Document:

Exhibit 10.120

 

Execution Copy

 

POOL PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 BY AND BETWEEN

 UNIQUE TANKERS LLC, the Pool Company

 AND

 GENERAL MARITIME CORPORATION, on behalf of its vessel-owing

 subsidiaries, each a Pool Participant

 

In respect of following vessels:
 Genmar Atlas
 Genmar Hercules
 Genmar Poseidon
 Genmar Ulysses
 Genmar Victory
 Genmar Vision
 Genmar Zeus
 Genmar Argus
 Genmar George T
 Genmar Hope
 Genmar Horn
 Genmar Kara G
 Genmar Maniate
 Genmar Orion
 Genmar Phoenix
 Genmar Spartiate
 Genmar Spyridon

 

Dated as of December 3, 2012

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS AND SCHEDULES
    	
1
    
	
1.1
    	
DEFINITIONS
    	
1
    
	
1.2
    	
EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
    	
2
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE II   - ENTRY OF VESSEL INTO THE POOL
    	
2
    
	
2.1
    	
TIME CHARTER
    	
2
    
	
2.2
    	
ENTRY OF VESSEL INTO THE POOL
    	
2
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE III   - THE POOL COMMITTEE
    	
2
    
	
3.1
    	
POOL COMMITTEE
    	
2
    
	
3.2
    	
BINDING EFFECT OF POOL COMMITTEE DECISIONS
    	
3
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IV   - WORKING CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS; SUBSEQUENT CALLS
    	
3
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE V   - EAD, VCUs, AND EAD DISTRIBUTIONS
    	
3
    
	
5.1
    	
EAD
    	
3
    
	
5.2
    	
VCUs
    	
5
    
	
5.3
    	
DISTRIBUTION OF EAD
    	
5
    
	
5.4
    	
ADJUSTMENTS OF VCUs
    	
5
    
	
5.5
    	
SPECIAL ADJUSTMENTS OF VCU’S
    	
6
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VI   - ADDITION, SUBSTITUTION AND WITHDRAWAL OF VESSEL
    	
7
    
	
6.1
    	
ADDITION OR SUBSTITUTION OF VESSEL
    	
7
    
	
6.2
    	
VESSEL WITHDRAWAL BY POOL PARTICIPANT
    	
7
    
	
6.3
    	
REQUIRED WITHDRAWAL BY POOL COMMITTEE
    	
7
    
	
6.4
    	
TERMINATION UPON WITHDRAWAL
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VII   - AUDITS, RECORDS, REPORTS AND REPORTING
    	
8
    
	
7.1
    	
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    	
8
    
	
7.2
    	
ACCESS TO RECORDS AND AUDITS
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIII   - ARBITRATION
    	
8
    
	
8.1
    	
LAW AND JURISDICTION
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IX   - MISCELLANEOUS
    	
9
    
	
9.1
    	
NOTICES
    	
9
    
	
9.2
    	
PROVISIONS SEVERABLE AND PARAMOUNTCY
    	
10
    
	
9.3
    	
SUCCESSORS
    	
10
    
	
9.4
    	
NO PARTNERSHIP OR AGENCY
    	
11
    
	
9.5
    	
WAIVERS
    	
11
    
	
9.6
    	
GENDER AND NUMBER
    	
11
    
	
9.7
    	
HEADINGS
    	
11
    
	
9.8
    	
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
    	
11
    
	
9.9
    	
CONFIDENTIALITY
    	
11
    
	
9.10
    	
CONDITION PRECEDENT
    	
12
    

 

 

THIS POOL PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT is entered into as of the 3rd day of December, 2012 by and among (1) UNIQUE TANKERS LLC, a Marshall Islands limited liability company (the “Company”); and (2) General Maritime Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation, on behalf of its vessel-owing subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 1 hereto (each “Pool Participant”).

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, the Company has been established for the purpose of operating, as charterer, under a time charterer to be entered into with owners or disponent owners of vessels substantially in the form annexed hereto as Schedule B (“Time Charter”), a pool (“Pool”) of tanker vessels (each a “Pool Vessel”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company will employ the Pool Vessels in the worldwide carriage and/or storage of crude, clean products or fuel oil and traded in such manner as to maximize overall Pool Vessel earnings and minimize Pool Vessel expenses when performing contracts, voyage business or relet timecharters (“Pool Business);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to an agency agreement (“Agency Agreement”) entered into with Unipec UK Company Limited (the “Commercial Manager”), the Company, in its capacity as disponent owner of the Pool Vessels under the Time Charters, has appointed the Commercial Manager as the exclusive commercial manager of the Pool Vessels;

 

WHEREAS, in addition, the Company has appointed General Maritime Management LLC as Pool manager (“Pool Manager”) to oversee and monitor on its behalf the due and proper performance by the Commercial Manager of its duties and obligations under the Agency Agreement and to provide certain administrative, financial and accounting support services in connection with the Pool and the Pool Business;

 

WHEREAS, each Pool Participant wishes to enter its vessel listed on Exhibit 1 hereto (the “Vessel”) into the Pool and the Company wishes to receive the Vessel into the Pool;

 

WHEREAS, this Pool Participation Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions upon which the Pool Participant shall enter the Vessel into the Pool and the basis upon which the Vessel shall share and participate in the pooled revenues of the Pool Business and the voyage and other costs thereof;

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, the Parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I -

 

DEFINITIONS AND SCHEDULES

 

1.1                               DEFINITIONS

 

Capitalized words or terms within this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Schedule “A” attached hereto and shall be applicable to all schedules and

 

 

other related agreements unless the context of this Agreement or other agreements otherwise require.

 

1.2                               EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

The following schedules are appended to this Agreement and form an integral part as if incorporated herein:

 

Exhibit 1: Pool Participants and Vessels

 

Schedule “A”: Definitions

 

Schedule “B”: Time Charter

 

Schedule “C”: VCU Allocation Formula

 

ARTICLE II -

 

ENTRY OF VESSEL INTO THE POOL

 

2.1                               TIME CHARTER

 

Concurrent herewith, the Pool Participant, as owner or disponent owner, and the Company, as charterer, have entered into a Time Charter in respect of the Vessel for an initial minimum term of twelve (12) months commencing the date of delivery of the Vessel thereunder which term shall thereafter be extended on an evergreen basis until the Vessel’s withdrawal from the Pool as provided for herein.

 

2.2                               ENTRY OF VESSEL INTO THE POOL

 

The Vessel shall enter the Pool commencing its delivery by the Pool Participant to the Company pursuant to the terms of the Time Charter.

 

ARTICLE III -

 

THE POOL COMMITTEE

 

3.1                               POOL COMMITTEE

 

A pool committee (“Pool Committee”) of the Company has been appointed and vested with exclusive authority to manage the Pool and the Pool Business.

 

The Pool Committee consists of three (3) members, with the Pool Manager being entitled to appoint two (2) members and the Commercial Manager, for so long as the Agency Agreement remains in force and effect, being entitled to appoint one (1) member (collectively, “Pool Committee Members”).

 

The vote or action of a majority of the Pool Committee Members is required for any action or decision of the Pool Committee.

 

2

 

3.2                               BINDING EFFECT OF POOL COMMITTEE DECISIONS

 

Any decision or action by the Pool Committee required to be taken or provided for herein in respect to the Pool, the Pool Business and/or any rights or obligations of the Pool Participant under this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding upon the Pool Participant.

 

ARTICLE IV -

 

WORKING CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS; SUBSEQUENT CALLS

 

4.1                               The Pool Committee shall determine, from time to time and in its sole and absolute discretion, the working capital required for the operation of the Pool and the Pool Participant agrees to provide its allocable share thereof in the proportion that its VCUs bears to the aggregate number of VCUs allocated to all Pool Participants.

 

4.2                               Based on the aggregate number of VCU’s allocated to all Pool Participants as of the date hereof, including those initially allocated to the Pool Participant, the Pool Participant’s initial working capital contribution is equal to the documented value of bunkers upon delivery which shall be paid as per the instructions of the Pool Committee on or promptly after the Vessel’s delivery under the Time Charter.

 

4.3                               Based on the Pool Committee’s determination of required working capital from time to time hereafter, the Pool Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, return to the Pool Participant a portion of its working capital contribution or if financial conditions warrant and if the permitted withholding from the Pool Participant’s EAD under Section 5.3 (a) should prove to be insufficient, call for a further working capital contribution from the Pool Participant based on its allocable share of VCUs and in such case, the Pool Participant shall, within ten (10) days from written demand from the Pool Committee for an additional working capital contribution, be paid as per the instructions of the Pool Committee.

 

4.4                               Within ten (10) days of the effective date of withdrawal of the Vessel from the Pool pursuant to Section 6.2 or Section 6.3, the Company shall repay in full to the Pool Participant all outstanding working capital contribution balances standing in its name.

 

ARTICLE V -

 

EAD, VCUs, AND EAD DISTRIBUTIONS

 

5.1                               EAD

 

Gross Revenues minus Operating Costs which include, but are not limited to, the below mentioned items:

 

(a)                                 (i)                                     freight-rebates, commissions and similar compensations of any kind whatsoever.

