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PART I
| | | | | |
| ITEM 1. | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS |
Not applicable.
| | | | | |
| ITEM 2. | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE |
Not applicable.
Unless otherwise indicated, references to “Eneti,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar terms refer to the registrant, Eneti Inc., and its subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires.
All references in this Annual Report to “$,” “US$,” “U.S.$,” “U.S. dollars,” “dollars” and “USD” mean U.S. dollars and all references to “€” and “euros,” mean euros, unless otherwise noted.
A.[Reserved]
B.Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C.Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D.Risk Factors
The following risks relate principally to the industry in which we currently operate, our plans to the offshore energy sector, and our business in general. Other risks relate principally to the securities market and ownership of our securities, including our common shares. The occurrence of any of the events described in this section could significantly and negatively affect our business, financial condition, operating results or cash available for the payment of dividends on our common shares, or the trading price of our securities.
INDUSTRY SPECIFIC RISK FACTORS
•Lower prices for other energy sources may reduce the demand for wind energy development, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
•We may be unable to keep pace with rapidly changing technology in wind turbine and other industrial component manufacturing.
•The U.S. wind energy industry is significantly impacted by tax and other economic incentives. A significant change in these incentives could significantly impact our results of operations and growth.
•We face competition from industry participants who may have greater resources than we do.
•We are dependent on the employment of our vessels and the backlog of contracts may not materialize.
•We may not be able to renew or replace expiring contracts for our vessels.
•The early termination of contracts on our vessels could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
•Our fleet operations may be subject to seasonal factors.
•We are exposed to hazards that are inherent to offshore operations.
•Our insurance coverage may be inadequate to protect us from the liabilities that could arise in our business.
•Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders and other market participants with respect to our ESG policies may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks.
•We are subject to complex laws and regulations, including environmental regulations that can adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.
•Regulations relating to ballast water discharge may adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
•We are subject to international safety regulations and requirements imposed by our classification societies and the failure to comply with these regulations and requirements may subject us to increased liability, may adversely affect our insurance coverage and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
•Volatile economic conditions may adversely impact our ability to obtain financing or refinance our future credit facilities on acceptable terms, which may hinder or prevent us from operating or expanding our business.
•Outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic diseases, including COVID-19, and governmental responses thereto could adversely affect our business.
•A cyber-attack and failure to comply with data privacy laws could materially disrupt our business.
•If our vessels operate in countries that are subject to restrictions, sanctions, or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government, the European Union, the United Nations, or other governments, it could lead to monetary fines or adversely affect our reputation and the market for our shares of common stock and their trading price.
•Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could result in fines, criminal penalties, contract terminations and an adverse effect on our business.
•There may be limits in our ability to mobilize our vessels between geographic areas, and the time and costs of such mobilizations may be material to our business.
•Maritime claimants could arrest or attach one or more of our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flows.
•Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and available cash.
COMPANY SPECIFIC RISK FACTORS
•We currently have only five WTIV vessels and are vulnerable should any of such vessels remain idle or lose contracted revenue.
•We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to satisfy our financial obligations and to make dividend payments.
•Our costs of operating as a public company are significant, and our management is required to devote substantial time to complying with public company regulations. We cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting will be sufficient.
•Because we are organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands, it may be difficult to serve us with legal process or enforce judgments against us, our directors or our management.
•The international nature of our operations may make the outcome of any bankruptcy proceedings difficult to predict.
•Breakdowns in our information technology, including as a result of cyberattacks, may negatively impact our business, including our ability to service customers, and may have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
•We may be subject to litigation that, if not resolved in our favor and not sufficiently insured against, could have a material adverse effect on us.
•A change in tax laws in any country in which we operate could result in higher tax expense.
•The Company and any of its subsidiaries may be subject to taxation in the United Kingdom.
•U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to our U.S. shareholders.
•We may have to pay tax on U.S. source income, which would reduce our earnings and cash flow.
•Our Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Secretary do not devote all of their time to our business, which may hinder our ability to operate successfully.
•We are dependent on our employees and key personnel and we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain such persons.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDEBTEDNESS
•Servicing our current or future indebtedness limits funds available for other purposes and if we cannot service our debt, we may lose our vessels.
•We are exposed to volatility in interest rates which can result in higher than market interest rates and charges against our income.
•We are leveraged, which could significantly limit our ability to execute our business strategy and we may be unable to comply with our covenants in our credit facilities that impose operating and financial restrictions on us, which could result in a default under the terms of these agreements.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMMON SHARES
•We are incorporated in the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate law.
•The market price of our common shares has fluctuated widely and may fluctuate widely in the future, or there may be no continuing public market for you to resell our common shares.
•We cannot assure you that our Board will continue to declare dividends.
•Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, or could make it difficult for our shareholders to replace or remove our current Board, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
INDUSTRY SPECIFIC RISK FACTORS
Lower prices for other energy sources may reduce the demand for wind energy development, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
The wind energy market is affected by the price and availability of other energy sources, including nuclear, coal, natural gas and oil, as well as other sources of renewable energy. To the extent renewable energy, particularly wind energy, becomes less cost-competitive due to reduced government targets, increases in the cost of wind energy, as a result of new regulations or incentives that favor alternative renewable energy, cheaper alternatives or otherwise, demand for wind energy and other forms of renewable energy could decrease. Slow growth or a long-term reduction in the demand for wind energy could reduce the demand for our services and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
We may be unable to keep pace with rapidly changing technology in wind turbine and other industrial component manufacturing.
The global markets for wind turbines and other manufactured industrial components are rapidly evolving technologically. Our WTIVs may not be suited for future generations of products being developed by wind turbine companies. As turbines grow in size, particularly to support the development of offshore windfarms, tower manufacturing becomes more complicated and may require investments in new manufacturing equipment. Currently, three of our five WTIVs have a turbine carrying capacity of 4MW (NG2500X), which, while suitable for maintenance work on certain classes of wind turbine currently in use, are no longer suitable for wind turbine installations because the wind turbine sizes have increased significantly. If wind turbine sizes further increase significantly in the future, demand for our WTIVs, including our larger capacity WTIVs, the Seajacks Scylla, the Seajacks Zaratan, and our newbuilding WTIVs, may decline, and may also result in a lower useful life than currently anticipated. To maintain a successful business in our field, we must keep pace with technological developments and the changing standards of our customers and potential customers and meet their constantly evolving demands. If we fail to adequately respond to the technological changes in our industry, make the necessary capital investments or are not suited to provide components for new types of wind turbines, our business, financial condition and operating results may be adversely affected. Please also see, “Risk Factors - Company Specific Risk Factors - We currently have only five WTIV vessels and are vulnerable should any of such vessels remain idle or lose contracted revenue.”
The U.S. wind energy industry is significantly impacted by tax and other economic incentives. A significant change in these incentives could significantly impact our results of operations and growth.
The U.S. wind energy industry is significantly impacted by federal tax incentives and state Renewable Portfolio Standards (“RPSs”). Despite recent reductions in the cost of wind energy, due to variability in wind quality and consistency, and other regional differences, wind energy may not be economically viable in certain parts of the country absent such incentives. While we do not currently operate Jones Act WTIVs or other Jones Act vessels, the expansion of the U.S. wind energy industry may provide additional opportunities for the employment of our vessels and therefore may have a material impact on our business. The expiration or curtailment of programs that create material incentives to develop U.S. wind energy generation facilities could have an adverse impact the demand for our services and our results of operations.
We face competition from industry participants who may have greater resources than we do.
Our business is subject to risks associated with competition from new or existing industry participants who may have more resources and better access to capital. Certain of our competitors and potential competitors may have substantially greater financial resources, customer support, technical and marketing resources, larger customer bases, longer operating histories, greater name recognition and more established relationships in the industry than we do. Among other things, these industry participants compete with us based upon price, quality, location and available capacity. We cannot be sure that we will have the resources or expertise to compete successfully in the future. We also cannot be sure that we will be able to match cost reductions by our competitors or that we will be able to succeed in the face of current or future competition.
We are dependent on the employment of our vessels and the backlog of contracts may not materialize.
Our revenue is dependent on short-term time charters of between three to twelve months, with potential deployment of vessels on multi-year charters for larger windfarm installation projects. In the ordinary course of business, we seek to enter into new contracts for the employment of our vessels.
Such charters, and revenues derived therefrom, are subject to various terms and conditions including cancellation events. In addition, such contracts could be subject to termination, amendments and/or delays resulting in revenues being more limited, occurring at different time periods or not occurring at all. Our current customer contracts include express cancellation rights on the part of the customers. Under the customer contracts, we may also become liable to the customers for liquidated damages if there are delays in delivering a vessel or for delays that arise during the operation of our vessels under the contracts.
We also identify potential charters we may be able to secure, but there is no guarantee that contractual commitments of future revenue will result from these prospects. There is a risk that it may be difficult for us to obtain future employment for our vessels and utilization may drop. Windfarm installation projects are also sanctioned at irregular intervals and installation projects in some locations are seasonal. Consequently, our vessels may need to be deployed on lower-yielding work or remain idle for periods without any compensation to us. Some of our vessels are opportunistically deployed on projects in the oil and gas sector to the extent not contracted for windfarm installation or maintenance work. However, we can provide no assurance that such work will be available during the relevant periods, on favorable terms or at all. There can also be off-hire periods as a consequence of accidents, technical breakdown and non-performance. The cancellation, amendments to or postponement of one or more contracts can have a material adverse impact on our earnings and may thus affect the pricing of our common shares. As we currently have five vessels in our fleet, our financial condition, business and prospects could be materially impacted if one or more of our vessels became disabled or otherwise unable to operate for an extended period. We are thus exposed to our vessels not getting contracts and vessel charters compared to other companies in the offshore wind industry that have several windfarm installation vessels and/or similar vessels in operation.
We may not be able to renew or replace expiring contracts for our vessels.
Our ability to renew or replace expiring contracts or obtain new contracts, and the terms of any such contracts, will depend on various factors, including market conditions and the specific needs of our customers. Given the highly competitive and historically cyclical nature of the industry, we may not be able to renew or replace expiring contracts or we may be required to renew or replace expiring contracts or obtain new contracts at rates that are below, and potentially substantially below, existing day rates, or that have terms that are less favorable to us than existing contracts, or we may be unable to secure contracts for our vessels. In particular, the Seajacks Scylla and Seajacks Zaratan accounted for a large majority of our revenue in the last two years and if we are not able to renew or replace expiring contracts for the Seajacks Scylla or Seajacks Zaratan, this could materially impact our business, prospects and financial results and condition, including our ability to be compliant with the financial covenants pursuant to our financing arrangements.
