries, except
pursuant to the applicable governing documents of Partners or
its Subsidiaries.
(iii) The Partners Common Units and the limited partner
interests represented thereby have been duly authorized and
validly issued in accordance with applicable Laws and the
Partners Certificate of Limited Partnership and Partners
Partnership Agreement, and are fully paid (to the extent
required under the Partners Partnership Agreement) and
non-assessable (except to the extent such non-assessability may
be affected by the MILPA). Such Partners limited partner
interests were not issued in violation of pre-emptive or similar
rights or any other agreement or understanding binding on
Partners. All of the outstanding equity interests of the
Subsidiaries of Partners and Partially Owned Entities of
Partners have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully
paid (to the extent required under the applicable governing
documents) and non-assessable and free of pre-emptive rights
(except (1) with respect to general partner interests,
(2) as set forth to the contrary in
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the applicable governing documents and (3) to the extent
such non-assessability may be affected by applicable Laws,
including the MILPA) and were not issued in violation of
pre-emptive or similar rights; and all such units, shares and
other equity interests, other than interests in the Partially
Owned Entities of Partners that are owned by others, are owned,
directly or indirectly, by Partners, free and clear of all
Liens, except pursuant to the applicable governing documents.
(iv) No Subsidiary or any Partially Owned Entity of
Partners has any Voting Debt.
(c) Authority; No Violation. Except as
set forth in Section 5.2(c) of the Partners
Disclosure Schedule:
(i) Each Partners Entity has the requisite limited
partnership, limited liability company or corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly
approved by the Partners Board (upon recommendation by the
Partners Conflicts Committee), at a duly convened meeting
thereof and by Partners GP, for itself and as general partner of
Partners, and by Partners as sole stockholder of MergerCo.
Except for approvals that have been previously obtained, no
other corporate, limited liability company or limited
partnership votes or approvals on the part of the Partners
Entities are necessary to approve this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement
has been duly and validly executed and delivered by each of the
Partners Entities and (assuming due authorization, execution and
delivery by the Company) constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of each of the Partners Entities, enforceable against
each of the Partners Entities in accordance with its terms
(except insofar as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar Laws relating to or affecting
creditors rights generally and by general principles of
equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law)).
(ii) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Partners Entities, nor the consummation by the Partners
Entities of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance
by the Partners Entities with any of the terms or provisions
hereof, will (1) violate any provision of the Partners GP
Certificate of Formation, Partners GP LLC Agreement, Partners
Certificate of Limited Partnership or Partners Partnership
Agreement or the organizational documents of their respective
Subsidiaries or (2) assuming that the consents and
approvals referred to in Section 5.2(d) are duly
obtained, (x) violate any Law applicable to the Partners
Entities, any of their respective Subsidiaries or, to the
Partners Entities Knowledge, any Partially Owned Entities
of Partners or any of their respective properties or assets or
(y) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any
provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a
default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or
both, would constitute a default) under, result in the
termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under,
accelerate the performance required by, accelerate any right or
benefit provided by, or result in the creation of any Lien upon
any of the respective properties or assets of any Partners
Entity, any of their respective Subsidiaries or, to the Partners
Entities Knowledge, any Partially Owned Entity of Partners
under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note,
bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease,
agreement or other instrument or obligation to which any
Partners Entity, any Subsidiary of Partners or, to the Partners
Entities Knowledge, any Partially Owned Entity of Partners
is a party, or by which they or any of their respective
properties or assets are bound, except in each case for such
violations, conflicts, breaches, losses, defaults, terminations,
cancellations, accelerations or Liens which would not constitute
a Material Adverse Effect on the Partners Entities.
(d) Consents and Approvals. Except for
(i) the Other Approvals as set forth on
Section 5.2(d) of the Partners Disclosure Schedule,
(ii) the filing of the Proxy Statement and the Registration
Statement, (iii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with
the Registrar or Deputy Registrar of Corporations of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, (iv) any consents,
authorizations, approvals, filings or exemptions in connection
with compliance with the rules of the NASDAQ or the NYSE, as
applicable, (v) such filings
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and approvals as may be required to be made or obtained under
the securities or Blue Sky laws of various states in
connection with the issuance of the New Partners Common Units
pursuant to this Agreement (the consents, authorizations,
approvals, filings and registration required under or in
relation to the foregoing clauses (i) through
(v) being referred to as Partners Necessary
Consents), (vi) any consents or waivers
required to be obtained under the Partners Credit Facilities and
(vii) such other consents, authorizations, approvals,
filings and registrations, the failure of which to obtain or
make would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the
Partners Entities, no consents or approvals of or filings or
registrations with any Governmental Authority are necessary in
connection with (1) the execution and delivery by the
Partners Entities of this Agreement or (2) the consummation
by the Partners Entities of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(e) Financial Reports and SEC Documents; Disclosure and
Internal Controls.
(i) The Partners 2010 20-F and all other reports,
registration statements, definitive proxy statements or
information statements filed or furnished by Partners or any of
its Subsidiaries subsequent to March 19, 2007, including,
but not limited to, items incorporated by reference into or
referred to in such reports, registration statements, proxy
statements or information statements under the Securities Act or
under the Exchange Act, in the form filed or furnished
(collectively, the Partners SEC
Documents), with the SEC as of their respective
dates, (1) complied in all material respects as to form
with the applicable requirements under the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act or SOX, as the case may be, and (2) did not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. The
(i) historical financial statements (including the related
notes and supporting schedules) contained in the Partners SEC
Documents and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet
of Partners as of March 31, 2011 and the related unaudited
consolidated statements of income, partners
capital/stockholders equity and cash flows for the
three-month period ended March 31, 2011 set forth on
Section 5.2(e) of the Partners Disclosure Schedule
(A) comply in all material respects with the applicable
requirements under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (in
the case of clause (i)), (B) present fairly in all material
respects the financial position, results of operations and cash
flows of the entities purported to be shown thereby on the basis
stated therein at the respective dates or for the respective
periods (subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements,
to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes),
and (C) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied throughout the periods involved, except in
each case to the extent disclosed therein. There are no
outstanding comments from, or unresolved issues raised by, the
SEC with respect to the Partners SEC Documents. No enforcement
action has been initiated, or to the Knowledge of the Partners
Entities, is threatened, against any of the Partners Entities
relating to disclosures contained in any Partners SEC Document.
(ii) Partners and Partners GP have designed and maintain a
system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide
reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Partners and Partners
GP have (1) designed disclosure controls and procedures
(within the meaning of
Rules 13a-15(e)
and
15d-15(e) of
the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information relating
to the Partners and its Subsidiaries is made known to the
management of Partners GP by others within those entities as
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure and to make the certifications required by the
Exchange Act with respect to the Partners SEC Documents and
(2) disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to
the date of this Agreement, to Partners outside auditors
and the audit committee of the Partners Board (i) any
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design
or operation of internal controls over financial reporting
(within the meaning of
Rule 13a-l
5(f) of the Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to
adversely affect Partners ability to record, process, summarize
and report financial information and (ii) any fraud,
whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in Partners internal
controls over financial reporting.
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(iii) Deloitte, Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis,
S.A., who audited the audited financial statements contained in
the Partners 2010 20-F, is an independent registered public
accounting firm with respect to Partners within the meaning of
the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations
thereunder adopted by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States).
(iv) Partners has made available (to the extent not
available to the public on the SECs EDGAR website) to the
Company each Partners SEC Document, each in the form (including
exhibits and any amendments thereto) filed with or furnished to
the SEC prior to the date of this Agreement.
(f) Foreign Private Issuer. Partners is a
foreign private issuer (as defined in Rule 405
under the Securities Act).
(g) Relations with Governments. To the
Knowledge of Partners, except as would not constitute a Material
Adverse Effect on the Partners Entities, none of the Partners
Entities nor any of their respective Subsidiaries, nor any
director, officer, agent or employee of the Partners Entities or
any of their respective Subsidiaries, has (i) used any
funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other
unlawful expenses related to political activity, (ii) made
any unlawful payment or offered anything of value to foreign or
domestic government officials or employees or to foreign or
domestic political parties or campaigns, (iii) made any
other unlawful payment, or (iv) violated any applicable
export control, money laundering or anti-terrorism Law or
regulation, nor have any of them otherwise taken any action
which would cause the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to be
in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as
amended, or any applicable Law of similar effect.
(h) Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except as disclosed in the audited
financial statements (or notes thereto) included in the Partners
2010 20-F or in the financial statements (or notes thereto)
included in subsequent Partners SEC Documents filed prior to the
date hereof, none of the Partners Entities nor any of their
respective Subsidiaries had at December 31, 2010, or has
incurred since that date, any liabilities or obligations
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether
due or to become due) of any nature, except liabilities,
obligations or contingencies that (i) are accrued or
reserved against in the financial statements of Partners
included in the Partners SEC Documents filed prior to the date
hereof, or reflected in the notes thereto, (ii) were
incurred since December 31, 2010 in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practices, (iii) would
not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the Partners
Entities, (iv) have been discharged or paid in full prior
to the date hereof or (v) arise under this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(i) Absence of Certain Changes or
Events. Since December 31, 2010, no event or
events have occurred that would constitute a Material Adverse
Effect on the Partners Entities.
(j) Legal Proceedings. Except as set
forth in Section 5.2(j) of the Partners Disclosure
Schedule, there is no suit, action or proceeding or
investigation pending before any Governmental Authority or, to
the Knowledge of the Partners Entities, threatened, against or
affecting the Partners Entities or any of their respective
Subsidiaries that would constitute a Material Adverse Effect on
the Partners Entities, nor is there any judgment, decree,
injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Authority
outstanding against the Partners Entities or any of their
respective Subsidiaries that would constitute any such effect.
There is no order or settlement agreement imposed on any of the
Partners Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries (or
that, upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby)
that would constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the
operations and business of any of the Partners Entities or any
of their respective Subsidiaries.
(k) Compliance with Applicable Law. The
Partners Entities and each of their respective Subsidiaries hold
all licenses, franchises, permits and authorizations necessary
for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses under and
pursuant to each, and have complied in all respects with, and
are not in default under any, applicable Law relating to the
Partners Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries,
except where the failure to hold such license, franchise, permit
or authorization or such noncompliance or default would not
constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the Partners Entities.
A-31
(l) Contracts.
(i) Except for this Agreement or as designated as an
exhibit to the Partners 20-F or to a Partners SEC Document filed
thereafter and prior to the date of this Agreement, and except
as set forth in Section 5.2(l)(i) of the Partners
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Partners Entities nor any of
their respective Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by, as of
the date hereof, any agreement, contract, arrangement,
commitment or instrument (whether written or oral)
(1) which is a material contract (as such term
is used in Item 601(b)(10) of
Regulation S-K
of the SEC) with respect to Partners and its Subsidiaries
required to be filed with the SEC that has not been filed,
(2) which, upon the consummation of the Merger, will
(either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional acts or
events) result in any payment (whether of severance pay or
otherwise) becoming due from the Partners Entities or any of
their respective Subsidiaries to any director, officer,
employee, consultant or contractor who performs services for the
benefit of the Partners Entities or any of their respective
Subsidiaries, (3) which is a material contract
(as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of
Regulation S-K),
or an amendment to or termination thereof, that would be
required to be disclosed on a Current Report on
Form 8-K
filed with the SEC (if the Partners were required to file such
reports), to be performed after the date of this Agreement that
has not been filed or incorporated by reference in the Partners
SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement or
(4) which are material and containing change of control
provisions triggered by the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Each agreement, contract,
arrangement, commitment or instrument of the type described in
this Section 5.1(l), whether or not set forth in the
Company Disclosure Schedule or in such Company SEC Documents, is
referred to herein as a Partners
Contract. No Partners Contract has been amended or
modified, except for such amendments or modifications which have
been filed as an exhibit to a subsequently dated and filed
Partners SEC Document or are not required to be filed with the
SEC and set forth in Section 5.2(l)(i) of the
Partners Disclosure Schedule.
(ii) All of the Partners Contracts are valid and in full
force and effect and enforceable in accordance with their terms,
except insofar as such enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization,
moratorium and similar Laws relating to or affecting
creditors rights generally and by general principles of
equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law), except (i) to the
extent that they have previously expired in accordance with
their terms or (ii) for any failures to be in full force
and effect that would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect
on the Partners Entities. None of the Partners Entities nor any
of their respective Subsidiaries, nor, to the Knowledge of
Partner, any counterparty to any of the Partners Contracts, has
violated any provision of, or committed or failed to perform any
act which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would
constitute a default under the provisions of any of the Partners
Contracts, except in each case for those violations and defaults
which would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the
Partners Entities.
(m) Insurance. All material Policies of
the Partners Entities and their respective Subsidiaries are in
full force and effect and provide insurance in such amounts and
against such risks as is sufficient to comply with applicable
Law and as is customary for the industries in which the Partners
Entities and their respective Subsidiaries operate, in each
case, except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not
constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. None of the
Partners Entities nor their respective Subsidiaries are in
breach or default under, and none of the Partners Entities nor
their respective Subsidiaries have taken any action or failed to
take any action which, with notice or the lapse of time, would
constitute such a breach or default, or permit termination or
modification of, any Policies, in each case, except as would not
constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the Partners Entities.
To the Knowledge of Partners, there is no threatened termination
of, or material premium increase with respect to, any current
Policy.
(n) Environmental Matters. Except as set
forth in Section 5.2(n) of the Partners Disclosure
Schedule, and except as would not constitute a Material Adverse
Effect on the Partners Entities: (1) the Partners Entities
or any of their respective Subsidiaries, Partially Owned
Entities of Partners, and their respective businesses,
operations, properties and Assets are and have been in
compliance with all
A-32
Environmental Laws and all Environmental Permits; (2) the
Partners Entities and their respective Subsidiaries and
Partially Owned Entities of Partners, have obtained or filed for
all Environmental Permits for their respective businesses,
operations, properties and Assets as they currently exist and
are operated and all such Environmental Permits are currently in
full force and effect; (3) neither the Partners Entities
nor any of their respective Subsidiaries nor any of their
respective businesses, operations, properties or Assets, or, to
the Knowledge of the Partners Entities, Partially Owned Entities
of Partners, or their respective businesses, operations,
properties and Assets are subject to any pending or, to the
Knowledge of the Partners Entities, threatened claims, actions,
suits, writs, injunctions, decrees, orders, judgments,
investigations, inquiries or proceedings relating to their
compliance with Environmental Laws; (4) within the six
years prior to the date of this Agreement, there has been no
Release of Hazardous Substances on, under or from the current or
former property owned, leased or operated by the Partners
Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Partially
Owned Entities of Partners and none of the Partners Entities or
any of their respective Subsidiaries or Partially Owned Entities
of Partners has treated, recycled, stored, disposed of, arranged
for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled, Released
any substance, including any Hazardous Substances, or owned or
operated any property or facility in a manner that has given or
would give rise to any damages, including any damages for
response costs, corrective action costs, personal injury,
property damage or natural resource damages, pursuant to any
Environmental Laws; (5) none of the Partners Entities or
any of their respective Subsidiaries or Partially Owned Entities
of Partners has received any notice regarding any actual or
alleged violation of any Environmental Laws or any liabilities,
including any investigatory, remedial or corrective liabilities,
relating to the Partners Entities or any of their respective
Subsidiaries or Partially Owned Entities of Partners arising
under Environmental Laws; (6) none of the Partners Entities
or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Partially Owned
Entities of Partners has, either expressly or by operation of
Law, assumed or undertaken any liability, including any
obligation for the corrective or remedial action, of any other
Person relating to Environmental Laws; and (7) there are
not any existing, or to the Knowledge of the Partners Entities,
pending or threatened actions, suits, claims, investigations,
inquiries or proceedings by or before any court or any other
Governmental Authority directed against the Partners Entities,
its Subsidiaries or Partially Owned Entities of Partners that
pertain or relate to the actual or alleged violation of
Environmental Laws.
(o) Employee Benefit Plans; Distribution Reinvestment
Plan. None of the Partners Entities nor any of
their respective Subsidiaries has any employees or sponsors,
maintains, participates in or contributes to or has any
Compensation and Benefit Plans other than reimbursements
pursuant to the Partners Management Agreement, Partners
Administrative Services Agreement and the Partners Incentive
Plan.
(p) Vessels; Property.
(i) Section 5.2(p)(i) of the Partners
Disclosure Schedule sets forth the name, owner, flag state of
registration (including any bareboat registration), charterer,
International Maritime Organization number and call sign,
classification society, year of construction and capacity (gross
tonnage or deadweight tonnage, as specified therein) for all of
the vessels currently owned (either legally or beneficially
under a financial lease and guaranty trust agreement) by
Partners and its Subsidiaries (the Partners
Vessels). Each Partners Vessel is owned directly
by the applicable Subsidiary of Partners as set forth on
Section 5.2(p)(i) of the Partners Disclosure
Schedule and such Subsidiary of Partners has good and marketable
title to the applicable Partners Vessel owned by it, free and
clear of all Liens. Except as would not constitute a Material
Adverse Effect on the Partners Entities, each Partners Vessel
listed on Section 5.2(p)(i) of the Partners
Disclosure Schedule is duly registered in the name of the
Subsidiary that owns it under the Laws and the flag of such
Partners Vessels flag state (as set forth on Section
5.2(p)(i) of the Partners Disclosure Schedule) and no other
action is necessary to establish and perfect such
Subsidiarys title to and interest in the applicable
Partners Vessel as against any charterer or third party. None of
the Partners Entities and their respective Subsidiaries owns,
operate, use or charter any vessels other than those set forth
on Section 5.2(p)(i) of the Partners Disclosure
Schedule.
(ii) Except as set forth in Section 5.2(p)(ii)
of the Partners Disclosure Schedule (x) each Partners
Vessel is (1) certified by a member of the International
Association of Classification Societies and
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(2) materially in class with valid classification
certificates and national certificates, as well as all other
valid certificates such Partners Vessel had as of the date of
this Agreement and (y) to the Knowledge of Partners,
(1) no event has occurred and no condition exists that
would cause such Partners Vessels class to be suspended or
withdrawn and (2) each Partners Vessel is free of average
damage affecting its class.
(q) Takeover Laws. No Takeover Laws or
anti-takeover provision in the Partners Certificate of Limited
Partnership, the Partners Partnership Agreement or the Partners
GP LLC Agreement will apply to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, or would prohibit or restrict
the ability of the Partners Entities to perform their respective
obligations under this Agreement or its ability to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger.
(r) Opinion of Financial Advisor. The
Partners Conflicts Committee has received the opinion of
Evercore Group L.L.C. (Evercore),
dated the date of this Agreement, to the effect that, as of the
date of such opinion, the Exchange Ratio is fair to the Partners
Unaffiliated Unitholders from a financial point of view.
(s) Approval of the Partners Conflicts Committee and the
Partners Board. At a meeting duly called and
held, the Partners Conflicts Committee determined, by unanimous
vote, that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, are fair and reasonable to and in the best interests of
Partners and the Partners Unaffiliated Unitholders and approved
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby by
Special Approval (as defined in the Partners Partnership
Agreement). At a meeting duly called and held, the Partners
Board determined, by unanimous vote, that this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, are fair and reasonable to and
in the best interests of Partners and the Partners unitholders
and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(t) Brokers Fees. None of the
Partners Entities nor any of their respective Subsidiaries nor
any of their respective officers or directors has employed any
broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokers
fees, commissions or finders fees in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, other than
Evercore, whose fees and expenses will be paid by Partners in
accordance with the existing agreement with such firm.
(u) Certain Tax Matters.
(i) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of
the Partners Entities and their respective Subsidiaries by the
Code or by applicable state, local or foreign Tax Laws with any
Tax authority prior to the date hereof have been timely filed.
All Tax Returns filed by the Partners Entities and their
respective Subsidiaries are true, correct and complete in all
material respects. All material Taxes due and payable of the
Partners Entities and their respective Subsidiaries (whether or
not reflected on any such Returns) have been timely paid in full.