 

3

 

(ii)                                  fuel for main- and auxiliary-engines, port disbursements, all pilotage, canal helmsmen, lighthouse dues, mooring, unmooring and tug-assistance, consulate expenses (with the exception of consulate dues for signing on respectively signing off the crew), canal, dock, quay, and tonnage-dues, costs for loading, discharging, lashing, unlashing, securing, unsecuring, trimming, stowing, weighing, tallying, also possible fees for stowage attests and hatch surveys, costs for protecting Owners against cargo damages and sea-protests and all other dues and fees and expenses on ship and/or cargo arising by the employment of the ships in the Pool, as for instance, demurrages on barges and trucks, standby for stevedores as far as same have not been caused by negligence and fault of the ship-operator and/or the Owner and/or the Master/officers/crew, ship watchmen (if compulsory and not ordered by a Pool Vessel) ordered from shore, cost of dunnage, mats, tarpaulins etc., which have been incurred for the protection of the cargo (such costs must be proved).

 

(iii)                               expenses for a possible Supercargo, victualling for pilots, stevedores, agents as well as guests and parties on board as far as such costs are incurred in the interest and for the benefit of the Pool.

 

(iv)                              extra insurance for breaking I.W.L. trading limits and extra war risk insurance.

 

(b)                                 Costs for special equipment and stores can only be claimed in the following cases:

 

(i)                                     hire for special hawsers, ropes and chains, where special port conditions make same necessary for mooring of the Pool Vessel, and only if the material is not on board.

 

(ii)                                  materials necessary for the separation of cargo in the Pool Vessel’s holds, if necessary, as well as for lashing and fastening and securing of cargo loaded on deck.

 

(c)                                  Special expenses which may be charged to a Pool Vessel due to her flag/registry and would not be incurred for the majority of the Pool Participants, would have to be borne by such Pool Vessel as far as these costs exceed the normal costs charged against Pool Vessels of the majority of the Pool Participants.

 

= Net Time Charter Equivalent Revenues               

 

Minus Management Fees Payable to the 
 Commercial Manager and the Pool Manager

 

= Earnings Available for Distribution (EAD)         

 

4

 

5.2                               VCUs

 

The Pool Committee allocates to each Pool Participant entering the Pool a number of Vessel Contribution Units (“VCUs”) based on the VCU Allocation Formula set forth in Schedule C. The Pool Committee with the affirmative vote of Pool Participants allocated at least 75% of VCUs shall have the right to modify such Formula provided that any such modified Formula shall apply prospectively only as to all Pool Participants.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, as the Vessels are currently the only Pool Vessels, each Pool Participant is initially allocated 100 VCUs.

 

It is understood that the Pool Committee will make due adjustment on a pro-rata basis reflecting the actual delivery of the Pool Vessel to the Pool when calculating the VCU for the month in which the Pool Vessel is delivered.

 

VCUs shall be adjusted in respect of each month on the last day of the month in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.4 and 5.5 hereof. The Pool Committee shall calculate and distribute to the Pool Participant its EAD in the proportion that its VCUs bear to the aggregate number of VCUs allocated to all Pool Participants. Losses, if any, of the Pool shall be similarly allocated to and borne by the Pool Participant.

 

5.3                               DISTRIBUTION OF EAD

 

(a)                                 The Pool Committee shall arrange for the distribution and payment of the available EADs on an estimated basis to the Pool Participant monthly in arrears on the last day of each month (and if such day is not a business day, the next business day). Prior to distribution of EAD, the Pool Committee shall at its discretion determine the adequate working capital required for the subsequent period till next distribution of EAD and the Pool Participant’s allocable share thereof shall be withheld from the Pool Participant’s EAD.

 

(b)                                 The Pool Committee shall arrange for the Pool Manager to prepare an accounting reconciliation in respect of every four month period (“Reconciliation Period”), no later than ninety (90) days after the end of the relevant Reconciliation Period. The Pool Manager shall, within four (4) business days following preparation of the accounting reconciliation, distribute and pay to each Pool Participant the amounts of money as a result of the accounting reconciliation.

 

5.4                               ADJUSTMENTS OF VCUs

 

The VCUs shall be adjusted in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(a)                                 If during any month, a Pool Vessel is off-hire for a period in excess of three (3) consecutive hours, the VCU allocated to the Pool Vessel in question shall be reduced on a pro rata basis, as follows:

 

5

 

(i)                                     If during any month, a Pool Vessel is off-hire for a period in excess of three (3) consecutive hours, the VCU allocated to the Pool Vessel in question shall be reduced on a pro rata basis, as follows:

 

Off-hire time as per above during month X 100          
  Total time during the month                                         

 

(ii)                                  A Pool Vessel is considered off-hire if not yet delivered and made available to the Pool, or if out of service due to breakdown, repairs etc.

 

(iii)                               If at any one time during the currency of the Pool, one or more Pool Vessels are improved or downgraded, by installation or de-installation of any equipment or by any special features, and if, as a result of such changes, the VCU allocation formula no longer fairly represents the relative earning capabilities of such Pool Vessels, the Pool Committee shall agree to an appropriate adjustment of the VCUs as among such Pool Vessels and the other Pool Vessels.

 

(iv)                              If for a sustained period of time, circumstances or assumptions utilised in the VCU allocation formula should change substantially, the Pool Committee with the affirmative vote of Pool Participants allocated at least 75% of VCUs shall have the right to revise VCU calculation and adjust the VCUs allocated to each Pool Vessel.

 

5.5                               SPECIAL ADJUSTMENTS OF VCU’S

 

The VCUs shall be adjusted each time that any of the following circumstances occurs:

 

(a)                                 If a Pool Vessel becomes a total or constructive or compromised total loss, as defined in the policy or policies under which such Pool Vessel is insured, the VCUs allocated to the lost Pool Vessel shall be cancelled upon the occurrence of the incident giving rise to such loss. In the event of a total or constructive or compromised total loss, the Pool Participant suffering the loss shall be entitled to receive the insurance proceeds.

 

(b)                                 If a Pool Vessel is added or substituted pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof or withdrawn pursuant to Section 6.2 or Section 6.3 hereof, the VCUs allocated to such added, substituted or withdrawn Pool Vessel shall be appropriately adjusted as determined by the Pool Committee based on the VCU Allocation Formula.

 

6

 

ARTICLE VI -

 

ADDITION, SUBSTITUTION AND WITHDRAWAL OF VESSEL

 

6.1                               ADDITION OR SUBSTITUTION OF VESSEL

 

The Pool Participant may not add a vessel into the Pool or substitute a vessel for its Pool Vessel without the consent of the Pool Committee and the appropriate amendment to this Agreement acceptable to the Pool Committee that reflects such vessel addition or substitution, inclusive of the VCU’s to be allocated to such additional or substituted vessel.

 

6.2                               VESSEL WITHDRAWAL BY POOL PARTICIPANT

 

(a)                                 If the Pool Participant wishes to withdraw its Vessel from the Pool, it shall give at least three (3) months prior written notice of such intention (the “Withdrawal Notice”) to the Pool Committee, specifying the intended date of withdrawal (the “Designated Date”).

 

(b)                                 The Pool Committee shall determine within thirty (30) days from receipt of the Withdrawal Notice whether or not, in its reasonable judgment the contractual Pool commitments of the Company as of receipt of the Withdrawal Notice can be satisfied without the addition of any tonnage to the fleet, if the Vessel were to be withdrawn on the Designated Date and, if not, the earliest date as of which (the “Deferred Date”) the Vessel could be withdrawn without loss or additional expense to the Pool. In the event that the written notice from the Pool Committee indicates a Deferred Date, rather than confirmation and acceptance of the Designated Date, the Pool Participant wishing to withdraw shall be obliged to advise the Pool Committee in writing within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the Pool Committee’s response whether or not it wishes to maintain or withdraw its Withdrawal Notice.

 

(c)                                  In the event that the Vessel is to be released on a Deferred Date, the Pool Committee shall endeavour to cause the release of such Vessel at the earliest opportunity.

 

6.3                               REQUIRED WITHDRAWAL BY POOL COMMITTEE

 

Upon not less than six (6) months prior written notice, the Pool Committee shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion and with or without cause, to require the Pool Participant to withdrawn its Vessel from the Pool.

 

6.4                               TERMINATION UPON WITHDRAWAL

 

Upon withdrawal of the Vessel pursuant to the provisions of this Section, this Agreement shall terminate with respect to the withdrawn Vessel and the Pool Participant as and from the effective date of withdrawal provided, however, such termination shall not in any way affect the rights and obligations of the Pool Participant and its Vessel accruing under this Agreement prior to such effective date of termination.

 

7

 

ARTICLE VII -

 

AUDITS, RECORDS, REPORTS AND REPORTING

 

7.1                               FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

(a)                                 Not later than sixty (60) days after the end of each Year, the Pool Committee shall cause the Pool Manager to furnish to the Pool Participant an annual report of the business and operations of the Pool during such Year.

 

Such report shall contain a copy of the annual financial statement of the Pool showing the Pool’s Gross Revenues and Operating Costs and the Pool’s profit or loss for the Year and all allocations thereof to each Pool Participant, and shall otherwise be in such form and have such content as the Pool Committee may require.

 

(b)                                 The Pool Committee shall cause the Pool Manager to furnish coincidentally with each account reconciliation referred to in Section 5.3 (b) and otherwise from time to time such financial reports as may be requested by the Pool Committee, reflecting in reasonable detail, but in summary form, the results of the operations and the financial situation of the Pool, together with such other information as any Pool Participant may, from time to time, reasonably require.