The early termination of contracts on our vessels or certain concessions that we may be forced to make to our customers could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
We cannot ensure investors that our customers would not choose to exercise their termination rights in spite of any remedies available to us or the threat of litigation with us. Until replacement of such business with other customers, any termination could temporarily disrupt our business or otherwise adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, in particular if the Seajacks Scylla or Seajacks Zaratan customer contracts would be terminated as the Seajacks Scylla and Seajacks Zaratan accounted for a large majority of the revenue in our fleet. If any contracts are terminated, we might not be able to replace such business on economically equivalent terms. In addition, during an economic downturn, customers may request contractual concessions even though such concessions are contrary to existing contractual terms. While we may not be legally required to give concessions, commercial considerations may dictate that we do so. If we are unable to collect amounts owed to us or contracts for our vessels are terminated and our vessels are not sufficiently utilized, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.
Failure to secure new charters for our vessels may result in some or all of our vessels remaining idle. While idle, our vessels nonetheless present significant costs relating to maintenance, security, mooring fees and staffing, which could negatively impact our cash flows and results of operations should any vessel remain idle for a significant period.
Our fleet operations may be subject to seasonal factors.
Demand for our offshore support services is directly affected by the levels of construction and maintenance activity for our wind farm customers. Budgets of many of our customers are based upon a calendar year, and demand for our services may be stronger in the second and third calendar quarters when allocated budgets are expended by customers and weather conditions are more favorable for offshore activities. Adverse events relating to our vessels or business operations during peak demand periods could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows and prospects. In addition, seasonal volatility can create unpredictability in activity and utilization rates, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.
We are exposed to hazards that are inherent to offshore operations.
We operate in the offshore industry and are thus subject to inherent hazards, such as breakdowns, technical problems, harsh weather conditions, environmental pollution, force majeure situations (nationwide strikes etc.), collisions and groundings. These hazards can cause personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment, pollution or environmental damage, claims by third parties or customers and suspension of operations. Windfarm installation vessels,
including our vessels, will also be subject to hazards inherent in marine operations, either while on-site or during mobilization, such as capsizing, sinking, grounding, collision, damage from severe weather and marine life infestations. Operations may also be suspended because of machinery breakdowns, abnormal operating conditions, failure of subcontractors to perform or supply goods or services or personnel shortages. We are covered by industry standard hull and machinery and P&I insurance. Standard P&I insurance for vessel owners provides limited cover for damage to project property during windfarm installation operations, as such damage is expected to be covered by the construction all risks insurance procured by our customers. However, in recent years, the industry has seen more contracts imposing liability for property damage to contractors such as us. Such risks are difficult to adequately insure under standard P&I insurance for vessel owners. We have also obtained insurance for loss-of-hire of our vessels that are unable to perform under their charters.
Our insurance coverage may be inadequate to protect us from the liabilities that could arise in our business.
Although we maintain insurance coverage against the risks related to our business, risks may arise for which we may not be insured. Claims covered by insurance are subject to deductibles, the aggregate amount of which could be material, and certain policies impose caps on coverage. Insurance policies are also subject to compliance with certain conditions, the failure of which could lead to a denial of coverage as to a particular claim or the voiding of a particular insurance policy. There also can be no assurance that existing insurance coverage can be renewed at commercially reasonable rates or that available coverage will be adequate to cover future claims. If a loss occurs that is partially or completely uninsured, or the carrier is unable or unwilling to cover the claim, we could be exposed to substantial liability. Further, to the extent the proceeds from insurance are not sufficient to repair or replace a damaged asset, we would be required to expend funds to supplement the insurance and in certain circumstances may decide that such expenditures are not justified, which, in either case, could adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.
Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders and other market participants with respect to our ESG policies may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny relating to their ESG policies. Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds, lenders and other market participants are increasingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. The increased focus and activism related to ESG and similar matters may hinder access to capital, as investors and lenders may decide to reallocate capital or to not commit capital as a result of their assessment of a company’s ESG practices. Companies which do not adapt to or comply with investor, lender or other industry shareholder expectations and standards, which are evolving, or which are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, may suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition, and/or stock price of such a company could be materially and adversely affected.
In February 2021, the Acting Chair of the SEC issued a statement directing the Division of Corporation Finance to enhance its focus on climate-related disclosure in public company filings and in March 2021 the SEC announced the creation of a Climate and ESG Task Force in the Division of Enforcement (the “Task Force”). The Task Force’s goal is to develop initiatives to proactively identify ESG-related misconduct consistent with increased investor reliance on climate and ESG-related disclosure and investment. To implement the Task Force’s purpose, the SEC has taken several enforcement actions, with the first enforcement action taking place in May 2022, and promulgated new rules. On March 21, 2022, the SEC proposed that all public companies are to include extensive climate-related information in their SEC filings. On May 25, 2022, SEC proposed a second set of rules aiming to curb the practice of "greenwashing" (i.e., making unfounded claims about one's ESG efforts) and would add proposed amendments to rules and reporting forms that apply to registered investment companies and advisers, advisers exempt from registration, and business development companies.
The increase in shareholder proposals submitted on environmental matters and, in particular, climate-related proposals in recent years indicates that we may face increasing pressures from investors, lenders and other market participants, who are increasingly focused on climate change, to prioritize sustainable energy practices, reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability. As a result, we may be required to implement more stringent ESG procedures or standards so that our existing and future investors and lenders remain invested in us and make further investments in us. If we do not meet these standards, our business and/or our ability to access capital could be harmed.
Additionally, certain investors and lenders may exclude shipping companies, such as us, from their investing portfolios altogether due to environmental, social and governance factors, which may affect our ability to develop as our plans for growth may include accessing the equity and debt capital markets. If those markets are unavailable, or if we are unable to access alternative means of financing on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be unable to implement our business strategy, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to service our
indebtedness. Further, it is likely that we will incur additional costs and require additional resources to monitor, report and comply with wide ranging ESG requirements. Members of the investment community are also increasing their focus on ESG disclosures, including disclosures related to greenhouse gases and climate change in the energy industry in particular, and diversity and inclusion initiatives and governance standards among companies more generally. As a result, we may face increasing pressure regarding our ESG disclosures. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Finally, organizations that provide information to investors on corporate governance and related matters have developed ratings processes for evaluating companies on their approach to ESG matters Unfavorable ESG ratings and recent activism directed at shifting funding away from companies with fossil fuel-related assets could lead to increased negative investor sentiment toward us and our industry and to the diversion of investment to other, non-fossil fuel markets, which could have a negative impact on our access to and costs of capital.
We are subject to complex laws and regulations, including environmental regulations that can adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.
Our operations are subject to numerous international, national, state and local laws, regulations, treaties and conventions in force in international waters and the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate or are registered, which can significantly affect the ownership and operation of our vessels. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, (the “OPA”), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), the U.S. Clean Air Act, the U.S. Clean Water Act (“CWA”), and the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (the “MTSA”), and regulations of the International Maritime Organization (the “IMO”), including the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973 (as from time to time amended and generally referred to as MARPOL) including the designation of Emission Control Areas (the “ECAs”), thereunder, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974 (as from time to time amended and generally referred to as SOLAS), the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, and the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966 (as from time to time amended, the “LL Convention”).
Compliance with such laws, regulations and standards, where applicable, may require installation of costly equipment or implementation of operational changes and may affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. These costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. A failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in administrative and civil penalties, criminal sanctions or the suspension or termination of our operations. Because such conventions, laws, and regulations are often revised, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with them or the impact thereof on the resale prices or useful lives of our vessels. Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and which may materially adversely affect our operations. For example, the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention, which was adopted by the UN International Maritime Organization in February 2004 and entered into force on September 8, 2017, calls for the phased introduction of mandatory reduction of living organism limits in ballast water over time (as discussed further below). In order to comply with these living organism limits, vessel owners must install expensive ballast water treatment systems or make port facility disposal arrangements and modify existing vessels to accommodate those systems.
Environmental laws often impose strict liability for remediation of spills and releases of oil and hazardous substances, which could subject us to liability without regard to whether we were negligent or at fault. Under OPA, for example, owners, operators and bareboat charterers are jointly and severally strictly liable for the discharge of oil within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone around the United States.
We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses, and certificates with respect to our operations, and satisfy insurance and financial responsibility requirements for potential oil (including marine fuel) spills and other pollution incidents. Although we have insurance to cover certain environmental risks, there can be no assurance that such insurance will be sufficient to cover all such risks or that any claims will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, and our future ability to pay dividends on our common shares.
Regulations relating to ballast water discharge may adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
The IMO has imposed updated guidelines for ballast water management systems specifying the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged from a vessel’s ballast water. Depending on the date of the International Oil Pollution Prevention (“IOPP”) renewal survey, existing vessels constructed before September 8, 2017 must comply with the
updated D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2019. For most vessels, compliance with the D-2 standard will involve installing on-board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms. Ships constructed on or after September 8, 2017 are to comply with the D-2 standards on or after September 8, 2017. Two of our vessels have been fitted with alternate management systems (“AMS”) (IMO-approved ballast water treatment systems) that comply with the updated guidelines and standards, and we have plans to fit the other three by 2024. While we believe that our vessels have been fitted with systems that comply with the updated guidelines and standards, we cannot be assured that these systems will be approved by the regulatory bodies of every jurisdiction in which we may wish to conduct our business. If they are not approved it could have an adverse material impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations depending on the available ballast water treatment systems and the extent to which existing vessels must be modified to accommodate such systems.
Furthermore, United States regulations are currently changing. Although the 2013 Vessel General Permit (“VGP”) program and U.S. National Invasive Species Act (“NISA”) are currently in effect to regulate ballast discharge, exchange and installation, the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (“VIDA”), which was signed into law on December 4, 2018, requires that the EPA develop national standards of performance for approximately 30 discharges, similar to those found in the VGP within two years. On October 26, 2020, the EPA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance under VIDA. Within two years after the EPA publishes its final Vessel Incidental Discharge National Standards of Performance the U.S. Coast Guard must develop corresponding implementation, compliance and enforcement regulations regarding ballast water. The new regulation could require the installation of new equipment, which may cause us to incur substantial costs.
We are subject to international safety regulations and requirements imposed by our classification societies and the failure to comply with these regulations and requirements may subject us to increased liability, may adversely affect our insurance coverage and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
The operation of our vessels is affected by the requirements set forth in the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or the ISM Code. The ISM Code requires ship owners, ship managers and bareboat charterers to develop and maintain an extensive “Safety Management System” that includes the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation of vessels and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. In addition, vessel classification societies impose significant safety and other requirements on our vessels.
The failure of a shipowner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject it to increased liability, may invalidate existing insurance or decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports. Each of our vessels is ISM Code-certified. However, if we are subject to increased liability for non-compliance or if our insurance coverage is adversely impacted as a result of non-compliance, it may negatively affect our ability to pay dividends on our common shares. If any of our vessels are denied access to, or are detained in, certain ports as a result of non-compliance with the ISM Code, our revenues may be adversely impacted.
