**Exhibit 4.10**

**BOX SHIPS INC.**

**2011 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN**

**ARTICLE I.**

**General**

**1.1. Purpose**

The Box Ships Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is designed to provide certain Key Persons (asdefined below), whose initiative and efforts are deemed to be important to the successful conduct of the business of Box Ships Inc. (the “Company”), with incentives to (a) enter into and remain in the service of the Company or itsAffiliates (as defined below), (b) acquire a proprietary interest in the success of the Company, (c) maximize their performance and (d) enhance the long-term performance of the Company. 

**1.2. Administration**

(a)Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), or such other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan (the“Administrator”); provided that (i) in the event the Company is subject to Section 16 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), the Administrator shall be composed of two or moredirectors, each of whom is a “Non-Employee Director” (a “Non-Employee Director”) under Rule 16b-3 (as promulgated and interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the 1934 Act, or anysuccessor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time (“Rule 16b-3”)), and (ii) the Administrator shall be composed solely of two or more directors who are “independent directors” under the rules of anystock exchange on which the Company’s Common Stock (as defined below) is traded; provided further, however, that, (A) prior to the date of the consummation of the initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock (asdefined below), the Administrator may be composed of one or more members of the Board, as determined by the Board, (B) the requirement in the preceding clause (i) shall apply only when required to exempt an Award (as defined below)intended to qualify for an exemption under the applicable provisions referenced therein, (C) the requirement in the preceding clause (ii) shall apply only when required pursuant to the applicable rules of the applicable stock exchange, and(D) if at any time the Administrator is not so composed as required by the preceding provisions of this sentence, that fact will not invalidate any grant made, or action taken, by the Administrator hereunder that otherwise satisfies the termsof the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Administrator by the Plan, the Administrator shall have the full power and authority to: (1) designatethe Persons (as defined below) to receive Awards under the Plan; (2) determine the types of Awards granted to a participant under the Plan; (3) determine the number of shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights orother matters are to be calculated with respect to, Awards; (4) determine the terms and conditions of any Awards; (5) determine whether, and to what extent, and under what circumstances, Awards may be settled or exercised in cash,

 
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shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or cancelled, forfeited or suspended, and the methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, cancelled, forfeited or suspended;(6) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, shares, other securities, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred, either automatically or at the election ofthe holder thereof or the Administrator; (7) construe, interpret and implement the Plan and any Award Agreement (as defined below); (8) prescribe, amend, rescind or waive rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rulesgoverning its operation, and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; (9) correct any defect, supply any omission and reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement; and(10) make any other determination and take any other action that the Administrator deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations,interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Administrator, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all Persons. 

(b) General Right of Delegation. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, the applicable rules of a stock exchange orany charter, by-laws or other agreement governing the Administrator, the Administrator may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities to any Person or Persons selected by it; provided, however, that in no event shall an officerof the Company be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (i) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act, or (ii) officers of the Company (or directors of theCompany) to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under applicable securitieslaws (including, without limitation, Rule 16b-3, to the extent applicable) and the rules of any applicable stock exchange. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Administrator specifies at the time ofsuch delegation, and the Administrator may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegate. At all times, the delegate appointed under this Section 1.2(b) shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of theAdministrator. 

(c) Indemnification. No member of the Board, the Administrator or any employee of the Company or anAffiliate (each such Person, a “Covered Person”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder. Each Covered Person shall be indemnifiedand held harmless by the Company against and from (i) any loss, cost, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Covered Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit orproceeding to which such Covered Person may be a party or in which such Covered Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Plan or any Award Agreement and (ii) any and all amounts paid by such CoveredPerson, with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Covered Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Covered Person; provided that the Company shall have theright, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and, once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’schoice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to a Covered Person to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment or other final adjudication, in either case not subject to further appeal, determinesthat the acts or omissions of such Covered Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Covered Person’s bad faith, 

 
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fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws (in each case, asamended and/or restated). The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which Covered Persons may be entitled under the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws (in each case, asamended and/or restated), as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Persons or hold them harmless. 

(d) Delegation of Authority to Senior Officers. The Administrator may, in accordance with and subject to the terms of Section 1.2(b), delegate, on such terms and conditions as it determines,to one or more senior officers of the Company the authority to make grants of Awards to Key Persons who are employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (as defined below) (including any such prospective employee) or consultants of the Company andits Subsidiaries. 

(e) Awards to Non-Employee Directors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, theBoard may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards to Non-Employee Directors or administer the Plan with respect to such Awards. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority and responsibility granted tothe Administrator herein with respect to such Awards. 

**1.3. Persons Eligible for Awards**

The Persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan are those directors, officers and employees (including any prospective officer oremployee) of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and consultants and service providers to (including Persons who are employed by or provide services to any entity that is itself a consultant or service provider to) the Company and itsSubsidiaries and Affiliates (collectively, “Key Persons”) as the Administrator shall select. 

**1.4. Types of Awards**

Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of (a) stock options, (b) stock appreciation rights,(c) restricted stock, (d) restricted stock units and (e) unrestricted stock, all as more fully set forth in the Plan. The term “Award” means any of the foregoing that are granted under the Plan. 

**1.5. Shares Available for Awards; Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization**

(a) Maximum Number. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 1.5(c), the aggregate number of shares of common stock of theCompany, par value $0.01 (“Common Stock”), with respect to which Awards may at any time be granted under the Plan shall be 1,000,000. The following shares of Common Stock shall again become available for Awards under the Plan: (i) anyshares that are subject to an Award under the Plan and that remain unissued upon the cancellation or termination of such Award for any reason whatsoever; (ii) any shares of restricted stock forfeited pursuant to the Plan or the applicable AwardAgreement; provided that any dividend equivalent rights with respect to such shares that have not theretofore been directly remitted to the grantee are also forfeited; and (iii) any shares in respect of which a stock appreciation rightor restricted stock unit is settled for cash. 