 

7.2                               ACCESS TO RECORDS AND AUDITS

 

The Pool Participant shall have access to all the financial and operational data held by the Pool Manager concerning the Pool, including any data received from the Commercial Manager, and may in this respect at its expense at any time conduct verification and audit on the premises of the Pool Manager.

 

The above right includes the right to verify the performance of any Pool Vessel of the Pool.

 

ARTICLE VIII -

 

ARBITRATION

 

8.1                               LAW AND JURISDICTION

 

This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of England without regard to conflicts of laws principles.

 

Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof save to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Section 11.

 

The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) Terms current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.

 

8

 

The reference shall be to three arbitrators. A party wishing to refer a dispute to arbitration shall appoint its arbitrator and send notice of such appointment in writing to the other party requiring the other party to appoint its own arbitrator within 14 calendar days of that notice and stating that it will appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator unless the other party appoints its own arbitrator and gives notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified. If the other party does not appoint its own arbitrator and give notice that it has done so within the 14 days specified, the party referring a dispute to arbitration may, without the requirement of any further prior notice to the other party, appoint its arbitrator as sole arbitrator and shall advise the other party accordingly. The award of a sole arbitrator shall be binding on both parties as if he had been appointed by agreement.

 

Nothing herein shall prevent the parties agreeing in writing to vary these provisions to provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator.

 

In cases where neither the claim nor any counterclaim exceeds the sum of fifty thousand U.S. Dollars ($50,000) (or such other sum as the parties may agree) the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure current at the time when the arbitration proceedings are commenced.

 

ARTICLE IX -

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

9.1                               NOTICES

 

Any notice or other information required or permitted to be given by either party hereto under the provisions of this Agreement shall be addressed as follows:

 

(a)                                 If to the Company to:

 

	
Address:
    	
 
    	
c/o General Maritime Corp.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
299   Park Avenue
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
2nd Floor
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
New   York, NY 10171
    
	
Fax   No:
    	
 
    	
+1   212 763 5603
    
	
Attention:
    	
 
    	
Sean   Bradley
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
With a copy to the Commercial Manager
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address:
    	
 
    	
Lawn   House
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
74   Shepherd’s Bush Green
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
London   W12 8QE
    
	
Fax   No:
    	
 
    	
+44   20 8811 8581
    
	
Attention:
    	
 
    	
Matthew   Lambert
    

 

(b)                                 If to the Pool Participant to:

 

9

 

	
Address:
    	
 
    	
General   Maritime Corp.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
299   Park Avenue
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
2nd Floor
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
New   York, NY 10171
    
	
Fax   No:
    	
 
    	
+1   212 763 5603
    
	
Attention:
    	
 
    	
President
    

 

All such notices shall be sent by prepaid courier or by facsimile transmission and shall be written in the English language.

 

Any communication or notice to be made or delivered by one party to another pursuant to this Agreement shall:

 

(i)                                     if sent by facsimile transmission, be deemed to have been received if sent between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm (local time in the place to which it is sent) on a working day in that place, when transmission has been completed or, if sent at any other time, at 9.00 am (local time in the place to which it is sent) on the next working day in that place provided in each case that the party sending the facsimile transmission shall have received a transmission receipt; and

 

(ii)                                  if sent by courier, be deemed to have been delivered three working days (in the place to which it is sent) after being delivered into the custody of a courier in an envelope addressed to it at its address (determined in accordance with this Section 13),

 

Either party may change its address for notices at any time by written notice to the other party in accordance with this provision.

 

9.2                               PROVISIONS SEVERABLE AND PARAMOUNTCY

 

In the event that in any legal proceedings before a competent tribunal, board or commission, in any jurisdiction, it is determined that any section or part thereof or part of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, such section or part thereof or part of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severed from the remainder of this Agreement for purposes only of the legal proceedings in question, and this Agreement shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

 

In the event of any inconsistency or contradiction between this Agreement and any Schedule, this Agreement shall prevail.

 

9.3                               SUCCESSORS

 

This Agreement may not be assigned or transferred by any Party, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the other Parties, which consent may be granted or withheld at the sole discretion of each Party.

 

10

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon and ensure to be the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, executors, administrators and permitted assigns.

 

9.4                               NO PARTNERSHIP OR AGENCY

 

The Parties do not intend to be nor shall they be deemed to be treated as a general partnership or limited partnership, nor shall any of them for any purpose be or be deemed or treated in any way whatsoever to be liable or responsible hereunder as partners. Furthermore, no Party shall have any authority or power to act for or to undertake any obligation or responsibility or incur any liability on behalf of any other Party or otherwise, except as may be specifically provided in this Agreement.

 

9.5                               WAIVERS

 

Any waiver by any Party of any breach of this Agreement by the other Party, shall only be effective if evidenced by an instrument in writing duly executed by such Party and shall not be construed as a continuing waiver of or consent to any subsequent breach of this Agreement by the other Party.

 

9.6                               GENDER AND NUMBER

 

In this Agreement words importing the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa, and words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender.

 

9.7                               HEADINGS

 

Headings used throughout this Agreement are solely for convenience and are not to be used as an aid in the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

9.8                               ENTIRE AGREEMENT

 

Each Party acknowledges that it has read this Agreement, understands and agrees to be bound by its terms and further agrees that this Agreement is the complete and exclusive statement of the agreement between the Parties, which supersede and merge all prior understandings concerning this Pool Agreement.

 

Any sum of money unpaid on its due date shall bear interest at the annual rate of eight percent (8 %), compounded quarterly.

 

9.9                               CONFIDENTIALITY

 

Each Party at all times shall maintain the confidentiality of financial and other information and data which it may obtain through or on behalf of the Pool, the disclosure of which may adversely affect the interests of the Parties, except to the extent that disclosure of all or any part thereof is required by law or is expedient and in the best interest of the Pool. Each Party undertakes to utilise such information or data only for the business of the Pool.

 

11

 

9.10                        CONDITION PRECEDENT

 

This Agreement remains subject to and shall enter into full force and effect upon signing by all Parties.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

12

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties hereto have caused their duly authorized representatives to execute and deliver this Agreement effective as of the date first above mentioned.

 

	
 
    	
UNIQUE   TANKERS LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   John Tavlarios
    
	
 
    	
Name:   John Tavlarios
    
	
 
    	
Title:   Pool Committee Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
/s/   Sean Bradley
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Sean Bradley
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Pool Committee Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
/s/
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Matthew Lambert
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Pool Committee Member
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
GENERAL   MARITIME CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
on   behalf of its vessel-owing subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 1 hereto
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
/s/   Brian Kerr
    
	
 
    	
Name:   BRIAN KERR
    
	
 
    	
Title:   DIRECTOR
    
						

 

13

 

EXHIBIT 1

 

POOL PARTICIPANTS AND VESSELS

 

	
Pool Participant
    	
 
    	
Vessel Name
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
GMR Atlas LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Atlas
    
	
GMR   Hercules LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Hercules
    
	
GMR   Poseidon LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Poseidon
    
	
GMR   Ulysses LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Ulysses
    
	
Victory   Ltd.
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Victory
    
	
Vision   Ltd.
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Vision
    
	
GMR   Zeus Ltd.
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Zeus
    
	
GMR   Argus LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Argus
    
	
GMR   George T LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   George T
    
	
GMR   Hope LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Hope
    
	
GMR   Horn LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Horn
    
	
GMR   Kara G LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Kara G
    
	
GMR   Maniate LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Maniate
    
	
GMR   Orion LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Orion
    
	
GMR   Phoenix LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Phoenix
    
	
GMR   Spartiate LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Spartiate
    
	
GMR   Spyridon LLC
    	
 
    	
Genmar   Spyridon
    

 

 

SCHEDULE “A”- UNIQUE TANKERS POOL PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

In this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

a.                                      “Agency Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the third recital.

 

b.                                      “Agreement” means this agreement, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time by written agreements amongst the Parties.

 

c.                                       “Commercial Manager” has the meaning set forth in the third recital.

 

d.                                      “Deferred Date” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 6.2(b).

 

e.                                       “Designated Date” shall have the meaning provided for in Section 6.2(a).

 

f.                                        “Dollar”, “USD” or “$” means lawful money of the United States of America.

 

g.                                       “EAD” means Earnings Available for Distribution as calculated in accordance with Section 5.1.

 

h.                                      “Gross Revenues” mean all revenues generated from the commercial employment of the Vessels which are properly receivable as operating revenues of the Pool in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including without limitation, freight revenue, charter hire, deadfreight, demurrage, bonuses and any other freight adjustments, and interest earned on funds of the Pool.

 

i.                                          “Net Timecharter Equivalent Revenues” mean the Net Timecharter Equivalent revenues calculated in accordance with Section 5.1.

 

j.                                         “Operating Costs” mean:

 

(i)                                     all costs and expenses incurred by the Company and properly chargeable as operating expenses of the Pool in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(ii)                                  voyage related costs incurred in the commercial operation and employment of the Pool Vessels, commissions, bunkering charges and port/trade costs.

 

(iii)                               “Gross Revenues” which are uncollectable (bad debts).

 

k.                                      “Party” refers to any one of the Company and the Pool Participant and “Parties” refer to them collectively.

 

 

1.                                      “Person” means an individual, corporation, limited partnership, general partnership, syndicate, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organisation, trustee or other legal representative.

 

m.                                  “Pool” has the meaning set forth in the first recital.

 

n.                                      “Pool Business” has the meaning set forth in the second recital.