In addition, the hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention. The cost of maintaining our vessels’ classifications may be substantial. If any vessel does not maintain its class or fails any annual, intermediate or special survey, the vessel will be unable to trade between ports and will be unemployable and uninsurable, which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Volatile economic conditions may adversely impact our ability to obtain financing or refinance our future credit facilities on acceptable terms, which may hinder or prevent us from operating or expanding our business.
Global financial markets and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, unstable and volatile. Hostilities between Russia and Ukraine and the response of the United States and its allies to these hostilities, as well as the threat of future wars, hostilities, terrorist attacks, continue to cause uncertainty in the world financial markets and may affect our business, operating results and financial condition. The continuing conflict in Ukraine may lead to additional armed conflicts, which may contribute to further economic instability in the global financial markets. These uncertainties could also adversely affect our ability to obtain any additional financing or, if we are able to obtain additional financing, to do so on terms favorable to us.
As a result of concerns about the stability of financial markets generally and the solvency of counterparties specifically, the cost of obtaining money from the credit markets has increased as a result of increases in interest rates, stricter lending standards, refusals to extend debt financing at all or on similar terms as existing debt arrangements, reductions, and in some cases, termination of funding to borrowers on the part of many lenders.
Due to these factors, we cannot be certain that financing or any alternatives will be available to the extent required, or that we will be able to finance or refinance our future credit facilities on acceptable terms or at all. If financing or refinancing is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to meet our obligations as they come due or we may be unable to enhance our existing business, complete the acquisition of newbuildings and additional vessels or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. The COVID-19 outbreak has negatively impacted, and may continue to negatively impact, global economic activity, demand for energy, and funds flows and sentiment in the global financial markets. Continued economic disruption caused by the continued failure to control the spread of the virus could significantly impact our ability to obtain additional debt financing.
Outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic diseases, including COVID-19, and governmental responses thereto could adversely affect our business.
Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected economic conditions, supply chains, labor markets, demand for certain shipped goods both regionally and globally, and has also negatively impacted and may continue to impact our operations and the operations of our customers and suppliers. Over the course of the pandemic, measures taken to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus have included travel bans, quarantines, social distancing, limitations on public gatherings, impositions on supply chain logistics, lockdowns and other emergency public health measures, resulting in a significant reduction in overall global economic activity and extreme volatility in the global financial markets. Relatively weak global economic conditions during periods of volatility have and may continue to have a number of adverse consequences for the dry bulk shipping sectors. While many of the measures taken were relaxed starting in 2021, we cannot predict whether and to what degree emergency public health and other measures will be reinstituted in the event of any resurgence in the COVID-19 virus or any variants thereof.
In 2022, we experienced increases in crew wages and related costs, particularly in crew travel and medical costs and certain spares and stores and associated transport costs due to COVID-19. If a resurgence of COVID-19, including due to new variants, results in travel restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and other impediments to the orderly conduct of seaborne trade, such as those caused by China’s “zero-covid” policy, there may be an additional material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Further, prolongment of the COVID-19 pandemic could also impact credit markets and financial institutions and result in increased interest rate spreads and other costs of, and difficulty in obtaining, bank financing and our ability to finance the purchase price of vessel acquisitions, which could limit our ability to grow our business in line with our strategy.
A cyber-attack and failure to comply with data privacy laws could materially disrupt our business.
We and our ship managers rely on information technology systems and networks in our and their operations and business administration. The efficient operation of our business, including processing, transmitting and storing electronic and financial information, is dependent on computer hardware and software systems. Information systems are vulnerable to security breaches by computer hackers and cyber terrorists. We rely on industry accepted security measures and technology to securely maintain confidential and proprietary information maintained on our information systems. However, these measures and technology may not adequately prevent security breaches. Therefore, our or any of our ship managers’ operations and business administration could be targeted by individuals or groups seeking to sabotage or disrupt such systems and networks, or to steal data and these systems may be damaged, shutdown or cease to function properly (whether by planned upgrades, force majeure, telecommunications failures, hardware or software break-ins or viruses, other cyber-security incidents or otherwise). A successful cyber-attack could materially disrupt our or our managers’ operations, which could also adversely affect the safety of our operations or result in the unauthorized release or alteration of information in our or our managers’ systems. Such an attack on us, or our managers, could result in significant expenses to investigate and repair security breaches or system damages and could lead to litigation, fines, other remedial action, heightened regulatory scrutiny, diminished customer confidence and damage to our reputation. We do not maintain cyber-liability insurance at this time to cover such losses. As a result, a cyber-attack or other breach of any such information technology systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
If our vessels operate in countries or territories that are subject to restrictions, sanctions, or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government, the European Union, the United Nations, or other governments, it could lead to monetary fines or other penalties and adversely affect our reputation and the market for our common shares and their trading price.
Although we do not expect that our vessels will operate in countries or territories subject to country-wide or territory-wide sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and other authorities in violation of applicable sanctions laws and we endeavor to take precautions reasonably designed to mitigate the risk of such activities it is possible that our vessels may call on ports located, and/or otherwise operate in countries or territories subject to such sanctions, including on charterers’
instructions and/or without our consent. If such activities result in violation of applicable sanctions or embargo laws, we could be subject to monetary fines, penalties, suspension of our license to operate or other sanctions, and our reputation and the market for our ordinary shares could adversely affected.
The sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in their application, as they do not all apply to the same covered persons or proscribe the same activities, and such sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be amended, strengthened, or lifted over time, as is the case with the conflict in Ukraine. Current or future counterparties of ours may be or become affiliated with persons or entities that are now or may in the future be the subject of sanctions imposed by the U.S. Government, the European Union, and/or other international bodies. If we determine that such sanctions or embargoes require us to terminate existing or future contracts to which we, or our subsidiaries are a party or if we are found to be in violation of such applicable sanctions or embargoes, we could face monetary fines, we may suffer reputational harm and our results of operations may be adversely affected.
As a result of Russia’s actions in Ukraine, the U.S., EU and United Kingdom, together with numerous other countries, have imposed significant sanctions on persons and entities associated with Russia and Belarus, as well as comprehensive sanctions on certain areas within the Donbas region of Ukraine, and such sanctions apply to entities owned or controlled by such designated persons or entities. These sanctions adversely affect our ability to operate in the region and also restrict parties whose cargo we may carry. Sanctions against Russia have also placed significant prohibitions on the maritime transportation of seaborne Russian oil, the importation of certain Russian energy products and other goods, and new investments in the Russian Federation. These sanctions further limit the scope of permissible operations and cargo we may carry.
Although we believe that we have been in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations in 2022, and intend to maintain such compliance, there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations in the future, particularly as the scope of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations. Any such violation could result in fines, penalties, or other sanctions that could severely impact our ability to access U.S. capital markets and conduct our business, and could result in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, or not to invest, in us. In addition, certain institutional investors may have investment policies or restrictions that prevent them from holding securities of companies that have contracts with countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. The determination by these investors not to invest in, or to divest from, our common shares may adversely affect the price at which our common shares trade. Moreover, our charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of their actions that do not involve us or our vessels, and those violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation. In addition, our reputation and the market for our securities may be adversely affected if we engage in certain other activities, such as entering into charters with individuals or entities in countries subject to U.S. sanctions and embargo laws that are not controlled by the governments of those countries, or engaging in operations associated with those countries pursuant to contracts with third parties that are unrelated to those countries or entities controlled by their governments. Investor perception of the value of our common shares may be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in these and surrounding countries.
Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could result in fines, criminal penalties, contract terminations and an adverse effect on our business.
We operate in a number of countries throughout the world, including countries known to have a reputation for corruption. We are committed to doing business in accordance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics which is consistent and in full compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“FCPA”), UK Bribery Act, and other applicable anti-corruption laws. We are subject, however, to the risk that we, our affiliated entities or our or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents may take actions determined to be in violation of such anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA and UK Bribery Act. Any such violation could result in substantial fines, sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties and curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Furthermore, detecting, investigating, and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and can consume significant time and attention of our senior management.
There may be limits in our ability to mobilize our vessels between geographic areas, and the time and costs of such mobilizations may be material to our business.
We operate globally and our WTIVs may be mobilized from one area to another. However, the ability to mobilize WTIVs can be impacted by several factors, including, but not limited to, governmental regulation and customs practices, the significant costs of moving a WTIV, weather, political instability, civil unrest, military actions and the technical capability of the WTIVs to relocate and operate in various environments.
Additionally, while a WTIV is being mobilized from one geographic market to another, we may not be paid by the charterer for the time that the WTIV is out of service. In addition, we may mobilize a WTIV to another geographic market without a charter in place, which will result in costs not reimbursable by future charterers. Any such impacts of mobilization could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Maritime claimants could arrest or attach one or more of our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flows.
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, lenders, and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lien holder may enforce its lien by arresting or attaching a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could interrupt our cash flows and require us to pay large sums of money to have the arrest or attachment lifted. In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the “sister ship” theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel that is subject to the claimant’s maritime lien and any “associated” vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could attempt to assert “sister ship” liability against one vessel in our fleet for claims relating to another of our vessels. Under some of our present charters, if the vessel is arrested or detained (for as few as 14 days) as a result of a claim against us, we may be in default of our charter and the charterer may terminate the charter, which will negatively impact our revenues and cash flows.
Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and available cash.
A government could requisition one or more of our vessels for title or for hire. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes its owner, while requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes its charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during periods of war or emergency, although governments may elect to requisition vessels in other circumstances. Although we would be entitled to compensation in the event of a requisition of one or more of our vessels, the amount and timing of payment would be uncertain. Government requisition of one or more of our vessels may negatively impact our revenues.
COMPANY SPECIFIC RISK FACTORS
We currently have only five WTIV vessels and are vulnerable should any of such vessels remain idle or lose contracted revenue.
Our fleet consists of five WTIVs. If any of the vessels remains idle without charter or is taken out of operation, due to, for example, one of the risks described in this annual report materializing, this could materially impact our business, prospects and financial results and condition, including our ability to be compliant with the financial covenants pursuant to our financing arrangements.
In particular, the Seajacks Scylla and Seajacks Zaratan accounted for a large majority of our revenue in the last two years and that is expected to continue in 2023. Should either the Seajacks Scylla or Seajacks Zaratan be taken out of operation for any reason or should any of their existing charter contracts be terminated or breached, this could materially impact our business, prospects and financial results and condition, including our ability to be compliant with the financial covenants pursuant to our financing arrangements.
The vessels may be subject to operational incidents and/or the need for upgrades, refurbishments and/or repairs following which the vessels may be out of operation for a shorter or longer period of time. With a fleet of only five vessels, the need to remove any vessel from service for a significant period for upgrades or repairs, or as a result of damage to the vessel, could reduce our earning potential for the period during which the vessel is out of service. Vessel upgrades may be necessary or desirable in the future. Expenditures may be incurred when repairs or upgrades are required by law, in response to an inspection by a governmental authority, when damaged, or because of market or technological developments. Such upgrades, refurbishment and repair projects are subject to risks, including delays and cost overruns, which could have an adverse impact on our available cash resources, results of operations and our ability to comply with e.g. financial covenants pursuant to our financing arrangements. Periods without operations for one or more of our vessels may have a material adverse effect on the business and financial results. If we do not acquire additional windfarm installation vessels or similar vessels in the future, such as the WTIVs in our newbuilding program, we will have a limited asset base, and any failure to maintain and/or perform secured contracts or failure to secure future employment at satisfactory rates for such vessel(s) will affect our results significantly more than those of a company in the offshore wind industry with a larger fleet, and may thus have a material adverse effect on the earnings and the value of our common shares.