 
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(b) Source of Shares. Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized butunissued Common Stock or treasury shares. The Administrator may direct that any stock certificate evidencing shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall bear a legend setting forth such restrictions on transferability as may apply to such shares.

(c) Adjustments. (i) In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Companyshares, other securities or other property), stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination, repurchase or exchange of Company shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or otherrights to purchase Company shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event, other than an Equity Restructuring (as defined below), affects the Company shares such that an adjustment is determined by theAdministrator to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to an Award, then the Administrator shall, in such manner as it may deemequitable, adjust any or all of the number of shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan. 

(ii) The Administrator is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards inrecognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including the events described in Section 1.5(c)(i) or the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined below), other than an Equity Restructuring) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or thefinancial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange, accounting principles or law, whenever the Administrator determinesthat such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to an Award, including providing for (A) adjustment to(1) the number of shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate and (2) the Exercise Price (as defined below) with respectto any Award and (B) a substitution or assumption of Awards, accelerating the exercisability or vesting of, or lapse of restrictions on, Awards, or accelerating the termination of Awards by providing for a period of time for exercise prior tothe occurrence of such event, or, if deemed appropriate or desirable, providing for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award in consideration for the cancellation of such Award (it being understood that, in such event, any option orstock appreciation right having a per share Exercise Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value (as defined below) of a share subject to such option or stock appreciation right may be cancelled and terminated without any payment orconsideration therefor) ; provided, however, that with respect to options and stock appreciation rights, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, such adjustment shall be made in accordance with the provisions ofSection 424(h) of the Code. 

(iii) In the event of (A) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (B) a saleof all or substantially all the Company’s assets or (C) a merger, reorganization or consolidation involving the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, the Administrator shall have the power to: 

(1) provide that outstanding options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units (including any relateddividend equivalent right) shall either continue in 

 
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effect, be assumed or an equivalent award shall be substituted therefor by the successor corporation or a parent corporation or subsidiary corporation; 

(2) cancel, effective immediately prior to the occurrence of such event, options, stock appreciation rights andrestricted stock units (including each dividend equivalent right related thereto) outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then exercisable) and, in full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the holder of such Award a cashpayment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Administrator) of the shares subject to such Award over the aggregate Exercise Price of such Award (it being understood that, in such event,any option or stock appreciation right having a per share Exercise Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value of a share subject to such option or stock appreciation right may be cancelled and terminated without any payment orconsideration therefor); or 

(3) notify the holder of an option or stock appreciation right in writing orelectronically that each option and stock appreciation right shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of 30 days from the date of such notice, or such shorter period as the Administrator may determine to be reasonable, and the option orstock appreciation right shall terminate upon the expiration of such period (which period shall expire no later than immediately prior to the consummation of the corporate transaction). 

(iv) In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in thisSection 1.5(c): 

(A) The number and type of securities or other property subject to each outstanding Awardand the Exercise Price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted; and 

(B) TheAdministrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but notlimited to, adjustment of the limitation set forth in Section 1.5(a)). The adjustments provided under this Section 1.5(c)(iv) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected participant and the Company. 

**1.6. Definitions of Certain Terms**

(a) The “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock on any day shall be the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported for such day in The Wall Street Journal, or, if no suchprice is reported for such day, the average of the high bid and low asked price of Common Stock as reported for such day or if not quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, the average of the high bid and low asked price on such other exchange on whichthe Common Stock is trading or, if not trading on an exchange at such time, the OTC Bulletin Board. If no quotation is made for the applicable day, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on such day shall be determined in the manner setforth in the preceding sentence for the next preceding trading day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there is no reported closing price or high bid/low asked price that satisfies the preceding sentences, or if otherwise deemed necessary orappropriate by the Administrator, the Fair Market Value of a share of 

 
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Common Stock on any day shall be determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Administrator. The “Fair Market Value” of any property otherthan Common Stock shall be the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Administrator. 

(b) Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, in connection with a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or a dismissal from Board membership, for purposes ofthe Plan, the term “for Cause” shall be defined as follows: 

(i) if there is an employment,severance, consulting, service, change in control or other agreement governing the relationship between the grantee, on the one hand, and the Company or an Affiliate, on the other hand, that contains a definition of “cause” (or similarphrase), for purposes of the Plan, the term “for Cause” shall mean those acts or omissions that would constitute “cause” under such agreement; or 

(ii) if the preceding clause (i) is not applicable to the grantee, for purposes of the Plan, the term “forCause” shall mean any of the following: 

(A) any failure by the grantee substantially to perform thegrantee’s employment or consulting/service or Board membership duties; 

(B) any excessive unauthorizedabsenteeism by the grantee; 

(C) any refusal by the grantee to obey the lawful orders of the Board or any otherPerson to whom the grantee reports; 

(D) any act or omission by the grantee that is or may be injurious to theCompany or any Affiliate, whether monetarily, reputationally or otherwise; 

(E) any act by the grantee that isinconsistent with the best interests of the Company or any Affiliate; 

(F) the grantee’s gross negligencethat is injurious to the Company or any Affiliate, whether monetarily, reputationally or otherwise; 

(G) thegrantee’s material violation of any of the policies of the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, including, without limitation, those policies relating to discrimination or sexual harassment; 

(H) the grantee’s material breach of his or her employment or service contract with the Company or any Affiliate;

(I) the grantee’s unauthorized (1) removal from the premises of the Company or an Affiliate of anydocument (in any medium or form) relating to the Company or an Affiliate or the customers or clients of the Company or an Affiliate or (2) disclosure to any Person of any of the Company’s, or any Affiliate’s, confidential orproprietary information; 

 
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(J) the grantee’s being convicted of, or entering a plea of guilty ornolo contendere to, any crime that constitutes a felony or involves moral turpitude; and 

(K) thegrantee’s commission of any act involving dishonesty or fraud. 