(ii) None of the Partners Entities or their respective
Subsidiaries have any liability for any unpaid Taxes which have
not been accrued for or reserved on Partners balance
sheets included in the latest Partners SEC Document filed prior
to the date hereof (without taking into account any reserve for
deferred taxes), which is material to the Partners Entities and
their respective Subsidiaries, other than any liability for
unpaid Taxes that may accrue on the Closing Date or may have
accrued since the end of the most recent fiscal year in
connection with the operation of the business of Partners in the
ordinary course, none of which is material to the business,
results of operations or financial condition of the Partners
Entities or their respective Subsidiaries.
(iii) There are no liens for Taxes with respect to any of
the assets or properties of the Partners Entities or their
respective Subsidiaries, other than with respect to Taxes not
yet due and payable.
(iv) All material Taxes that the Partners Entities or their
respective Subsidiaries are required by Law to withhold or
collect have been duly withheld or collected, and have been
timely paid over to the proper governmental authorities or
deposited in accordance with applicable Law.
(v) Neither the Partners Entities nor their respective
Subsidiaries have been delinquent in the payment of any material
Tax nor is there any material Tax deficiency outstanding,
proposed or assessed
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in writing against the Partners Entities or their respective
Subsidiaries, as applicable, nor has the Partners Entities or
their respective Subsidiaries executed, or been requested to
execute, any unexpired waiver of any statute of limitations on
or extending the period for the assessment or collection of any
material Tax. Neither the Partners Entities nor their respective
Subsidiaries have requested any extension of time within which
to file any Tax Return, which return has not yet been filed. No
power of attorney with respect to any material Taxes has been
executed or filed with any Tax authority by or on behalf of the
Partners Entities or their respective Subsidiaries.
(vi) No audit or other examination of any Tax Return of the
Partners Entities or their respective Subsidiaries by any Tax
authority is in progress, nor has the Partners Entities nor
their respective Subsidiaries been notified in writing of any
request for such an audit or other examination.
(vii) Neither the Partners Entities nor their respective
Subsidiaries (x) is a party to or is bound by any Tax
sharing agreement, Tax indemnity obligation or similar
agreement, arrangement or practice with respect to Taxes
(including, without limitation, any advance pricing agreement,
closing agreement or other agreement relating to Taxes with any
Tax authority); (y) is or has ever been a member of an
affiliated group (other than a group the common parent of which
is Partners GP) filing a consolidated federal income tax return;
or (z) has any liability for Taxes of any Person arising
from the application of Treasury
Regulation 1.1502-6
or any analogous provision of state, local or foreign law, or as
a transferee or successor, or by contract.
(viii) Neither the Partners Entities nor their respective
Subsidiaries will be required to include in a taxable period
ending after the Closing Date any taxable income attributable to
income that accrued, but was not recognized, in any Pre-Closing
Tax Period, as a result of an adjustment under Section 481
of the Code, the installment method of accounting, the long-term
contract method of accounting, the cash method of accounting,
any comparable provision of state, local, or foreign Tax law, or
for any other reason.
(ix) Partners GP has made available for inspection to the
Company complete and correct copies of all material Tax Returns
of the Partners Entities and the Partners Subsidiaries for all
taxable periods for which the applicable statute of limitations
has not yet expired.
(x) Section 5.2(u)(x) of the Partners
Disclosure Schedule sets forth (i) each jurisdiction in
which the Partners Entities or any Subsidiary thereof joins, has
joined or is or has been required to join for any taxable period
ending after 2008 in the filing of any consolidated, combined or
unitary Tax Return, and (ii) the common parent entity and
the other individual members of the consolidated, combined or
unitary group filing such Tax Return.
(xi) Section 5.2(u)(xi) of the Partners
Disclosure Schedule sets forth each state or foreign
jurisdiction in which the Partners Entities or their respective
Subsidiaries file, or is or has been required to file, a Tax
Return relating to material state income, franchise, license,
excise, net worth, property or sales and use taxes or is or has
been liable for any material Taxes on a nexus basis
at any time for a taxable period for which the relevant statutes
of limitation have not expired.
(xii) Partners has a valid election in effect under
Treasury Regulations Section 301.7701-3 to be classified as an
association taxable as a corporation for United States federal
income tax purposes, and Partners has not revoked or modified
such election or made any other election to be classified as
other than an association taxable as a corporation.
(xiii) Partners is not a Passive Foreign Investment Company
within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code, and after
giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and based on its expected method of operations, does not expect
to become a Passive Foreign Investment Company.
(xiv) The Partners Entities are not aware of any fact or
circumstance that would prevent or impede, or could reasonably
be expected to prevent or impede, the Merger from qualifying as
a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code.
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(v) Collective Bargaining
Agreements. Neither the Partners Entities nor any
of their respective Subsidiaries is a party to any collective
bargaining or other labor union contract applicable to any
Partners Employees, and no collective bargaining agreement or
other labor union contract is being negotiated by the Partners
Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries. No labor
organization or group of Partners Employees that are situated at
any facility (or on any vessel) owned, leased or operated by the
Partners Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries has
made a pending demand for recognition or certification, and
there are no representation or certification proceedings or
petitions seeking a representation proceeding presently pending
or, to the Knowledge of the Partners Entities, threatened to be
brought or filed, with any labor relations tribunal or
authority. Except as would not constitute a Material Adverse
Effect on the Partners Entities, to the Knowledge of the
Partners Entities, (i) there is no labor dispute, strike,
slowdown or work stoppage or any other similar dispute or
controversy against the Partners Entities or any of their
respective Subsidiaries pending or threatened against the
Partners Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries and
(ii) no unfair labor practice or labor charge or complaint
has occurred with respect to the Partners Entities or any of
their respective Subsidiaries.
(w) Regulation as an Investment
Company. None of the Partners Entities nor any of
their respective Subsidiaries is an investment
company, as defined in, or subject to regulation under,
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(x) Export and Sanctions Laws. The
Partners Entities and each of their respective Subsidiaries has
been in material compliance with all applicable Export and
Sanctions Laws. To the Knowledge of the Partners Entities, none
of the Partners Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries nor any
Person controlling any of the Partners Entities is designated on
any Denied Party Lists or has engaged in any transaction with or
for the benefit of any Person that is designated on any Denied
Party Lists or that is subject to any Law prohibitions including
Laws relating to any export sanction or export restriction.
(y) Proxy Statement. None of the
information to be supplied by any Partners Entity for inclusion
in (i) the Proxy Statement to be filed by the Company with
the SEC, and any amendments or supplements thereto, or
(ii) the Registration Statement to be filed by Partners
with the SEC in connection with the Merger, and any amendments
or supplements thereto, will, at the respective times such
documents are filed, and, in the case of the Proxy Statement, at
the time the Proxy Statement or any amendment or supplement
thereto is first mailed to Stockholders, at the time of the
Meeting and at the Effective Time, and, in the case of the
Registration Statement, when it becomes effective under the
Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be made therein
or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS
The Company hereby covenants to and agrees with the Partners
Entities, and the Partners Entities hereby covenant to and
agrees with the Company, that:
Section 6.1 Best
Efforts. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, each party hereto shall use its commercially
reasonable best efforts in good faith to take, or cause to be
taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things
necessary, proper, desirable or advisable under applicable Law,
so as to permit consummation of the Merger promptly and
otherwise to enable consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby in the most expeditious manner practical,
including, without limitation, obtaining (and assisting and
cooperating with the other parties hereto to obtain) any third
party approval that is required to be obtained by the Company or
the Partners Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries in
connection with the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (including the Company Necessary
Consents and Partners Necessary Consents, as applicable), and
using commercially reasonable best efforts to lift or rescind
any injunction or restraining order or other order adversely
affecting the ability of the parties to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, and using commercially
reasonable best efforts to defend
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any litigation seeking to enjoin, prevent or delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or seeking
material damages, and each shall cooperate fully with the other
parties hereto to that end, and shall furnish to the other party
copies of all correspondence, filings and communications between
it and its Affiliates and any Governmental Authority with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. In complying
with the foregoing, none of the parties hereto nor any of their
respective Subsidiaries shall be required to take measures that
would have a Material Adverse Effect on it and such Subsidiaries
taken as a whole. The Company and the Partners Entities shall
keep each other reasonably apprised of the status of matters
relating to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby. Without the precise written consent of Partners, the
Company may not adjourn or postpone the Company Meeting.
Section 6.2 Stockholder
Approval.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
the Company shall take, in accordance with applicable Law,
applicable stock exchange rules and the Company Articles of
Incorporation and the Company Bylaws all action necessary to
call, hold and convene, respectively, a special meeting of the
Stockholders to consider and vote upon the adoption of this
Agreement, and any other matters required to be approved by the
Stockholders for consummation of the Merger (including any
adjournment or postponement, the Company
Meeting or a Meeting),
as promptly as practicable after the Proxy Statement is prepared
and the Company has mailed (or otherwise made electronically
available) the Proxy Statement to the Stockholders.
(b) Subject to Section 6.7(c), the Company
Board shall recommend adoption and approval of the Merger, this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby to the
Stockholders (the Company
Recommendation), and the Company shall take all
reasonable lawful action to solicit and obtain the Company
Stockholder Approval and the Company Unaffiliated Stockholder
Approval.
(c) Unless this Agreement is terminated pursuant to, and in
accordance with, Section 8.1 of this Agreement, the
obligation of the Company pursuant to Section 6.2(a)
to call, give notice of and hold the Company Meeting and to hold
a vote of the Stockholders on the adoption of this Agreement and
the approval of the Merger at the Meeting shall not be limited
or otherwise affected by any Company Change in Recommendation or
the commencement, disclosure, announcement or submission to the
Company of any Acquisition Proposal (whether or not a Superior
Proposal).
Section 6.3 Benefit
Plans. The Company agrees to take such actions as
may be required under its Compensation and Benefit Plans to
carry into effect the provisions of Section 3.5
hereof.
Section 6.4 Registration
Statement.
(a) Each of the Partners Entities and the Company agrees to
cooperate in the preparation of a registration statement on
Form F-4
(the Registration Statement)
(including the proxy statement and prospectus and other proxy
solicitation materials of Partners and the Company constituting
a part thereof (the Proxy Statement)
and all related documents) to be filed by Partners with the SEC
in connection with the issuance of New Partners Common Units in
the Merger as contemplated by this Agreement. Provided the
Company has cooperated as required above, Partners agrees to
file the Registration Statement with the SEC as promptly as
practicable. Each of the Company and the Partners Entities
agrees to use all commercially reasonable best efforts to cause
the Registration Statement to be declared effective under the
Securities Act as promptly as practicable after filing thereof
and, in the case of the Registration Statement, to maintain such
effectiveness for as long as necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated under this Agreement. Prior to the
effective date of the Registration Statement, the Partners
Entities also agree to use commercially reasonable best efforts
to obtain all necessary state securities law or Blue
Sky permits and approvals required to carry out the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the
issuance of the New Partners Common Units. Each of the Partners
Entities and the Company agrees to furnish to the other party
all information concerning the Partners Entities and their
respective Subsidiaries or the Company and its Subsidiaries, as
applicable, and the officers, directors and equity holders of
the Partners Entities and the Company and any applicable
Affiliates, as applicable, and to take such other action as may
be reasonably requested in connection with the foregoing.
(b) Each of the Company and the Partners Entities agrees,
as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that (i) none of the
information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or
incorporation by reference in the
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Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration
Statement and each amendment or supplement thereto, if any,
becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, and (ii) the Proxy
Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto will not, at
the date of mailing to equityholders and at the times of the
Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each
of the Company and the Partners Entities further agrees that if
it shall become aware prior to the Closing Date of any
information that would cause any of the statements in the
Registration Statement to be false or misleading with respect to
any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not false or misleading, it will
promptly inform the other party thereof and take the necessary
steps to correct such information in an amendment or supplement
to the Registration Statement.
(c) Partners will advise the Company, promptly after
Partners receives notice thereof, of the time when the
Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or
amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or
the suspension of the qualification of the New Partners Common
Units for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the
initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, or
of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of the
Registration Statement or for additional information.
(d) The Company will use its commercially reasonable best
efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to its
Stockholders as soon as practicable after the effective date of
the Registration Statement.
Section 6.5 Press
Releases.
Each of the Company and the Partners Entities will not, without
the prior approval of the Company Board, in the case of
Partners, and the Partners Board, in the case of the Company,
issue any press release or written statement for general
circulation relating to the transactions contemplated hereby,
except as otherwise required by applicable Law or the rules of
the NASDAQ or the NYSE, as applicable, in which case it will
consult with the other party before issuing any such press
release or written statement.
Section 6.6 Access;
Information.
(a) Upon reasonable notice and subject to applicable Laws
relating to the exchange of information, each party shall, and
shall cause its Subsidiaries to, afford the other parties and
their officers, employees, counsel, accountants and other
authorized representatives, access, during normal business hours
throughout the period prior to the Effective Time, to all of its
properties, books, contracts, commitments and records, and to
its officers, employees, accountants, counsel or other
representatives, and, during such period, it shall, and shall
cause its Subsidiaries to, furnish promptly to such Person and
its representatives (i) a copy of each material report,
schedule and other document filed by it pursuant to the
requirements of federal or state securities law (other than
reports or documents that the Company or the Partners Entities
or their respective Subsidiaries, as the case may be, are not
permitted to disclose under applicable Law) and (ii) all
other information concerning the business, properties and
personnel of it as the other may reasonably request. Neither the
Company nor any of the Partners Entities nor any of their
respective Subsidiaries shall be required to provide access to
or to disclose information where such access or disclosure would
jeopardize the attorney-client privilege of the institution in
possession or control of such information or contravene any Law,
fiduciary duty or binding agreement entered into prior to the
date of this Agreement. The parties hereto will make appropriate
substitute disclosure arrangements under the circumstances in
which the restrictions of the preceding sentence apply.
(b) The Partners Entities and the Company, respectively,
will not use any information obtained pursuant to this
Section 6.6 or Section 6.7 (to which it
was not entitled under Law or any agreement other than this
Agreement) for any purpose unrelated to (i) the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or (ii) the matters contemplated by Section 6.7
in accordance with the terms thereof, and will hold all
information and documents obtained pursuant to this
Section 6.6 or Section 6.7 in confidence
(except as permitted by Section 6.7(b)). No
investigation by any such party of the business and affairs of
any other shall affect or be deemed to modify or waive any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this
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Agreement, or the conditions to any such partys obligation
to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) The Company and Partners shall cause their respective
Subsidiaries to permit the Partners Entities and the Company and
their respective Representatives, as applicable to conduct a
physical inspection of the Company Vessels or the Partners
Vessels, as applicable, during the period prior to the Closing
(such inspections to be performed (i) after providing
reasonable advance notice to the Company or Partners, as
applicable, of the specific inspection requests,
(ii) during normal business hours and (iii) without
interfering with the normal course of business of the Company
Vessels or Partners Vessels and their respective crew members,
as applicable). The parties acknowledge and agree that,
notwithstanding this Section 6.6 or other provisions
herein to the contrary, (i) neither the Company nor
Partners shall be obligated to repair any Company Vessel or
Partners Vessel, as applicable, or cure any breach related to
the Company Vessels or Partners Vessels, as applicable, as a
result of such inspection, and (ii) that any costs or
expenses to remedy the conditions and exceptions set forth in
Section 5.1(p) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
remain the obligation of the Company and the Surviving Entity
after the Effective Time and any costs or expenses to remedy the
conditions and exceptions set forth in
Section 5.2(p) of the Partners Disclosure Schedule
remain the obligation of Partners and Partners GP after the
Effective Time.
Section 6.7 Acquisition
Proposals; Change in Recommendation.
(a) None of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall, and
they shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts to
cause their Representatives not to, directly or indirectly,
(i) initiate, solicit, facilitate or encourage the
submission of any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) participate in
any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any
person any non-public information with respect to, any
Acquisition Proposal or (iii) waive any
standstill agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
but subject to the limitations in Section 6.7(b),
nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company
from furnishing any information to, or entering into or
participating in discussions or negotiations with, any Person
that makes an unsolicited written Acquisition Proposal that did
not result from a knowing and intentional breach of this
Section 6.7 (a Receiving
Party), if (i) the Company Board, after
consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial
advisors, determines in good faith (A) that such
Acquisition Proposal constitutes or is likely to result in a
Superior Proposal, and (B) that failure to take such action
would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable
Law and (ii) prior to furnishing any such non-public
information to such Receiving Party, the Company receives from
such Receiving Party an executed Confidentiality Agreement.
(b) The Company shall promptly provide or make available to
the Partners Entities any non-public information concerning the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is provided or made
available to any Receiving Party pursuant to this
Section 6.7 which was not previously provided or
made available to the Partners Entities substantially
concurrently with the time such information is provided to the
Receiving Party.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in this
Section 6.7(c), the Company Board shall not (1)
(a) withdraw, modify or qualify in any manner adverse to
Partners the Company Recommendation or (b) publicly approve
or recommend, or publicly propose to approve or recommend, any
Acquisition Proposal (any action described in this
clause (1) being referred to as a Company
Change in Recommendation); or (2) approve,
adopt or recommend, or publicly propose to approve, adopt or
recommend, or allow the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
execute or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of
understanding, agreement in principle, merger agreement,
acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint venture
agreement, partnership agreement, or other similar contract or
any tender or exchange offer providing for, with respect to, or
in connection with, any Acquisition Proposal. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, at any time prior to obtaining the Company
Stockholder Approval, the Company Board may (x) make a
Company Change in Recommendation and (y) with respect to a
Superior Proposal, terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.1(d) to enter into an agreement relating
to a Superior Proposal, as applicable, if it has concluded in
good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel
and financial advisors, that failure to make a Company Change in
Recommendation and terminate this Agreement, as applicable,
would constitute or would be reasonably likely to constitute a
violation of its fiduciary duties to the Stockholders under
applicable Law; provided, however, that the Company Board
shall not be entitled to exercise its right to (x) make a
Company Change in
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Recommendation pursuant to this sentence or (y) terminate
this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(d) to enter
into an agreement relating to a Superior Proposal, as
applicable, unless the Company and its Subsidiaries has:
(i) complied in all material respects with this
Section 6.7, (ii) provided to the Partners
Entities and the Partners Conflicts Committee three
(3) Business Days prior written notice (such notice, a
Notice of Proposed Recommendation
Change) advising the Partners Entities that the
Company Board intends to take such action and specifying the
reasons therefor in reasonable detail, including, if applicable,
the terms and conditions of any Superior Proposal that is the
basis of the proposed action and the identity of the Person
making the proposal and contemporaneously providing a copy of
all relevant proposed transaction documents for such Superior
Proposal (it being understood and agreed that any amendment to
the terms of any such Superior Proposal shall require a new
Notice of Proposed Recommendation Change and an additional three
(3) Business Day period), (iii) during such period,
the Company and its Representatives shall negotiate in good
faith with the Partners Entities and its Representatives (to the
extent that Partners wishes to negotiate) to amend this
Agreement so as to enable the Company Board
and/or the
Company Independent Directors Committee to proceed with
the transactions contemplated hereby
and/or the
Company Recommendation and at the end of such period maintain
the Company Recommendation (after taking into account any agreed
modification to the terms of this Agreement), in each case as
applicable, and (iv) if applicable, provide to the Partners
Entities all materials and information delivered or made
available to the Person or group of Persons making any Superior
Proposal in connection with such Superior Proposal (to the
extent not previously provided). Any Company Change in
Recommendation shall not change the approval of this Agreement
or any other approval of the Company Board, including in any
respect that would have the effect of causing any Takeover Law
to be applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, including the Merger. Notwithstanding any provision in
this Agreement to the contrary, the Partners Entities shall
maintain, and cause its Representatives to maintain, the
confidentiality of all information received from the Company
pursuant to this Section 6.7, subject to the
exceptions contained in the NDA.
(d) In addition to the obligations of the Company set forth
in this Section 6.7, the Company shall as promptly
as practicable (and in any event within 24 hours after
receipt) advise the Partners Entities orally and in writing of
any Acquisition Proposal and the material terms and conditions
of any such Acquisition Proposal (including any changes thereto)
and the identity of the Person making any such Acquisition
Proposal. The Company shall keep the Partners Entities informed
on a reasonably current basis of material developments with
respect to any such Acquisition Proposal.