Material acquisitions, disposals or investments in the future may present material risks and uncertainties, including distraction of management from current operations, insufficient revenue to offset liabilities assumed, potential loss of significant revenue and income streams, unexpected expenses, inadequate return of capital, potential acceleration of taxes currently deferred, regulatory or compliance issues, the triggering of certain covenants in our debt instruments (including accelerated repayment) or other agreements and other unidentified issues not discovered in due diligence. If we were to complete such an acquisition, disposition, investment or other strategic transaction, it may require additional debt or equity financing that could result in a significant increase in the amount of debt we have or the number of outstanding common shares. As a result of the risks inherent in such transactions, we cannot guarantee that any such transaction will ultimately result in the realization of the anticipated benefits of the transaction or that significant transactions will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial positions, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.
We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to satisfy our financial obligations and to make dividend payments.
We are a holding company and our subsidiaries conduct all of our operations and own or lease all of our operating assets. We have no significant assets other than the equity interests in our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to satisfy our financial obligations and to pay dividends to our shareholders depends on our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. If we are unable to obtain funds from our subsidiaries, our Board may exercise its discretion not to declare dividends.
Our costs of operating as a public company are significant, and our management is required to devote substantial time to complying with public company regulations. We cannot assure you that our internal control over financial reporting will be sufficient.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the other rules and regulations of the Commission, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and as such, we will have significant legal, accounting and other expenses. These reporting obligations impose various requirements on public companies, including changes in corporate governance practices, and these requirements may continue to evolve. We and our management personnel, and other personnel, if any, need to devote a substantial amount of time to comply with these requirements. Moreover, these rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and costly.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain and periodically evaluate our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. In particular, we need to perform system and process evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial reporting to allow management and our independent registered public accounting firm to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by the rules and regulations of the SEC regarding Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we have a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting, we may not prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis and our financial statements may be materially misstated. We dedicate a significant amount of time and resources and incur substantial accounting expenses to ensure compliance with these regulatory requirements. We will continue to evaluate areas such as corporate governance, corporate control, internal audit, disclosure controls and procedures and financial reporting and accounting systems. We will make changes in any of these and other areas, including our internal control over financial reporting, which we believe are necessary. However, these and other measures we may take may not be sufficient to allow us to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely and reliable basis.
Because we are organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands, it may be difficult to serve us with legal process or enforce judgments against us, our directors or our management.
We are organized under the laws of the Marshall Islands, and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, the majority of our directors and officers are non-residents of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of the assets of these non-residents are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for someone to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States if they believe that their rights have been infringed under securities laws or otherwise. Even if you are successful in bringing an action of this kind, the laws of the Marshall Islands and of other jurisdictions may prevent or restrict them from enforcing a judgment against our assets or the assets of our directors or officers.
As a Marshall Islands corporation with our headquarters in Monaco, and with a majority of our subsidiaries being Marshall Islands entities and also having subsidiaries in other offshore jurisdictions, our operations may be subject to economic substance requirements, which could impact our business.
We are a Marshall Islands corporation with our headquarters in Monaco. A majority of our subsidiaries are Marshall Islands entities. These jurisdictions have enacted economic substance laws and regulations with which we may be obligated to comply. We believe that we and our subsidiaries are compliant with Marshall Islands economic substance requirements. However, if there were a change in the requirements or interpretation thereof, or if there were an unexpected change to our operations, any such change could result in noncompliance with the economic substance legislation and related fines or other penalties, increased monitoring and audits, and dissolution of the non-compliant entity, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
EU Finance ministers rate jurisdictions for tax rates and tax transparency, governance and real economic activity. Countries that are viewed by such finance ministers as not adequately cooperating, including by not implementing sufficient standards in respect of the foregoing, may be put on a “grey list” or a “blacklist”. As of December 31, 2022, Monaco and the Marshall Islands remained "white-listed" by the EU. However, on February 14, 2023, the Marshall Islands was placed by the EU on its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, with the EU listing the Marshall Islands, among others, as “facilitating offshore structures and arrangements aimed at attracting profits without real economic substance.” At present, the impact of being included on the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes is unclear. Although we understand that the Marshall Islands is committed to full cooperation with the EU and expects to be moved back to the "white list" in October 2023, subject to review by the EU Council, there is no assurance that such a reclassification will occur.
If the Marshall Islands is not removed from the list and sanctions or other financial, tax or regulatory measures were applied by European Member States to countries on the list or further economic substance requirements were imposed by the Marshall Islands, our business could be harmed.
EU member states have agreed upon a set of measures, which they can choose to apply against grey or blacklisted countries, including increased monitoring and audits, withholding taxes, special documentation requirements and anti-abuse provisions. The European Commission has stated it will continue to support member states' efforts to develop a more coordinated approach to sanctions for the listed countries. EU legislation prohibits EU funds from being channeled or transited through entities in countries on the blacklist. Other jurisdictions in which we operate could be put on the blacklist in the future.
The international nature of our operations may make the outcome of any bankruptcy proceedings difficult to predict.
We are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and we conduct operations in countries around the world. Consequently, in the event of any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding involving us or any of our subsidiaries, bankruptcy laws other than those of the United States could apply. If we become a debtor under U.S. bankruptcy law, bankruptcy courts in the United States may seek to assert jurisdiction over all of our assets, wherever located, including property situated in other countries. There can be no assurance, however, that we would become a debtor in the United States, or that a U.S. bankruptcy court would be entitled to, or accept, jurisdiction over such a bankruptcy case, or that courts in other countries that have jurisdiction over us and our operations would recognize a U.S. bankruptcy court’s jurisdiction if any other bankruptcy court would determine it had jurisdiction.
Breakdowns in our information technology, including as a result of cyberattacks, may negatively impact our business, including our ability to service customers, and may have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
Our ability to operate our business and service our customers is dependent on the continued operation of our information technology, or IT, systems, including our IT systems that relate to, among other things, the location, operation, maintenance and employment of our vessels. Our IT systems may be compromised by a malicious third party, man-made or natural events, or the intentional or inadvertent actions or inactions by our employees or third-party service providers. If our IT systems experience a breakdown, including as a result of cyberattacks, our business information may be lost, destroyed, disclosed, misappropriated, altered or accessed without consent, and our IT systems, or those of our service providers, may be disrupted.
Cyberattacks may result in disruptions to our operations or in business data being temporarily unreadable, and cyber criminals may demand ransoms in exchange for de-encrypting such data. As cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated, and as tools and resources become more readily available to malicious third parties, there can be no guarantee that our actions, security measures and controls designed to prevent, detect or respond to intrusion, to limit access to data, to prevent destruction or alteration of data or to limit the negative impact from such attacks, can provide absolute security against compromise.
Any breakdown in our IT systems, including breaches or other compromises of information security, whether or not involving a cyberattack, may lead to lost revenues resulting from a loss in competitive advantage due to the unauthorized
disclosure, alteration, destruction or use of proprietary information, including intellectual property, the failure to retain or attract customers, the disruption of critical business processes or information technology systems and the diversion of management’s attention and resources. In addition, such breakdown could result in significant remediation costs, including repairing system damage, engaging third-party experts, deploying additional personnel, training employees and compensation or incentives offered to third parties whose data has been compromised. We may also be subject to legal claims or legal proceedings, including regulatory investigations and actions, and the attendant legal fees as well as potential settlements, judgments and fines.
Despite our efforts to ensure the integrity of our systems and prevent future cybersecurity attacks, it is possible that our business, financial and other systems could be compromised, especially because such attacks can originate from a wide variety of sources including persons involved in organized crime or associated with external service providers. Those parties may also attempt to fraudulently induce employees, customers or other users of our systems to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or use electronic means to induce the company to enter into fraudulent transactions. A successful cyber-attack could materially disrupt our operations, including the safety of our vessel operations. Past and future occurrences of such attacks could damage our reputation and our ability to conduct our business, impact our credit and risk exposure decisions, cause us to lose customers or revenues, subject us to litigation and require us to incur significant expense to address and remediate or otherwise resolve these issues, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Even without actual breaches of information security, protection against increasingly sophisticated and prevalent cyberattacks may result in significant future prevention, detection, response and management costs, or other costs, including the deployment of additional cybersecurity technologies, engaging third-party experts, deploying additional personnel and training employees. Further, as cyber threats are continually evolving, our controls and procedures may become inadequate, and we may be required to devote additional resources to modify or enhance our systems in the future. Such expenses could have a material adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
Further, data protection laws apply to us in certain countries in which we do business. Specifically, the EU General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, which was applicable beginning May 2018, increases penalties up to a maximum of 4% of global annual turnover for breach of the regulation. The GDPR requires mandatory breach notification, the standard for which is also followed outside the EU (particularly in Asia). Non-compliance with data protection laws could expose us to regulatory investigations, which could result in fines and penalties. In addition to imposing fines, regulators may also issue orders to stop processing personal data, which could disrupt operations. We could also be subject to litigation from persons or corporations allegedly affected by data protection violations. Violation of data protection laws is a criminal offence in some countries, and individuals can be imprisoned or fined. Any violation of these laws or harm to our reputation could have a material adverse effect on our earnings, cash flows and financial condition.
Moreover, cyberattacks against the Ukrainian government and other countries in the region have been reported in connection with the recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine. To the extent such attacks have collateral effects on global critical infrastructure or financial institutions, such developments could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. At this time, it is difficult to assess the likelihood of such threat and any potential impact at this time.
We may be subject to litigation that, if not resolved in our favor and not sufficiently insured against, could have a material adverse effect on us.
We may be, from time to time, involved in various litigation matters. These matters may include, among other things, contract disputes, personal injury claims, environmental claims or proceedings, asbestos and other toxic tort claims, employment matters, governmental claims for taxes or duties, and other litigation that arises in the ordinary course of our business. Although we intend to defend these matters vigorously, we cannot predict with certainty the outcome or effect of any claim or other litigation matter, and the ultimate outcome of any litigation or the potential costs to resolve them may have a material adverse effect on us. Insurance may not be applicable or sufficient in all cases and/or insurers may not remain solvent which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
A change in tax laws in any country in which we operate could result in higher tax expense.