Any rights the Company or its Affiliates may have under the Plan inrespect of the events giving rise to a termination or dismissal “for Cause” shall be in addition to any other rights the Company or its Affiliates may have under any other agreement with a grantee or at law or in equity. Any determinationof whether a grantee’s employment or consultancy/service relationship is (or is deemed to have been) terminated “for Cause” shall be made by the Administrator. If, subsequent to a grantee’s voluntary termination of employment orconsultancy/service relationship or involuntary termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship without Cause, it is discovered that the grantee’s employment or consultancy/service relationship could have been terminated “forCause”, the Administrator may deem such grantee’s employment or consultancy/service relationship to have been terminated “for Cause” upon such discovery and determination by the Administrator. 

(c) “Affiliate” shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by, controls or is under commoncontrol with, the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in either case as determined by the Administrator. 

(d) “Subsidiary” shall mean any entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly, has a 50% or more equity interest. 

(e) “Exercise Price” shall mean (i) in the case of options, the price specified in the applicable Award Agreement as the price-per-share at which such share can be purchased pursuant to theoption or (ii) in the case of stock appreciation rights, the price specified in the applicable Award Agreement as the reference price-per-share used to calculate the amount payable to the grantee. 

(f) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

(g) Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the grantee’s being unable toengage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or thegrantee’s, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for aperiod of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the grantee’s employer. The existence of a Disability shall be determined by the Administrator. 

(h) “Equity Restructuring” shall mean a non-reciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stockdividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the shares of Common Stock (or other securities of the Company) or the share price thereof and causes a change in the pershare value of the shares underlying outstanding Awards. 

 
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(i) “Person” shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limitedliability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, governmental body or other entity of any kind. 

(j) “Repricing” shall mean (i) lowering the Exercise Price of an option or a stock appreciation right after it has been granted, (ii) the cancellation of an option or a stockappreciation right in exchange for cash or another Award when the Exercise Price exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying shares subject to the Award and (iii) any other action with respect to an option or a stock appreciation right thatis treated as a repricing under (A) generally accepted accounting principles or (B) any applicable stock exchange rules. 

**ARTICLE II.**

**Awards Under The Plan**

**2.1. Agreements Evidencing Awards**

Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written certificate (“Award Agreement”), which shall contain such provisions as the Administrator may deem necessary or desirable andwhich may, but need not, require execution or acknowledgment by a grantee. The Award shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. 

**2.2. Grant of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights**

(a) StockOption Grants. The Administrator may grant stock options (“options”) to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company to such Key Persons, and in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms andconditions, as the Administrator shall determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan. No option will be treated as an “incentive stock option” for purposes of the Code. It shall be the intent of the Administrator to not grant an Awardin the form of stock options to any Key Person who is then subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code with respect to such Award if the Common Stock (as defined below) underlying such Award does not then qualify as “servicerecipient stock” for purposes of Section 409A. Furthermore, it shall be the intent of the Administrator, in granting options to Key Persons who are subject to Section 409A and/or 457 of the Code, to structure such options so as tocomply with the requirements of Section 409A and/or 457 of the Code, as applicable. 

(b) Stock Appreciation RightGrants; Types of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator may grant stock appreciation rights to such Key Persons, and in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Administratorshall determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan. The terms of a stock appreciation right may provide that it shall be automatically exercised for a payment upon the happening of a specified event that is outside the control of the grantee andthat it shall not be otherwise exercisable. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in connection with all or any part of, or independently of, any option granted under the Plan. It shall be the intent of the Administrator to not grant an Award inthe form of stock appreciation rights to any Key Person (i) who is then subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code with respect to such Award if the Common Stock underlying such Award does not then qualify as “servicerecipient 

 
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stock” for purposes of Section 409A or (ii) if such Award would create adverse tax consequences for such Key Person under Section 457A of the Code. 

(c) Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights. The grantee of a stock appreciation right shall have the right, subject to the terms ofthe Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, to receive from the Company an amount equal to (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right over the Exercise Price ofthe stock appreciation right, multiplied by (ii) the number of shares with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised. Each Award Agreement with respect to a stock appreciation right shall set forth the Exercise Price of suchAward and, unless otherwise specifically provided in the Award Agreement, the Exercise Price of a stock appreciation right shall equal the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant; provided that in no event may suchExercise Price be less than the greater of (A) the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant and (B) the par value of a share of Common Stock. Payment upon exercise of a stock appreciation right shall be in cash orin shares of Common Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right) or any combination of both, all as the Administrator shall determine. Repricing of stock appreciation rights granted under the Planshall not be permitted (1) to the extent such action could cause adverse tax consequences to the grantee under Sections 409A or 457A of the Code or (2) without prior shareholder approval, to the extent such approval would be requiredto be obtained by the Company pursuant to the applicable rules of any applicable stock exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, and any action that would be deemed to result in a Repricing of a stock appreciation right shall be deemed nulland void if it would cause such adverse tax consequences or if any requisite shareholder approval related thereto is not obtained prior to the effective time of such action. Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right granted in connection withan option, the number of shares subject to the option shall be reduced by the number of shares with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised. Upon the exercise of an option in connection with which a stock appreciation right hasbeen granted, the number of shares subject to the stock appreciation right shall be reduced by the number of shares with respect to which the option is exercised. 

(d) Option Exercise Price. Each Award Agreement with respect to an option shall set forth the Exercise Price of such Award and, unless otherwise specifically provided in the Award Agreement, theExercise Price of an option shall equal the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant; provided that in no event may such Exercise Price be less than the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of CommonStock on the date of grant and (ii) the par value of a share of Common Stock. Repricing of options granted under the Plan shall not be permitted (1) to the extent such action could cause adverse tax consequences to the grantee underSections 409A or 457A of the Code or (2) without prior shareholder approval, to the extent such approval would be required to be obtained by the Company pursuant to the applicable rules of any applicable stock exchange on which the CommonStock is then listed, and any action that would be deemed to result in a Repricing of an option shall be deemed null and void if it would cause such adverse tax consequences or if any requisite shareholder approval related thereto is not obtainedprior to the effective time of such action. 