(e) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the
Company or the Company Board from taking and disclosing to the
Stockholders a position contemplated by
Rule 14d-9
and
Rule 14e-2(a)
promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any similar communication
to limited partners), if then applicable to the Company with
respect to an applicable transaction or from making any legally
required disclosure to stockholders. Any
stop-look-and-listen communication by the Company or
the Company Board to the Stockholders pursuant to
Rule 14d-9(f)
promulgated under the Exchange Act (or any similar communication
to the Stockholders), if then applicable to the Company, with
respect to an applicable transaction shall not be considered a
failure to make, or a withdrawal, modification or change in any
manner adverse to the Partners Entities of, all or a portion of
the Company Recommendation.
(f) The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained
in this Section 6.7 are an integral part of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that, without
these agreements, the Partners Entities would not have entered
into this Agreement. Accordingly, if there shall have been any
permanent injunction, other order issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition,
that (i) would require or permit the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective Representatives to act
or fail to act in a manner that would, in the absence of such
order, injunction or other order, legal restraint or
prohibition, constitute a material violation of clause (a)
of Section 6.7 or (ii) limits the rights of the
Partners Entities in any material respect under this
Section 6.7, Partners shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1
hereof.
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Section 6.8 Affiliate
Arrangements.
(a) Not later than the 15th day after the mailing of
the Proxy Statement, the Company shall deliver to Partners a
schedule of each Person that, to the best of its Knowledge, is
or is reasonably likely to be, as of the date of the relevant
Meeting, deemed to be an affiliate of the Company (a
Rule 145 Affiliate) as that term
is used in Rule 145 under the Securities Act.
(b) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable best
efforts to cause its Rule 145 Affiliates not to sell any
securities received under the Merger in violation of the
registration requirements of the Securities Act, including
Rule 145 thereunder.
Section 6.9 Takeover
Laws. Neither party shall take any action that
would cause the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to
be subject to requirements imposed by any Takeover Laws, and
each of them shall take all necessary steps within its control
to exempt (or ensure the continued exemption of) the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement from, or if
necessary challenge the validity or applicability of, any rights
plan adopted by such party or any applicable Takeover Law, as
now or hereafter in effect, including, without limitation,
Takeover Laws of any state or foreign jurisdiction that purport
to apply to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.
Section 6.10 Reserved.
Section 6.11 New
Partners Common Units Listed. In the case of
Partners, Partners shall use its commercially reasonable best
efforts to list, prior to the Closing, on the NASDAQ, upon
official notice of issuance, the New Partners Common Units.
Section 6.12 Third
Party Approvals.
(a) Each of the Partners Entities and the Company and their
respective Subsidiaries shall cooperate and use their respective
commercially reasonable best efforts to prepare all
documentation, to effect all filings, to obtain all permits,
consents, approvals and authorizations of all third parties
necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and to comply with the terms and conditions of such
permits, consents, approvals and authorizations and to cause the
Merger to be consummated as expeditiously as practicable. Each
of the Partners Entities and the Company shall have the right to
review in advance, and to the extent practicable each will
consult with the other, in each case subject to applicable Laws
relating to the exchange of information, with respect to, all
material written information submitted to any third party or any
Governmental Authorities in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. In exercising the foregoing
right, each of the parties hereto agrees to act reasonably and
promptly. Each party hereto agrees that it will consult with the
other parties hereto with respect to the obtaining of all
material permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all
third parties and Governmental Authorities necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and each party will keep the other parties apprised
of the status of material matters relating to completion of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) Each party agrees, upon request, to furnish the other
party with all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries,
directors, officers and equityholders and such other matters as
may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with the
Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement or any filing,
notice or application made by or on behalf of such other party
or any of such Subsidiaries to any Governmental Authority in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 6.13 Indemnification;
Directors and Officers Insurance.
(a) Without limiting any additional rights that any
director, officer, trustee, employee, agent, or fiduciary may
have under any employment or indemnification agreement or under
the Company Articles of Incorporation, the Company Bylaws, or
this Agreement or, if applicable, similar organizational
documents or agreements of any of the Company
Subsidiaries, from and after the Effective Time, Partners and
the Surviving Entity, jointly and severally, shall:
(i) indemnify and hold harmless each Person who is at the
date hereof or during the period from the date hereof through
the date of the Effective Time serving as a director or officer
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or as a fiduciary
under or with respect to any employee benefit plan (within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) (collectively, the
Indemnified Parties) to the fullest
extent
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authorized or permitted by applicable Law, as now or hereafter
in effect, in connection with any Claim and any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities, costs, Indemnification Expenses,
judgments, fines, penalties and amounts paid in settlement
(including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or
payable in connection with or in respect of any thereof)
resulting therefrom; and (ii) promptly pay on behalf of or,
within ten (10) days after any request for advancement,
advance to each of the Indemnified Parties, any Indemnification
Expenses incurred in defending, serving as a witness with
respect to or otherwise participating with respect to any Claim
in advance of the final disposition of such Claim, including
payment on behalf of or advancement to the Indemnified Party of
any Indemnification Expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party
in connection with enforcing any rights with respect to such
indemnification
and/or
advancement, in each case without the requirement of any bond or
other security. The indemnification and advancement obligations
of Partners and the Surviving Entity pursuant to this
Section 6.13(a) shall extend to acts or omissions
occurring at or before the Effective Time and any Claim relating
thereto (including with respect to any acts or omissions
occurring in connection with the approval of this Agreement and
the consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, including the consideration and approval
thereof and the process undertaken in connection therewith and
any Claim relating thereto), and all rights to indemnification
and advancement conferred hereunder shall continue as to a
Person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or as a fiduciary under or with
respect to any employee benefit plan (within the meaning of
Section 3(3) of ERISA) after the date hereof and shall
inure to the benefit of such Persons heirs, executors and
personal and legal representatives. As used in this
Section 6.13: (x) the term
Claim means any threatened, asserted,
pending or completed action, whether instituted by any party
hereto, any Governmental Authority or any other Person, that any
Indemnified Party in good faith believes might lead to the
institution of any action or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or other, including any
arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution mechanism
(Action), arising out of or pertaining
to matters that relate to such Indemnified Partys duties
or service as a director or officer of the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries, or as a fiduciary under or with respect to any
employee benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3)
of ERISA) maintained by any of the foregoing at or prior to the
Effective Time; and (y) the term
Indemnification Expenses means
reasonable attorneys fees and all other reasonable costs,
expenses and obligations (including experts fees, travel
expenses, court costs, retainers, transcript fees, duplicating,
printing and binding costs, as well as telecommunications,
postage and courier charges) paid or incurred in connection with
investigating, defending, being a witness in or participating in
(including on appeal), or preparing to investigate, defend, be a
witness in or participate in, any Claim for which
indemnification is authorized pursuant to this
Section 6.13(a), including any Action relating to a
Claim for indemnification or advancement brought by an
Indemnified Party. Neither Partners nor the Surviving Entity
shall settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment
in any actual or threatened Action in respect of which
indemnification has been or could be sought by such Indemnified
Party hereunder unless such settlement, compromise or judgment
includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from
all liability arising out of such Action without admission or
finding of wrongdoing, or such Indemnified Party otherwise
consents thereto.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, Partners and the
Company agree that all rights to indemnification, advancement of
expenses and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions
occurring at or prior to the Effective Time now existing in
favor of the Indemnitees as provided in the Company Articles of
Incorporation and Company Bylaws (and, as applicable, the
charter, bylaws, partnership agreement, limited liability
company agreement, or other organizational documents of any of
the Companys Subsidiaries) and indemnification agreements
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be assumed by
the Surviving Entity and Partners in the Merger, without further
action, at the Effective Time and shall survive the Merger and
shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their
terms.
(c) For a period of six (6) years from the Effective
Time, the Surviving Entitys Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws shall contain provisions no less favorable with respect
to indemnification, advancement of expenses and limitations on
liability of directors and officers than are set forth in the
Company Articles of Incorporation and Company Bylaws, which
provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified
for a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time in
any manner that would affect adversely the rights thereunder of
individuals who, at or prior to the Effective Time, were
Indemnified Parties, unless such modification shall be required
by Law and then only to the minimum extent required by Law.
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(d) Partners shall, or shall cause the Surviving Entity to,
maintain for a period of at least six (6) years following
the Effective Time, the current policies of directors and
officers liability insurance maintained by the Company and
its Subsidiaries (provided, that the Surviving Entity may
substitute therefor policies of at least the same coverage and
amounts containing terms and conditions which are not less
advantageous to such directors and officers of the Company than
the terms and conditions of such existing policy from carriers
with the same or better rating as the carrier under the existing
policy provided that such substitution shall not result in gaps
or lapses of coverage with respect to matters occurring before
the Effective Time) with respect to claims arising from facts or
events that occurred on or before the Effective Time, including
in respect of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement; provided, that Partners shall not be
required to pay annual premiums in excess of 300% of the last
annual premium paid by the Company prior to the date hereof but
in such case shall purchase as much coverage as reasonably
practicable for such amount.
(e) The provisions of Section 6.13(d) shall be
deemed to have been satisfied if prepaid tail
policies have been obtained by the Surviving Entity for purposes
of this Section 6.13 from carriers with the same or
better rating as the carrier of such insurances as of the date
of this Agreement, which policies provide such directors and
officers with the coverage described in
Section 6.13(d) for an aggregate period of not less
than six (6) years with respect to claims arising from
facts or events that occurred on or before the Effective Time,
including, in respect of the Merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(f) If Partners, the Surviving Entity or any of their
respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or
merges with or into any other Person and shall not be the
continuing or surviving corporation, partnership or other entity
of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or
conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to
any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall
be made so that the successors and assigns of Partners and the
Surviving Entity assume the obligations set forth in this
Section 6.13.
(g) Partners shall cause the Surviving Entity to perform
all of the obligations of the Surviving Entity under this
Section 6.13.
(h) This Section 6.13 shall survive the
consummation of the Merger and is intended to be for the benefit
of, and shall be enforceable by, the Indemnified Parties and the
Indemnitees and their respective heirs and personal
representatives, and shall be binding on Partners, the Surviving
Entity and their respective successors and assigns.
Section 6.14 Notification
of Certain Matters. Each of the Company and the
Partners Entities shall give prompt notice to the other of
(a) any fact, event or circumstance Known to it that
(i) is reasonably likely, individually or taken together
with all other facts, events and circumstances Known to it, to
result in any Material Adverse Effect with respect to it or
(ii) would cause or constitute a material breach of any of
its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
contained herein, (b) any change in its condition
(financial or otherwise) or business or any litigation or
governmental complaints, investigations or hearings, in each
case to the extent such change, litigation, complaints,
investigations, or hearings, would constitute a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to it, (c) any fact, event or
circumstance Known to it that could reasonably be expected to
cause any condition to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement not to be satisfied, and (d) its failure to
comply with any covenant or agreement to be complied by it
pursuant to this Agreement which could reasonably be expected to
result in any condition to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement not to be satisfied.
Section 6.15 Distributions. The
Company shall consult with Partners GP regarding the declaration
and payment of distributions and dividends, respectively, in
respect of the Company Common Stock and the record dates and
payment dates relating thereto, so that no applicable unitholder
of Partners shall receive two distributions, or fail to receive
one distribution, for any single calendar quarter with respect
to its applicable New Partners Common Units any such Stockholder
receives in exchange therefor pursuant to the Merger.
Section 6.16 Amendment
of Omnibus Agreement. At or prior to the Closing,
Partners GP, Partners, Capital Product Operating GP L.L.C. and
Capital Maritime will enter into the Partners Omnibus Agreement
Amendment to include terms substantially similar to those
contained in that certain Business Opportunities Agreement dated
March 1, 2010, among Capital Maritime and the Company, as
amended as of the date of this
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Agreement; provided, however, that the parties to that
agreement will negotiate in good faith reasonable time periods
pursuant to which the Partners Entities may elect to pursue
certain opportunities.
Section 6.17 Amendment
of Partners Partnership Agreement; Partners Board Membership.
(a) At or prior to the Closing, Partners GP will cause the
Partners Partnership Agreement to be amended to:
(i) modify Section 15.1 of the Partners Partnership
Agreement, relating to the ability of Partners GP to acquire the
remaining outstanding securities of any class of Partners
securities held by all holders other than Partners GP or its
Affiliates if Partners GP or its Affiliates hold at least 80% of
all such securities in such class, so that such right is
triggered at 90% instead of 80%; and
(ii) provide that the Partners Board shall consist of eight
members.
(b) Prior to the mailing of the Proxy Statement, the
Company shall designate one member of the Company Independent
Directors Committee (the Company Director
Designee) to serve as a member of the Partners
Board following the Effective Time.
(c) The Partners Board shall nominate the Company Director
Designee for election to the Partners Board as an Elected
Director (as defined in the Partners Partnership Agreement) and
serving as a Class I Director or Class II Director,
whichever class designation would have the longer then-remaining
term as of the Effective Time, and effective immediately
following the Effective Time, shall elect the Company Director
Designee to the Partners Board and appoint the Company Director
Designee to the Audit Committee and Conflicts Committee of the
Partners Board. The seven (7) members of the Partners Board
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to serve
as members of the Partners Board following the Effective Time.
Subject to the foregoing, Partners shall take such action as is
necessary to cause the director designated pursuant to this
Section 6.17 to be appointed to the Partners Board
effective as of the Effective Time, to serve until the earlier
of such individuals resignation or removal or until his
successor is duly elected and qualified.
Section 6.18 Qualification
as Reorganization.
(a) This Agreement is intended to constitute a plan
of reorganization within the meaning of
Section 1.368-2(g)
of the U.S. Treasury Regulations. From and after the date
of this Agreement and until the Effective Time, each of
Partners, Partners GP and the Company will use its commercially
reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to qualify, and will
not, without the prior written consent of the other party,
knowingly take any actions or cause any actions to be taken
which could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from
qualifying, as a reorganization under the provisions of
Section 368(a) of the Code. Following the Effective Time,
and consistent with any such consent, none of the Partners
Entities or their respective Subsidiaries, nor any of their
respective Affiliates, will knowingly take any action or cause
any action to be taken that would cause the Merger to fail to so
qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the
Code.
(b) The Company and the Partners Entities will use
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the Tax opinions
described in Section 7.8 (the Company
Tax Opinion and the Partners Tax
Opinion). Officers of Partners, MergerCo and the
Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver to
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, counsel to the Company, and a
nationally recognized law firm, as counsel to Partners,
representation letters and such other items deemed necessary by
such counsel, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to
such counsel and at such time or times as may be reasonably
requested by such counsel, including the effective date of the
Registration Statement and the Effective Time, except that
neither Partners nor the Company shall be obligated to deliver
such letters if the proposed statements and representations set
forth therein are not true, correct and complete in all respects
at such time.
(c) The Company and the Partners Entities agree to
restructure the Merger as a merger of the Company with and into
a wholly owned subsidiary of Partners that is classified as an
entity disregarded from its owner for United States federal
income tax purposes (Disregarded
MergerCo), with Disregarded MergerCo being the
surviving entity, if such restructuring is necessary to ensure
that the acquisition of the Company qualifies as a
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code or to
ensure the receipt of the Company Tax Opinion and the Partners
Tax Opinion.
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Section 6.19 MergerCo
Obligations. Immediately following the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by each of the parties hereto,
Partners, as sole stockholder of MergerCo, will adopt this
Agreement. Partners will cause MergerCo to perform all of its
covenants, agreements and obligations under this Agreement and
the other agreements contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS
TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
The obligations of each of the parties to consummate the Merger
are conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to
the Closing of each of the following; provided, however,
that no party may rely on the failure of any condition set
forth in Article VII if such failure was caused by such
partys failure to comply in any material respect with its
obligations under this Agreement:
Section 7.1 Stockholder
Vote. This Agreement shall have been authorized,
approved and adopted by the affirmative vote of (a) holders
of a majority of voting power of (x) the Company Common
Stock and Company Class B Stock outstanding and entitled to
vote at the Company Meeting, voting together as a class, and
(y) the Company Class B Stock outstanding and entitled
to vote at the Company Meeting, voting separately (collectively,
the Company Stockholder Approval), and
(b) holders of a majority of the voting power of the
Company Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the
Company Meeting held by Company Unaffiliated Stockholders,
voting separately (the Company Unaffiliated
Stockholder Approval).
Section 7.2 Governmental
Approvals. All filings required to be made prior
to the Effective Time with, and all other consents, approvals,
permits and authorizations required to be obtained prior to the
Effective Time from, any Governmental Authority in connection
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by the
parties hereto or their Affiliates shall have been made or
obtained, except where the failure to obtain such consents,
approvals, permits and authorizations would not constitute a
Material Adverse Effect on the Partners Entities or the Company.
Section 7.3 No
Actions. No order, decree or injunction of any
court or agency of competent jurisdiction shall be in effect,
and no Law shall have been enacted or adopted, that enjoins,
prohibits or makes illegal consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated hereby substantially on the terms
contemplated in this Agreement, and no action, proceeding or
investigation by any Governmental Authority with respect to the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby
substantially on the terms contemplated in this Agreement shall
be pending that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prohibit, delay or
make illegal the consummation of the Merger or such other
transaction or to impose any material restrictions or
requirements thereon or on the Partners Entities or the Company
with respect thereto; provided, however, that prior to
invoking this condition, each party shall have complied fully
with its obligations under Section 6.1.
Section 7.4 Representations,
Warranties and Covenants of the Partners
Entities. In the case of the Companys
obligation to consummate the Merger:
(a) (i) Each of the representations and warranties of
the Partners Entities set forth in Section 5.2(a),
Section 5.2(b), Section 5.2(c)(i) and
Section 5.2(i)(i) of this Agreement shall be true
and correct (other than any inaccuracies that are de minimis in
the aggregate) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date
(except to the extent that such representations and warranties
speak as of another date, in which case such representations and
warranties shall be so true and correct as of such other date),
and (ii) each of the other representations and warranties
of the Partners Entities set forth in this Agreement
(disregarding for this purpose all qualifications and exceptions
contained therein relating to materiality or Material Adverse
Effect) shall be true and correct as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of
the Closing Date (except to the extent that such representations
and warranties speak as of another date, in which case such
representations and warranties shall be so true and correct as
of such other date), except as would not constitute a Material
Adverse Effect on the Partners Entities.
A-45
(b) each and all of the agreements and covenants of the
Partners Entities to be performed and complied with pursuant to
this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date shall have been
duly performed and complied with in all material
respects; and
(c) The Company shall have received a certificate signed by
the Chief Executive Officer of Partners GP, dated the Closing
Date, to the effect set forth in Section 7.4(a) and
Section 7.4(b); provided, however, that
nothing in this Section 7.4 will prohibit any of the
Partners Entities from acquiring or entering into agreements to
acquire vessels (including non-tanker vessels) or the equity of
any Person owning such vessels and financing such acquisitions
(by the issuance of equity securities, debt securities or
otherwise) and taking all other actions reasonably incidental
thereto, and none of such actions shall be deemed a breach of a
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement hereunder.
Section 7.5 Representations,
Warranties and Covenants of the Company. In the
case of the Partners Entities obligation to consummate the
Merger:
(a) (i) Each of the representations and warranties of
the Company set forth in Section 5.1(a),
Section 5.1(b), Section 5.1(c)(i) and
Section 5.1(i)(i) of this Agreement shall be true
and correct (other than any inaccuracies that are de minimis in
the aggregate) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date
(except to the extent that such representations and warranties
speak as of another date, in which case such representations and
warranties shall be so true and correct as of such other date),
and (ii) each of the other representations and warranties
of the Company set forth in this Agreement (disregarding for
this purpose all qualifications and exceptions contained therein
relating to materiality or Material Adverse Effect), shall be
true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date
(except to the extent that such representations and warranties
speak as of another date, in which case such representations and
warranties shall be so true and correct as of such other date),
except as would not constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.