We conduct our operations through various subsidiaries in countries throughout the world. Tax laws, regulations and treaties are highly complex and subject to interpretation. Consequently, we are subject to changing tax laws, regulations and treaties in and between the countries in which we operate, including treaties between the United Kingdom and other nations. Our income tax expense is based upon our interpretation of the tax laws in effect in various countries at the time that the expense was incurred. A change in these tax laws, regulations or treaties, including those in and involving the United Kingdom,
or in the interpretation thereof, or in the valuation of our deferred tax assets, which is beyond our control, could result in a materially higher tax expense or a higher effective tax rate on all or a portion of our worldwide earnings.
The Company and any of its subsidiaries may be required to pay taxes in the United Kingdom.
Certain of our subsidiaries are resident for taxation purposes in the United Kingdom and so are subject to corporation tax in the United Kingdom on their income. However, we have significant tax losses and other deferred tax assets for United Kingdom tax purposes, that are currently subject to a full valuation allowance, but that we expect to be available (subject to the operation of the United Kingdom’s rules restricting the use of carried-forward losses) to offset the United Kingdom corporation tax that we would otherwise be required to pay until these tax attributes are exhausted. Most of these tax attributes were generated by entities in the Seajacks group prior to its acquisition by us and it is possible that the availability or quantity of these tax attributes could be challenged by the tax authorities. It is also possible that changes in our business, organizational structure or capitalization, or future financing transactions, could significantly limit or eliminate these tax attributes, although we expect that we will be able to conduct ourselves in a manner such that this will not occur. These considerations, as well as changes in tax laws, applicable tax rates and market factors affecting expected future revenue and operating expenses, may impact our future taxation and profitability and our actual outcomes may differ from our estimates and judgements made which could result in all or part of the deferred tax assets remain unutilized or become unavailable.
U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to our U.S. shareholders.
A foreign corporation will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income” or (2) at least 50% of the quarterly average value of the corporation’s assets produce or are held for the production of those types of “passive income,” including cash. For purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services to third parties does not constitute “passive income.” U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC.
For our 2023 taxable year and subsequent taxable years, whether we will be treated as a PFIC will depend upon the nature and extent of our operations. Our income from wind turbine installation should be treated as services income for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. Accordingly, we believe that our income from wind turbine installation should not constitute passive income, and the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of that income should not constitute passive assets. However, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any taxable year if there were to be changes in the nature and extent of our operations.
If we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, our U.S. shareholders may face adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and information reporting obligations. Under the PFIC rules, unless those shareholders made an election available under the Code (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders), such shareholders would be liable to pay U.S. federal income tax upon excess distributions and upon any gain from the disposition of our common shares at the then prevailing (and for certain periods, the highest) income tax rates applicable to ordinary income plus interest as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder’s holding period of our common shares. See “Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U–S. Holders—Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences” for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of our common shares if we are or were to be treated as a PFIC.
We may have to pay tax on U.S. source income, which would reduce our earnings and cash flow.
We may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation if our activities in the United States or its territorial waters constitute a trade or business. If we determine that any of our income is effectively connected with a trade or business in the United Stated, we would be subject to U.S. federal income taxation at the corporate tax rate applicable to U.S. corporations and we may be subject to an additional tax on branch profits. We may incorporate one or more subsidiaries to conduct activities in the United States or its territorial waters to mitigate against any potential adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences.
Our Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Secretary do not devote all of their time to our business, which may hinder our ability to operate successfully.
Our Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Secretary participate in business activities not associated with us, and some of them serve as members of the management teams of Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE: STNG) (“Scorpio Tankers”) and are not required to work full-time on our affairs. Additionally, our Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Operating Officer, Vice President and Secretary serve in similar positions in other entities within the Scorpio group of companies. As a result, such executive officers may devote less time to us than if they were not engaged in other business activities and may owe fiduciary duties to both our shareholders as well as shareholders of other companies which they may be affiliated with, including Scorpio Tankers. This may create conflicts of interest in matters involving or affecting us and our customers and it is not certain that any of these conflicts of interest will be resolved in our favor. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are dependent on our employees and key personnel and we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain such persons.
Our success depends to a significant extent upon our abilities and efforts to hire and retain key personnel with relevant expertise. The loss of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business prospects and financial condition. Difficulty in hiring and retaining such personnel could adversely affect our results of operations. We do not maintain “key man” life insurance on any of our officers
In addition, our success is dependent upon our ability to adequately crew our vessels. The market for qualified personnel is highly competitive and we cannot be certain that we will be successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel and crewing our vessels in the future. If we fail to retain key personnel and hire, train and retain qualified employees, we may not be able to compete effectively and may have increased incident rates as well as regulatory and other compliance failures, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDEBTEDNESS
Servicing our current or future indebtedness limits funds available for other purposes and if we cannot service our debt, we may lose our vessels.
Borrowing under our credit facilities requires us to dedicate a part of our cash flow from operations to paying interest on our indebtedness under such facilities. These payments limit funds available for working capital, capital expenditures and other purposes, including further equity or debt financing in the future. Amounts borrowed under our credit facilities bear interest at variable rates. Increases in prevailing rates could increase the amounts that we would have to pay to our lenders, even though the outstanding principal amount remains the same, and our net income and cash flows would decrease. If we do not generate or reserve enough cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt obligations, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as:
•seeking to raise additional capital;
•refinancing or restructuring our debt; or
•reducing or delaying capital investments.
However, these alternative financing plans, if necessary, may not be sufficient to allow us to meet our debt obligations. If we are unable to meet our debt obligations or if some other default occurs under our credit facilities, our lenders could elect to declare that debt, together with accrued interest and fees, to be immediately due and payable and proceed against the collateral vessels securing that debt.
We are exposed to volatility in interest rates which can result in higher than market interest rates and charges against our income.
The loans under our secured credit facilities are generally advanced at floating rates, which can affect the amount of interest payable on our debt, and which, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our earnings and cash flow.
Please see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Interest Rate Risk.”
We are leveraged, which could significantly limit our ability to execute our business strategy and we may be unable to comply with our covenants in our credit facilities that impose operating and financial restrictions on us, which could result in a default under the terms of these agreements.
As of December 31, 2022, we had $65.6 million of outstanding indebtedness under our credit facility.
Our credit facilities impose operating and financial restrictions on us, that limit our ability, or the ability of our subsidiaries party thereto, to:
•pay dividends and make capital expenditures if we do not repay amounts drawn under our credit facilities or if there is another default under our credit facilities;
•incur additional indebtedness, including the issuance of guarantees;
•create liens on our assets;
•change the flag, class or management of our vessels or terminate or materially amend the management agreement relating to each vessel;
•sell our vessels;
•merge or consolidate with, or transfer all or substantially all our assets to, another person; and/or
•enter into a new line of business.
Therefore, we may need to seek permission from our lenders in order to engage in some corporate actions. Our lenders’ interests may be different from ours and we may not be able to obtain our lenders’ permission when needed. This may limit our ability to pay dividends on our common shares, finance our future operations or capital requirements, make acquisitions or pursue business opportunities.
In addition, our secured credit facilities require us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial covenants, including ratios and covenants based on the market value of the vessels in our fleet. Should our charter rates or vessel values materially decline in the future, we may seek to obtain waivers or amendments from our lenders with respect to such financial ratios and covenants, or we may be required to take action to reduce our debt or to act in a manner contrary to our business objectives to meet any such financial ratios and satisfy any such financial covenants.
Events beyond our control, including changes in the economic and business conditions in the shipping markets in which we operate, may affect our ability to comply with these covenants. We cannot assure you that we will meet these ratios or satisfy these covenants or that our lenders will waive any failure to do so or amend these requirements. A breach of any of the covenants in, or our inability to maintain the required financial ratios under, our credit facilities would prevent us from borrowing additional money under our credit facilities and could result in a default under our credit facilities. If a default occurs under our credit facilities, the lenders could elect to declare the outstanding debt, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable and foreclose on the collateral securing that debt, which could constitute all or substantially all of our assets. Moreover, in connection with any waivers or amendments to our credit facilities that we may obtain, our lenders may impose additional operating and financial restrictions on us or modify the terms of our existing credit facilities. These restrictions may further restrict our ability to, among other things, pay dividends, repurchase our common shares, make capital expenditures, or incur additional indebtedness.
Please see “Item 5. Operating Financial Review and Prospects-B. Liquidity and Capital Resources-Credit Facilities.”
RISKS RELATING TO OUR COMMON SHARES
We are incorporated in the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate law.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws and by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act (“BCA”). The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. However, there have been few judicial cases in the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the laws of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in the United States. The rights of shareholders of companies incorporated in the Marshall Islands may differ from the rights of shareholders of companies incorporated in the United States. While the BCA provides that it is to be interpreted according to the laws of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been few, if any, court cases interpreting the BCA in the Marshall Islands and we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as U.S. courts. Thus, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction which has developed a relatively more substantial body of case law.
The market price of our common shares has fluctuated widely and may fluctuate widely in the future, or there may be no continuing public market for you to resell our common shares.
The market price of our common shares has fluctuated widely since our common shares began trading on the NYSE in December 2013, and may continue to do so as a result of many factors such as actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results and those of other public companies in our industry, mergers and strategic alliances in our industry, market conditions in our industry, changes in government regulation, shortfalls in our operating results from levels forecast by securities analysts, announcements concerning us or our competitors, our transition to the offshore energy sector, and the general state of the securities market. Further, there may be no continuing active or liquid public market for our common shares.
The market for common shares has historically been, and may continue to be in the future, volatile. Therefore, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell any of our common shares you may have purchased at a price greater than or equal to its original purchase price, or that you will be able to sell them at all.
We cannot assure you that our Board will continue to declare dividends.
Although we have declared and paid dividends in the past, we cannot assure you that we will continue to declare and pay dividends in the future. The declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will always be subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors, restrictions contained in our credit facilities and the requirements of Marshall Islands law. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and availability, our ability to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by our growth strategy, the terms of our outstanding indebtedness and the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us. We cannot predict with certainty the amount of cash, if any, that will be available for distribution as dividends in any period. Also, there may be a high degree of variability from period to period in the amount of cash that is available for the payment of dividends.
We may incur expenses or liabilities or be subject to other circumstances in the future that reduce or eliminate the amount of cash that we have available for distribution as dividends, including as a result of the risks described herein.
In general, under the terms of our existing agreements of indebtedness, we are not permitted to pay dividends if there is a default or a breach of a covenant thereunder.
The Republic of Marshall Islands laws generally prohibit the payment of dividends other than from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares) or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. We may not have sufficient surplus in the future to pay dividends and our subsidiaries may not have sufficient funds or surplus to make distributions to us. We can give no assurance that we will continue to declare dividends on our common shares in the future.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, or could make it difficult for our shareholders to replace or remove our current Board of Directors, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares.