****2.3.**Exercise of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights**

Subject to the other provisions of this Article II and the Plan, each option and stock appreciation right granted under the Plan shall beexercisable as follows: 

 
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(a) Timing and Extent of Exercise. Options and stock appreciation rights shall beexercisable at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the corresponding Award Agreement, but in no event shall any portion of such Award be exercisable subsequent to the tenth anniversary of the dateon which such Award was granted. Unless the applicable Award Agreement otherwise provides, an option or stock appreciation right may be exercised from time to time as to all or part of the shares as to which such Award is then exercisable.

(b) Notice of Exercise. An option or stock appreciation right shall be exercised by the filing of a written noticewith the Company or the Company’s designated exchange agent (the “Exchange Agent”), on such form and in such manner as the Administrator shall prescribe. 

(c) Payment of Exercise Price. Any written notice of exercise of an option shall be accompanied by payment for the shares being purchased. Such payment shall be made: (i) by certified orofficial bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Company or its Exchange Agent) for the full option Exercise Price; (ii) with the consent of the Administrator, which consent shall be given or withheld in the sole discretion ofthe Administrator, by delivery of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (determined as of the exercise date) equal to all or part of the option Exercise Price and a certified or official bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptableto the Company or its Exchange Agent) for any remaining portion of the full option Exercise Price; or (iii) at the sole discretion of the Administrator and to the extent permitted by law, by such other provision, consistent with the terms ofthe Plan, as the Administrator may from time to time prescribe (whether directly or indirectly through the Exchange Agent), or by any combination of the foregoing payment methods. 

(d) Delivery of Certificates Upon Exercise. Subject to Sections 3.2, 3.4 and 3.13, promptly after receiving payment of the fulloption Exercise Price, or after receiving notice of the exercise of a stock appreciation right for which the Administrator determines payment will be made partly or entirely in shares, the Company or its Exchange Agent shall (i) deliver to thegrantee, or to such other Person as may then have the right to exercise the Award, a certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock for which the Award has been exercised or, in the case of stock appreciation rights, for which theAdministrator determines will be made in shares or (ii) establish an account evidencing ownership of the stock in uncertificated form. If the method of payment employed upon an option exercise so requires, and if applicable law permits, anoptionee may direct the Company or its Exchange Agent, as the case may be, to deliver the stock certificate(s) to the optionee’s stockbroker. 

(e) No Stockholder Rights. No grantee of an option or stock appreciation right (or other Person having the right to exercise such Award) shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Companywith respect to shares subject to such Award until the issuance of a stock certificate to such Person for such shares. Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.5(c), no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights(whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether in cash, securities or other property) for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued. 

 
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**2.4. Termination of Employment/Service; Death Subsequent to a Termination of Employment/Service**

(a) General Rule. Except to the extent otherwise provided in paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of thisSection 2.4 or Section 3.5(b)(iii), a grantee who incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates may exercise any outstanding option or stock appreciation righton the following terms and conditions: (i) exercise may be made only to the extent that the grantee was entitled to exercise the Award on the date of termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship, as applicable; and(ii) exercise must occur within three months after termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship but in no event after the original expiration date of the Award; it being understood that then outstanding options and stockappreciation rights shall not be affected by a change of employment or consultancy/service relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates so long as the grantee continues to be a director, officer or employee of, or a consultantor service provider to (or a Person employed by or providing services to any entity that that is itself a consultant or service provider to), the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. 

(b) Dismissal “for Cause”. If a grantee incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship with theCompany and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates “for Cause”, all options and stock appreciation rights not theretofore exercised shall immediately terminate upon such termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship. 

(c) Retirement. If a grantee incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship with the Company and itsSubsidiaries and Affiliates as the result of his or her retirement (as defined below), then any outstanding option or stock appreciation right shall, to the extent exercisable at the time of such retirement, remain exercisable for a period of threeyears after such retirement; provided that in no event may such option or stock appreciation right be exercised following the original expiration date of the Award. For this purpose, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable AwardAgreement, “retirement” shall mean a grantee’s resignation of employment or consultancy/service relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, with the Company’s or its applicable Affiliate’s priorconsent, on or after (i) his or her 65th birthday, (ii) the date on which he or she has attained age 60 and completed at least five years of service with the Company or one or more of its Affiliates (using any method of calculation theAdministrator deems appropriate) or (iii) if approved by the Administrator, on or after his or her having completed at least 20 years of service with the Company or one or more of its Affiliates (using any method of calculation theAdministrator deems appropriate). 

(d) Disability. If a grantee incurs a termination of employment orconsultancy/service relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates by reason of a Disability, then any outstanding option or stock appreciation right shall, to the extent exercisable at the time of such termination, remainexercisable for a period of one year after such termination; provided that in no event may such option or stock appreciation right be exercised following the original expiration date of the Award. 

 
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(e) Death. 

(i) *Termination of Employment/Service as a Result of Grantee’s Death*. If a grantee incurs a termination ofemployment or consultancy/service relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates as the result of his or her death, then any outstanding option or stock appreciation right shall, to the extent exercisable at the time of suchdeath, remain exercisable for a period of one year after such death; provided that in no event may such option or stock appreciation right be exercised following the original expiration date of the Award. 

(ii) *Restrictions on Exercise Following Death*. Any such exercise of an Award following a grantee’s death shallbe made only by the grantee’s executor or administrator or other duly appointed representative reasonably acceptable to the Administrator, unless the grantee’s will specifically disposes of such Award, in which case such exercise shall bemade only by the recipient of such specific disposition. If a grantee’s personal representative or the recipient of a specific disposition under the grantee’s will shall be entitled to exercise any Award pursuant to the preceding sentence,such representative or recipient shall be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement which would have applied to the grantee. 

(f) Administrator Discretion. The Administrator may, in writing, waive or modify the application of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.4. 