(b) Each and all of the agreements and covenants of the
Company to be performed and complied with pursuant to this
Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date shall have been duly
performed and complied with in all material respects; and
(c) Partners shall have received a certificate signed by
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated the Closing
Date, to the effect set forth in Section 7.5(a) and
Section 7.5(b).
Section 7.6 Other
Approvals. All Company Necessary Consents,
Partners Necessary Consents and consents set forth on
Section 7.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall
have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect, except
those Other Approvals the failure of which to obtain would not
constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or the
Partners Entities.
Section 7.7 Effective
Registration Statement. The Registration
Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act
and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings
for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the
SEC.
Section 7.8 Company
Tax Opinion and Partners Tax Opinion. The Company
shall have received an opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell
LLP and Partners shall have received an opinion of a nationally
recognized law firm, each dated the Effective Time and to the
effect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
(a) the Merger should qualify as a reorganization within
the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. The issuance of
such opinion shall be conditioned upon the receipt by such
counsel of customary representation letters from each of
Partners, MergerCo and the Company and such other items deemed
necessary by such counsel, in each case, in form and substance
satisfactory to such counsel. Each such representation letter
shall be dated on the date of such opinion and shall not have
been withdrawn or modified in any material respect.
Section 7.9 NASDAQ
Listing. The New Partners Common Units shall have
been approved for listing on the NASDAQ, subject to official
notice of issuance.
Section 7.10 Partners
Partnership Agreement Amendment and Partners Omnibus Agreement
Amendment. The Partners Partnership Agreement
Amendment and the Partners Omnibus Agreement Amendment shall be
effective.
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ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
Section 8.1 Termination. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be
terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to
the Effective Time, whether before or after the Company
Stockholder Approval or Company Unaffiliated Stockholder
Approval is obtained:
(a) By the mutual consent of Partners and the Company in a
written instrument.
(b) By either Partners or the Company upon written notice
to the other, if:
(i) the Merger has not been consummated on or before
September 30, 2011 (the Termination
Date); provided that the right to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(b)(i) shall
not be available to a party whose failure to fulfill any
material obligation under this Agreement or other material
breach of this Agreement has been the primary cause of, or
resulted in, the failure of the Merger to have been consummated
on or before such date;
(ii) any Governmental Authority has issued a statute, rule,
order, decree or regulation or taken any other action, in each
case permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the consummation of the Merger or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or making the Merger or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby illegal and such statute, rule,
order, decree, regulation or other action shall have become
final and nonappealable (provided that the terminating
party is not then in breach of Section 6.1);
(iii) the Company fails to obtain the Company Stockholder
Approval at the Company Meeting; provided, however, that
the right to terminate this Agreement under this
Section 8.1(b)(iii) shall not be available to the
Company where the failure to obtain the Company Stockholder
Approval shall have been caused by the action or failure to act
of the Company and such action or failure to act constitutes a
material breach by the Company of this Agreement;
(iv) there has been a material breach of or any material
inaccuracy in any of the representations or warranties set forth
in this Agreement on the part of any of the other parties
(treating the Partners Entities as one party for purposes of
this Section 8.1), which breach or inaccuracy is not
cured within 30 days following receipt by the breaching
party of written notice of such breach from the terminating
party, or which breach or inaccuracy, by its nature, cannot be
cured prior to the Termination Date (provided in any such
case that the terminating party is not then in material breach
of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement
contained herein); provided, however, that no
party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant
to this Section 8.1(b)(iv) unless the breach or
inaccuracy of a representation or warranty, together with all
other such breaches or inaccuracy, would entitle the party
receiving such representation not to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement under Section 7.4 (in
the case of a breach of representation or warranty by the
Partners Entities) or Section 7.5 (in the case of a
breach of representation or warranty by the Company); or
(v) there has been a material breach of any of the
covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement on the part
of any other party, which breach has not been cured within
30 days following receipt by the breaching party of written
notice of such breach from the terminating party, or which
breach, by its nature, cannot be cured prior to the Termination
Date (provided in any such case that the terminating party is
not then in material breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant or other agreement contained herein); provided,
however, that no party shall have the right to terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(b)(v)
unless the breach of covenants or agreements, together with all
other such breaches, would entitle the party receiving the
benefit of such covenants or agreements not to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement under
Section 7.4 (in the case of a breach of covenants or
agreements by the Partners Entities) or Section 7.5
(in the case of a breach of covenants or agreements by the
Company).
(c) By Partners, upon written notice to the Company, in the
event that a Company Change in Recommendation has occurred.
A-47
(d) By the Company, upon written notice to Partners, in the
event that if, at any time after the date of this Agreement and
prior to obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval, the Company
receives an Acquisition Proposal and the Company Board shall
have concluded in good faith that such Acquisition Proposal
constitutes a Superior Proposal, the Company Board shall have
made a Company Change in Recommendation pursuant to
Section 6.7(c) with respect to such Superior
Proposal, the Company has not intentionally breached
Section 6.7 of this Agreement, and the Company Board
concurrently approves, and the Company concurrently enters into,
a definitive agreement with respect to such Acquisition Proposal
and has paid the Company Termination Fee pursuant to
Section 9.1(a).
(e) by Partners if there shall have been any permanent
injunction, other order issued by any court of competent
jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition, that
(i) would require or permit the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective Representatives to act
or fail to act in a manner that would, in the absence of such
order, injunction, other order, legal restraint or prohibition,
constitute a material violation of clause (a) of
Section 6.7 or (ii) would reduce or otherwise
limit the rights of Parent in any material respect under
Section 6.7 or Section 9.1.
Section 8.2 Effect
of Termination. In the event of the termination
of this Agreement as provided in Section 8.1,
written notice thereof shall forthwith be given by the
terminating party to the other parties specifying the provision
of this Agreement pursuant to which such termination is made,
and except as provided in this Section 8.2 and
Section 9.13, this Agreement (other than
Article IX) shall forthwith become null and void
after the expiration of any applicable period following such
notice. In the event of such termination, there shall be no
liability on the part of the Partners Entities or the Company,
except as set forth in Section 9.1 of this Agreement
and except with respect to the requirement to comply with
Section 6.6(b); provided that nothing herein shall
relieve any party from any liability or obligation with respect
to any fraud or willful breach of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Fees
and Expenses. Whether or not the Merger is
consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
paid by the party incurring such costs or expenses, except as
provided in Section 9.1(a), 9.1(b),
9.1(c) and 9.1(e).
(a) If this Agreement is terminated by Partners pursuant to
Section 8.1(c) or by the Company pursuant to
Section 8.1(d), then the Company shall pay to
Partners the Company Termination Fee.
(b) In the event that (i) an Acquisition Proposal with
respect to the Company has been publicly proposed by any Person
(meaning, for the purpose of this Section 9.1(b), a
Person other than Partners, Partners GP and MergerCo or any
Affiliate thereof) or any Person has publicly announced its
intention (whether or not conditional) to make such an
Acquisition Proposal or such an Acquisition Proposal or such
intention has otherwise become publicly known to the
Stockholders generally and in any event such proposal or
intention is not subsequently withdrawn prior to the termination
of this Agreement, (ii) thereafter this Agreement is
terminated by either the Company or Partners pursuant to
Section 8.1(b)(i) or Section 8.1(b)(iii)
or by Partners pursuant to Section 8.1(b)(iv) or
Section 8.1(b)(v) and (iii) within
12 months after the termination of this Agreement, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries enters into any definitive
agreement providing for an Acquisition Proposal, or an
Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is consummated, then the Company shall pay to
Partners, if and when consummation of such Acquisition Proposal
occurs (or, if earlier, upon entry into such definitive
agreement), the Company Termination Fee less all Expenses of
Partners previously paid to Partners.
(c) If this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant
to Section 8.1(b)(iv) or
Section 8.1(b)(v), then Partners shall pay to the
Company the Expenses of the Company. If this Agreement is
terminated by Partners pursuant to
Section 8.1(b)(iv) or Section 8.1(b)(v),
then the Company shall pay to Partners the Expenses of Partners.
A-48
(d) Except as otherwise provided herein, any payment of the
Company Termination Fee or Expenses pursuant to this
Section 9.1 shall be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account designated by Partners
within one Business Day after such payment becomes payable;
provided, however, that any payment of the Company
Termination Fee by the Company as a result of termination under
Section 8.1(c) or Section 8.1(d) shall
be made prior to or concurrently with termination of this
Agreement; provided, however, that any payment of the
Company Termination Fee pursuant to Section 9.1(b)
shall be made contemporaneously with the consummation of the
Acquisition Proposal (or, if earlier, entry into such definitive
agreement) as provided in clause (iii) of
Section 9.1(b). The parties acknowledge
that the agreements contained in this Section 9.1
are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and that, without these agreements, none of the
parties would enter into this Agreement.
(e) (i) If the Merger is consummated, Partners shall
pay, or cause to be paid, any and all property or transfer taxes
imposed on either party in connection with the Merger,
(ii) Expenses incurred in connection with filing, printing
and mailing the Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement
shall be paid one-half by Partners and one-half by the Company,
and (iii) any filing fees payable pursuant to regulatory
Laws and other filing fees incurred in connection with this
Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring the fees. As used
in this agreement, Expenses includes
all
out-of-pocket
expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel,
accountants, investment bankers, experts and consultants to a
party hereto and its affiliates) incurred by a party or on its
behalf in connection with or related to the authorization,
preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including
the preparation, printing, filing and mailing of the Proxy
Statement and the Registration Statement and the solicitation of
Stockholder approvals and all other matters related to the
transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that
the amount of Expenses payable by one party to another under
this Section 9.1 shall not exceed $3.0 million.
(f) This Section 9.1 shall survive any
termination of this Agreement.
Section 9.2 Waiver;
Amendment. Subject to compliance with applicable
Law, prior to the Closing, any provision of this Agreement may
be (a) waived in writing by the party benefited by the
provision and approved by the Partners Conflicts Committee in
the case of the Partners Entities and by the Company Independent
Directors Committee in the case of the Company and
executed in the same manner as this Agreement, or
(b) amended or modified at any time, whether before or
after the Company Stockholder Approval by an agreement in
writing between the parties hereto approved by the Partners
Board in the case of Partners and by the Company Board in the
case of the Company and executed in the same manner as this
Agreement, provided, that after the Company Stockholder
Approval, no amendment shall be made that requires further
Company Stockholder Approval without such approval.
Section 9.3 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to constitute an original.
Section 9.4 Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the Law of the State of Delaware,
without giving effect to any choice or conflict of Law provision
or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other
jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Laws of
any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.
Section 9.5 Confidentiality. Each
of the parties hereto and their respective agents, attorneys and
accountants will maintain the confidentiality of all information
provided in connection herewith to the extent required by, and
subject to the limitations of, Section 6.6(b) and
the NDA.
Section 9.6 Notices. All
notices, requests and other communications hereunder to a party
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if
(a) personally delivered, (b) telecopied (with
confirmation of receipt) (c) mailed by registered or
certified mail (return receipt requested) or
(d) e-mailed
(with confirmation of receipt) to such party at its address, fax
number and
e-mail
address set forth below or such other address, fax number or
e-mail
address as such party may specify by notice to the parties
hereto.
A-49
If to any of the Partners Entities, to:
Capital Product Partners L.P.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537 Greece
Facsimile: (+30) 210 4284 285
Email: kminpacpal@verizon.net
Attention: Chairman of the Conflicts Committee
With copies (which shall not constitute proper notice hereunder)
to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
1111 Louisiana Street
44th Floor
Houston, Texas
77002-5200
Facsimile:
(713) 236-0822
Email: vkendrick@akingump.com
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Attn:
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J. Vincent Kendrick
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Patrick Hurley
If to the Company, to:
Crude Carriers Corp.
3 Iassonos Street
Piraeus, 18537 Greece
Facsimile: (+30) 210 4538 746
Email: dimitris.christacopoulos@gmail.com
Attention: Chairman of the Independent Directors
Committee
With copies (which shall not constitute proper notice hereunder)
to:
Jones Day
717 Texas
Suite 3300
Houston, Texas
77002-2712
Facsimile:
(832) 239-3600
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Email:
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markmetts@jonesday.com
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aolivarez@jonesday.com
Angela Olivarez
Section 9.7 Entire
Understanding; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This
Agreement represents the entire understanding of the parties
hereto with reference to the transactions contemplated hereby
and supersedes any and all other oral or written agreements
heretofore made except for the NDA and the Support Agreement,
which shall survive until the Termination Date or the Effective
Time, as the case may be. Except as contemplated by
Section 6.13, nothing in this Agreement, expressed
or implied, is intended to confer upon any person, other than
the parties hereto or their respective successors, any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement.
Section 9.8 Severability. Any
provision of this Agreement which is invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability, without affecting in any way the
remaining provisions hereof in such jurisdiction or rendering
that or any other provision of this Agreement invalid, illegal
or unenforceable in any other jurisdiction.
Section 9.9 Headings. The
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and are not part of this Agreement.
A-50
Section 9.10 Jurisdiction.
(a) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any
legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement and
the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition
and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and
the rights and obligations arising hereunder brought by the
other party hereto or its successors or assigns, shall be
brought and determined exclusively in the Court of Chancery in
the State of Delaware, or if (but only if) that court does not
have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding,
in the United States District Court for the District of
Delaware. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits
with regard to any such action or proceeding for itself and in
respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, to the
personal jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that it
will not bring any action relating to this Agreement or any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court
other than the aforesaid courts and to accept service of process
in any manner permitted by such courts. Each of the parties
hereto hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by
way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any
action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement,
(a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the
jurisdiction of the above named courts for any reason other than
the failure to lawfully serve process, (b) any claim that
it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any
such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts
(whether through service of notice, attachment prior to
judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution
of judgment or otherwise) and (c) to the fullest extent
permitted by the applicable law, any claim that (i) the
proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum,
(ii) the venue of such proceeding is improper or
(iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter of this
Agreement, may not be enforced in or by such courts.
(b) By its execution and delivery of this Agreement, each
of the Company and the Partners Entities (i) irrevocably
designates and appoints the Trust Company (Marshall
Islands) as its authorized agent (the
Agent) upon which process may be
served in any proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby and
(ii) agrees that service of process upon its Agent shall be
deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon such
Partners Entity or the Company, as applicable, in any such
proceeding. Each Partners Entity and the Company further agrees,
at its own expense, to take any and all action, including the
execution and filing of any and all such documents and
instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation
and appointment of its Agent in full force and effect. The
foregoing shall not limit the rights of any party to serve
process in any other manner permitted by Law.
Section 9.11 Waiver
of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 9.12 Specific
Performance. The parties agree that irreparable
damage would occur if any of the provisions of this Agreement
were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or
were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the
parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions
to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce
specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement
exclusively in Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware, or if
(but only if) that court does not have subject matter
jurisdiction over such action or proceeding, in the United
States District Court for the District of Delaware.
Section 9.13 Survival. All
representations, warranties, agreements and covenants contained
in this Agreement shall not survive the Closing or the
termination of this Agreement if this Agreement is terminated
prior to the Closing; provided, however, that if the
Closing occurs, the agreements of the parties in
Sections 3.3, 3.5, 6.13 and
Article IX shall survive the Closing, and if this
Agreement is terminated prior to the Closing, the agreements of
the parties in Section 6.6(b) and 8.2 and in
Article IX shall survive such termination.
Section 9.14 No
Act or Failure to Act. With respect to any waiver
or consent for which this Agreement expressly requires waiver or
consent by the Partners Conflicts Committee, no waiver or
consent by or on behalf of Partners pursuant to or as
contemplated by this Agreement shall have any effect unless such
waiver or consent is expressly approved by the Partners
Conflicts Committee. With respect to any act or failure to act
for which this Agreement expressly requires action or inaction
by the Partners Conflicts Committee, no such act or failure to
act by the Partners Board shall constitute a breach by Partners
of this Agreement unless such act or failure to act is expressly
approved by the Partners Conflicts Committee.
[Remainder
of this page is intentionally left blank.]
A-51
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed in counterparts by their duly
authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above
written
CAPITAL GP L.L.C.
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By:
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/s/ Ioannis
E. Lazaridis
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Name: Ioannis E. Lazaridis
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer of Capital GP L.L.C.
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CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P.
its general partner
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By:
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/s/ Ioannis
E. Lazaridis
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Name: Ioannis E. Lazaridis
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer of Capital G.P. L.L.C.
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POSEIDON PROJECT CORP.
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By:
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/s/ Evangelos
G. Bairactaris
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Name: Evangelos G. Bairactaris
CRUDE CARRIERS CORP.
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By:
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/s/ Gerasimos
G. Kalogiratos
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Name: Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos
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Title:
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Chief Financial Officer
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Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger
A-52
ANNEX A
FORM OF
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
A-1
Annex A
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS, L.P.
AND
EVANGELOS M. MARINAKIS
IOANNIS E. LAZARIDIS
GERASIMOS G. KALOGIRATOS
CRUDE CARRIERS INVESTMENTS CORP.
DATED AS OF MAY 5, 2011
A-2
Table
of Contents
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Page
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ARTICLE 1 GENERAL
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A-4
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1.1
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Defined Terms
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A-4
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ARTICLE 2 VOTING
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A-5
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2.1
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Agreement to Vote
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A-5
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2.2
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No Inconsistent Agreements
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A-5
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2.3
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Proxy
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A-5
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ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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A-6
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3.1
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Representations and Warranties of Each Shareholder
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A-6
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3.2
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Representations and Warranties of Partners
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A-7
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ARTICLE 4 OTHER COVENANTS
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A-7
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4.1
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Prohibition on Transfers, Other Actions
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A-7
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4.2
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Distributions, etc
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A-7
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4.3
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Other Shares
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A-7
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4.4
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No Solicitation
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A-8
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4.5
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Notice of Proposals Regarding Prohibited Transactions
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A-8
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4.6
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Further Assurances
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A-8
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4.7
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Shareholder Capacity
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A-8
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4.8
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Waiver of Appraisal Rights and Dissenters Rights and
Actions
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A-8
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ARTICLE 5 MISCELLANEOUS
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A-8
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5.1
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Termination
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A-8
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5.2
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Limitation on Liability
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A-9
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5.3
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No Ownership Interest
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A-9
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5.4
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Publicity
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A-9
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5.5
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Notices
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A-9
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5.6
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Interpretation
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A-10
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5.7
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Counterparts
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A-10
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5.8
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Entire Agreement
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A-10
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5.9
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Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial
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A-10
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5.10
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Amendment; Waiver
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A-11
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5.11
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Remedies
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A-11
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5.12
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Severability
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A-11
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5.13
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Action by Partners
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A-11
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5.14
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Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries
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A-12
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A-3
SUPPORT
AGREEMENT
SUPPORT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 5, 2011 (this
Agreement), by and among Capital
Product Partners, L.P., a Republic of Marshall Islands limited
partnership (Partners), and Evangelos
M. Marinakis, Ioannis E. Lazaridis, Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos,
and Crude Carriers Investments Corp., a Republic of Marshall
Islands corporation (collectively, the
Shareholders and, individually, a
Shareholder).
W I T N E
S S E T H:
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement,
Partners, Capital GP L.L.C., a Republic of Marshall Islands
limited liability company (Partners
GP), Crude Carriers Corp., a Republic of Marshall
Islands corporation (the Company), and
Poseidon Project Corp., a Republic of Marshall Islands
Corporation (MergerCo), are entering
into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date
hereof (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified
from time to time, the Merger
Agreement) pursuant to which, among other things,
MergerCo will merge with and into the Company, with the Company
being the surviving entity (the
Merger), such that following the
Merger, Partners will be the sole stockholder of the Company,
and each outstanding share of Common Stock, par value $0.0001
per share (Common Stock), and share of
Class B Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
(Class B Stock), of the Company
will be converted into the right to receive the merger
consideration specified therein;
WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, each Shareholder is the
record
and/or
beneficial owner, in the aggregate, of the number of shares of
Common Stock and Class B Stock set forth opposite such
Shareholders name on Schedule I hereto (the
Existing Shares); and
WHEREAS, as a material inducement to Partners entering
into the Merger Agreement, Partners has required that the
Shareholders agree, and the Shareholders have agreed, to enter
into this Agreement and abide by the covenants and obligations
with respect to the Existing Shares set forth herein.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
mutual representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
GENERAL
1.1 Defined Terms. The following
capitalized terms, as used in this Agreement, shall have the
meanings set forth below. Capitalized terms used but not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Merger Agreement.