Several provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it difficult for our shareholders to change the composition of our Board in any one year, preventing them from changing the composition of management. In addition, the same provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that shareholders may consider favorable. These provisions include:
•authorizing our Board to issue “blank check” preferred stock without shareholder approval;
•providing for a classified Board with staggered, three-year terms;
•establishing certain advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board or for proposing matters that can be acted on by shareholders at shareholder meetings;
•prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors;
•limiting the persons who may call special meetings of shareholders;
•authorizing the removal of directors only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares entitled to vote for the directors; and
•establishing super majority voting provisions with respect to amendments to certain provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws.
These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public shareholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a result, may adversely affect the market price of our common shares and shareholders’ ability to realize any potential change of control premium.
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| ITEM 4. | INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY |
A.History and Development of the Company
Eneti Inc. (formerly Scorpio Bulkers Inc.) is an international shipping company that was incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands pursuant to the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act (“BCA”) on March 20, 2013. Our common shares have been listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “SALT” since December 12, 2013. Effective February 8, 2021, our common shares began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “NETI”.
On August 3, 2020, we announced our intention to transition away from the business of drybulk commodity transportation and towards marine-based renewable energy including investing in the next generation of wind turbine installation vessels. We completed our exit from the dry bulk industry with the sale of our last drybulk vessel in July 2021.
On August 12, 2021, we completed our acquisition of 100% of Atlantis Investorco Limited, the parent of Seajacks. With five WTIVs on-the-water and high-specification newbuildings scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025, Eneti has one of the largest, most capable installation fleets in the offshore wind sector.
Our principal executive offices are located at 9, Boulevard Charles III, Monaco 98000 and our telephone number at that location is +377-9798-5715. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC's Internet site is http://www.sec.gov. The address of the Company's Internet site is http://www.eneti-inc.com/. None of the information contained on these websites is incorporated into or forms a part of this annual report.
Recent and Other Developments
Quarterly Dividend
On February 9, 2023, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share on our common shares.
Award of New Contracts
During the first quarter of 2023, Seajacks UK Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary, signed a contract in NW Europe for between 41 and 53 days of employment for one of its NG2500-class vessels that will generate between approximately $3.3 million and $4.1 million of revenue in 2023.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, Seajacks UK Limited (i) signed two new contracts in NW Europe for between 75 and 102 days of employment for one of its NG2500-class vessels that will generate between approximately $5.7 million and $7.1 million of revenue in 2023, (ii) negotiated additional extensions for another NG2500-class vessel which have generated an additional €2.9 million over the fourth quarter of 2022 and first quarter of 2023, and (iii) extended an existing contract for its NG14000X-class vessel which has generated an additional €2.6 million of revenue during the first quarter of 2023.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, Seajacks UK Limited signed a contract with an undisclosed client to transport and install turbines for a project commencing in the first half of 2025. The contract will be performed by the Company’s first of two NG16000X WTIVs currently under construction at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in Korea. The vessel, to be named “Nessie”, will be delivered by the shipyard during the fourth quarter of 2024. Inclusive of mobilization beginning early in the first quarter of 2025, the engagement is expected to be between 226 and 276 days and generate approximately €60 million to €73 million of net revenue after forecasted project costs.
B.Business Overview
We are a company focused on serving the offshore wind and marine-based renewable energy industry through our operation of wind turbine installation vessels (“WTIVs”). WTIVs are vessels specifically designed for the transport and installation of offshore wind turbines, which are power generating devices driven by the kinetic energy of the wind near-shore or further offshore on coastlines for commercial electricity generation, onto pre-prepared foundations.
Our current fleet consists of five WTIVs that are currently on-the-water. Certain WTIVs in our current fleet are also employed in the maintenance of existing offshore wind turbines and are also suitable to employment servicing offshore oil and gas installations. In addition, we have two contracts with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (“Daewoo”) for the construction of two newbuilding WTIVs that we expect to take delivery of during the fourth quarter of 2024 and second quarter of 2025 (the “Newbuilding WTIVs” or our “newbuilding program”).
We were formed by the Scorpio group of companies, with an affiliate of the Scorpio group remaining one of our principal shareholders, and completed our initial public offering and commenced trading on the NYSE in 2013. From March 2013 through July 2021, we were an international shipping company that owned and operated dry bulk carriers. Since then we have shifted our focus from the dry bulk commodity transportation business to focus on serving the offshore wind and marine-based renewable energy industry, through the acquisition and operation of WTIVs. In July 2021, we completed our exit from the business of dry bulk commodity transportation by selling the last of the 49 vessels that were previously in our fleet. In August 2021, we completed the transformational Seajacks Transaction, as defined and described below, through which we acquired our current fleet of five WTIVs, becoming the only NYSE-listed company that exclusively owns and operates WTIVs.
In addition to the ownership and operation of our fleet, we, through one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, serve in a technical advisory role to Dominion Energy, on the construction of the first WTIV being constructed in the United States under the U.S. Jones Act.
Our Common Shares are listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol "NETI."
Our Fleet
The following tables set forth certain summary information regarding our Operating Fleet as of the date of March 31, 2023:
Operating Fleet
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| Vessel | | Seajacks
Scylla | Seajacks
Zaratan | Seajacks
Hydra | Seajacks
Leviathan | Seajacks
Kraken |
| Design | | NG14000X | NG5500C | NG2500X | NG2500X | NG2500X |
| Delivery | | Nov 2015 | May 2012 | June 2014 | June 2009 | March 2009 |
| Yard | | Samsung Heavy Industries | Lamprell Energy Limited | Lamprell Energy Limited | Lamprell Energy Limited | Lamprell Energy Limited |
| Flag | | Panama | Japan | Panama | Panama | Panama |
Length overall (m) | | 139 | 109 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Width (m) | | 50 | 41 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
Main crane capacity (t) | | 1,540 | 800 | 400 | 400 | 300 |
| | | | | | |
Main deck area (m2) | | 4,600 | 2,000 | 900 | 900 | 900 |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Turbine carrying capacity | | 12-14MW class | 9.5MW class | 4MW class | 4MW class | 4MW class |
| | | | | | |
Max POB (pax) | | 130 | 90 | 100 | 140 | 90 |
Leg length (m) | | 105 | 85 | 85 | 85 | 85 |
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| Services | | WTG installation
Jacket and XXL monopile installation | WTG installation and maintenance
Substation support
Pre-piling | Hook up and commissioning support
Accommodation support
WTG Maintenance | Well intervention support
Accommodation support
WTG Maintenance | Hook up and commissioning support
Accommodation support
WTG Maintenance |
Seajacks UK are an East Anglian based offshore installation company committed to building the world’s most advanced and versatile fleet of self-propelled jack-up vessels equipped to service the demands of the offshore wind industry. Our on and offshore crews work in full conjunction with all of our clients, looking to provide the most cost-effective solutions in the safest environments possible.
Seajacks UK has a fleet of 5 GustoMSC designed vessels, all capable of installing and maintaining offshore wind farms in harsh conditions. Seajacks fleet includes Seajacks Kraken, Seajacks Leviathan, Seajacks Hydra, Seajacks Zaratan and Seajacks Scylla.
Seajacks utilize DP2 positioning for fast and efficient rig moves, with no need for tugs means there is year-round operating ability in the harsh conditions of the Southern North Sea. The DP2 systems make all of the vessels fully capable of driving their four legs into the seabed, providing them with a steady platform and ensuring they remain uncompromised by the conditions of the sea below.
Technical and Commercial Highlights about our Fleet
Seajacks Scylla
Since delivery in 2015, Seajacks Scylla is currently Seajacks’ largest vessel. Seajacks Scylla has installed a total of 246 WTGs and 232 foundations (transition piece, monopile and jacket) in both European and Asian waters.
With the ever-increasing size of the offshore wind farms, it is imperative to have an efficient jack-up vessel which can work in deeper waters. Utilizing a deck space of over 4,600m², Seajacks Scylla can transport and install 4 12MW wind turbine
generators (WTGs) per cycle. Seajacks Scylla also has the capacity to transport and install 2 jacket foundations per cycle as per the recently completed Moray East project.
Seajacks Zaratan
Since delivery in 2012, Seajacks Zaratan has installed a total of 109 WTGs, 113 monopile foundations and 100 transition pieces in European and Asian waters.
After meeting stringent Japanese flag requirements, Seajacks Zaratan sails under the coveted Japanese flag.
The growing offshore wind market in Japan coupled with a lack of jack-up vessels operating under the Japanese flag (a requirement for offshore wind contractors when working in Japanese territorial waters) places Seajacks Zaratan in a strong position for winning future contracts.
Seajacks Hydra
Working mainly to support offshore substation maintenance since delivery in 2014, Seajacks Hydra has supported a total of 56 operations and maintenance (O&M) campaigns and commissioned 18 WTGs in European waters.
Seajacks Hydra also has a safety case which enables her to support the maintenance and decommissioning of oil and gas platforms.
Seajacks Kraken
Seajacks’ first vessel, Seajacks Kraken, has worked primarily in the oil and gas industry since delivery in 2009.
Seajacks Kraken has provided accommodation support in Canadian waters for ExxonMobil as well as decommissioning support in European waters, mainly the Southern North Sea. Seajacks Kraken most notably played a major part in the Shell ONEgas campaign, supporting the servicing of more than 50 platforms over a 3 year period to increase their productive life.
Seajacks Leviathan
Since delivery in 2009, Seajacks Leviathan has completed the most rig moves out of all Seajacks’ vessels, a total of 1,939. This can be attributed to the multiple charter party contracts such as the Spring campaign in the Southern North Sea where Seajacks Leviathan was contracted by three offshore wind farm owners to conduct maintenance and repairs in a time efficient manner.
Due for completion in April 2023, Seajacks Leviathan will have an extended accommodation block for up to 140 crew. This puts Seajacks Leviathan in a strong position for future projects requiring accommodation support during maintenance and installation campaigns.
Chartering Strategy and Employment of Our Fleet
We seek to employ our vessels on short-term time charters, and may employ our vessels on multi-year charters for larger windfarm installation projects. We charter our vessels on a dayrate basis for short-term charters, and for a fixed project fee for multi-year charters. Our charters are with a number of different charterers and expire on different dates over a period of time. Our vessels are primarily employed to install offshore wind turbines and provide operational support and maintenance services to the offshore oil and gas industry. We believe that our chartering strategy allows us to maximize charter coverage and minimize downtime between charters.
Management of Our Vessels
Commercial and Technical Management
We perform the technical and commercial management of our fleet in-house. Our commercial management personnel secure employment for our vessels. Our technical management personnel have experience in the complexities of oceangoing vessel operations, including the supervision of maintenance, repairs, drydocking, and crewing, purchasing supplies, spare parts, and monitoring regulatory and classification society compliance and customer standards.
Administrative Services
Effective September 21, 2021, we entered into the Amendment No. 1 to Administrative Services Agreement with Scorpio Services Holding Limited (“SSH”), a related party, for the provision of administrative staff, office space and accounting, legal compliance, financial and information technology services for which we reimburse SSH for the direct and indirect expenses incurred while providing such services. The services provided to us by SSH may be sub-contracted to other entities.