**2.5. Transferability of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights**

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or the applicable Award Agreement evidencing an option or stock appreciation right, during the lifetime of a grantee, each such Award granted to agrantee shall be exercisable only by the grantee, and no such Award may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Administrator may, in anyapplicable Award Agreement evidencing an option or stock appreciation right, permit a grantee to transfer all or some of the options or stock appreciation rights to (a) the grantee’s spouse, children or grandchildren (“ImmediateFamily Members”), (b) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members or (c) other parties approved by the Administrator. Following any such transfer, any transferred options and stock appreciation rightsshall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the transfer. 

**2.6. Grant ofRestricted Stock**

(a) Restricted Stock Grants. The Administrator may grant restricted shares of Common Stock to suchKey Persons, in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine, subject to the provisions of the Plan. A grantee of a restricted stock Award shall have no rightswith respect to such Award unless such grantee accepts the Award within such period as the Administrator shall specify by accepting delivery of a restricted stock Award Agreement in such form as the Administrator shall determine. 

(b) Issuance of Stock Certificate. Promptly after a grantee accepts a restricted stock Award in accordance withSection 2.6(a), subject to Sections 3.2, 3.4 and 3.13, the Company 

 
12 

or its Exchange Agent shall issue to the grantee a stock certificate or stock certificates for the shares of Common Stock covered by the Award or shall establish an account evidencing ownershipof the stock in uncertificated form. Upon the issuance of such stock certificates, or establishment of such account, the grantee shall have the rights of a stockholder with respect to the restricted stock, subject to: (i) the nontransferabilityrestrictions and forfeiture provisions described in the Plan (including paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section 2.6); (ii) in the Administrator’s sole discretion, a requirement, as set forth in the Award Agreement, that anydividends paid on such shares shall be held in escrow and, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, shall remain forfeitable until all restrictions on such shares have lapsed; and (iii) any other restrictions and conditions containedin the applicable Award Agreement. 

(c) Custody of Stock Certificate. Unless the Administrator shall otherwisedetermine, any stock certificates issued evidencing shares of restricted stock shall remain in the possession of the Company until such shares are free of any restrictions specified in the applicable Award Agreement. The Administrator may directthat such stock certificates bear a legend setting forth the applicable restrictions on transferability. 

(d)Nontransferability. Shares of restricted stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of prior to the lapsing of all restrictions thereon, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan orthe applicable Award Agreement. The Administrator at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates (which may depend upon or be related to the attainment of performance goals and other conditions) on which the nontransferability of therestricted stock shall lapse. 

(e) Consequence of Termination of Employment/Service. Unless otherwise set forth in theapplicable Award Agreement, (i) a grantee’s termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates for any reason other than death or Disability shall cause the immediateforfeiture of all shares of restricted stock that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship and (ii) if a grantee incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/servicerelationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates as the result of his or her death or Disability, all shares of restricted stock that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination shall immediately vest as of such date; itbeing understood that then outstanding restricted stock Awards shall not be affected by a change of employment or consultancy/service relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates so long as the grantee continues to be adirector, officer or employee of, or a consultant or service provider to (or a Person employed by or providing services to any entity that that is itself a consultant or service provider to), the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, all dividends paid on shares forfeited under this Section 2.6(e) that have not theretofore been directly remitted to the grantee shall also be forfeited, whether by termination of any escrowarrangement under which such dividends are held or otherwise. The Administrator may, in writing, waive or modify the application of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(e). 

**2.7. Grant of Restricted Stock Units**

(a) Restricted Stock UnitGrants. The Administrator may grant restricted stock units to such Key Persons, and in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Administrator shall determine, subject to the

 
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provisions of the Plan. A restricted stock unit granted under the Plan shall confer upon the grantee a right to receive from the Company, conditioned upon the occurrence of such vesting event asshall be determined by the Administrator and specified in the Award Agreement, the number of such grantee’s restricted stock units that vest upon the occurrence of such vesting event multiplied by the Fair Market Value of a share of CommonStock on the date of vesting. Payment upon vesting of a restricted stock unit shall be in cash or in shares of Common Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of vesting) or both, all as the Administrator shall determine, and suchpayments shall be made to the grantee at such time as provided in the Award Agreement, which the Administrator shall intend to be (i) if Section 409A of the Code is applicable to the grantee, within the period required by Section 409Asuch that it qualifies as a “short-term deferral” pursuant to Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder, unless the Administrator shall provide for deferral of the Award intended to comply with Section 409A,(ii) if Section 457A of the Code is applicable to the grantee, within the period required by Section 457A(d)(3)(B) such that it qualifies for the exemption thereunder, or (iii) if Sections 409A and 457A of the Code are notapplicable to the grantee, at such time as determined by the Administrator. 

(b) Dividend Equivalents. TheAdministrator may include in any Award Agreement with respect to a restricted stock unit a dividend equivalent right entitling the grantee to receive amounts equal to the ordinary dividends that would be paid, during the time such Award isoutstanding and unvested, and/or, if payment of the vested Award is deferred, during the period of such deferral following such vesting event, on the shares of Common Stock underlying such Award if such shares were then outstanding. In the eventsuch a provision is included in a Award Agreement, the Administrator shall determine whether such payments shall be (i) paid to the holder of the Award, as specified in the Award Agreement, either (A) at the same time as the underlyingdividends are paid, regardless of the fact that the restricted stock unit has not theretofore vested, (B) at the time at which the Award’s vesting event occurs, conditioned upon the occurrence of the vesting event, (C) once the Awardhas vested, at the same time as the underlying dividends are paid, regardless of the fact that payment of the vested restricted stock unit has been deferred, and/or (D) at the time at which the corresponding vested restricted stock units arepaid, (ii) made in cash, shares of Common Stock or other property and (iii) subject to such other vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall deem appropriate and as shall be set forth in theAward Agreement. 