Affiliate has the meaning set forth in
Rule 405 of the rules and regulations under the Securities
Act, unless otherwise expressly stated herein. For purposes of
this Agreement, with respect to each Shareholder or other
Person, Affiliate shall not include the Company or any Person
that is directly or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controlled by the Company. For the avoidance of
doubt, no officer or director of the Company, Partners, Partners
GP or any of their controlled Affiliates shall be deemed to be
an Affiliate of a Shareholder or other Person by virtue of his
or her status as a director or officer of the Company, Partners,
Partners GP or any of their controlled Affiliates.
Beneficial Ownership by a Person of any
securities includes ownership by any Person who, directly or
indirectly, including through any contract, arrangement,
understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares
(i) voting power which includes the power to vote, or to
direct the voting of, such security;
and/or
(ii) investment power which includes the power to dispose,
or to direct the disposition, of such security; and shall
otherwise be interpreted in accordance with the term
beneficial ownership as defined in
Rule 13d-3
adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Exchange Act; provided that for purposes of determining
Beneficial Ownership, a Person shall be deemed to be the
Beneficial Owner of any securities which such Person has, at any
time during the term of this Agreement, the right to acquire
pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon
the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or
options, or otherwise (irrespective of whether the right to
acquire such securities is exercisable immediately or only after
the passage of time, including the passage of time in excess of
60 days, the satisfaction of any
A-4
conditions, the occurrence of any event or any combination of
the foregoing). The terms Beneficially
Own and Beneficially
Owned shall have a correlative meaning.
Transfer means, directly or indirectly, to
sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or
similarly dispose of (by merger (including by conversion into
securities or other consideration), by tendering into any tender
or exchange offer, by testamentary disposition, by operation of
law or otherwise), either voluntarily or involuntarily, or to
enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or
understanding with respect to the voting of or sale, transfer,
assignment, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or similar
disposition of (by merger, by tendering into any tender or
exchange offer, by testamentary disposition, by operation of law
or otherwise).
ARTICLE 2
VOTING
2.1 Agreement to Vote. Each
Shareholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that,
during the term of this Agreement, at the Company Meeting and at
any other meeting of the Stockholders, however called, including
any adjournment or postponement thereof, and in connection with
any written consent of the Stockholders relating to the Merger
or an Acquisition Proposal, such Shareholder shall to the
fullest extent that the Existing Shares are entitled to vote
thereon or consent thereto:
(a) appear at each such meeting or otherwise cause its
Existing Shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of
calculating a quorum; and
(b) vote (or cause to be voted), in person or by proxy, or
deliver (or cause to be delivered) a written consent covering
all of the Existing Shares (i) in favor of the approval and
adoption of the Merger Agreement, the approval of the Merger and
any other action required in furtherance thereof submitted for
the vote or written consent of Stockholders; (ii) against
any action or agreement that would result in a breach of any
covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or
agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement;
(iii) against any Acquisition Proposal; and
(iv) against any action, agreement or transaction that
would or would reasonably be expected to materially impede,
interfere with, delay, postpone, discourage, frustrate the
purposes of or adversely affect the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
2.2 No Inconsistent
Agreements. Each Shareholder hereby covenants and
agrees that, except for this Agreement and as contemplated by
this Agreement, such Shareholder (a) has not entered into,
and shall not enter into at any time while this Agreement
remains in effect, any voting agreement or voting trust with
respect to its Existing Shares, (b) has not granted, and
shall not grant at any time while this Agreement remains in
effect, a proxy, consent or power of attorney with respect to
its Existing Shares (other than a proxy or proxies to vote its
Existing Shares in a manner consistent with this Agreement) and
(c) shall not knowingly take any action at any time while
this Agreement remains in effect that would make any
representation or warranty of such Shareholder contained herein
untrue or incorrect in any material respect or have the effect
of preventing or disabling such Shareholder from performing any
of its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect.
2.3 Proxy. In order to secure the
obligations set forth herein, each Shareholder hereby
irrevocably appoints during the term of this Agreement as its
proxy and attorney-in-fact, as the case may be, Evangelos G.
Bairactaris, in his capacity as an officer of Partners, and any
individual who shall hereafter succeed to any such office of
Partners and any other Person designated in writing by Partners
(collectively, the Grantees), each of
them individually, with full power of substitution, to vote or
execute written consents with respect to the Existing Shares in
accordance with Section 2.1 and, in the discretion
of the Grantees, with respect to any proposed postponements or
adjournments of any annual or special meeting of the
Stockholders at which any of the matters described in
Section 2.1(b) are to be considered; provided that
any exercise of this proxy by such Grantees shall be subject to
the approval of such exercise by the Partners Conflicts
Committee. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, this proxy is
coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable, and each
Shareholder will take such further action or execute such other
instruments as may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this
proxy and hereby revokes any proxy previously granted by such
Shareholder with respect to
A-5
the Existing Shares to the extent that such proxy is
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. Partners may
terminate this proxy with respect to any Shareholder at any time
at its sole election by written notice provided to such
Shareholder.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
3.1 Representations and Warranties of Each
Shareholder. Each Shareholder hereby represents
and warrants to Partners as follows with respect to himself or
itself:
(a) Organization; Authorization; Validity of Agreement;
Necessary Action. Such Shareholder has the
requisite power and authority (or, if an individual, capacity)
to execute and deliver this Agreement, to carry out its
obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery by such
Shareholder of this Agreement, the performance by it of the
obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have (if Shareholder is an entity) been duly
and validly authorized by such Shareholder, and no other actions
or proceedings on the part of such Shareholder are necessary to
authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
performance by such Shareholder of its obligations hereunder or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such
Shareholder and, assuming the due authorization (as applicable),
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Partners and the
other Shareholders, constitutes a legal, valid and binding
agreement of such Shareholder, enforceable against such
Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
creditors rights and to general equitable principles.
(b) Ownership. Such Shareholders
Existing Shares are Beneficially Owned by such Shareholder as
set forth on Schedule I hereto. Such Shareholder has
good and marketable title to the Existing Shares, free and clear
of any Lien that would have the effect of preventing or
disabling said Shareholder from performing any of his or its
obligations under this Agreement. Except as contemplated by this
Agreement, such Shareholder has and will have at all times
through the Closing Date sole voting power (including the right
to control such vote as contemplated herein), sole power of
disposition, sole power to issue instructions with respect to
the matters set forth in Article 2 hereof, and sole
power to agree to all of the matters set forth in this
Agreement, in each case with respect to all of such
Shareholders Existing Shares.
(c) No Violation. Except as contemplated
by this Agreement, neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by such Shareholder nor the performance by such
Shareholder of its obligations under this Agreement will
(i) result in a violation or breach of or conflict with any
provisions of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default)
under, or result in the termination, cancellation of, or give
rise to a right of purchase under, or accelerate the performance
required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration
under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the
Existing Shares or result in being declared void, voidable, or
without further binding effect, or otherwise result in a
material detriment to such Shareholder under, any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, contract, lease,
agreement or other instrument or obligation of any kind to which
such Shareholder is a party or by which such Shareholder or any
of its respective properties, rights or assets may be bound
(except in each such case as would not have the effect of
preventing, delaying in any material respect or disabling
Shareholder from performing its obligations under this
Agreement) or (ii) violate any judgments, decrees,
injunctions, rulings, awards, settlements, stipulations, orders
(collectively, Orders) or laws
applicable to such Shareholder or any of its material
properties, rights or assets or result in a violation or breach
of or conflict with (if Shareholder is an entity) its articles
of incorporation or bylaws.
(d) Consents and Approvals. No consent,
approval, Order or authorization of, or registration,
declaration or filing with, any Governmental Authority is
necessary to be obtained or made by such Shareholder in
connection with such Shareholders execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement or the consummation by such
Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby, except
(i) for any reports under Sections 13(d) of the
Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this
Agreement
A-6
and the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) as set forth
in the Merger Agreement or (iii) as would not reasonably be
expected to prevent, materially delay or otherwise materially
impair such Shareholders ability to perform its
obligations hereunder.
(e) Absence of Litigation. There is no
action, litigation or proceeding pending and no Order of any
Governmental Authority outstanding nor, to the knowledge of such
Shareholder, is any such action, litigation, proceeding or Order
threatened, against such Shareholder or its Existing Shares
which may prevent or materially delay such Shareholder from
performing its obligations under this Agreement or consummating
the transactions contemplated hereby.
(f) Adequate Information. Each
Shareholder acknowledges that it is a sophisticated party with
respect to the Existing Shares and has adequate information
concerning the business and financial condition of the Company
to make an informed decision regarding the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and has, independently and
without reliance upon the Company and based on such information
as the Shareholder has deemed appropriate, made its own analysis
and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Shareholder
acknowledges that Partners has not made or is not making any
representation or warranty, whether express or implied, of any
kind or character except as expressly set forth in this
Agreement and the Merger Agreement.
(h) No Other Representations or
Warranties. Except for the representations and
warranties expressly contained in this Section 3.1,
each Shareholder makes no express or implied representation or
warranty with respect to such Shareholder, the Existing Shares
or otherwise.
3.2 Representations and Warranties of
Partners. Partners hereby represents and warrants
to each Shareholder that the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Partners and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
action on the part of Partners.
ARTICLE 4
OTHER
COVENANTS
4.1 Prohibition on Transfers, Other
Actions. Each Shareholder hereby agrees not to
(i) acquire any additional shares of Common Stock or
Class B Stock or other voting equity interests of the
Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
shares of Common Stock or Class B Stock or other voting
equity interests of the Company (except for acquisitions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement), (ii) Transfer any of
the Existing Shares, Beneficial Ownership thereof or any other
interest therein; (iii) enter into any agreement,
arrangement or understanding with any Person, or take any other
action, that violates or conflicts with or would reasonably be
expected to violate or conflict with, or result in or give rise
to a violation of or conflict with, such Shareholders
representations, warranties, covenants and obligations under
this Agreement; or (iv) take any action that could restrict
or otherwise affect Shareholders legal power, authority
and right to comply with and perform its covenants and
obligations under this Agreement. Any Transfer in violation of
this provision shall be null and void.
4.2 Distributions, etc. In the
event of a share split, share distribution, or any change in the
shares of Common Stock or Class B Stock by reason of any
split-up,
reverse share split, recapitalization, combination,
reclassification, exchange of shares or the like, the term
Existing Shares shall be deemed to
refer to and include such shares as well as all such share
distributions and any securities into which or for which any or
all of such shares may be changed or exchanged or which are
received in such transaction.
4.3 Other Shares. Notwithstanding
the restrictions of Section 4.1, in the event a
Shareholder becomes the beneficial or record owner of any
additional Common Stock, Class B Stock or other securities
of the Company during the period commencing with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement through the termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 5.1, then the terms of
this Agreement will apply to such Common Stock, Class B
Stock or other securities of the Company held by the Shareholder
immediately following the Shareholder becoming the beneficial
owner thereof, as though they were Existing Shares hereunder.
Notwithstanding the restrictions of Section 4.1,
each Shareholder hereby agrees, while this Agreement is in
effect, to promptly notify Partners in writing of the number of
any new Common Stock, Class B Stock or other securities of
the Company acquired by the Shareholder after the date hereof.
A-7
4.4 No Solicitation. Subject to
Section 4.7, each Shareholder agrees that it will
not, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its
Representatives not to, directly or indirectly through another
Person, (i) solicit, initiate, facilitate or encourage the
submission of any Acquisition Proposal or the making or
consummation thereof, (ii) participate in any discussions
or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any Person any
nonpublic information about the Company or Partners in
connection with, or otherwise cooperate in any way with, any
Acquisition Proposal, (iii) make or participate in,
directly or indirectly, a solicitation of
proxies (as such terms are used in the rules of the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) or powers of
attorney or similar rights to vote, or seek to advise or
influence any Person with respect to the voting of, any shares
of Common Stock or Class B Stock in connection with any
vote or other action on any matter, other than to recommend that
holders of shares of Common Stock or Class B Stock vote in
favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger and the Merger
Agreement and as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement,
or (iv) agree or publicly propose to do any of the
foregoing. Each Shareholder hereby represents that, as of the
date hereof, such Shareholder is not engaged in any discussions
or negotiations with respect to any Acquisition Proposal and
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such
Shareholders Representatives to immediately cease and
cause to be terminated all existing discussions or negotiations
with any Person conducted heretofore with respect to any
Acquisition Proposal and request the prompt return or
destruction of all confidential information previously furnished
and will take commercially reasonable steps to inform its
Representatives of the obligations undertaken by such
Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement, including this
Section 4.4.
4.5 Notice of Proposals Regarding Prohibited
Transactions. Each Shareholder hereby agrees to
notify Partners as promptly as practicable (and in any event
within 48 hours after receipt) in writing of any inquiries
or proposals which are received by, or any requests for
information from, or any request to initiate negotiations or
discussions with, such Shareholder or any of its Affiliates with
respect to the Company (other than such Shareholder or its
Representatives acting in their capacity as an officer or
director of the Company) with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal (including the material terms thereof and the identity
of such Person(s) making such inquiry or proposal, requesting
such information or seeking to initiate such negotiations or
discussions, as the case may be).
4.6 Further Assurances. From time
to time, each Shareholder shall execute and deliver such
additional documents and take all such further action as may be
reasonably requested by Partners to effect the actions and
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.7 Shareholder Capacity. Each
Shareholder has entered into this Agreement solely in its
capacity as a Beneficial Owner of Existing Shares.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement: (i) none of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be construed to prohibit, limit or restrict such
Shareholder or any Representative of a Shareholder who is an
officer of the Company, Partners or Partners GP or a member of
the Partners Board or the Company Board from exercising his or
her fiduciary duties to the Company or Partners by voting or
taking any other action whatsoever in his or her capacity as an
officer or director, including with respect to the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby; and
(ii) no action taken by the Company or Partners in respect
of any Acquisition Proposal shall serve as the basis of a claim
that a Shareholder is in breach of its obligations hereunder
notwithstanding the fact that such Shareholder or such
Shareholders Representative, in his or her capacity as an
officer or director of the Company or Partners GP, has provided
advice or assistance to the Company or Partners in connection
therewith.
4.8 Waiver of Appraisal Rights and
Dissenters Rights and Actions. Each
Shareholder agrees not to exercise any rights (including under
Section 101 of the Business Corporations Act of the
Associations Law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands) to
demand appraisal of any shares of Common Stock, Class B
Stock or other securities of the Company or rights to dissent
which may arise with respect to the Merger.
ARTICLE 5
MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Termination. This Agreement
shall remain in effect until the earliest to occur of
(i) the Effective Time; (ii) the termination of the
Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms; (iii) any
amendment to the Merger Agreement that reduces or changes the
form of the Merger Consideration, or (iv) the written
agreement
A-8
of the Shareholders and Partners to terminate this Agreement.
After the occurrence of such applicable event, this Agreement
shall terminate and be of no further force and effect;
provided, that, notwithstanding termination of this
Agreement upon the Effective Time under clause (i) above,
this Article V (except Sections 5.3 and
5.4) shall remain in full force and effect. Nothing in
this Section 5.1 and no termination of this
Agreement shall relieve or otherwise limit any party of
liability for any breach of this Agreement occurring prior to
such termination.
5.2 Limitation on Liability. No
party to this Agreement shall have any liability for monetary
damages for any breach or violation of this Agreement unless
such breach or violation was willful or intentional, provided
that the foregoing shall not limit a partys right to
equitable relief as provided under Section 5.11.
5.3 No Ownership Interest. Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to vest in Partners
any direct or indirect ownership or incidence of ownership of or
with respect to any Existing Shares. All rights, ownership and
economic benefit relating to the Existing Shares shall remain
vested in and belong to each Shareholder, and Partners shall
have no authority to direct such Shareholder in the voting
(except as otherwise provided herein) or disposition of any of
the Existing Shares.
5.4 Publicity. Each Shareholder
hereby permits Partners and Holdings to include and disclose in
the Registration Statement, the Joint Proxy Statement and in
such other schedules, certificates, applications, agreements or
documents as such entities reasonably determine to be necessary
or appropriate in connection with the consummation of the Merger
and the transaction contemplated in the Merger Agreement such
Shareholders identity and ownership of the Existing Shares
and the nature of such Shareholders commitments,
arrangements and understandings pursuant to this Agreement.
5.5 Notices. All notices and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed
given (1) on the date of delivery, if delivered personally,
(2) on the first Business Day following the date of
dispatch if delivered by a recognized next day courier service
and (3) on the fifth Business Day following the date of
mailing if delivered by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid. All notices hereunder shall
be delivered as set forth below or pursuant to such other
instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to
receive such notice:
If to Partners, to:
Capital Product Partners, L.P.
3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus,
18537 Greece
Attention: Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer
With copies to:
Capital Product Partners L.P.
3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus,
18537 Greece
Attention: Chairman of the Conflicts Committee
and
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
1111 Louisiana Street
44th Floor
Houston, Texas
77002-5200
Attention: J. Vincent Kendrick
Patrick
J. Hurley
If to a Shareholder, to:
Evangelos M. Marinakis
3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus,
18537 Greece
A-9
Ioannis E. Lazaridis
3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus,
18537 Greece
Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos
3 Iassonos Street, Piraeus,
18537 Greece
and
Crude Carriers Investments Corp.
130, Kolokotroni Street, Piraeus,
18536 Greece
Attention: Director
with a copy to:
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
125 Broad Street
New York, NY 10004
Attention: Jay Clayton
5.6 Interpretation. The words
hereof, herein and hereunder
and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall
refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
provision of this Agreement, and Section references are to this
Agreement unless otherwise specified. Whenever the words
include, includes or
including are used in this Agreement, they shall be
deemed to be followed by the words without
limitation. The meanings given to terms defined herein
shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural
forms of such terms. The table of contents and headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement. This Agreement is the product of negotiation by
the parties having the assistance of counsel and other advisers.
It is the intention of the parties that this Agreement not be
construed more strictly with regard to one party than with
regard to the others.
5.7 Counterparts. This Agreement
may be executed by facsimile and in counterparts, all of which
shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become
effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the
parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood
that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.
5.8 Entire Agreement. This
Agreement, together with the schedule annexed hereto, and,
solely to the extent of the defined terms referenced herein and
as provided in Section 4.3 hereof, the Merger
Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and supersede and preempt any prior understandings,
agreements or representations by or among the parties, written
and oral, that may have related to the subject matter hereof in
any way.
5.9 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver
of Jury Trial.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the Law of the State of New York, without giving
effect to any choice or conflict of Law provision or rule
(whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdiction)
that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction
other than the State of New York.
(b) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any
legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement and
the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition
and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and
the rights and obligations arising hereunder brought by the
other party hereto or its successors or assigns, shall be
brought and determined exclusively in the Court of Chancery in
the State of Delaware, or if (but only if) that court does not
have subject matter jurisdiction over such action or proceeding,
in the United States District Court for the District of
Delaware. Process in any such action or proceeding may be served
on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without
the jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the
foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such
party as provided in Section 5.5 shall be deemed
effective service or process on such party. The foregoing shall
not limit the rights of any party to serve process in any other
manner permitted by Law. Each
A-10
of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits with regard to
any such action or proceeding for itself and in respect of its
property, generally and unconditionally, to the personal
jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that it will not
bring any action relating to this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other
than the aforesaid courts and to accept service of process in
any manner permitted by such courts. Each of the parties hereto
hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of
motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action
or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, (a) any claim
that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the
above named courts for any reason, (b) any claim that it or
its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such
court or from any legal process commenced in such courts
(whether through service of notice, attachment prior to
judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution
of judgment or otherwise) and (c) to the fullest extent
permitted by the applicable law, any claim that (i) the
proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum,
(ii) the venue of such proceeding is improper or
(iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter of this
Agreement, may not be enforced in or by such courts.