 

o.                                      “Pool Committee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 

p.                                      “Pool Committee Members” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 

q.                                      “Pool Manager” has the meaning set forth in the fourth recital.

 

r.                                         “Pool Participant” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

s.                                        “Pool Participant” or “Pool Participants” when used generically shall mean all Persons who have Pool Vessels entered in the Pool.

 

t.                                         “Pool Vessel” has the meaning set forth in the first recital.

 

u.                                      “Reconciliation Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3 (b).

 

v.                                      “Time Charter” has the meaning set forth in the first recital.

 

w.                                    “VCUs” mean Vessel Contribution Units allocated to each Pool Participant in accordance with Section 5.2.

 

x.                                      “VCU Valuation Formula” means the formula set forth in Schedule C which contains the business assumptions utilised and the calculations made by the Pool Committee in determining the number of VCUs allocated to each Pool Participant.

 

y.                                      “Vessel” has the meaning set forth in the fifth recital.Exhibit 10.124

VL8 POOL INC.

 

As Company

 

-and-

 

NAVIG8 CRUDE TANKERS 1 INC

 

As Participant

 

 

POOL AGREEMENT

 

 

Relating to Hull No. S768 at

Hyundai Samho Industries Co., Ltd.

 

 

INDEX

 

	
CLAUSE
    	
 
    	
PAGE
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
1
    	
DEFINITIONS
    	
 
    	
1
    
	
2
    	
PURPOSE OF THE POOL — SHARING   OF REVENUES AND LIABILITIES
    	
 
    	
3
    
	
3
    	
PERIOD OF THE VESSEL’S   PARTICIPATION IN THE POOL
    	
 
    	
4
    
	
4
    	
POOL EARNING POINTS
    	
 
    	
4
    
	
5
    	
VESSEL’S POOL EARNINGS   POINTS UPON ENTRY
    	
 
    	
6
    
	
6
    	
TIME CHARTER PARTY
    	
 
    	
6
    
	
7
    	
COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT   AGREEMENT/MANAGEMENT FEE
    	
 
    	
7
    
	
8
    	
DISTRIBUTION
    	
 
    	
8
    
	
9
    	
ACCOUNTING
    	
 
    	
9
    
	
10
    	
WORKING   CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION AND RETENTION
    	
 
    	
10
    
	
11
    	
POOL   COMMITTEE
    	
 
    	
11
    
	
12
    	
CALCULATION   OF POOL NET REVENUE/LOSS; POOL GROSS REVENUE AND POOL EXPENSES
    	
 
    	
12
    
	
13
    	
LAYING   UP
    	
 
    	
14
    
	
14
    	
INSURANCE
    	
 
    	
15
    
	
15
    	
ASSIGNMENT   OF EARNINGS
    	
 
    	
18
    
	
16
    	
WITHDRAWAL/TERMINATION
    	
 
    	
19
    
	
17
    	
SIRE AND OIL MAJOR APPROVALS
    	
 
    	
21
    
	
18
    	
NATURE   OF THE AGREEMENT
    	
 
    	
22
    
	
19
    	
CONFIDENTIALITY
    	
 
    	
23
    
	
20
    	
TOTAL   LOSS
    	
 
    	
23
    
	
21
    	
CHOICE   OF LAW AND JURISDICTION
    	
 
    	
23
    
	
22
    	
LIABILITY   AND INDEMNITY
    	
 
    	
25
    
	
23
    	
NOTICES
    	
 
    	
26
    
	
24
    	
ENTIRE   AGREEMENT
    	
 
    	
27
    
	
25
    	
RIGHTS   OF THIRD PARTIES
    	
 
    	
27
    
	
APPENDIX   1 POOL   EARNINGS POINTS CALCULATION
    	
 
    	
29
    
	
APPENDIX 2 COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
    	
 
    	
30
    
	
APPENDIX   3 TIME CHARTER PARTY
    	
 
    	
31
    
	
APPENDIX   4 STANDARD TIME CHARTER PARTY OF THE POOL
    	
 
    	
32
    

 

 

THIS POOL PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT is entered into on the 17th day of December 2013

 

BETWEEN

 

(1)                                 VL8 Pool Inc, a Marshall Island corporation having its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960                (“the Company”) and

 

(2)                                 Navig8 Crude Tankers 1 Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation having its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960  (“the Participant”)

 

WHEREAS

 

(A)                               The Participant is the buyer and owner of Hull No. S768 at Hyundai Samho Industries Co., Ltd (“the Vessel”);

 

(B)                               The Company and the Participant have agreed that the Vessel should be entered into the pool defined below;

 

(C)                               The Vessel will be entered into the Pool by way of a time charter party between the Company and the Participant; and

 

(D)                               VL8 Management Inc (“the Manager”) shall, on behalf of the Company, be responsible for the marketing and commercial operation of the Vessel in the Pool in accordance with a Commercial Management Agreement dated 1st September 2010.  The Commercial Management Agreement is annexed hereto as Appendix 2.

 

IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:

 

1                                                DEFINITIONS

 

1.1                                      In this Agreement the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Affiliate” :  in respect of any person, means a Subsidiary of that person or a HoldingCompany of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.

 

 

“Holding Company” :  in relation to any person, means any other person, company or corporation in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.

 

“Pool” :  the Pool of VLCC tankers operated by the Company.

 

“Pool Committee”  :  the committee described in Clause 11.

 

“Pool Participants” :  all participant entities having entered into Pool Participation Agreements with the Company.

 

“Pool Vessels” :  vessels entered and delivered into the Pool by Pool Participants.

 

“Quarter Date” :  each of 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October of any year.

 

“Sanctioned Person” :  any person, being an individual, corporation, company, association or government, who is listed as being subject to a sanction, regulation, official embargo or on any ‘Specially Designated Nationals List’ or ‘Blocked Persons’ lists’, or any equivalent lists maintained and imposed by the United Nations, European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury in the United Kingdom or the United States Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

 

“Subsidiary” :  of a person means any other person:

 

(a)         directly or indirectly controlled by such person; or

 

(b)         of whose dividends or distributions on ordinary voting share capital such person is entitled to receive more than 50 per cent.

 

“Technical Committee” :  the committee described in Clause 4.

 

“Time Charter Party” :  the time charter party described in Clause 6.

 

“Third Party” :  a party which is neither a direct or indirect affiliate or subsidiary of or otherwise associated with the Participant.

 

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2                                                PURPOSE OF THE POOL — SHARING OF REVENUES AND LIABILITIES

 

2.1                                      The main objective of the Pool is to enter into arrangements for the commercial employment and operation of the Pool Vessels, arranged by the Company, so as to secure for the Pool Participants the highest earnings per Pool Vessel on the basis of pooling the revenue of the Pool Vessels and dividing it between the Pool Participants on the terms hereof.

 

2.2                                      The Company shall in its own name (as Time Charter Party owner) enter into contracts for the employment of the Pool Vessels.  The Company shall have authority, as Time Charter Party owners, to negotiate and conclude spot charters, consecutive voyage charters, contracts of affreightment and time charters for performance by the Pool Vessels provided that the maximum possible period for time contracts shall not exceed thirteen (13) months, unless otherwise agreed by the Participant, such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld.

 

2.3                                      All revenues earned from the operation of the Pool Vessels shall, after deduction of all costs involved in the operation of the Pool, be shared between the Pool Participants.  The Company accordingly shall not participate in the financial result of the Pool’s activities but only serve as a vehicle for entering into contracts and for the marketing of the Pool.

 

2.4                                      The Pool shall operate as a profit unit, separately from any other activities of the Company.

 

2.5                                      The Company shall be entitled to enter into charters, as charterers, with third party owners or disponent owners (“Third Party Charters”), for the purpose of chartering in vessels from such third party owners or disponent owners (“Third Party Vessels”)  in order to perform any contract entered into by the Company pursuant to the provisions of clause 2.2 hereof  (“Pool Contracts”) and which cannot be performed (whether in whole or in part) by any of the existing Pool Vessels.

 

All Third Party Charters shall, to the extent possible, be for the same period as the Pool Contract that is being covered.

 

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3                                                PERIOD OF THE VESSEL’S PARTICIPATION IN THE POOL

 

3.1                                      The Vessel shall, subject to Clause 16 hereof, be placed at the disposal of the Company for a minimum period of twelve (12) months.

 

4                                                POOL EARNING POINTS

 

4.1                                      The Pool revenues shall be shared according to a distribution key based on Pool earning points allocated to each Pool Vessel (“Pool Earning Points”). The Pool Earning Points allocated to the Vessel shall, as correctly as possible, reflect the relative earning potential of the Vessel compared with the other Pool Vessels.

 

4.2                                      The basis for the calculation of Pool Earning Points is set out in Appendix 1. At the start of each year during January, the Company shall submit to the Pool Committee for its approval a proposal for the revised basis of calculations for the ensuing year commencing on 1 January (the “Annual Calculation Review”). Upon such approval by the Pool Committee, the Company will calculate or, as the case may be, recalculate Pool Earning Points for each Pool Vessel in accordance with the revised principles of calculation which shall take effect for the whole calendar year from 1 January. The approved revised principles of calculation resulting from the Annual Calculation Review shall take effect as the new Appendix 1 to this Agreement with effect from 1 January of the relevant year, replacing the previous year’s version of Appendix 1.