(c) Consequence of Termination of Employment/Service. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicableAward Agreement, (i) a grantee’s termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates for any reason other than death or Disability shall cause the immediate forfeiture of allrestricted stock units that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship and (ii) if a grantee incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship with the Companyand its Subsidiaries and Affiliates as the result of his or her death or Disability, all restricted stock units that have not yet vested as of the date of such termination shall immediately vest as of such date; it being understood that thenoutstanding restricted stock units shall not be affected by a change of employment or consultancy/service relationship with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates so long as the grantee continues to be a director, officer or employee of, ora consultant or service provider to (or a Person employed by or providing services to any entity that that is itself a consultant or service provider to), the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Unless otherwise determined by theAdministrator, any dividend equivalent rights on any restricted stock units 

 
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forfeited under this Section 2.7(c) that have not theretofore been directly remitted to the grantee shall also be forfeited, whether by termination of any escrow arrangement under which suchdividends are held or otherwise. The Administrator may, in writing, waive or modify the application of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(c). 

(d) No Stockholder Rights. No grantee of a restricted stock unit shall have any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to such Award unless and until a stock certificate isissued with respect to such Award upon the vesting of such Award (it being understood that the Administrator shall determine whether to pay any vested restricted stock unit in the form of cash or Company shares or both), which issuance shall besubject to Sections 3.2, 3.4 and 3.13. Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.5(c), no adjustment to any restricted stock unit shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights (whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether incash, securities or other property) for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate, if any, is issued. 

(e) Transferability of Restricted Stock Units. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or the applicable AwardAgreement evidencing a restricted stock unit, no restricted stock unit granted under the Plan may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. TheAdministrator may, in any applicable Award Agreement evidencing a restricted stock unit, permit a grantee to transfer all or some of the restricted stock units to (i) the grantee’s Immediate Family Members, (ii) a trust or trusts forthe exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members or (iii) other parties approved by the Administrator. Following any such transfer, any transferred restricted stock units shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions aswere applicable immediately prior to the transfer. 

**2.8. Grant of Unrestricted Stock**

The Administrator may grant (or sell at a purchase price at least equal to par value) shares of Common Stock free of restrictions underthe Plan to such Key Persons and in such amounts and subject to such forfeiture provisions as the Administrator shall determine. Shares may be thus granted or sold in respect of past services or other valid consideration. 

**ARTICLE III.**

**Miscellaneous**

**3.1. Amendment of the Plan; Modification of Awards**

(a) Amendment of the Plan. The Board may from time to time suspend, discontinue, revise or amend the Plan in any respectwhatsoever, except that no such amendment shall materially impair any rights or materially increase any obligations under any Award theretofore made under the Plan without the consent of the grantee (or, upon the grantee’s death, the Personhaving the rights to the Award). For purposes of this Section 3.1, any action of the Board or the Administrator that in any way alters or affects the tax treatment of any Award shall not be considered to materially impair any rights of anygrantee. 

(b) Stockholder Approval Requirement. If required by applicable rules or regulations of a national securitiesexchange or the SEC, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval with respect to any amendment to the Plan that (i) expands the types of Awards available under the 

 
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Plan, (ii) materially increases the aggregate number of shares which may be issued under the Plan, except as permitted pursuant to Section 1.5(c), (iii) materially increases thebenefits to participants under the Plan, including any material change to (A) permit, or that has the effect of, a Repricing of any outstanding Award, (B) reduce the price at which shares or options to purchase shares may be offered or(C) extend the duration of the Plan, or (iv) materially expands the class of Persons eligible to receive Awards under the Plan. 

(c) Modification of Awards. The Administrator may cancel any Award under the Plan. The Administrator also may amend any outstanding Award Agreement, including, without limitation, by amendmentwhich would: (i) accelerate the time or times at which the Award becomes unrestricted, vested or may be exercised; (ii) waive or amend any goals, restrictions or conditions set forth in the Award Agreement; or (iii) waive or amend theoperation of Sections 2.4, 2.6(e) or 2.7(c) with respect to the termination of the Award upon termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship or dismissal from the Board; provided, however, that no such amendment shall be made withoutshareholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the Award. However, any such cancellation or amendment (other than an amendment pursuant to Section 1.5, 3.5 or 3.16) thatmaterially impairs the rights or materially increases the obligations of a grantee under an outstanding Award shall be made only with the consent of the grantee (or, upon the grantee’s death, the Person having the right to exercise the Award).In making any modification to an Award (e.g., an amendment resulting in a direct or indirect reduction in the Exercise Price or a waiver or modification under Section 2.4(f), 2.6(e) or 2.7(c)), the Administrator may consider theimplications, if any, of such modification under the Code with respect to Sections 409A and 457A of the Code with respect to Awards granted under the Plan to individuals subject to such provisions of the Code. 

**3.2. Consent Requirement**

(a) No Plan Action Without Required Consent. If the Administrator shall at any time determine that any Consent (as defined below)is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the granting of any Award under the Plan, the issuance or purchase of shares or other rights thereunder, or the taking of any other action thereunder (each such action beinghereinafter referred to as a “Plan Action”), then such Plan Action shall not be taken, in whole or in part, unless and until such Consent shall have been effected or obtained to the full satisfaction of the Administrator. 

(b) Consent Defined. The term “Consent” as used herein with respect to any Plan Action means (i) any and alllistings, registrations or qualifications in respect thereof upon any securities exchange or under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, (ii) any and all written agreements and representations by the grantee with respect to thedisposition of shares, or with respect to any other matter, which the Administrator shall deem necessary or desirable to comply with the terms of any such listing, registration or qualification or to obtain an exemption from the requirement that anysuch listing, qualification or registration be made and (iii) any and all consents, clearances and approvals in respect of a Plan Action by any governmental or other regulatory bodies or any other Person. 

 
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**3.3. Nonassignability**

Except as provided in Sections 2.4(e), 2.5, 2.6(d) or 2.7(e), (a) no Award or right granted to any Person under the Plan or under any Award Agreement shall be assignable or transferable other than bywill or by the laws of descent and distribution and (b) all rights granted under the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be exercisable during the life of the grantee only by the grantee or the grantee’s legal representative or thegrantee’s permissible successors or assigns (as authorized and determined by the Administrator). All terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreements will be binding upon any permitted successors or assigns. 