In addition, SSH has agreed with us not to own any vessels engaged in seabed preparation, transportation, installation, operation and maintenance activities related to offshore wind turbines so long as the Amended Administrative Services Agreement is in full force and effect. The agreement may be terminated by either party upon 3 months’ prior notice.
Technical Support Agreement
On October 20, 2021, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a technical support agreement with Scorpio Ship Management S.A.M. (“SSM”), a related party, pursuant to which SSM provides technical advice and services to us in connection with the construction of our newbuilding WTIV at Daewoo. In consideration for these services, we paid SSM a fee of $671,200, and thereafter, will pay a monthly fee in the amount of $41,667.
Our Customers
We believe that developing strong relationships with the end users of our services allows us to better satisfy their needs with appropriate and capable vessels. A prospective charterer’s financial condition, creditworthiness, reliability and track record are important factors in negotiating our vessels’ employment. Our customers are typically wind-farm developers, wind turbine OEMs, EPCI contractors or oil & gas companies.
Seasonality
We operate our WTIV vessels in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in demand and boom-bust cycles and, as a result, variable charterhire rates. This seasonality may result in quarter-to-quarter volatility in our operating results. The market is typically stronger in the spring and summer months when weather conditions are more favorable for offshore activities. As a result, revenues of European WTIV operators in general have historically been weaker during the fiscal quarters ended December 31 and March 31, and, conversely, been stronger in fiscal quarters ended June 30 and September 30. Due to global expansion, these trends may vary according to continental seasonality. This seasonality may materially affect our operating results and cash available for the payment of dividends.
Competition
We operate in markets that are highly competitive and based primarily on supply and demand. We compete for charters on the basis of vessel capability (crane capacity, water depth capability, deck space, accommodation), vessel emissions profile, price, vessel location as well as on our reputation. We compete primarily with other WTIV-owners. Ownership of WTIVs is divided among publicly listed companies, and private shipowners; these owners are typically focused on WTIVs, or are part of larger construction or offshore focused conglomerates.
Industry and Market Conditions
The Offshore Wind Industry
The statistical information and industry and market data contained in this section (the “data”) is based on or derived from statistical information and industry and market data collated and prepared by 4C Offshore Ltd. (“4C Offshore”). The data is based on 4C Offshore’s review of such statistical information and market data available at the time, including internal surveys and sources, independent financial information, independent external industry publications, reports or other publicly available information. Due to the incomplete nature of the statistical information and market data available, 4C Offshore has made some estimates where necessary when preparing the data. The data is subject to change and may differ from similar assessments obtained from other analysts of the offshore wind industry. While reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of the data, 4C Offshore has not undertaken any independent verification of the information and market data obtained from published sources. The Company believes and acts as though the market data provided in this section, “The Offshore Wind Industry” is reliable and accurate.
Introduction
The offshore wind market in 2023 is currently characterized by its slow emergence from the energy crisis brought on by COVID and the war in Ukraine. However, deployments through the rest of the decade are expected to grow because of growing global ambitions for energy independence and decarbonization of economies. Although inflation is currently high, offshore wind prices have fallen continuously since the mid-2020s. Offshore wind is the most affordable technology to deliver the energy transition at scale. Consequently, governments have turned their attention from cost-reduction to new demands for offshore wind– accelerating deployment by reducing planning timeframes and increasing auctions, integrating offshore wind power into energy systems and solving grid challenges.
Global Energy Context
The global energy context has been characterized by a period of volatility since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic in early 2020 and subsequent national lockdowns. The slowdown in economic activity resulted in record low power and gas prices during 2020. Prices then surged as economies emerged from the pandemic during 2021. Logistics bottlenecks, high Asian demand and restricted energy supply capacity added compounded the price rally as economic activity exceeded the available supply of gas and electricity.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 added further volatility to energy prices amid fears of supply shortages and sanctions on the Russian energy sector. European markets, which are heavily dependent on Russian supplies were particularly affected. Monthly average electricity prices in Europe increased to over €400/MWh during the summer of 2022, around 10 times the long run mean prior to the pandemic (Figure 1).
Global Response to the Energy Crisis
Responding to the rising energy prices and the need to decouple economies from global energy prices, governments are introducing a range of policy packages to both accelerate the energy transition and generate new economic growth. These policies include:
•Fit for 55 (EU, 2021): A package of policies aimed at: reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, increasing overall renewables targets to 40% by 2030, reducing the carbon intensity of shipping fuels and eliminating emissions for cars and vans. Fit for 55 builds on the European Green Deal (2019): a set of proposals for a competitive
and sustainable economy that ensures no net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and the decoupling of economic growth from resource usage.
•The Glasgow Climate Pact (2021): Endorsed at the COP26 summit in November 2021 by the nearly-200 signatories to the Paris Agreement, the pact calls on parties to revisit and strengthen their 2030 emissions reduction targets and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
•REPowerEU (EU, 2022): A plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and fast forward the green transition. It aims to tackle slow and complex permitting for major renewables projects and make targeted amendments to the Renewable Energy Directive to recognize renewable energy as an overriding public interest. Dedicated ‘go-to' areas for renewables will be put in place by Member States with shortened and simplified permitting processes in areas with lower environmental risks.
•British Energy Security Strategy, BESS (UK, 2022): Outlines accelerated ambition to deliver up to 50GW of offshore wind by 2030, including up to 5GW of innovative floating wind. Enabling actions include reducing consent times down to one year, strengthening the Renewable National Policy Statements to reflect the importance of energy security and net zero, and making environmental considerations at a more strategic level rather than project-by-project.
•Inflation Reduction Act (USA, 2022): A range of packages which: directs $393bn federal spending towards clean energy, including development of offshore wind transmission, maintains the developer's 30% ITC beyond 2026 for projects that meet socio-economic criteria, introduces new tax credits for domestic component and vessel manufacturers and provides a 10-year PTC of $3/kg for green hydrogen making it competitive with gray sources.
Impacts of the Energy Crisis on Supply Chains and Developers
Lockdown-induced facility closures and restrictions on the movement of people, raw materials and finished goods and rising inflationary pressure has created an unprecedented and challenging environment for the supply chain and project developers.
Turbine suppliers have been notably exposed, with both SGRE and Vestas reporting losses during 2022 due to input cost inflation compared to contracted prices, logistic challenges, and a slowdown in demand as developers struggle to make project profitable. In response, turbine prices have increased by around 20% since mid-2023 (Figure 2). Manufacturers have also introduced more stringent project selection criteria and tightened financial management to reduce commercial risk in face of commodity and transportation price volatility.
Additionally, in Q1 2023 SGRE reported a severe negative impact of €472m due to higher-than-expected maintenance costs and warranty provisions driven by an upward trend in component failure rates. The impacts are being felt across both offshore and onshore turbines and a range of components.
Some offshore developers have struggled to reconcile a project’s offtake contracts (e.g., state, government, or utility PPAs) with the rising CAPEX and debt pricing, notably for projects where CAPEX had not been locked in or hedged sufficiently prior to the escalatory period. Whilst offtake contracts may be index-linked, consumer-price indexes have been
significantly below commodity and producer price inflation. Rising debt prices further erode project economics. Consequently, some projects are lobbying for changes to offtake terms and lenders have also become more diligent when scrutinizing projects.
As a result of these challenges, 2022 was a record-low year for investment in offshore wind. Around 800 MW across a handful of small projects reached a final investment decision (FID) in 2022 including South Fork in the US, Kita Kyushu Port in Japan and Golfe du Lion and Eolmed in France. 2022 saw the lowest volume of projects reaching FID in 10-years (Figure 3d).
Permitting Challenges
Project permitting has become increasingly complex due to cumulative environmental and social impacts both offshore and onshore as the volume of projects increases. Consequently, more consultation, analysis and frequent legal challenges have led to statutory permitting timescales being consistently exceeded. For example, in the UK projects in the East of England have faced judicial review challenges relating to cumulative impacts of onshore infrastructure. Other UK projects have been unable to obtain consents on the basis they will not adversely affect the integrity of the site and instead have sought consent based on the project's overriding public interest and the provision of compensatory measures to provide equivalent environmental benefits to the costs (e.g., artificial nesting sites).
The REPowerEu and BESS both contain actions to expedite permitting of offshore wind farms through improvements to legislation and planning, which may contribute towards reducing stubbornly long project cycle times (Figure 3b). Examples of regulatory reforms already in process include:
•The UK’s statutory permitting timeline is currently ~18 months but in some instances has exceeded 3 years. The UK government is proposing a series of measures to cut this down to one year: projects can be fast tracked if they meet initial quality standards; the examination phase will be reduced to 6 months and the HRA process will be revised.
•France: Policies include simplifying the procedures under local planning and environment codes and setting a maximum project examination target of 24 months, and 2.5 years for litigation. The bill also aims to simplify grid connection agreements and pool procedures for marine spatial planning and public participation for offshore wind, meaning a single debate process and reduced risk of appeals.
Positive Market Indicators
As previously discussed, the volume of projects making a final investment decision in 2022 has been at a record low due to the challenging market environment (Figure 3b). Between 2015-2021 the average annual rate has been nearly 5 GW per year. Several GW-scale projects including East Anglia 3, Moray West and Northland’s Hai Long were scheduled to reach FID in 2022 but will now reach the milestone in 2023.
Despite the short-term financial challenges, developers are acting on the imminent shortages in supply chain capacity, notably for installation vessels by entering into preferred supplier status and contracts earlier. Ørsted (February 2023) have also highlighted the potential of working closely with vessel operators to help ensure the future-proofing of installation assets through long-term visibility on component sizing.
In contrast to the near-term slowdown, the long-term outlook for offshore wind has increased, driven by the acceleration policies discussed above. The pipeline of projects that will meet this increasing demand received a record boost in 2022, more than twice that of 2010 when the UK’s Round 3 sites were awarded. Following several years of study and consultation, over 70 GW of site exclusivity agreements were signed with developers in 2022, and floating sites exceeded fixed for the first time (Figure 3a). Contributing to the pipeline were leasing rounds in Scotland, the USA, Electricity Business Licenses (EBLs) in South Korea, MACs in Ireland and the issue of priority rights in Italy.
Construction efficiency continued to improve during 2022 (Figure 3c), with offshore generating capacity being installed increasingly quickly due to increasing turbine sizes, manufacturing capabilities, vessel capability, project management and a drive to reach revenues quickly. Floating is just starting its learning journey and has a long way to go before reaching the speeds of fixed bottom installation, despite already deploying large turbines.
Figure 3. Offshore Wind Market Indicators. 1: Excludes China and any cancelled projects, 2: Europe only, excludes projects smaller than 30MW. All averages are weighted by project capacity. 3: Final Investment Decision (FID) is typically reached around 12 months after securing an offtake agreement (e.g., a CFD)
Hybrid Business Models
Offshore wind costs have declined dramatically since 2015, with many European auctions now procuring power at zero subsidy (Figure 4). In the new low or subsidy free era developers’ business models are increasingly reliant on alternative revenue streams such as corporate PPAs, some exposure to wholesale market prices, or a hybrid stack of state-backed, corporate and wholesale revenues.