 

4.3                                      The Vessel shall initially be allocated the Pool Earning Points stated in 5.1 below (the “Initial Pool Points”). The Vessel’s performance shall be reviewed by the Technical Committee on the third Quarter Date occurring after the date the Vessel has entered into the Pool (the “Delivery Date”) or, in the event that there is insufficient data on such third Quarter Date, on the fourth Quarter Date occurring after the Delivery Date (the “Initial Performance Review”). The Initial Performance Review will be based on the actual speed and consumption data of the Vessel received since the Delivery Date and the Initial Pool Points will be revised to take into account the results of such review. The results of the Initial Performance Review shall be circulated to the Participant before, and apply on and from, the first Quarter Date falling after the Initial Performance Review date. The new Pool Earnings Points determined from the Initial Performance Review shall apply:

 

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(a)                          retrospectively from the Delivery Date up to (but not including) the third Quarter Date occurring after the Delivery Date as definitive performance-based Pool Earnings Points; and

 

(b)                          provisionally from the third Quarter Date occurring after the Delivery Date for the next three quarter periods until the results of the first Periodic Performance Review (as described in clause 4.4 below) are determined and circulated to the Participant. For the avoidance of doubt, the application of the results of the Initial Performance Review under this sub-paragraph (b) will involve a retrospective Pool Earnings Points adjustment to the first (or in some cases, the first two) of the above three quarter periods,

 

and the Participant’s entitlement to distributions for the above periods following the Initial Performance Review shall be adjusted accordingly.

 

4.4                                      Further on-going performance reviews of the Vessel based on the Vessel’s actual speed and consumption data shall be conducted on the fifth Quarter Date following the Delivery Date and on every second Quarter Date thereafter (each a “Periodical Performance Review”). Each Periodical Performance Review shall be based on the Vessel’s performance data from the previous twelve (12) months and following such review, the Vessel’s Pool Earnings Points shall be revised to take into account the results of such review. The results of each Periodical Performance Review shall be circulated to the Participant before, and apply on and from, the first Quarter Date falling after such Periodical Performance Review date. The new Pool Earnings Points determined from each Periodical Performance Review shall apply:

 

(a)                          retrospectively for the two quarter periods ending on (but not including) the relevant Periodical Performance Review date as definitive performance-based Pool Earnings Points; and

 

(b)                          provisionally for the next three quarter periods following such Periodical Performance Review date until the results of the next Periodic Performance

 

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Review are determined and circulated to the Participant. For the avoidance of doubt, the application of the results of such Periodical Performance Review under this sub-paragraph (b) will involve a retrospective Pool Earnings Points adjustment to the first of the above three quarter periods,

 

and the Participant’s entitlement to distributions for the above periods following each Periodical Performance Review shall be adjusted accordingly.

 

4.5                                      The Technical Committee shall consist of one member nominated by the Manager and one member elected by the Company every year.

 

5                                                VESSEL’S POOL EARNINGS POINTS UPON ENTRY

 

5.1                                      At the time that the Vessel enters into the Pool, [TBC] Pool Earning Points shall be allocated to the Vessel.

 

6                                                TIME CHARTER PARTY

 

6.1                                      The Participant/the Vessel shall at any and all times during the term of this Agreement comply with the conditions, terms and warranties expressed or implied in this Agreement and in the Time Charter Party which shall be deemed to be an integral part of this Agreement. The terms of the main Pool Participation Agreement shall prevail if a conflict should arise in the interpretation of the terms of the main Pool Participation Agreement and the terms of the Time Charter Party.

 

6.2                                      When a Participant enters a Vessel into the Pool where the Participant is the owner or the bareboat charterer of the Vessel then the time charter party between the Company and the Participant shall be in the form attached hereto at Appendix 4.

 

6.3                                      When a Participant enters a Vessel in the Pool where the Participant has the Vessel on time charter then the time charter party between the Company and the Participant shall be on back-to-back terms with the terms of the time charter between the Participant and the Vessel’s owners or disponent owners subject always to the cover page of Appendix 3.

 

6

 

6.4                                      The charter party entered into between the Company and the Participant, whether pursuant to clause 6.2 or clause 6.3 above, shall be the Time Charter Party.  In the event that the Time Charter Party departs from the standard time charter terms of the Pool (attached hereto as Appendix 4) and such variations, in the opinion of the Pool Committee, have an effect on the earning potential of the Vessel, then such difference shall be reflected in the Pool Earning Points allocated to the Vessel.

 

6.5                                      Where the Participant is not the head owner of the Vessel, the Participant is obliged to notify the Company in advance and as soon as practicable of any planned change of Vessel ownership or technical management further up the charter chain for the Vessel. For the avoidance of doubt, any such change of Vessel ownership or technical management shall not affect any of the terms of this Agreement, including the Time Charter Party.

 

6.6                                      All time under the Time Charter Party shall be recorded in GMT.

 

7                                                COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT/MANAGEMENT FEE

 

7.1                                      The Company has entered into a Commercial Management Agreement with VL8 Management Inc (“the Manager”). The Commercial Management Agreement is annexed hereto as Appendix 2.  The Company shall pay a management fee to the Manager (“the Management Fee”) in consideration of the services rendered by the Manager under the Commercial Management Agreement and an administration fee to the Manager (“the Administration Fee”).

 

7.2                                      The Management Fee shall be one point two five percent (1.25%) commission on all income received under all contracts (voyage charters, consecutive voyage charters, contracts of affreightment and time charters) entered into for the account of the Company in relation to the Vessel (apart from the time charters which form part of the Pool Participation Agreement).  The commission shall be calculated by reference to and upon all hire, freight, deadfreight and demurrage collected on such transactions.

 

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7.3                                      The Administration Fee shall be three hundred and twenty five dollars ($325) per day during the term of this Agreement in relation to the Vessel and the Administration Fee shall be payable on a monthly basis in arrears at the end of the first week of each month.

 

8                                                DISTRIBUTION

 

8.1                                      The Company shall invoice and collect all hire, freight, demurrage and other revenues due as a result of the Pool activities.  The Company will, on behalf of the Pool, pay all expenses payable by it as the Charterer under the Time Charter Party and pay the Management Fee and Administration Fee. The resulting Net Pool Revenue (as determined in accordance with Clause 12) shall be distributed as time charter hire to each Pool Participant in accordance with the Pool Earning Points of the individual Pool Vessels, adjusted for any off-hire, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

8.2                                      Distribution of time charter hire shall be made on a provisional basis, calculated on the basis outlined in Clause 12 hereof within the first week of each month. The provisional distribution to be based on the period up to the end of the previous month. The Participant’s entitlement to receive such provisional hire shall always be subject to the cash flow requirements of the Company.

 

8.3                                      The Company shall every quarter furnish the Participant with a provisional report on the financial result of the operation of the Pool for the preceding quarter and the Vessel’s earnings shall be adjusted taking into account the provisional monthly hire payments and the Vessel’s actual operating days in the Pool.

 

8.4                                      Further, the Company shall, not later than six (6) months after the end of its financial year (31 March) present to the Participant audited final accounts for the preceding financial year.

 

8.5                                      In the event that there is a breach by the Participant of its obligations under this Agreement (including the Time Charter Party), the Company has the right to set off an amount equal to the damages that the Company has incurred as a result of such breach

 

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against the distributions payable by the Company under clauses 8.1 and 8.2 or any working capital that is repayable by the Company under clause 10.

 

9                                                ACCOUNTING

 

9.1                                      The Manager shall keep such records and accounts as shall be necessary or appropriate for the proper operation of the Pool, including such accounts as shall be necessary for the calculation of distributions.

 

9.2                                      The Manager shall maintain systems of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are properly executed sufficient to meet the requirements of an independent audit performed in accordance with International Auditing Standards.

 

9.3                                      The Manager shall no later than the 30th day following the end of each quarter, prepare and distribute to each Pool Participant unaudited accounts for the Pool (the “Pool Accounts”) and for each Pool Vessel for the period from 1 April to the end of the relevant quarter.  These quarterly, unaudited Pool Accounts shall include aggregate quarterly accounts with separate calculations made for each quarter.

 

9.4                                      The quarterly Pool Accounts must show:

 

(a)                          Net Pool Revenue and the total distributions made to Pool Participants to date;

 

(b)                          Time charter equivalent income for all voyages and charters performed by each Pool Vessel;

 

(c)                           The balance on the Company Bank Account and an appropriate reconciliation statement;

 

(d)                          Outstanding freight/demurrage due in respect of contracts performed by Pool Vessels;

 

(e)                           Off hire days for each Pool Vessel monthly and year to date;

 

9.5                                      The Pool Accounts will be maintained in United States Dollars

 

9

 

9.6                                      Messrs Moore Stephens or other major international accounting firm, on an annual basis, will audit the Pool’s books, including distributions.  Audited reports will be distributed to all Pool Participants.  All Pool records are available for review by each Pool Participant at the offices of the Manager.

 

9.7                                      At the request of the Participant the Company shall make available to an auditor nominated by the Participant all accounts and supporting documents required to verify the correct distribution of revenues to the Participant

 

10                                         WORKING CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION AND RETENTION

 

10.1                               The Participant shall, upon delivery of the Vessel under the Time Charter Party deposit in the Company’s account a working capital for the Vessel.  The working capital shall be determined by the Company and shall be $1,750,000, being the equivalent of the market value of thirty five (35) days of average bunker consumption for the Vessel together with the estimated costs and disbursements associated with three (3) port calls. Where there are bunkers on board the Vessel on delivery of the Vessel by the Participant to the Company, the value of the bunkers (based on last prices paid by the Participant on a first-in, first-out basis as evidenced by supporting invoices and bunker delivery receipts) shall be set-off against the working capital to be paid by the Participant to the Company.