**3.4. Taxes**

(a)Withholding. A grantee or other Award holder under the Plan shall be required to pay, in cash, to the Company, and the Company and its Affiliates shall have the right and are hereby authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment dueor transfer made under any Award or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to such grantee or other Award holder, the amount of any applicable withholding taxes in respect of an Award, its grant, its exercise, its vesting, orany payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan, and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for payment of such taxes. Whenever shares of Common Stock are to be deliveredpursuant to an Award under the Plan, with the approval of the Administrator, which the Administrator shall have sole discretion whether or not to give, the grantee may satisfy the foregoing condition by electing to have the Company withhold fromdelivery shares having a value equal to the amount of minimum tax required to be withheld. Such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. Fractional share amounts shallbe settled in cash. Such a withholding election may be made with respect to all or any portion of the shares to be delivered pursuant to an Award as may be approved by the Administrator in its sole discretion. 

(b) Liability for Taxes. Grantees and holders of Awards are solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes andpenalties that may arise in connection with Awards (including, without limitation, any taxes arising under Sections 409A and 457A of the Code) and the Company shall not have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold any such Person harmless fromany or all of such taxes. The Administrator shall have the discretion to organize any deferral program, to require deferral election forms, and to grant or, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award Agreement, to unilaterallymodify any Award in a manner that (i) conforms with the requirements of Sections 409A and 457A of the Code (to the extent applicable), (ii) voids any participant election to the extent it would violate Sections 409A or 457A of the Code (tothe extent applicable) and (iii) for any distribution event or election that could be expected to violate Section 409A of the Code, make the distribution only upon the earliest of the first to occur of a “permissible distributionevent” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code or a distribution event that the participant elects in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. The Administrator shall have the sole discretion to interpret the requirements ofthe Code, including, without limitation, Sections 409A and 457A, for purposes of the Plan and all Awards. 

 
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**3.5. Change in Control**

(a) Change in Control Defined. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, for purposes of the Plan, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of thefollowing: 

(i) any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act), company or otherentity acquires “beneficial ownership” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company;provided, however, that no Change in Control shall have occurred in the event of such an acquisition by (A) the Company, (B) Paragon Shipping Inc., (C) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employeebenefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate, (D) any company or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the holders of the voting stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company in substantially the same proportions as theirownership of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or (E) any entity which Mr. Michael Bodouroglou directly or indirectly“controls” (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the 1934 Act); 

(ii) the sale of all or substantially allthe Company’s assets in one or more related transactions to any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act), company or other entity; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall haveoccurred in the event of such a sale (A) to Paragon Shipping Inc., (B) to a Subsidiary which does not involve a material change in the equity holdings of the Company, (C) to an entity which Mr. Michael Bodouroglou directly orindirectly controls or (D) to an entity (the “Acquiring Entity”) which has acquired all or substantially all the Company’s assets if, immediately following such sale, 50% or more of the aggregate voting power of the capital stockordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Acquiring Entity (or, if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarilyentitled to elect directors of the Acquiring Entity) is beneficially owned by the holders of the voting stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company immediately prior to such sale in substantially the same proportions as the aggregatevoting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company immediately prior to such sale; 

(iii) any merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar event of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that no Change in Control shall have occurred in the event 50% or moreof the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the surviving entity (or, if applicable, the ultimate parent entity that directly or indirectly has beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the aggregatevoting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the surviving entity) is beneficially owned by the holders of the voting stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company immediately prior to such event insubstantially the same proportions as the aggregate voting power of the capital stock ordinarily entitled to elect directors of the Company immediately prior to such event; 

(iv) the approval by the Company’s stockholders of a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 
18 

(v) during any period of 12 consecutive calendar months, individuals:

 
 (A)who were directors of the Company on the first day of such period, or 
 
 (B)whose election or nomination for election to the Board was recommended or approved by at least a majority of the directors then still in office who were directors ofthe Company on the first day of such period, or whose election or nomination for election were so approved, 
shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, (1) in no event shall a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred in connection with an initialpublic offering of Common Stock and (2) for each Award subject to Section 409A of the Code, a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred under this Plan with respect to such Award only if a change in the ownership or effectivecontrol of the Company or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company shall also be deemed to have occurred under Section 409A of the Code, provided that such limitation shall apply to such Award onlyto the extent necessary to avoid adverse tax effects under Section 409A of the Code. 

(b) Effect of a Change inControl. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control: 

(i) notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, any Award then outstanding shall become fully vested and any forfeiture provisions thereon imposed pursuant to the Plan and the applicable AwardAgreement shall lapse and any Award in the form of an option or stock appreciation right shall be immediately exercisable; 

(ii) to the extent permitted by law and not otherwise limited by the terms of the Plan, the Administrator may amend any Award Agreement in such manner as it deems appropriate; 

(iii) a grantee who incurs a termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship for any reason, other than atermination or dismissal “for Cause”, concurrent with or within one year following the Change in Control may exercise any outstanding option or stock appreciation right, but only to the extent that the grantee was entitled to exercise theAward on the date of his or her termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship, until the earlier of (A) the original expiration date of the Award and (B) the later of (x) the date provided for under the terms ofSection 2.4 without reference to this Section 3.5(b)(iii) and (y) the first anniversary of the grantee’s termination of employment or consultancy/service relationship. 

(c) Miscellaneous. Whenever deemed appropriate by the Administrator, any action referred to in paragraph (b)(ii) of thisSection 3.5 may be made conditional upon the consummation of the applicable Change in Control transaction. For purposes of the Plan and any Award Agreement granted hereunder, the term “Company” shall include any successor to Box ShipsInc. 