(c) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY
JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING
OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
EACH PARTY HERETO (I) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE,
AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY
OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY
ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER
AND (II) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO
HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, BY, AMONG OTHER
THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS
SECTION 5.8.
5.10 Amendment; Waiver. This
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing
signed by Partners and each Shareholder. Each party may waive
any right of such party hereunder by an instrument in writing
signed by such party and delivered to Partners and the
Shareholders.
5.11 Remedies.
(a) Each party hereto acknowledges that monetary damages
would not be an adequate remedy in the event that any covenant
or agreement in this Agreement is not performed in accordance
with its terms, and it is therefore agreed that, in addition to
and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, the
non-breaching party will have the right to an injunction,
temporary restraining order or other equitable relief in any
court of competent jurisdiction enjoining any such breach and
enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof. Each
party hereto agrees not to oppose the granting of such relief in
the event a court determines that such a breach has occurred,
and to waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any
bond in connection with such remedy.
(b) All rights, powers and remedies provided under this
Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in
equity shall be cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise
or beginning of the exercise of any thereof by any party shall
not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise of any other
such right, power or remedy by such party.
5.12 Severability. Any term or
provision of this Agreement which is determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to
the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and
provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or
enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement in any other jurisdiction, and if any provision of
this Agreement is determined to be so broad as to be
unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so
broad as is enforceable, in all cases so long as neither the
economic nor legal substance of the transactions contemplated
hereby is affected in any manner adverse to any party or its
equityholders. Upon any such determination, the parties shall
negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable
and equitable substitute provision to effect the original intent
of the parties as closely as possible and to the end that the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be fulfilled to the
maximum extent possible.
5.13 Action by Partners. No waiver,
consent or other action by or on behalf of Partners pursuant to
or as contemplated by this Agreement shall have any effect
unless such waiver, consent or other action is
A-11
expressly approved by the Partners Conflicts Committee. No act
or failure to act by the Partner Board shall constitute a breach
by Partners of this Agreement unless such act or failure to act
is expressly approved by the Partners Conflicts Committee.
5.14 Successors and Assigns; Third Party
Beneficiaries. Neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights or obligations of any party under this Agreement
shall be assigned, in whole or in part (by operation of law or
otherwise), by any party without the prior written consent of
the other parties hereto. Subject to the foregoing, this
Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement,
express or implied, is intended to confer on any Person other
than (a) the parties hereto or (b) the parties
respective successors and permitted assigns any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement.
[Remainder
of this page intentionally left blank]
A-12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be signed (where applicable, by their respective
officers or other authorized Person thereunto duly authorized)
as of the date first written above.
CAPITAL PRODUCT PARTNERS L.P.,
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By:
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Capital GP L.L.C., its general partner
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By:
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/s/ Ioannis
E. Lazaridis
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Name: Ioannis E. Lazaridis
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
|
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
A-13
/s/ Evangelos
M. Marinakis
Evangelos M. Marinakis
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
A-14
Ioannis E. Lazaridis
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
A-15
/s/ Gerasimos
G. Kalogiratos
Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
A-16
CRUDE CARRIERS INVESTMENTS CORP.
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By:
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/s/ Evangelos
G. Bairactaris
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Name: Evangelos G. Bairactaris
[Signature Page to Support Agreement]
A-17
Schedule I
SHAREHOLDER
INFORMATION
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Existing Shares
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Common Shares
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Class B Shares
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Record
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Beneficial
|
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Record
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Beneficial
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Name
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Ownership
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Ownership
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Ownership
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Ownership
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Crude Carriers Investments Corp.
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0
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0
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2,105,263
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|
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2,105,263
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Evangelos M. Marinakis
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145,000
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145,000
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0
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0
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Ioannis E. Lazaridis
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6,000
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6,000
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Gerasimos G. Kalogiratos
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3,000
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3,000
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0
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0
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A-18
ANNEX B
AMENDED
AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF SURVIVING
ENTITY
B-1
ANNEX B
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
CRUDE CARRIERS CORP.
PURSUANT TO
THE MARSHALL ISLANDS BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of the Corporation is Crude Carriers Corp. (the
Corporation or, for purposes of
Article VIII, Crude Carriers).
ARTICLE II
Address;
Registered Agent
The address of the Corporations registered office in the
Republic of The Marshall Islands shall be Trust Company
Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall
Islands MH96960. The name of the Corporations registered
agent at such address shall be The Trust Company of the
Marshall Islands, Inc.
ARTICLE III
Incorporator
The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator of the
Corporation is: Majuro Nominees Ltd., P.O. Box 1405,
Majuro, Marshall Islands.
ARTICLE IV
Purpose
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be
organized under the Marshall Islands Business Corporation Act
(the BCA or the Business
Corporations Act) and without limiting the foregoing
the Corporation shall have every power which a corporation now
or hereafter organized under the BCA may have.
ARTICLE V
Capital Stock
Section 1. Definitions. As
used herein:
(a) Affiliate shall mean, with respect
to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly,
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such
person or is a director or officer of such Person, and for
purposes of this definition, the term control
(including the terms controlling,
controlled by and under common
control with) of a Person means the possession, direct
or indirect, of the power to vote 10% or more of the voting
stock or other form of equity interest of such Person or to
direct or cause direction of the management and policies of such
Person, whether through the ownership of voting stock or other
form of equity interest, by contract or otherwise;
(b) Person means an individual,
partnership, corporation (including a business trust), limited
liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or
any political subdivision or agency thereof;
(c) Voting Power shall mean, with
respect to a class or series of capital stock or classes of
capital stock, as the context may require, the aggregate number
of votes that the holder(s) of such class or series
B-2
of capital stock or classes of capital stock, or any relevant
portion thereof, entitled to vote at a meeting, as the context
may require; and
(d) Voting Stock shall mean, with
respect to the Corporation, shares of any class or series of
capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors of the Corporation.
Section 2. Authorized
Capital Stock.
(a) The Corporation shall have authority to issue
1,200,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which
(i) 1,000,000,000 shares shall be registered shares of
common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the Common
Stock), (ii) 100,000,000 shares shall be
registered shares of Class B Stock, par value $0.0001 per
share (the Class B Stock), and
(iii) 100,000,000 shares shall be registered shares of
preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the
Preferred Stock); provided that Class B
Stock converted into Common Stock pursuant to Section 4(b),
Section 4(c) or Section 4(d) below may not be reissued
as Class B Stock. Registered shares may not be exchanged
for bearer shares.
(b) Except as may be otherwise required by law or by these
Articles of Incorporation, the holders of Common Stock and
Class B Stock shall vote together as a single class and
their votes shall be counted and totaled together on all matters
submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation.
(c) In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding
up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
involuntary, after payment in full of the amounts, if any,
required to be paid to the Corporations creditors and the
holders of Preferred Stock, the remaining assets and funds of
the Corporation shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of
Common Stock and Class B Stock, and the holders of Common
Stock and the holders of Class B Stock shall be entitled to
receive the same amount per share in respect thereof. For
purposes of this Section 2(c) of Article V, the
voluntary sale, conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer (for
cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or a
consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into one or
more other corporations or entities (whether or not the
Corporation is the corporation surviving such consolidation or
merger) shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, voluntary or
involuntary.
Section 3. Common
Stock. At every meeting of the shareholders
of the Corporation, each holder of Common Stock shall be
entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of
Common Stock registered in such holders name on the
transfer books of the Corporation in connection with the
election of directors and all other matters submitted to a vote
of shareholders.
Section 4. Class B
Stock. The Board of Directors shall have the
authority to issue shares of Class B Stock in one or more
series. Each share of Class B Stock shall have identical
designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations
and restrictions as a share of Common Stock except as follows:
(a) at every meeting of the shareholders of the
Corporation, each holder of Class B Stock, in person or by
proxy, shall be entitled to ten (10) votes for each share
of Class B Stock registered in such holders name on
the transfer books of the Corporation in connection with the
election of directors and all other matters submitted to a vote
of shareholders; provided that the Voting Power of the
outstanding shares of Class B Stock shall be permanently
limited to 49% of the Voting Power of the outstanding Common
Stock and Class B Stock, voting together as a single class;
(b) if a share of Class B Stock is transferred to, or
becomes, at any point in time, registered in the name of, any
Person other than Crude Carriers Investments Corp., a Marshall
Islands corporation (CCIC) or an Affiliate
thereof, then such share shall irrevocably, immediately and
automatically become a share of Common Stock;
(c) all shares of Class B Stock will automatically
convert into shares of Common Stock if the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock and Class B Stock beneficially owned
by CCIC and its affiliates falls below the number of
Class B shares issued in connection with the Companys
initial public offering, such number of shares to be adjusted
for any subdivision or conversion of the Class B Stock;
(d) each share of Class B Stock shall be convertible
irrevocably at any time into one share of Common Stock at the
sole discretion of the holder thereof; and
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(e) any provision of these Articles of Incorporation for
the voluntary, mandatory or other conversion of shares of
Class B Stock into or for shares of Common Stock on a
one-for-one
basis shall be deemed not to adversely affect the rights of the
Common Stock, and every reference in these Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation to a majority or other proportion of
the votes of shares of Common Stock or Class B Stock shall
refer to such majority or other proportion of the votes to which
such shares of Common Stock or Class B Stock are entitled.
Section 5. Preferred
Stock. The Board of Directors shall have the
authority to establish preferred shares in one or more series
and with such designations, preferences and relative, voting,
participating, optional or special rights and qualifications,
limitations or restrictions as shall be stated in the
resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred shares.
The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional
and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and
the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any,
may differ from those of any and all other series at any time
outstanding.
Section 6. Preemptive
Rights. Holders of the Corporations
Common Stock shall have no conversion, redemption or preemptive
rights to subscribe to any of the Corporations securities.
Holders of the Corporations Class B Stock shall have
preemptive rights to subscribe to the issuance of any of the
Companys Class B Stock.
ARTICLE VI
Directors
Section 1. Board
of Directors.
(a) The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be
managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors (the
Board).
(b) The exact number of directors comprising the entire
Board shall be not less than three nor more than twelve (subject
to any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect
additional directors under specified circumstances) as
determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board then
in office. The shareholders of the Corporation may change the
number of directors if and only if 80% of the Voting Power of
the aggregate Voting Stock affirmatively elects to do so;
provided that such election must specify a number of directors
between three and twelve.
(c) Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes
cast at a meeting of shareholders by the holders Voting Stock.
Cumulative voting, as defined in Section 71(2) of the BCA,
shall not be used to elect directors.
Section 2. Classification;
Election; Vacancies; Removal.
(a) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three
classes, as nearly equal in number as the then total number of
directors constituting the entire Board permits, with the term
of office of each of the three classes expiring successively
each year, with the term of office of the first class to expire
at the third annual meeting of shareholders, the term of office
of the second class to expire at the second annual meeting of
shareholders, and the term of office of the third class to
expire at the first annual meeting of shareholders.
(b) Commencing with the first annual meeting of
shareholders, the directors elected at an annual meeting of
shareholders to succeed those whose terms then expire shall be
identified as being directors of the same class as the directors
whom they succeed, and each of them shall hold office until the
third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders and until such
directors successor is elected and has qualified.
(c) Any vacancies in the Board of Directors for any reason,
and any created directorships resulting from any increase in the
number of directors, may be filled by the vote of not less than
a majority of the members of the Board then in office, although
less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and any
directors so chosen shall hold office until the next election of
the class for which such directors shall have been chosen and
until their successors shall be elected and qualified. No
decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of
any incumbent director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and
except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of any
one or more series of preferred stock shall have the right,
voting separately as a class, to elect one or more directors of
the Corporation, the then authorized number of directors shall
be
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increased by the number of directors so to be elected, and the
terms of the director or directors elected by such holders shall
expire at the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders.
(d) Any director or the entire Board of Directors of the
Corporation may be removed at any time, but only for cause and
only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
662/3%
of the Voting Power of the Voting Stock at a meeting of the
shareholders called for that purpose. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more series of
Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a
class, to elect one or more directors of the Corporation, the
provisions of this subsection (d) shall not apply with
respect to the director or directors elected by such holders of
Preferred Stock and such director(s) shall be removed only
pursuant to the provisions contained in the resolution(s) of the
Board providing for the establishment of any such series of
Preferred Stock.
Section 3. Limitation
on Director Liability. To the fullest extent
that the BCA or any other law of the Republic of The Marshall
Islands as it exists or as it may hereafter be amended permits
the limitation or elimination of the liability of directors, no
director of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation
or its shareholders for monetary damages for actions taken in
their capacity as director or officer of the Corporation,
provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit
the liability of a director (i) for any breach of such
directors duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its
shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not undertaken in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law or (iii) for any transactions from which
such director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment
to or repeal of this Section 3 of this Article VI
shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged
liability of any director of the Corporation for or with respect
to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to
such amendment or repeal.
Section 4. Amendments
to this Article. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of these Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation to the contrary
(and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be
specified by law), the affirmative vote of not less than
662/3%
of Voting Power of the Voting Stock shall be required to amend,
alter, change or repeal this Article VI.
ARTICLE VII
Shareholder
Meetings
Section 1. Meetings
Generally. Meetings of shareholders may be
held within or without the Republic of The Marshall Islands, as
the Bylaws of the Corporation may provide. The books of the
Corporation may be kept (subject to any provision of Marshall
Islands law) outside the Republic of The Marshall Islands at
such place or places as may be designated from time to time by
the Board or in the Bylaws of the Corporation.
Section 2. Special
Meetings. Special meetings of the
shareholders shall be called only upon the request of a majority
of the Board. Special meetings of the shareholders may be held
at such time and place as may be stated in the notice of meeting.
Section 3. Amendments
to this Article. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of these Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation to the contrary
(and notwithstanding the fact that some lesser percentage may be
specified by law), the affirmative vote of not less than
662/3%
of Voting Power of the Voting Stock shall be required to amend,
alter, change or repeal this Article VII.
Section 4. Quorum
at Adjourned Meetings. In the event that a
quorum does not exist at a shareholder meeting with respect to
any vote to be taken by a particular class or series, the
holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the
shareholders of such class or series who are present in person
or by proxy may adjourn the meeting with respect to the vote(s)
to be taken by such class or series. At any such adjourned
meeting, the holders of one-third or more of the total Voting
Power of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote at a meeting of the shareholders, present in
person or represented by proxy, shall represent a quorum for the
transaction of business.
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ARTICLE VIII
Bylaws
The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly
authorized to make, alter or repeal any bylaw of the Corporation
by a vote of not less than a majority of the members of the
Board then in office, and the shareholders may not make
additional bylaws and may not alter or repeal any bylaw except
by the affirmative vote of not less than
662/3%
of the aggregate Voting Power of the Voting Stock.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the
Corporation to the contrary (and notwithstanding the fact that
some lesser percentage may be specified by the Business
Corporations Act), the affirmative vote of not less than
662/3%
of the aggregate Voting Power of the Voting Stock shall be
required to amend, alter, change or repeal this
Article VIII.
ARTICLE IX
Business
Opportunities of the Corporation
Section 1. Definitions. For
purposes of this Article IX only:
(a) Bareboat Charter Agreement means a
contract to charter a tanker vessel of the type then owned or
controlled by the Corporation for an agreed period of time at a
set rate per day under which all voyage related costs, such as
fuel and port dues, and all operating expenses, including
maintenance, crewing and insurance, are for the charterers
account.
(b) Bareboat Charter Opportunity means a
potential opportunity to enter into a Bareboat Charter Agreement.
(c) Business Opportunity means a Spot
Charter Opportunity, a Period Charter Opportunity, a Bareboat
Charter Opportunity, a Vessel Acquisition Opportunity or any
other business opportunity that the Corporation would reasonably
be expected to be capable of pursuing, but excluding the
opportunity to enter a tanker vessel into a tanker pool.
(d) Corporation means the Corporation
and all Persons in which the Corporation beneficially owns
(directly or indirectly) 50% or more of the outstanding voting
stock, voting power, partnership interests or similar voting
interests.
(e) Capital Maritime means Capital
Maritime & Trading Corp., a Marshall Islands
corporation, and all Persons (other than the Corporation, as
defined in accordance with clause (d) of this
Section 1 of this Article IX) in which Capital
Maritime beneficially owns (directly or indirectly) 50% or more
of the outstanding Voting Stock, Voting Power, partnership
interests or similar voting interests or (ii) which
otherwise are Affiliates of Capital Maritime.
(f) Capital Maritime Entity means
Capital Maritime, its officers and directors and any Person
controlled, directly or indirectly, by Capital Maritime,
including, without limitation, Capital Ship Management Corp.
(g) Manager means the manager of the
Corporations fleet.
(h) Opportunity Period means:
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with respect to a Period Charter Opportunity or Bareboat Charter
Opportunity, 48 hours from the time a Capital Maritime
Entity notifies Crude Carriers of such Period Charter
Opportunity or Bareboat Charter Opportunity;
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with respect to a Spot Charter Opportunity, a reasonable period
of time in light of the circumstances (including without
limitation the time period the Spot Charter Opportunity is
expected to be available) from the time a Capital Maritime
Entity informs Crude Carriers of such Spot Charter Opportunity;
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with respect to a Vessel Acquisition Opportunity, 120 hours
from the time a Capital Maritime Entity notifies Crude Carriers
of such Vessel Acquisition Opportunity, unless Crude Carriers
notifies Capital Maritime that it wishes to extend the
Opportunity Period for such Vessel Acquisition Opportunity, in
which case the Opportunity Period for such Vessel Acquisition
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Opportunity shall be 192 hours from the time a Capital
Maritime Entity notifies Crude Carriers of such Vessel
Acquisition Opportunity; and
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with respect to any other Business Opportunity, 120 hours
from the time a Capital Maritime Entity notifies Crude Carriers
of such Business Opportunity.
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(i) Period Charter Agreement means a
contract to charter a tanker vessel of the type then owned or
controlled by the Corporation for an agreed period of time in
excess of three months at a set rate per day under which the
charterer pays for the vessels voyage expenses, such as
fuel and port dues, and the owner is responsible for providing
crew and paying operating expenses.
(j) Period Charter Opportunity means a
potential opportunity to enter into a Period Charter Agreement.
(k) Spot Charter Agreement means a
contract to charter a tanker vessel of the type then owned or
controlled by the Corporation for an agreed period of time of up
to three months at a set rate per day under which the vessel
operator pays for the vessels voyage expenses, such as
fuel and port dues, and the owner is responsible for providing
crew and paying operating expenses.
(l) Spot Charter Opportunity means a
potential opportunity to enter into a Spot Charter Agreement.
(m) Vessel Acquisition Opportunity means
a potential opportunity to acquire a crude tanker vessel.
Section 2. General. This
Article IX anticipates the possibility that
(a) Capital Maritime may be a majority or significant
shareholder of the Corporation, (b) certain officers
and/or
directors of the Corporation may also serve as officers
and/or
directors of Capital Maritime, (c) the Corporation and
Capital Maritime, either directly or through their subsidiaries,
may engage in the same or similar activities or lines of
business and have an interest in the same areas of corporate
opportunities, and (d) benefits may be derived by the
Corporation through its continued contractual, corporate and
business relationships with Capital Maritime. The provisions of
this Article IX shall, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, define the conduct of certain affairs of the Corporation
and its subsidiaries as they may involve Capital Maritime, and
their respective officers, directors, agents and employees.
Section 3. Business
Opportunities.
(a) Except as may be otherwise provided in a written
agreement between the Corporation and Capital Maritime, Capital
Maritime shall have the right to engage (and shall have no duty
to refrain from engaging) in the same or similar activities or
lines of business as the Corporation, and the Corporation shall
not be deemed to have an interest or expectancy in any Business
Opportunity in which Capital Maritime engages or seeks to engage
merely because the Corporation engages in the same or similar
activities or lines of business as that involved in or
implicated by such Business Opportunity.