 

Such working capital shall be repaid to the Participant after the termination of the Vessel’s participation in the Pool. An amount sufficient to cover possible reduced distribution to the Participant following adjustments of the provisional distribution of time charter hire shall nevertheless be withheld until final accounts are available. Where there are bunkers on board the Vessel on redelivery of the Vessel by the Company to the Participant, the value of the bunkers (based on last prices paid by the Company on a first-in, first-out basis as evidenced by supporting invoices and bunker delivery receipts) shall be set-off against the working capital to be repaid by the Company to the Participant.

 

10.2                               In the event that that the cashflow position of the Company, as determined by the Manager and the Pool Committee, is insufficient to allow the Company to perform its

 

10

 

commercial commitments, then the Pool Committee shall be entitled to call for and be paid a further contribution to the working capital of the Company.  The Participants shall contribute such further contribution to the Company within ten (10) days of receipt of the Pool Committee’s written call, which contribution shall be refunded as soon as the company’s financial resources permit as determined by the Manager.

 

11                                         POOL COMMITTEE

 

11.1                               The Pool Committee shall consist of one (1) representative for each Pool Participant, three (3) representatives appointed by the Company and two (2) representatives of the Manager.  The two (2) representatives of the Manager shall not have the right to vote.

 

11.2                               Each Pool Participant shall have a number of votes corresponding to the number of Pool Vessels controlled by such Pool Participant.

 

11.3                               Members of the Pool Committee are elected for a one (1) year period.  If a member of the Pool Committee is a representative of a Pool Participant who no longer has a Pool Vessel in the Pool, such member shall automatically cease to be a member of the Pool Committee.

 

11.4                               The Pool Committee shall have the authority to make decisions in respect of the following matters as well as in respect of other matters put before by the Company:

 

(a)                          approval of the basis for the calculation of Pool Earning Points;

 

(b)                          call further contributions to the working capital of the Company in accordance with Clause 10.2;

 

11.5                               The Pool Committee shall meet at least once a year.  The Pool Committee meeting can take place by teleconference as well as by physical meetings.  Representatives to the Pool Committee shall be entitled to participate through proxies.

 

11.6                               All decisions requiring the approval of the Pool Committee shall be taken on the basis of a simple majority of votes casted (excluding abstentions).

 

11

 

12                                         CALCULATION OF POOL NET REVENUE/LOSS; POOL GROSS REVENUE AND POOL EXPENSES

 

12.1                               The Net Pool Revenue shall be equal to the Gross Pool Revenue (as detailed in Clause 12.2) less the Pool Expenses (as detailed in Clause 12.3) and subject to the adjustments described in Clause 12.4.

 

12.2                               The Gross Pool Revenues consist of:

 

(a)                          each Pool Vessel’s total voyage income (including without limitation freight, deadfreight and demurrage);

 

(b)                          all freight, deadfreight, demurrage, charter hire or any other amount received for the Pool Vessels fixed on charters and any loss of hire insurance proceeds paid in respect of any of the Pool Vessels;

 

(c)                           all freight, deadfreight, demurrage, charter hire or any other amount received by the Company in respect of Third Party Vessels;

 

(d)                          currency exchange gains;

 

(e)                           interest earned on funds held in the Company’s bank accounts or otherwise arising from the commercial operation of the Pool Vessels;

 

(f)                            any damages or other amounts received in settlement of any claims relating to performance of any contracts of employment by Pool Vessels or vessels chartered in;

 

(g)                           any voyage expenses related rebates;

 

(h)                          any savings or rebates;

 

(i)                              Pool’s share of any salvage money.

 

12.3                               The Pool Expenses consist of:

 

12

 

(a)                          each Pool Vessel’s total voyage expenses, including, without limitation, agents, tugs, port expenses, wharfage, bunker, canal fees, voyage related COFR expenses, additional war risk premium etc;

 

(b)                          all freight, deadfreight, demurrage, charter hire or any other amount paid by the Company under or in respect of Third Party Charters;

 

(c)                           all commissions or brokerage payable in respect of all fixtures, charter parties and contracts of affreightment concluded on behalf of the Company;

 

(d)                          all legal fees and any other out of pocket expenses whatsoever incurred by the Pool, the Company and the Manager in connection with the commercial operation and management of the Pool;

 

(e)                           all fees, costs and expenses whatsoever incurred by the Pool and/or the Company, and/or by the Manager on behalf of the Pool and/or the Company, including, but not limited to, fees and expenses of independent consultants, professional advisors and representatives, supercargo, port captains, surveyors, superintendents or other specialists, whom the Manager may deem desirable to be employed from time to time in connection with the commercial operation of the Pool;

 

(f)                            any insurance premium payable by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Clause 14;

 

(g)                           all payments made by the Company pursuant to Clause 14.4 hereof;

 

(h)                          provisions for contingencies in respect of any amount in dispute and/or doubtful in recovery;

 

(i)                              any other expenses and charges whatsoever incurred by the Company and the Manager or in respect of any Pool Vessel or any chartered-in vessel for the Pool’s purposes directly and indirectly to the management, administration and operation of the Pool;

 

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(j)                             external auditor’s fees for review of the Company Accounts as provided in his Agreement;

 

(k)                          remuneration payable to the Manager pursuant to Clause 7;

 

(l)                              currency exchange losses;

 

(m)                      interest and bank charges/commissions payable on the Company’s bank accounts.

 

12.4                               The Net Pool Revenues shall be adjusted by the Company to take account of, or make provisions for, the following:

 

(a)                          results of voyages in progress;

 

(b)                          amounts of voyage revenues earned by the Pool Vessels but not yet received;

 

(c)                           apportionment of prepaid expenses not included in the voyages expenses as detailed hereof and of expenses paid after the relevant accounting period and attributable in whole or in part to such accounting period;

 

(d)                          retention to cover claims in progress;

 

(e)                           adequate provisions for any outstanding or contingent liability or obligation that would be considered (when accrued) as a Pool Expense.

 

12.5                               Any and all taxes and dues on the vessel and on payments to the Participant under this Agreement are to be for the Participant’s account and settled directly by it, save for taxes and dues which are solely in the nature of voyage expenses.

 

13                                         LAYING UP

 

13.1                               The Company subject to the approval of the Pool Committee may decide to lay up the Vessel (and other Pool Vessels) if market conditions justify such a decision.  If the Vessel is laid up, the Participant shall receive hire according to the Vessel’s Pool Earning Points

 

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but with a reduction for any net savings that the Participant may reasonably be expected to obtain as a result of the Vessel being laid up.

 

14                                         INSURANCE

 

14.1                               The Participant shall maintain P&I cover for the Vessel insured in a manner acceptable to the Company.

 

14.2                               The Company will take out legal defence cover with a defence club acceptable to the Pool Committee.

 

14.3                               The Company shall take out P&I charterer’s liability insurance and such other insurances as it may from time to time consider to be appropriate.

 

14.4                               In the event that the Vessel is required to transit through areas within the Gulf of Aden or the Indian Ocean which are covered by the current Joint War Committee listings (together, the “Risk Areas”), the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)                          subject to clause 14.4(j), all Pool Vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden will transit under the first available naval convoy. Vessels remain on hire during waiting time;

 

(b)                          subject to clause 14.4(j), in case the Participant requires the Vessel to transit under a specific naval-led convoy, the Vessel will remain on-hire for a maximum of 24 hours waiting time.  Thereafter all waiting time to be off-hire and bunkers consumed during such time to be for Participants’ account;

 

(c)                           the Company will arrange for insurance cover for KnR (kidnap and ransom) on behalf of the Participant with a cap of USD 8 million for each transit undertaken by the Vessel through the Risk Areas.  Any additional KnR cover required by the Participant shall be arranged by the Participant, at its cost;

 

(d)                          the Company will arrange for insurance cover for loss of hire on behalf of the Participant for each transit undertaken by the Vessel through the Risk Areas for a maximum ninety (90) day period at a daily rate equal to the average Pool return

 

15

 

for the previous calendar month. Any additional loss of hire cover required by the Participant shall be arranged by the Participant, at its cost;

 

(e)                           crew bonuses are reimbursable and will be paid by the Company up to 100% of the crew’s basic wages, per transit for the full crew (including officers), in line with the IBF MOA/ ITF Agreements, for a period limited to the number of days of transit through the IBF High Risk Area and if applicable, the IBF Extended Risk Zone. Any additional crew bonus paid ex-gratia by the Participant shall be for the Participant’s account;

 

(f)                            the Participant shall take out the Additional war risk cover for the Vessel, and provide necessary invoices and proof of payment to the Company for reimbursement by the Company to the Participant. The Participant shall procure discounts from their war risk underwriters for the fact that kidnap and ransom and loss of hire insurance have been taken out separately and if applicable, to take into account the presence of armed or unarmed guards on board the Vessel and other Vessel hardening measures undertaken for the Risk Area transit;

 

(g)                           the Company shall reimburse the Participant towards all or part of the cost of razor wire to be acquired by the Participant and utilised on the Vessel during the Risk Area transit, up to a limit of US$3,500, subject to the Participant providing necessary invoices and proof of payment;

 