 
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**3.6. Operation and Conduct of Business**

Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be construed as limiting or preventing the Company or any Affiliate from taking anyaction with respect to the operation and conduct of their business that they deem appropriate or in their best interests, including any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, exchanges or other changes in the capital structure ofthe Company or any Affiliate, any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, any issuance of Company shares or other securities or subscription rights, any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of oraffecting the Common Stock or other securities or rights thereof, any dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, any sale or transfer of all or any part of the assets or business of the Company or any Affiliate, or any othercorporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise. 

**3.7. No Rights to Awards**

No Key Person or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan. 

**3.8. Right of Discharge Reserved**

Nothing in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any grantee the right to continue his or her employment with the Company or any Affiliate, his or her consultancy/service relationship withthe Company or any Affiliate, or his or her position as a director of the Company or any Affiliate, or affect any right that the Company or any Affiliate may have to terminate such employment or consultancy/service relationship or service as adirector. 

**3.9. Non-Uniform Determinations**

The Administrator’s determinations and the treatment of Key Persons and grantees and their beneficiaries under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made and determined by the Administratorselectively among Persons who receive, or who are eligible to receive, Awards under the Plan (whether or not such Persons are similarly situated). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator shall be entitled, among otherthings, to make non-uniform and selective determinations, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Award Agreements, as to (a) the Persons to receive Awards under the Plan, (b) the types of Awards granted under the Plan, (c) thenumber of shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated with respect to, Awards and (d) the terms and conditions of Awards. 

**3.10. Other Payments or Awards**

Nothing contained in the Plan shall bedeemed in any way to limit or restrict the Company from making any award or payment to any Person under any other plan, arrangement or understanding, whether now existing or hereafter in effect. 

**3.11. Headings**

Anysection, subsection, paragraph or other subdivision headings contained herein are for the purpose of convenience only and are not intended to expand, limit or otherwise define the contents of such subdivisions. 

 
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**3.12. Effective Date and Term of Plan**

(a) Adoption; Stockholder Approval. The Plan was adopted by the Board on March 29, 2011, and approved by the Company’sstockholders on March 29, 2011. The Board may, but need not, make the granting of any Awards under the Plan subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders. 

(b) Termination of Plan. The Board may terminate the Plan at any time. All Awards made under the Plan prior to its termination shall remain in effect until such Awards have been satisfied orterminated in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreements. No Awards may be granted under the Plan following the tenth anniversary of the date on which the Plan was adopted by the Board. 

**3.13. Restriction on Issuance of Stock Pursuant to Awards**

The Company shall not permit any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan unless such shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable under applicable law.Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award Agreement, at the time of the exercise of any Award, at the time of vesting of any Award, at the time of payment of shares of Common Stock in exchange for, or in cancellation of, anyAward, or at the time of grant of any unrestricted shares under the Plan, the Company and the Administrator may, if either shall deem it necessary or advisable for any reason, require the holder of an Award (a) to represent in writing to theCompany that it is the Award holder’s then-intention to acquire the shares with respect to which the Award is granted for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof or (b) to postpone the date of exercise until such time asthe Company has available for delivery to the Award holder a prospectus meeting the requirements of all applicable securities laws; and no shares shall be issued or transferred in connection with any Award unless and until all legal requirementsapplicable to the issuance or transfer of such shares have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Company and the Administrator. The Company and the Administrator shall have the right to condition any issuance of shares to any Award holderhereunder on such Person’s undertaking in writing to comply with such restrictions on the subsequent transfer of such shares as the Company or the Administrator shall deem necessary or advisable as a result of any applicable law, regulation orofficial interpretation thereof, and all share certificates delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Company or the Administrator may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable AwardAgreement or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such shares are listed, and any applicable securities or other laws, and certificates representing such shares may contain a legend to reflect anysuch restrictions. The Administrator may refuse to issue or transfer any shares or other consideration under an Award if it determines that the issuance or transfer of such shares or other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulationor entitle the Company to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, and any payment tendered to the Company by a grantee or other Award holder in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevantgrantee or other Award holder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Award granted under the Plan shall be construed as an offer to sell securities of the Company, and no such offer shall be outstanding, unless and until theAdministrator has determined that any such offer, if made, would be in compliance with all applicable requirements of any applicable securities laws. 

 
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**3.14. Requirement of Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code**

If an Award recipient, in connection with the acquisition of Company shares under the Plan, makes an election under Section 83(b) ofthe Code (to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Section 83(b) of the Code), the grantee shall notify the Administrator of such election within ten days of filing notice of the election with the U.S.Internal Revenue Service, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Section 83(b) of the Code. 

****3.15.**Severability**

If any provision of the Plan or any Award is orbecomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Administrator, such provision shall be construed ordeemed amended to conform to the applicable laws or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Administrator, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to suchjurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect. 

**3.16. Sections 409Aand 457A**

To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance withSections 409A and 457A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or any applicable Award Agreement to the contrary, in the event that theAdministrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A or 457A of the Code, the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments,policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (i) exempt the Plan and Award from Sections 409A and 457A of the Code and/or preserve theintended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (ii) comply with the requirements of Sections 409A and 457A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance and thereby avoid the application of penaltytaxes under Sections 409A and 457A of the Code. 

**3.17. Forfeiture; Clawback**

The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement that any realized gain with respect to options orstock appreciation rights and any realized value with respect to other Awards shall be subject to forfeiture or clawback, in the event of (a) a grantee’s breach of any non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other restrictivecovenants with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, (b) a grantee’s breach of any employment or consulting agreement with the Company or any Affiliate, (c) a grantee’s termination for Cause or (d) a financial restatementthat reduces the amount of compensation under the Plan previously awarded to a grantee that would have been earned had results been properly reported. 

 
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**3.18. No Trust or Fund Created**

Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationshipbetween the Company or any Affiliate and an Award recipient or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the rightof any unsecured general creditor of the Company or its Affiliate. 

**3.19. No Fractional Shares**

No fractional shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Administrator shall determine whether cash,other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated. 

**3.20. Governing Law**

ThePlan will be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws. 

 
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