(b) If Capital Maritime (or another Capital Maritime
Entity) becomes aware of a Business Opportunity, whether through
an officer or director shared with the Corporation or otherwise,
then Capital Maritime shall inform (or cause the relevant
Capital Maritime Entity to inform) the Corporation of such
Business Opportunity.
(c) Capital Maritime shall refrain, and shall cause all
other Capital Maritime Entities to refrain, from pursuing or
acquiring such Business Opportunity from the date a Capital
Maritime Entity becomes aware of such Business Opportunity until
the Corporation has been notified of the Business Opportunity
and the earlier of (i) the time the Opportunity Period for
such Business Opportunity has lapsed without the Corporation
informing the applicable Capital Maritime Entity that it elects
to pursue or acquire the applicable Business Opportunity and
(ii) the time the Corporation informs a Capital Maritime
Entity that it does not intend to pursue such Business
Opportunity.
(d) After being informed of a Business Opportunity, the
Corporation shall inform the Capital Maritime Entity that
provided such notice, as promptly as practicable, of its
election to (i) pursue or acquire such Business
Opportunity, (ii) direct such Business Opportunity to
another Person, or (iii) refrain from doing the foregoing.
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(e) If the Corporation elects, within the Opportunity
Period, to pursue or acquire such Business Opportunity or to
direct such Business Opportunity to another Person, then Capital
Maritime shall refrain, and shall cause all other Capital
Maritime Entities to refrain, from pursuing or acquiring such
Business Opportunity until such time as the Corporation abandons
its pursuit of such Business Opportunity. If the Corporation
does not elect, within the Opportunity Period, to pursue or
acquire such Business Opportunity or to direct such Business
Opportunity to another Person, then any Capital Maritime Entity
may pursue or acquire such Business Opportunity.
(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) if the
Corporation notifies a Capital Maritime Entity that it will not
pursue or acquire a particular Business Opportunity or direct
such Business Opportunity to another Person, thereafter any
Capital Maritime Entity may pursue or acquire such Business
Opportunity; and (ii) the Capital Maritime Entities shall
not be restricted in any way in pursuing business opportunities
that are not Business Opportunities.
Section 4. Termination;
survival. Anything in these Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation to the contrary
notwithstanding, this Article IX shall automatically
terminate, expire and have no further force and effect on the
date that the Business Opportunities Agreement between the
Corporation and Capital Maritime (as it may be amended from time
to time) is terminated in accordance with its terms. No addition
to, alteration of or termination of this Article IX or any
other provision of these Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation shall eliminate or impair the effect of this
Article IX on any act, omission, right or liability that
occurred prior thereto.
ARTICLE X
Amendment of
Articles
Except as otherwise provided in these Amended Articles of
Incorporation, the affirmative vote of more than 50% of the
Voting Power of the Voting Stock shall be required to amend,
alter, change or repeal these Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE XI
Corporate
Existence
Corporate existence began on October 29, 2009.
B-8
ANNEX C
AMENDED
AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF SURVIVING ENTITY
C-1
ANNEX C
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
CRUDE CARRIERS CORP.
ARTICLE I
Offices and
Agent
Section 1. Registered
Office and Agent. The address of the
registered office of Crude Carriers Corp. (the
Corporation) in the Republic of The Marshall
Islands is Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake
Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960. The name of its
registered agent at such address is The Trust Company of
the Marshall Islands, Inc.
Section 2. Other
Offices. The Corporation may also have
offices at other places, either within or without the Republic
of The Marshall Islands, as the Board of Directors of the
Corporation (the Board) may from time to time
determine or as the business of the Corporation shall require.
ARTICLE II
Meetings of
Shareholders
Section 1. Place
of Meetings. Meetings of the shareholders for
the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held
at such place, if any, either within or without the Republic of
The Marshall Islands, as shall be designated from time to time
by the Board and stated in the notice of meeting or in a duly
executed waiver of notice thereof. Adjournments of meetings may
be held at the place at which the meeting adjourned was being
held, or at any other place determined by the Board, whether or
not a quorum shall have been present at such adjourned meeting.
Section 2. Annual
Meetings. To the extent required by
applicable law or the Second Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation (hereinafter the
Articles of Incorporation), an annual meeting
of the shareholders for the election of directors and the
transaction of such other business as may properly come before
the meeting shall be held at such time and on such date as shall
be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the
meeting. If the Corporation fails to hold an annual meeting
within 90 days of the date designated by the Board for such
meeting, a special meeting in lieu of an annual meeting may be
called by shareholders holding not less than ten percent of the
Voting Power (as such term is defined in the Articles of
Incorporation) of all outstanding shares entitled to vote at
such meeting. The directors of the Corporation shall be entitled
to receive notice of and to attend and be heard at any meeting
of the shareholders.
Section 3. Special
Meetings. Other than a special meeting in
lieu of an annual meeting and except as otherwise provided by
applicable law, special meetings of the shareholders shall be
called only by the Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive
Officer, in either case at the direction of the Board as set
forth in a resolution stating the purpose or purposes thereof
approved by a majority of the entire Board. Only such business
as is specified in the notice of any special meeting of the
shareholders shall come before such meeting.
Section 4. Notice
of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by
applicable law, notice of each meeting of the shareholders,
whether annual or special, shall be given not less than
15 days nor more than 60 days before the date of the
meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to notice of the
meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed given when
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to the
shareholder at such shareholders address as it appears on
the records of the Corporation or, if such shareholder shall
have filed with the Corporations Secretary a written
request that notices be sent to some other address, then
directed to such shareholder at such other address. Each such
notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and,
in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for
which the meeting is called and by whose direction the notice of
the meeting is being issued. Notice of any meeting of the
shareholders shall not be required to be given to any
shareholder who shall waive notice thereof as provided in
Section 4 of Article VIII
C-2
of these Bylaws. Notice of adjournment of a meeting of the
shareholders need not be given if the time and place to which it
is adjourned are announced at such meeting, unless the
adjournment is for lack of quorum or for a period of more than
30 days or, after adjournment, a new record date is fixed
for the adjourned meeting.
Section 5. Quorum;
Adjournment. Except as otherwise provided by
applicable law or by the Articles of Incorporation, the holders
of a majority in total Voting Power of the outstanding capital
stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at a meeting of the
shareholders, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any
annual or special meeting of the shareholders; provided that
where a separate vote by a class or series of capital stock
is required, the holders of a majority in total Voting Power of
the outstanding capital stock of such class or series, present
in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum
entitled to take action with respect to such vote on such
matter. The Chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority
of the votes entitled to be cast by the shareholders who are
present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting from time
to time whether or not a quorum is present. In the event that a
quorum does not exist with respect to any vote to be taken by a
particular class or series, the holders of a majority of the
votes entitled to be cast by the shareholders of such class or
series who are present in person or by proxy may adjourn the
meeting with respect to the vote(s) to be taken by such class or
series. At any such adjourned meeting, (a) the holders of
one-third or more of the total Voting Power of the outstanding
capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at a meeting
of the shareholders, present in person or represented by proxy,
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and
(b) any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the meeting as originally called. If the
adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the
adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned
meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to
each shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting not less than
15 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting,
unless a different period is prescribed by applicable law.
Section 6. Proxies. Any
shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of the shareholders
may do so in person or by proxy appointed by such shareholder or
by such shareholders attorney thereto authorized, and
bearing a date not more than 11 months from the date on
which such proxy was executed, unless such instrument provides
for a longer period. All proxies must be filed with the
Secretary of the Corporation at the beginning of the applicable
meeting in order to be counted in any vote at such meeting.
Section 7. Voting. Except
as otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation, these
Bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange
applicable to the Corporation or its securities or applicable
law, and except for the election of directors, any question
brought before any meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum
is present shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the total number of votes of the
capital stock present in person or represented by proxy and
entitled to vote on the applicable subject matter.
Section 8. Organization;
Order of Business.
(a) At every meeting of shareholders, the Chairman of the
Board, or in such persons absence, the Chief Executive
Officer, or in the absence of both of them, the Chief Financial
Officer or any Vice President, shall act as Chairman of the
meeting. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and each Vice
President, the Board, or, if the Board fails to act, the
shareholders, may appoint any shareholder, director or officer
of the Corporation to act as Chairman of any meeting. The
Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Secretary of the
meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary, the Chairman of
the meeting may appoint any person to act as Secretary of the
meeting.
(b) Only such business shall be conducted at a special
meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the
meeting pursuant to the Corporations notice of meeting.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at
a special meeting of shareholders at which directors are to be
elected pursuant to the notice of meeting (i) by or at the
direction of the Board or (ii) provided that the Board has
determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by
any shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting.
(c) Except as otherwise provided in the Articles of
Incorporation, only such persons who are nominated in accordance
with this Section 8 shall be eligible to serve as directors
of the Corporation and only such business shall be conducted at
a meeting of shareholders as shall have been brought before the
meeting in
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accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 8.
The Chairman of a meeting shall refuse to permit any business to
be brought before the meeting which fails to comply with the
foregoing.
Section 9. Voting
List. The officer of the Corporation who has
charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and
make, at least ten days before every meeting of the
shareholders, a complete list of the registered shareholders, as
of the record date, entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in
alphabetical order, and showing the address of each such
shareholder and the number of shares registered in the name of
each such shareholder. Such list shall be open to the
examination of any shareholder, for any purpose germane to the
meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at
least ten days prior to the meeting as required by applicable
law. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and
place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be
inspected by any shareholder of the Corporation who is present.
Section 10. Stock
Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation
shall be the only evidence as to the identity of the
shareholders entitled to examine the list required by
Section 9 of this Article II or to vote in person or
by proxy at any meeting of shareholders.
Section 11. Record
Date. In order that the Corporation may
determine the shareholders entitled to (i) notice of or
vote at any meeting of the shareholders or any adjournment
thereof, (ii) express consent to corporate action by
written consent without a meeting unless otherwise provided in
the Articles of Incorporation, (iii) receive payment of any
dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or
exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or
exchange of stock, or (iv) undertake any other lawful
action, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede
the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is
adopted by the Board and which record date shall, unless
otherwise required by law, not be, (a) in the case of
clause (i) or (ii) above, more than 60 nor less than
15 days before the date of such meeting or the date on
which such action by written consent is required to occur, and
(b) in the case of clauses (iii) and (iv) above,
more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date
is fixed, (a) the record date for determining shareholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the
shareholders shall be at the close of business on the day next
preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is
waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the
day on which the meeting is held; (b) the record date for
determining shareholders entitled to express consent to
corporate action in writing without a meeting (unless otherwise
provided in the Articles of Incorporation), when no prior action
by the Board is required under the Marshall Islands Business
Corporations Act (the Business Corporations Act),
shall be the first day on which a signed written consent setting
forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to
the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the
Republic of The Marshall Islands, its principal place of
business or an officer or agent of the Corporation having
custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of
shareholders are recorded; and when prior action by the Board is
required under the Business Corporations Act, the record date
for determining shareholders entitled to consent to corporate
action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of
business on the date on which the Board adopts the resolution
taking such prior action; and (c) the record date for
determining shareholders for any other purpose shall be at the
close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the
resolution relating thereto. A determination of shareholders of
record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the
shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for
the adjourned meeting.
Section 12. Inspectors
of Election. The Corporation may, and at the
request of any shareholder or if required by law shall, before
or at each meeting of shareholders, appoint one or more
inspectors of elections to act at the meeting and make a written
report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more
persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who
fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a
meeting of the shareholders, the Chairman of the meeting may,
and at the request of any shareholder or if required by law
shall, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting.
Unless otherwise required by law, inspectors may be officers,
employees or agents of the Corporation. Each inspector, before
entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and
sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with
strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her
ability. The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated
shall (i) ascertain the number of outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Corporation and the Voting Power of each
such share, (ii) determine the shares of capital stock of
the Corporation represented at the meeting and the validity of
proxies and ballots, (iii) count all votes and ballots,
(iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record
of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination
by the
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inspectors and (v) certify their determination of the
number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented
at the meeting and such inspectors count of all votes and
ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other
information as may be required by law. In determining the
validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting
of the shareholders of the Corporation, the inspectors may
consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No
person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve
as an inspector at such election.
ARTICLE III
Board of
Directors
Section 1. General
Powers. The business of the Corporation shall
be managed by or under the direction of the Board. In addition
to the powers and authority herein or by statute expressly
conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to
exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may
be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless,
to the provisions of applicable law, the Articles of
Incorporation and these Bylaws; provided that no Bylaws
hereafter adopted by the shareholders shall invalidate any prior
act of the directors which would have been valid if such Bylaws
had not been adopted.
Section 2. Number
of Directors. The number of directors of the
Corporation shall not be less nor more than the range specified
in the Articles of Incorporation, the exact number of directors
to be such number as may be set from time to time by resolution
adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board.
As used in these Bylaws, the term entire Board means
the total number of directors that the Corporation would have if
there were no vacancies or unfilled newly created directorships.
Section 3. Election
of Directors. Except as otherwise required by
statute or by the Articles of Incorporation, directors shall be
elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of
shareholders by the holders of shares of the Corporation
entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class.
Section 4. Resignations. Any
director of the Corporation may resign at any time, by giving
notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board,
the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the
Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect
after receipt of the applicable notice of resignation by the
Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or
the Secretary of the Corporation at the time specified in such
notice or, if no time is specified, immediately upon receipt of
such notice by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief
Executive Officer or the Secretary of the Corporation. Unless
otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of such
resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section 5. Removal
of Directors. Directors may only be removed
as provided in the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 6. Newly
Created Directorships and Vacancies. Newly
created directorships resulting from any increase in the number
of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from
death, resignation, removal or other cause shall only be filled
as provided in the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 7. Chairman
of the Board. The directors shall elect one
of their members to be Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of
the Board, if present, shall preside at all meetings of the
shareholders and of the Board. In addition, the Chairman of the
Board shall perform such other duties as may from time to time
be assigned by the Board. The Chairman of the Board may or may
not be a senior officer of the Corporation. The Chairman of the
Board shall be subject to the control of and may be removed from
such office by the Board.
Section 8. Annual
Meetings. The Board shall meet for the
election of officers and the transaction of other business as
soon as practicable after each annual meeting of the
shareholders, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary
in order legally to constitute the meeting; provided that
a quorum is present. Such meeting may be held at any other
time or place specified in a notice given as hereinafter
provided for regular meetings of the Board.
Section 9. Regular
Meetings. The Board may hold meetings, both
regular and special, either within or without the Republic of
The Marshall Islands. Regular meetings of the Board may be held
at such time and at such place as may from time to time be
determined by the Board. The Secretary, or in his or her absence
any
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other officer of the Corporation, shall give each director
notice of the time and place of holding of regular meetings of
the Board by mail at least five days before the meeting, or by
facsimile, telegram, cable, electronic transmission or personal
service at least two days before the meeting, unless such notice
requirement is waived in writing or by electronic transmission
by such director.
Section 10. Special
Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may
be called by the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive
Officer, and shall be called by the Secretary of the Corporation
upon the written request of not less than a majority of the
members of the Board then in office. Special meetings of the
Board shall be held at such time and place as shall be
designated in the notice of the meeting. The Secretary, or in
his or her absence any other officer of the Corporation, shall
give each director notice of the time and place of holding of
special meetings of the Board by mail at least five days before
the meeting, or by facsimile, telegram, cable, electronic
transmission or personal service at least two days before the
meeting, unless such notice requirement is waived in writing or
by electronic transmission by such director. Unless otherwise
stated in the notice thereof, any and all business shall be
transacted at any meeting without specification of such business
in the notice.
Section 11. Quorum. Except
as otherwise required by applicable law, the Articles of
Incorporation or these Bylaws, at all meetings of the Board, a
majority of the entire Board shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business. If a quorum shall not be present at any
meeting of the Board, a majority of those present may adjourn
the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting of the time and place of the
adjourned meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 12. Manner
of Acting. Except as otherwise provided by
applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws,
all matters presented to the Board (or a committee thereof)
shall be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors present at any meeting of the Board (or such
committee) at which there is a quorum (the foregoing is referred
to herein as a simple majority).
Section 13. Organization. Meetings
shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board, or in the
absence of the Chairman of the Board, by such other person as
the directors may select. The Board shall keep written minutes
of its meetings. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as
Secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary,
the Chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as
Secretary of the meeting.
Section 14. Action
by Written Consent. Unless otherwise required
by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action
required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or
of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all
the members of the Board or committee, as the case may be,
consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and
the writing or writings or such electronic transmission or
transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the
Board or committee thereof in accordance with applicable law.
Section 15. Meetings
by Electronic Means. Unless otherwise
required by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws,
members of the Board, or any committee thereof, may participate
in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of a
conference telephone or other communications equipment by means
of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each
other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this
Section 15 shall constitute presence in person at such
meeting.
Section 16. Compensation. Each
director, in consideration of such person serving as a director,
shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation such amount
per annum and such fees (payable in cash or stock-based
compensation) for attendance at meetings of the Board or of
committees of the Board, or both, as the Board shall from time
to time determine. In addition, each director shall be entitled
to receive from the Corporation reimbursement for the reasonable
expenses incurred by such person in connection with the
performance of such persons duties as a director. Nothing
contained in this Section 16 shall preclude any director
from serving the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries in any
other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
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ARTICLE IV
Committees
Section 1. Constitution
and Powers. Except as otherwise provided by
applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws,
the Board may, by resolution of a simple majority of its
members, designate one or more committees. Each committee shall
consist of one or more directors of the Corporation. Except as
provided by applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation or
these Bylaws, the Board, by a simple majority vote of its
members, shall have the right from time to time to delegate to
or to remove from any Board committee the authority to approve
any matters which would not otherwise require a higher vote than
a simple majority vote of the Board. Except as required by
applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws,
for those matters that require a higher vote of the Board than a
simple majority vote, the Board, by such requisite higher vote,
shall have the right from time to time to delegate to or to
remove from any Board committee the authority to approve any
such matters requiring such requisite higher vote.
Section 2. Organization
of Committees. The Board may designate one or
more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may
replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such
committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a
committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting
and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute
a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to
act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified
member. Each committee that may be established by the Board may
fix its own rules and procedures. All committees so appointed
shall keep regular minutes of the transactions of their meetings
and shall be responsible to the Board for the conduct of the
enterprises and affairs entrusted to them. Notice of meetings of
committees, other than of regular meetings provided for by such
rules, shall be given to committee members.
ARTICLE V
Officers
Section 1. Officers. The
Board may (or, to the extent required by applicable law, shall)
elect a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer and a
Secretary. The Chief Executive Officer may be or become a
director. The Board may elect from time to time such other
officers as, in the opinion of the Board, are desirable for the
conduct of the business of the Corporation. Any two or more
offices may be held by the same person; provided, however, that
no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument
in more than one capacity if such instrument is required by law,
the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws to be executed,
acknowledged or verified by two or more officers.
Section 2. Chief
Executive Officer. The Chief Executive
Officer shall have supervisory authority over the business,
affairs and property of the Corporation, and over the activities
of the executive officers of the Corporation. The Chief
Executive Officer may enter into and execute in the name of the
Corporation, powers of attorney, contracts, bonds and other
obligations which implement policies established by the Board.
The Chief Executive Officer shall have all authority incidental
to the office of Chief Executive Officer, shall have such other
authority and perform such other duties as may from time to time
be assigned by the Board and shall report directly to the Board.
If so elected by the Board, the Chairman of the Board may be the
Chief Executive Officer. In the absence or inability to act of
the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall perform the
functions of the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 3. President. The
President, if elected, shall have general supervision of the
daily business, affairs and property of the Corporation. He
shall have all authority incidental to the office of President
and shall have such other authority and perform such other
duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Chief
Executive Officer or the Board. In the absence or inability to
act of the President, the Chief Executive Officer shall perform
the functions of the President.