(h)                          the Participant shall have the option of taking armed guards on the Vessel for Risk Area transits, subject to the conditions set out in clauses 14.4(i) and 14.4(j). If the Participant so wishes to take armed guards, the Company will arrange for the appointment of and pay for the cost of the armed guards on behalf of the Participant. In the case that the Participant insists on using a different armed guards service from that of the Company’s preferred provider, then the Company agrees to reimburse the cost of the armed guards but such reimbursement shall be limited to the price that could have been obtained from using the Company’s preferred armed guards service provider. The reimbursement of the cost of the

 

16

 

Participant’s own armed guards is subject to the Participant providing the necessary invoices and proof of payment;

 

(i)                              all waiting time and deviation for picking up and dropping off armed guards shall be for the account of the Company provided that the Company receives approval from the Participant for the use of the Company’s preferred armed guards service provider or confirmation of appointment of the Participant’s own choice of other armed guards service provider promptly and in a timely manner so as not to cause delay to the Vessel’s itinerary;

 

(j)                             the conditions for armed guards being taken on the Vessel for a Risk Area transit, are that:

 

(i)                                     if transiting the Gulf of Aden, the Vessel shall not wait for any naval convoy and shall proceed directly or transit with the first available MSCHOA grouped transit or naval convoy, whichever is earlier;

 

(ii)                                  the Vessel shall adopt a direct route through the Risk Areas, but always keeping a minimum distance of 300 nautical miles away from the East Somalian coast. However, if Master reasonably believes Vessel is at real imminent risk of attack, Vessel may deviate from this direct route to the extent necessary to avoid such risk; and

 

(iii)                               it is agreed that no armed guards are required to be taken on board the vessel for any transits going from the southern tip of India to the Arabian Gulf (or vice versa) which hug the Western Indian, Pakistani and Gulf of Oman coastlines.

 

Any waiting time or deviation in contravention of the conditions for the taking of armed guards set out in this paragraph (j) shall be off-hire and for the Participant’s account;

 

17

 

(k)                          it is further agreed that the Participant / Vessel will follow and implement the latest edition of BMP when in or transiting the Risk Areas;

 

(l)                              other than as set out in the above paragraphs of this clause 14.4, the Company will not cover for any other security or additional insurance measures adopted by the Participants; and

 

(m)                      the above provisions of this clause 14.4 are based on the current situation in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, and this will be subject to review as and when the situation changes.

 

14.5                               If the Vessel is seized by pirates and the Vessel remains detained after ninety (90) days,  the Vessel shall be off-hired under this Agreement from the ninety-first (91st) day after the seizure and subject to clause 16.3, shall be put on-hire again once the Vessel is released and is made available to the Company in the same position as when the Vessel was seized.

 

14.6                               If additional war risk premium and crew bonus is paid out by the Participant in connection with an employment contract undertaken by the Vessel then subject to the other terms of this Agreement and the Time Charter Party, the Company will reimburse the Participant for the additional war risk premium and crew bonus at the next due pool distribution date, provided all relevant requirements in the Time Charter Party have been complied with and all relevant invoices and other requested documents have been submitted in good time by the Participant. However such reimbursement shall be done on the basis that the Company reserves its rights to reverse the reimbursement should the costs of the additional war risk premium and crew bonus be disputed and/or rejected by the sub-charterers under the relevant employment contract pursuant to which such costs were incurred.

 

15                                         ASSIGNMENT OF EARNINGS

 

15.1                               The earnings of the Pool may not be assigned by the Participant. The Participant may only assign the earnings distributed by the Pool pertaining to the Vessel.

 

18

 

16                                         WITHDRAWAL/TERMINATION

 

16.1                               The Vessel shall remain in the Pool for a minimum period of twelve (12) months from the date of delivery under the Time Charter Party subject only to the terms of this Clause.  The Participant and the Company shall be entitled to withdraw the Vessel from the Pool and terminate this Agreement by giving ninety (90) days’ notice, plus or minus thirty (30) days in the Company’s option, in writing to the other at any time after the expiry of the initial ten (10) month period that the Vessel is in the Pool, provided always that the Participant shall not be entitled to withdraw the Vessel from the Pool and terminate this Agreement until any contract entered into by the Company in respect of the Vessel (other than the Time Charter Party) has been fulfilled.  .  In such circumstances the termination notice shall take effect as expiring upon fulfilment of such contractual obligations.

 

16.2                               Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 16.1 above, the Participant shall be entitled to withdraw the Vessel from the Pool and to terminate this Agreement during the first twelve (12)  months in the following circumstances:

 

(a)                          in the event that the Participant has agreed a firm sale of the Vessel to a Third Party.  In such circumstances, subject to (c) below, the Participant shall be entitled to withdraw the Vessel upon giving ninety (90) days’ notice, plus or minus thirty (30) days in the Company’s option, in writing to the Company;

 

(b)                          the Manager may, on behalf of the Company, and in its sole discretion, waive the requirement for a ninety (90) day notice provided for in (a) above.

 

(c)                           the Participant shall not be entitled to withdraw the Vessel from the Pool and terminate this Agreement, pursuant to (a) above, until any contract entered into by the Company in respect of the Vessel (other than the Time Charter Party) has been fulfilled.

 

16.3                               The Company may terminate this Agreement and the Vessel’s participation in the Pool with immediate effect by notice in writing to the Participant if any one of the following situations has arisen:

 

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(a)                          the Vessel has been off-hire for periods totalling more than thirty (30) days over the last six (6) months;

 

(b)                          the Vessel’s or Participant’s performance of its tasks under the contract for which it has been used or its application or non-application of standard industry practices is, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, below the standard required (i) to maintain the reputation of the Pool/Company or (ii) to enable the Company to perform the contractual obligations towards the customers of the Pool/Company and to do so in an adequate and economic manner;

 

(c)                           the Vessel is, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, commercially untradeable to a significant proportion of the oil major company customers of the Pool/Company for any reason;

 

(d)                          the Participant is in breach with respect to its obligations under this Agreement (including the terms of the Time Charter Party) and the breach is of a nature which, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, warrants a cancellation of this Agreement;

 

(e)                           the Participant is insolvent and/or is subject to debt negotiations, bankruptcy and/or similar proceedings and/or is unable to or admits its inability to pay its debts as they fall due;

 

(f)                            except where clause 14.4 applies, the Vessel is captured, arrested, detained or confiscated and the Participant has not, within a period of fifteen (15) days in receipt of notification in writing from the Company thereof, remedied such situation;

 

(g)                           if the Participant or any of its Affiliates becomes a Sanctioned Person during the course of this Agreement; and

 

(h)                          if the Vessel is no longer controlled (whether by way of ownership or charter) by the Participant.

 

20

 

16.4                               Any termination of this Agreement and withdrawal of the Vessel from the Time Charter Party shall be without prejudice to any and all rights and obligations of the parties hereto attributable to such termination or withdrawal or to any event, circumstance or period, prior to the effective date of such termination or withdrawal or to any rights and obligations which survive such termination or withdrawal in accordance with this Agreement.

 

17                                         SIRE AND OIL MAJOR APPROVALS

 

17.1                               If at any time while the Vessel is at the disposal of the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the Vessel:

 

(a)                          ceases to have at least one positive hydrocarbon discharge port SIRE report not more than six (6) months old from one of (1) BP, (2) Total, (3) Shell, (4) ChevronTexaco, (5) Statoil and (6) Exxonmobil (a “Valid Sire Report”); and/or

 

(b)                          is not approved for any reason by three (3) or more of (1) BP, (2) Total, (3) Shell, (4) ChevronTexaco, (5) Statoil and (6) ExxonMobil (the “Oil Majors”),

 

then the Company shall have the discretion to deduct fifteen (15) Pool Earning Points from the Vessel with immediate effect for the duration that paragraphs (a) and/or (b) are applicable.

 

17.2                               For the purposes of this clause 17:

 

(a)                          a SIRE report is “positive” if there are no major non-conformities (as considered by OCIMF members) in respect of the Vessel mentioned in the SIRE report; and

 

(b)                          the Vessel is “not approved” by an Oil Major if the Vessel is, for whatever reason, rejected or not accepted, approved or preferred by an Oil Major for a prospective voyage charter or other vessel employment.

 

21

 

17.3                               If the Vessel has more than one hydrocarbon discharge port SIRE report not more than six (6) months old, then only the latest such SIRE report shall count for the purposes of this clause 17 and all such earlier SIRE reports shall be disregarded.

 

17.4                               If the Vessel is a newbuilding and has obtained a BP Newbuilding Questionnaire and a Shell Idle Inspection, the Company shall have no discretion to deduct Pool Earning Points in accordance with this clause 17 during the first three (3) months after delivery of the Vessel to the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

 

17.5                               If the Vessel does not have a Valid Sire Report and/or is not approved for any reason by three (3) or more Oil Majors because the Vessel has been trading in an area where SIRE inspectors are unwilling to visit, the Participant is obliged to arrange for a hydrocarbon discharge port SIRE inspection at the first opportunity that the Vessel is in a discharge port where SIRE inspectors are willing to visit (a “First Opportunity SIRE Inspection”). If the Participant complies with its obligation to arrange a First Opportunity SIRE Inspection, there shall be a grace period until twenty one (21) days after the date of the First Opportunity SIRE Inspection before the Company can exercise its discretion to deduct Pool Earning Points in accordance with this clause 17.

 

17.6                               Save where the Participant is in compliance with its obligations under clause 17.5, if the Vessel does not have a Valid Sire Report and/or is not approved for any reason by three (3) or more Oil Majors for a period of over forty five (45) days, the Company may terminate this Agreement and the Vessel’s participation in the Pool by giving twenty (20) days notice in writing to the Participant.

 

18                                         NATURE OF THE AGREEMENT

 

18.1                               This Agreement shall not constitute or give rise to any partnership between the Participant and the Company or other Pool Participants.   The Participant shall under no circumstances be responsible for the debt of any other Pool Participant nor (except as specifically provided for in this Agreement) for the debt of the Company.

 

22

 

18.2                               The Participant shall have no rights in respect of goodwill or other tangible or intangible assets of the Company apart from what is specifically stipulated in this Agreement.

 

19                                         CONFIDENTIALITY

 

19.1                               This Agreement including all terms, details, conditions, and period is to be kept private and confidential and beyond the reach of any third party, with the exception of the lending banks of the Participant or the Participant’s agents.  The terms and conditions of this Agreement are for the sole use of the parties to this Agreement and are not to be copied or used for any other purpose without the express written consent of the Pool.

 

20                                         TOTAL LOSS

 

20.1                               In the event of a total loss or constructive total loss of the Vessel, the Vessel’s participation in the Pool shall be deemed to be terminated at noon on the day of her loss or, should the Vessel be missing, at noon on the day on which she was last heard of.

 

21                                         CHOICE OF LAW AND JURISDICTION

 

21.1                               This Agreement is governed by and shall be interpreted in accordance with English law.

 

21.2                               All disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred to arbitration in London.  The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with one of the following London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association (“LMAA”) Rules:

 

(a)                          where the amount claimed by the claimants is less than United States Dollars Two hundred and fifty thousand (US$250,000), excluding interest, the reference shall be to a sole arbitrator and the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA FALC Rules;

 

(b)                          where the amount claimed by the claimants is less than United States Dollars Fifty thousand (US$50,000), excluding interest, the reference shall be to a sole arbitrator and the arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the LMAA Small Claims Procedure;

 

23

 

(c)                           in any case where the LMAA procedures referred to above do not apply, the reference shall be to three arbitrators (one to be appointed by each of the parties and the third by the arbitrators so chosen) in accordance with the LMAA terms in force at the relevant time.

 

21.3                               In respect of clause 20.2(c), if either of the appointed arbitrators refuses to act or is incapable of acting, the party who appointed him shall appoint a new arbitrator in his place. If one party fails to appoint an arbitrator, whether originally or by substitution for two weeks after the other party, having appointed his arbitrator, has (by fax or letter) called upon the defaulting party to make the appointment, the President for the time being of the London Maritime Arbitrators’ Association shall, upon application of the other party, appoint an arbitrator on behalf of the defaulting party and that arbitrator shall have the like powers to act in the reference and make an award (and, if the case so requires, the like duty in relation to the appointment of a third arbitrator) as if he had appointed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

21.4                               In the event of such a dispute arising a party may first seek settlement by  mediation in accordance with the LCIA Mediation Procedure then in force provided that

 

(a)                          Both parties by mutual consent may proceed to mediation in accordance with Article 1 LCIA Mediation Procedure;

 

(b)                          a party shall lose the right to elect for mediation if, after receipt of a written notice of dispute from the other party specifying the nature of the dispute and referring to this clause, it fails to send to the LCIA Registrar (copied to the other party) a Request for Mediation within 14 days of receipt of such notice;

 

(c)                           if a Request for Mediation is made neither party may decline mediation, save by mutual agreement

 

(d)                          the mediator shall be experienced in the commercial field with not less than (5) years experience of adjudicating in international oil trading disputes;

 

24

 

(e)                           in the event the mediator convenes a meeting the attending representative of each party shall have plenipotentiary power to settle the dispute, and neither party may be accompanied or represented by a practicing barrister.

 

22                                         LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY

 

22.1                               The Company shall be under no liability to the Participant for any loss, damage, delay or expense, of whatsoever nature, whether direct or indirect, including but not limited to loss of profit arising out of or in connection with detention of or delay to the Vessel, howsoever arising, in the course of performance of, or otherwise in connection with, this Agreement.

 

22.2                               The Participant shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company in respect of all liabilities howsoever incurred by it in the performance of its obligations hereunder or others arising in connection with this Agreement.

 

22.3                               Himalaya. It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Company shall be under any liability to the Participant for any loss, damage, delay, neglect or default on his part while acting in the course of or in connection with his employment and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions of this clause 22.3, every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Company or to which the Company is entitled hereunder, shall also be available as shall extend to protect every such employee or agent of the Company acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions of this Article 22, the Company is or shall be deemed to be acting as agent or trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of all persons who are or might be his servants or agents from time to time and all such persons shall to this extent be or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement.

 

22.4                               Save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, neither the Participant nor the Company shall be under any liability under this Agreement for any failure to perform any of their obligations hereunder by reason of any cause whatsoever of any nature or kind beyond

 

25

 

their reasonable control (“Force Majeure”) PROVIDED that to the extent that any failure by the Participant or the Company is attributable to any event or circumstance affecting, or any act or omission of, a third party who is a person linked by a contract or a chain of contracts to the Participant or the Company, the Participant or the Company shall be relieved from liability only to the extent that such third party is affected by events or circumstances which would qualify as Force Majeure under this Agreement if such that third party were itself the Participant or the Company. Relief under this clause 22.4 shall cease to be available to the Participant or the Company if it fails to exercise reasonable care to overcome or circumvent such Force Majeure.

 

23                                         NOTICES

 

23.1                               Notices or other communications under or with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or shall be sent by mail, telefax or email to the parties at their respective addresses set forth below or to such other address as to which notice is given:

 

To the Participant:

 

Navig8 Crude Tankers 1 Inc

 

c/o President, Navig8 Crude Tankers Inc,

 

One Gorham Island Suite 101,

 

Westport, CT 06880,

 

USA

 

To the Company:

 

VL8 Pool Inc.

 

Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road,

 

26

 

Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960

 

Attn to: Jason Klopfer

 

Telefax: +44 (0)20 7467 5867

 

Email: notices@navig8group.com

 

Pool withdrawal notices should also be emailed to:

 

ops@navig8group.com

 

Notice shall be deemed given upon sending except for notice by mail which shall be deemed given upon receipt.

 

24                                         ENTIRE AGREEMENT

 

24.1                               This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties and supersedes any previous agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement.  Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that in entering into this Agreement it does not rely on any pre-contractual representation and/or statement whether in writing or in words.

 

24.2                               This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such separate counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

25                                         RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES

 

25.1                               Save as expressly provided in this Agreement, no terms of this Agreement shall be enforceable by a third party, being any person other than the parties hereto and their permitted successors and assignees.  The provisions of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 shall accordingly not apply to this Agreement.

 

27

 

IN WITNESS the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement the day and year first above written.

 

	
SIGNED by
    	
)
    	
/s/ Philip A.   Stone
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
Philip A. Stone
    
	
on behalf of NAVIG8 CRUDE TANKERS 1 INC
    	
)
    	
 
    	
Director
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SIGNED by
    	
)
    	
/s/ Peder J. Moller
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
Peder J. Moller
    
	
on behalf of VL8 POOL INC
    	
)
    	
 
    	
Director
    
					

 

28

 

APPENDIX 1

 

POOL EARNINGS POINTS CALCULATION

 

29

 

APPENDIX 2

 

COMMERCIAL MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

 

30

 

APPENDIX 3

 

TIME CHARTER PARTY

 

[NOT APPLICABLE]

 

THE FOLLOWING FIXTURE CONCLUDED AS PER DETAILS BELOW:

 

	
CHARTER   PARTY DATE:
    	
[     ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
DISPONENT   OWNER:
    	
[     ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
CHARTERERS:
    	
VL8 POOL INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
VESSEL:
    	
[     ]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
HIRE RATE:
    	
Zero Hire but without prejudice to VL8 Pool   Inc’s obligation to pay distributions to the Disponent Owner in accordance   with clause 8 of the Pool Agreement for the Vessel.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
LAYCAN:
    	
[     ]
    

 

All other terms and conditions as per head tcp dated  [              ] between [    ] and [              ] (as attached) with logical amendments.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Owner/Disponent owner
    	
 
    	
Charterers
    

 

31

 

APPENDIX 4

 

STANDARD TIME CHARTER PARTY OF THE POOL

 

32

 

Schedule of Substantially Identical Issuer Contracts Omitted

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 8 Inc. with respect to Hull No. H1358

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2014, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 11 Inc. with respect to Hull No. NTP0137

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2014, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 12 Inc. with respect to Hull No. NTP0138

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2014, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 9 Inc. with respect to Hull No. H1384

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2014, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 10 Inc. with respect to Hull No. H1385

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2014, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 13 Inc. with respect to Hull No. 2794

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2014, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 14 Inc. with respect to Hull No. 2795

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 2 Inc. with respect to Hull No. S769

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 3 Inc. with respect to Hull No. S770

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 4 Inc. with respect to Hull No. S771

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 5 Inc. with respect to Hull No. H1355

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 6 Inc. with respect to Hull No. H1356

 

Pool Participation Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2013, by and between VL8 Pool Inc. and Navig8 Crude Tankers 7 Inc. with respect to Hull No. H1357

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