Section 4. Chief
Financial Officer. The Chief Financial
Officer shall be the principal financial and accounting officer
of the Corporation and shall have such powers and perform such
duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Chief
Executive Officer or the Board. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the Chief Financial Officer may sign and
execute contracts and other obligations pertaining to the
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regular course of his or her duties which implement policies
established by the Board. In the absence or inability to act of
the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer shall perform the
functions of the Chief Financial Officer.
Section 5. Secretary. The
Secretary shall act as Secretary of all meetings of the
shareholders and of the Board; shall keep the minutes thereof in
the proper book or books to be provided for that purpose; shall
see that all notices required to be given by the Corporation in
connection with meetings of shareholders and of the Board are
duly given; shall be the custodian of the seal of the
Corporation and shall affix the seal or cause it or a facsimile
thereof to be affixed to all certificates for stock of the
Corporation and to all documents or instruments requiring the
same, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation is
duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these
Bylaws; shall have charge of the stock records and also of the
other books, records and papers of the Corporation relating to
its organization and acts as a corporation, and shall see that
the reports, statements and other documents related thereto
required by law are properly kept and filed, all of which shall,
at all reasonable times, be open to the examination of any
director for a purpose reasonably related to such
directors position as a director; and shall, in general,
have all authority incident to the office of Secretary and such
other authority and perform such other duties as may from time
to time be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board.
Section 6. Vice
Presidents. The Vice Presidents, if elected,
shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as may from
time to time be assigned to them by the Chief Executive Officer
or the Board. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Vice Presidents may enter into and execute in the name of the
Corporation contracts and other obligations pertaining to the
regular course of their duties which implement policies
established by the Board.
Section 7. Treasurer. If
elected, the Treasurer shall, if required by the Chief Executive
Officer or the Board, give a bond for the faithful discharge of
duties, in such sum and with such sureties as may be so
required. Unless the Board otherwise declares by resolution, the
Treasurer shall have custody of, and be responsible for, all
funds and securities of the Corporation; receive and give
receipts for money due and payable to the Corporation from any
source whatsoever; deposit all such money in the name of the
Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories
as the Board may designate; against proper vouchers, cause such
funds to be disbursed by check or draft on the authorized
depositories of the Corporation signed in such manner as shall
be determined by the Board, and be responsible for the accuracy
of the amounts of all funds so disbursed; regularly enter or
cause to be entered in books to be kept by the Treasurer or
under the Treasurers direction, full and adequate accounts
of all money received and paid by the Treasurer for the account
of the Corporation; render to the Board, any duly authorized
committee of directors or the Chief Executive Officer, whenever
they or any of them, respectively, shall require the Treasurer
to do so, an account of the financial condition of the
Corporation and of all transactions of the Treasurer; and, in
general, have all authority incident to the office of Treasurer
and such other authority and perform such other duties as may
from time to time be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or
the Board. Any Assistant Treasurer shall, in the absence or
disability of the Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the
powers of the Treasurer and shall have such other duties and
have such other powers as the Board may from time to time
prescribe. In the absence or inability to act of the Treasurer
or Assistant Treasurer, the Chief Financial Officer shall
perform the functions of the Treasurer.
Section 8. Assistant
Treasurers, Assistant Controllers and Assistant
Secretaries. Any Assistant Treasurers,
Assistant Controllers and Assistant Secretaries, if elected,
shall perform such duties as from time to time shall be assigned
to them by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board or by the
Treasurer, Controller or Secretary, respectively. An Assistant
Treasurer, Assistant Controller or Assistant Secretary need not
be an officer of the Corporation and shall not be deemed an
officer of the Corporation unless elected by the Board.
Section 9. Removal. Any
officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the
Board at any meeting thereof or by any superior officer upon
whom such power may be conferred by the Board.
Section 10. Resignation. Any
officer may resign at any time by giving notice to the Board,
the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the
Secretary of the Corporation in writing or by electronic
transmission. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time
therein specified or if no time is
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specified, immediately. Unless otherwise specified in such
notice, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective.
Section 11. Vacancies. A
vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal,
disqualification or any other cause may be filled at any time by
the Board, or if such officer was appointed by the Chief
Executive Officer, then by the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 12. Bank
Accounts. In addition to such bank accounts
as may be authorized in the usual manner by resolution of the
Board, the President or the Treasurer, with approval of the
Chief Executive Officer, may authorize such bank accounts to be
opened or maintained in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation as the Chief Executive Officer shall deem necessary
or appropriate; provided that payments from such bank
accounts are to be made upon and according to the check of the
Corporation as shall be specified in the written instructions of
the President or the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer or
Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation with the approval of the
Chief Executive Officer.
Section 13. Voting
of Stock Held. Unless otherwise provided in
the Articles of Incorporation or directed by the Board, the
Chief Executive Officer may from time to time personally or by
an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the Corporation,
in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, cast the votes
which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as a shareholder
or otherwise in any other corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, trust or legal entity
(Person) any of the stock or securities of
which may be held by the Corporation, at meetings of the holders
of the stock or other securities of such Person, or consent in
writing to any action by any such Person, and may instruct any
person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such
votes or giving such consent, and may execute or cause to be
executed on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate
seal, or otherwise, such written proxies, consents, waivers or
other instruments as the Secretary may deem necessary or proper
in the premises; or may attend any meeting of the holders of
stock or other securities of any such Person and thereat vote or
exercise any or all other powers of the Corporation as the
holder of such stock or other securities of such Person.
ARTICLE VI
Capital Stock
Section 1. Capital
Stock.
(a) The capital stock of the Corporation may be
uncertificated and ownership thereof shall be recorded
(exclusively, in the case of uncertificated shares) on the books
of the transfer agent or registrar for such capital stock, or,
if there is no such transfer agent or registrar, on the books of
the Corporation.
(b) Every holder of capital stock of the Corporation
represented by certificates (and upon request, any holder of
uncertificated shares) shall be entitled to have a certificate
signed, in the name of the Corporation (i) by the Chairman
of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, President or any of
the Vice Presidents and (ii) by the Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by
him, her or it in the Corporation.
(c) Any or all signatures on the certificate may be a
facsimile. In case an officer, transfer agent or registrar that
has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a
certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent
or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued
by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were
such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
(d) The Board may direct a new certificate to be issued in
place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation
alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making
of an affidavit of the fact by the person claiming the
certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When
authorizing such issue of a new certificate the Board may, in
its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance
thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed
certificate, or his or her legal representative, to advertise
the same in such manner as the Board shall require
and/or to
give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as
indemnity against any claim that may be made against the
Corporation and its transfer agents and registrars with respect
to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed or the issuance of such new certificate.
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Section 2. Transfers
of stock. Transfers of stock shall be made on
the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the
certificate (or, if such stock is uncertificated, on the books
of the transfer agent or registrar) or by such persons
duly authorized attorney appointed by a power of attorney duly
executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation or a
transfer agent of the Corporation, and, if applicable, upon
surrender of the certificate or certificates for such stock
properly endorsed. Every certificate exchanged, returned or
surrendered shall be marked Canceled, with the date
of cancellation, by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
the Corporation or the transfer agent thereof. No transfer of
stock shall be valid as against the Corporation, its
shareholders or creditors for any purpose until it shall have
been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry
showing from and to whom transferred.
Section 3. Transfer
Agent and Registrar. The Board may appoint
one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars and may
require all certificates for shares to bear the manual or
facsimile signature or signatures of any of them.
Section 4. Beneficial
Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to
recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its
books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote
as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a
person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall
not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or
interest in such share or shares on the part of any other
person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice
thereof, except as otherwise required by law.
Section 5. Regulations. Except
as otherwise provided by applicable law or in the Articles of
Incorporation, the Board shall have the power and authority to
make all such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient
concerning the issue, transfer, registration, cancellation and
replacement of certificates representing stock of the
Corporation.
Section 6. Dividends. Dividends
upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the
provisions in the Articles of Incorporation, may be declared by
the Board at any regular or special meeting, and may be paid in
cash, in property or in securities of the Corporation. Before
payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds
of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as
the Board from time to time, in its absolute discretion, deems
proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for
purchasing any of the shares of capital stock, warrants, rights,
options, bonds, debentures, notes, scrip or other securities or
evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation, or for equalizing
dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the
Corporation, or for any proper purpose, and the Board may modify
or abolish any such reserve.
ARTICLE VII
Indemnification
Section 1. Directors
Indemnification. The Corporation shall
indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be
amended, any person that was or is made or is threatened to be
made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, legislative
or investigative (collectively, a
Proceeding), by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or,
while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was
serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a
partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit
entity, including service with respect to employee benefit
plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses
(including attorneys fees) reasonably incurred by such
person in connection with such proceeding or any claim made in
connection therewith. Such right of indemnification shall inure
whether or not the claim asserted is based on matters which
antedate the adoption of this Section 1 of
Article VII. Subject to the second sentence of the next
paragraph, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify or
make advances to a person in connection with a Proceeding (or
part thereof) initiated by such person only if the initiation of
such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board or
reasonably necessary to the effective defense of another
Proceeding.
The Corporation shall pay the expenses (including
attorneys fees) incurred by any person that is or was a
director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or
officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of
the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation or of a partnership,
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joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, in
defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition;
provided that the payment of expenses incurred by such a
person in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final
disposition shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by
such person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be
ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be
indemnified under this Section 1 of Article VII or
otherwise. If a claim for indemnification after the final
disposition of the Proceeding is not paid in full within 90
calendar days after a written claim therefor has been received
by the Corporation or if a claim for payment of expenses under
this Section 1 of Article VII is not paid in full
within 20 calendar days after a written claim therefor has been
received by the Corporation, the claimant may file suit to
recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in
whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of
prosecuting such claim.
The rights conferred on any person by this Section 1 of
Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other rights
which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any
statute, the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, agreement,
vote of shareholders or resolution of disinterested directors or
otherwise. The Corporations obligation, if any, to
indemnify any person that was or is serving at its request as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit
entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as
indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, as applicable.
Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing
provisions of this Section 1 of Article VII shall not
adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person
in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of
such amendment, modification or repeal.
Section 2. Survival
of Indemnification and Advancement of
Expenses. The indemnification and advancement
of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this
Article VII shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or
other person indemnified hereunder and shall inure to the
benefit of the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and
administrators of such person.
ARTICLE VIII
General
Provisions
Section 1. Books
and Records. The books and records of the
Corporation may be kept at such places within or without the
Republic of The Marshall Islands as the Board may from time to
time determine and may be kept on, or be in the form of, punch
cards, magnetic tape, photographs, microphotographs or any other
information storage device, provided that the records so kept
can be converted into clearly legible form within a reasonable
time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon
the request of any person entitled to inspect the same.
Section 2. Seal. The
Board shall approve a corporate seal which shall be in the form
of a circle and shall bear the name of the Corporation and the
year of its incorporation. The seal may be used by causing it or
a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or reproduced or
otherwise.
Section 3. Fiscal
Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation
shall be determined and may be changed by resolution of the
Board.
Section 4. Notices
and Waivers Thereof.
(a) Whenever notice is required by applicable law, the
Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws to be given to any
director, member of a committee or shareholder, such notice may
be given personally, by mail or as otherwise permitted by law,
or in the case of directors or officers, by facsimile
transmission or other electronic transmission, addressed to such
address as appears on the books of the Corporation. Any notice
given by facsimile transmission shall be deemed to have been
given upon confirmation of receipt by the addressee.
(b) Whenever any notice is required by applicable law, the
Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to be given to any
director, member of a committee or shareholder, a waiver thereof
given by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether
before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent to
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notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting, present in person
or represented by proxy, shall constitute a waiver of notice of
such meeting, except where the person attends the meeting for
the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting
to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not
lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be
transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special
meeting of the shareholders, directors or members of a committee
of directors needs to be specified in any waiver of notice
unless so required by applicable law, the Articles of
Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 5. Amendments. These
Bylaws may be amended only as set forth in the Articles of
Incorporation.
Section 6. Saving
Clause. These Bylaws are subject to the
provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and applicable law.
If any provision of these Bylaws is inconsistent with the
Articles of Incorporation or the Business Corporations Act, such
provision shall be invalid only to the extent of such conflict,
and such conflict shall not affect the validity of any other
provision of these Bylaws.
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Appendix B
May 5, 2011
Independent Directors Committee of the Board of Directors
Crude Carriers Corp.
3 Iassonos Street
185 37 Piraeus
Greece
Members of the Independent Directors Committee:
We understand that Crude Carriers Corp. (the
Company), Capital Product Partners L.P. (the
Merger Partner), Capital GP L.L.C., the general
partner of the Merger Partner (the Merger Partner
GP), and Poseidon Project Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Merger Partner (Merger Sub), propose to enter
into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 5,
2011 (the Merger Agreement), pursuant to which
Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the
Merger) in a transaction in which each outstanding
share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the
Company (the Company Common Stock) and each
outstanding share of Class B stock, par value $0.0001 per
share, of the Company (the Company Class B
Stock), other than shares of Company Common Stock or
Company Class B Stock owned by the Company, the Merger
Partner, the Merger Partner GP, Merger Sub or any of their
respective subsidiaries, all of which shares will be cancelled,
will be converted into the right to receive 1.56 (the
Exchange Ratio) common units representing limited
partner interests in the Merger Partner (the Merger
Partner Common Units). The terms and conditions of the
Merger are more fully set forth in the Merger Agreement.
You have asked for our opinion as to whether the Exchange Ratio
pursuant to the Merger Agreement is fair, from a financial point
of view, to the holders of the Company Common Stock, other than
(a) the Merger Partner, (b) the Merger Partner GP,
(c) the officers and directors of the Company that are also
officers or directors of the Merger Partner or the Merger
Partner GP, respectively, or (d) affiliates of any of the
foregoing or of the Company (collectively, the Company
Unaffiliated Stockholders).
In arriving at our opinion, we have, among other things:
(i) reviewed the Merger Agreement;
(ii) reviewed certain publicly available financial and
other information about the Company and the Merger Partner;
(iii) reviewed certain information furnished to us by the
managements of the Company and the Merger Partner, including
financial forecasts and analyses, relating to the business,
operations and prospects of the Company and the Merger Partner,
respectively;
(iv) held discussions with members of senior managements of
the Company and the Merger Partner concerning the matters
described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above;
(v) reviewed the share trading price history and valuation
multiples for the Company Common Stock and the Merger Partner
Common Units and compared them with those of certain publicly
traded companies that we deemed relevant;
(vi) compared the proposed financial terms of the Merger
with the financial terms of certain other transactions that we
deemed relevant;
(vii) reviewed the relative financial contributions of the
Company and the Merger Partner to the future performance of the
combined company on a pro forma basis;
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(viii) reviewed appraisals dated March 31, 2011 and
April 12, 2011 respectively prepared by Pareto Shipping AS
and RS Platou ASA and furnished to us by the Merger Partner with
regard to the vessels owned by the Merger Partner, and
appraisals dated March 31, 2011 and April 14, 2011
respectively prepared by Pareto Shipping AS and Clarkson
Valuations Limited and furnished to us by the Company with
regard to the vessels owned by the Company (collectively, the
Appraisals);
(ix) considered the potential pro forma impact of the
Merger; and
(x) conducted such other financial studies, analyses and
investigations as we deemed appropriate.
In our review and analysis and in rendering this opinion, we
have assumed and relied upon, but have not assumed any
responsibility to independently investigate or verify, the
accuracy and completeness of all financial and other information
that was supplied or otherwise made available by the Company and
the Merger Partner or that was publicly available (including,
without limitation, the Appraisals and the other information
described above), or that was otherwise reviewed by us. We have
relied on assurances of the managements of the Company and the
Merger Partner that they are not aware of any facts or
circumstances that would make such information inaccurate or
misleading. In our review, we did not obtain any independent
evaluation or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities of,
nor did we conduct a physical inspection of any of the
properties or facilities of, the Company or the Merger Partner,
nor have we been furnished with any such evaluations or
appraisals, other than the Appraisals, nor do we assume any
responsibility to obtain any such evaluations or appraisals.
With respect to the financial forecasts provided to and examined
by us, we note that projecting future results of any company is
inherently subject to uncertainty. The Company and the Merger
Partner have informed us, however, and we have assumed, that
such financial forecasts were reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and good faith
judgments of the managements of the Company and the Merger
Partner as to the future financial performance of the Company
and the Merger Partner, respectively. We express no opinion as
to the financial forecasts provided to us by the Company or the
Merger Partner or the assumptions on which they are made.
Our opinion is based on economic, monetary, regulatory, market
and other conditions existing and which can be evaluated as of
the date hereof. We expressly disclaim any undertaking or
obligation to advise any person of any change in any fact or
matter affecting our opinion of which we become aware after the
date hereof.
We have made no independent investigation of any legal or
accounting matters affecting the Company or the Merger Partner,
and we have assumed the correctness in all respects material to
our analysis of all legal and accounting advice given to the
Company, the Independent Directors Committee of the Board
of Directors of the Company (the Independent
Committee) and the Board of Directors of the Company,
including, without limitation, advice as to the legal,
accounting and tax consequences of the terms of, and
transactions contemplated by, the Merger Agreement to the
Company and its stockholders. In addition, in preparing this
opinion, we have not taken into account any tax consequences of
the transaction to any holder of Company Common Stock. You have
advised us that the Merger will qualify as a tax-free
reorganization for United States federal income tax purposes. We
have also assumed that in the course of obtaining the necessary
regulatory or third party approvals, consents and releases for
the Merger, no delay, limitation, restriction or condition will
be imposed that would have an adverse effect on the Company, the
Merger Partner or the contemplated benefits of the Merger.
We were not authorized to and did not solicit any expressions of
interest from any other parties with respect to the sale of all
or any part of the Company or any other alternative transaction.
It is understood that our opinion is for the use and benefit of
the Independent Committee in its consideration of the Merger,
and our opinion does not address the relative merits of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement as compared to
any alternative transaction or opportunity that might be
available to the Company, nor does it address the underlying
business decision by the Company to engage in the Merger or the
terms of the Merger Agreement or the documents referred to
therein. Our opinion does not constitute a recommendation as to
how any holder of shares of Company Common Stock or Company
Class B Stock should vote on the Merger or any matter
related thereto. In addition, you have not asked us to
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address, and this opinion does not address, the fairness to, or
any other consideration of, the holders of any class of
securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Company,
other than the holders of shares of Company Common Stock. We
express no opinion as to the price at which shares of Company
Common Stock or the Merger Partner Common Units will trade at
any time. Furthermore, we do not express any view or opinion as
to the fairness, financial or otherwise, of the amount or nature
of any compensation payable or to be received by any of the
Companys officers, directors or employees, or any class of
such persons, in connection with the Merger, whether relative to
the Exchange Ratio or otherwise. Our opinion has been authorized
by the Fairness Committee of Jefferies & Company, Inc.
We have been engaged by the Independent Committee to act as its
financial advisor in connection with the Merger and will receive
a fee for our services, a portion of which is payable upon
delivery of this opinion and a significant portion of which is
payable contingent upon consummation of the Merger. We also will
be reimbursed for expenses incurred. The Company has agreed to
indemnify us against liabilities arising out of or in connection
with the services rendered and to be rendered by us under such
engagement. We maintain a market in the securities of the Merger
Partner, and in the ordinary course of our business, we and our
affiliates may trade or hold securities of the Company or the
Merger Partner
and/or their
respective affiliates for our own account and for the accounts
of our customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or
short positions in those securities. In addition, we may seek
to, in the future, provide financial advisory and financing
services to the Company, the Merger Partner or entities that are
affiliated with the Company or the Merger Partner, for which we
would expect to receive compensation. Except as otherwise
expressly provided in our engagement letter with the Independent
Committee and the Company, our opinion may not be used or
referred to by the Company, or quoted or disclosed to any person
in any manner, without our prior written consent.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion
that, as of the date hereof, the Exchange Ratio pursuant to the
Merger Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
Company Unaffiliated Stockholders.
Very truly yours,
/s/ JEFFERIES & COMPANY, INC.
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