For example, Ocean Wind’s 882 MW Moray West project secured a 15-year CfD for the delivery of 294 MW at 37.35£[2012]/MWh in the latest UK CfD allocation round (AR4) last year, having been unsuccessful in CfD AR3 in 2019. Ocean Winds are taking a hybrid approach and have signed a corporate PPA with Google for 100 MW (5 TWh) for 12 years. The remaining 488 MW will be exposed to market price unless additional PPAs are signed. Financial close was expected in Q4 2022 but is delayed to 2023.
Although the corporate PPA market is growing, terms are typically shorter and volumes smaller than available in state-backed offtake auctions, leaving developers exposed to more complex financing and higher risks, notably a challenge for very large projects.
New Auctions Models: Beyond Cost Reduction
Given the importance of cost reduction has weakened in mature markets, some governments are changing the auction’s evaluation criteria away from offtake price to promote innovation and sustainability via ‘beauty contests’ - qualitative assessments of a project’s environmental and socio-economic impacts. Some governments are also incorporating ‘negative subsidies’ whereby developers pay the government for rights to a site.
For example, the auction for the 1.4 GW Hollandse Kust (west) (HKW) sites VI and VII closed in 2022. The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) ran a no-subsidy auction using a combined qualitative assessment and financial offer. Qualitative criteria focused on likelihood of realization, production volume, ecological innovation (site VI) and energy system integration (site VII). The two latter criteria contributed 50% of the bid ranking. The financial bid component was capped at €50m and weighted score of 10%. 30 entities competed, with Site VI awarded to Shell and Eneco’s biodiversity enrichening proposal which incorporates migration corridors and natural reefs. Site VII went to RWE’s system integration proposal incorporating floating solar, green hydrogen, e-boilers and battery storage.
Germany has also revised its framework, introducing two auction pathways based on whether sites will be pre-examined by the government or not. It will be enacted from 2023, with multiple tender rounds per year.
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| Site Investigation | Remuneration | Tender Design |
| Centrally pre-examined Sites | BSH ahead of tender | State: N/A
Corporate PPAs | Approach: Financial plus Qualitative Award Criteria and Max Score: •Financial bid: 60 points. •Decarbonization: 5 points to bidder with highest proportion of green hydrogen used in turbine manufacturing. •Energy Production: 10 points •Noise pollution during installation: 10 points •Skilled workers: 10 points
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| Non-pre-examined Sites | Developer after the tender | Sliding Premium | Approach: Financial Pre-qualification: 5-year PPA of at least 20% of installed capacity Award: Lowest bidder. Dynamic bidding: If multiple zero subsidy bids are submitted then bidding switches to a fee-based auction (€/MW).
|
Figure 5. New tender designs in Germany. Centrally pre-examined v Developer examined.
Transmission Trends and Challenges
Alongside offshore wind expansion, the offshore and onshore transmission grid poses a parallel challenge to ensure sufficient capacity is available to transport power to demand centers.
To date majority of projects are connected to the onshore grid radially via high-voltage alternating-current (HVAC) cable technology. High-voltage direct-current technology is becoming increasingly common as project distances from shore increase. HVDC reduces losses over long distances compared with HVAC and this decade will see deployment of 525 kV HVDC technology which can export up to 2 GW per circuit.
Germany has been a pioneer for HVDC offshore wind connections, with TSOs responsible for a coordinated offshore grid connecting multiple wind farms to shared converters. Elsewhere there is a growing emphasis on migration from radial connections to networked grids to reduce the volume of infrastructure needed, thereby tackling offshore spatial constraints, onshore connection constraints, reducing costs, limiting environmental and socioeconomic impacts, and aiding energy security.
The UK is currently planning a holistic network design (HND) including 15 landing points for 23 GW of offshore wind, and new offshore transmission lines to transfer power from Scotland to demand centers in the south (Figure 6). Although the design has a higher CAPEX than radial connections, it overcomes network constraint costs, thereby creating net benefit. The plan also identifies 11 onshore transmission projects that must be accelerated. Efficient consenting and quicker regulatory approvals for infrastructure are needed to meet required timeframes.
Figure 6. The UK's Holistic Network Design for projects connecting to 2030 and beyond
The US is also beginning to incorporate offshore grids. The third New York (NYSERDA) solicitation, with results expected Q1 2023, is calling for at least 2 GW of offshore wind that must feature HVDC and ‘meshed ready’ options. Similarly, the next New Jersey solicitation is being designed to ensure a single onshore transmission corridor.
Because of its geographical layout around sea basins (North, Baltic and Mediterranean Seas), Europe is particularly suited to networked grids. Many in development include large offshore hub or energy island concepts which connect to multiple windfarms and can incorporate international interconnectors and electrolysis potential, enabling energy security on an EU wide scale.
Belgium aims to build the world’s first energy island, connecting 3.5 GW of offshore wind in the Prinses Elisabeth Zone (PEZ). The island is located 40km offshore and comprises a concrete structure filled with sand, spanning five hectares. It hosts a small port, helicopter deck, substations, and interconnects with the UK and Denmark.
Offshore Wind Market Outlook
The project capacity entering construction and operations has increased by 60 GW since 2015 because of the technology’s scalability and falling costs. Cost reductions have been driven by both scale economies and lower unit costs due to fewer, larger wind turbines; supply chain development; increased competition and design optimization.
Globally there is currently 55.4 GW fully commissioned. China has now overtaken European leaders, the UK and Germany. 2020 was a particularly strong year for China, where projects were incentivized to start construction to meet national subsidy deadlines. China is typically a self-serving market, relying on domestic supply. However, recently Chinese suppliers such as MingYang have broached the international market with turbine supply contracts in small-scale projects in Italy (Taranto Windfarm, 3MW turbines) and Norway (Metcentre 11 MW turbine).
Acceleration Plans
Due to green COVID recovery programs and emphasis on improving energy security through renewable expansion following the invasion of Ukraine, there has been a ramp up in short and long offshore wind expansion and acceleration. Globally, announced offshore wind ambitions from governments total 602 GW. This figure includes only explicitly mentioned offshore wind targets and excludes individual Chinese province ambitions and implicit targets (e.g., net-zero) that are also likely to require offshore wind power. Europe, in particular, has recently accelerated and increased targets for 2030. Over the past year, Denmark has announced an additional 6 GW by 2030; Germany has increased targets to 30 GW by 2030 and 70 GW by 2045; the Netherlands has published an expanded 2030+ roadmap, which doubles previous ambition to 21 GW by 2032 enough to meet 75% of domestic electricity demand and they’ve initiated plans to reach 70 GW by 2050.
However, market uncertainty has also increased due to macroeconomic volatility following COVID-19 and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as supply chain disruptions and shortages, and inflation. Project timelines are already seeing delays in most markets with peaks shifting towards the right. For example, in the UK alone the timeline has slipped for Hornsea Three; East Anglia Hub consent was challenged by judicial review and construction start delayed by a year to 2026; Seagreen 1A did not secure a CfD in AR4 so planned installation delayed to 2025. In Taiwan the Greater Changhua project
pushed back FID to 2024 due to knock on effects from COVID, and in the US the project Park City Wind adjusted its timeline to mitigate supply chain bottlenecks and high commodity prices.
Most countries are aiming for regulatory reforms to help streamline processes and reduce current project lead times of 8-10 years. But given the constraints and challenges mentioned Section 1, 4C Offshore models a more conservative buildout than would be required to meet the announced ambitions for 2030 (Figure 8), anticipating delays due to permitting, supply chain constraints, securing revenues, and grid connections.
Cumulative capacity underway is expected to increase five-fold to 268 GW by end-2030, up 193 GW from the capacity which was underway by end-2022 (Figure 9). To meet this 2030 forecast, an increasing FID rate of 4.5 GW/quarter (exc. China) is needed with CAGR of 15.7%.
Figure 9 Annual and cumulative global offshore wind capacity by offshore construction start, 2015-2030
Market leaders in 2030 are expected to be China with over 73 GW, based on provincial plans currently being laid out, and the UK with 37 GW. Germany and the Netherlands also remain in the top five alongside the US. Construction of the first commercial-scale US projects commenced last year, with volume significantly increasing from 2024 to almost 30 GW by 2030. The global outlook is set to diversify for buildout in other new and emerging markets including Japan, Vietnam, Poland, Ireland, Australia and Brazil.
With recent technology advancements, new emerging markets are typically bypassing small demo phases and heading straight to commercial scale. For instance, Australia and Brazil have multi-gigawatt proposals. It is nonetheless likely that these extremely large sites will be built in phases. The industry is seeing high levels of competition in emerging markets, with developers keen to secure sites early and influence regulatory frameworks. For example, in Australia, a regulatory licensing framework was introduced last year and the first licensing round was launched in early 2023. With growing momentum, Australia’s project pipeline has increased to 80 GW, including international developers Equinor, Ørsted, Shell, CIP, and Corio.
GW Floating Forecast
Floating wind represents opportunity to exploit larger resource areas with deeper water (<60m) and higher wind speeds or difficult seabed conditions, where fixed-bottom is unfeasible. There are currently 350 MW floating offshore wind installed post-FID, with the largest project being Hywind Tampen (95 MW), off the coast of Norway. Over this decade, projects of up to 500 MW are due to be deployed.
France is currently running multiple floating auctions of 250 MW scale, and Portugal announced a 10 GW floating wind target by 2030 in Q3 2022, while Italy is expected to target 5 GW by 2030, and Spain 1-3 GW by 2030. Market appetite can be illustrated by success in the UKs ScotWind leasing round with award of 15 GW floating leases as well as further leasing expected in the Celtic Sea. The first floating auction off California concluded end-2022 with five sites that could accommodate up to 8.1 GW awarded. The upcoming leasing auction in the US Central Atlantic will likely include some floating capacity (3 of 8 draft wind energy areas are in deep waters). South Korea’s strategy of going straight to GW-scale deployment with the help of large international developers will make it the leader in both 2030 and 2035.
In total, 54 GW of floating wind capacity is being targeted by governments. 4C forecasts that 14 GW of floating offshore wind capacity will be installed or underway by 2030, representing 8% of global offshore wind capacity. The forecast is contingent on effective cost reductions of floating wind and clearer government support to enable investment and reduce risk.
Offshore Wind Turbine Trends
Offshore wind turbines are horizontal axis turbines with three-bladed rotors and are much larger than onshore models. With recent developments, the size of current offshore turbines is doubling previous models and still continues its significant growth. The average turbine size in 2020 was around 7 MW in Europe; now, >15 MW models are expected towards the end of the decade. The largest offshore wind turbine installed is currently Siemens Gamesa’s 14 MW prototype, at the test center in Østerild, Denmark.
Figure 10: Illustration of The World's Biggest turbines (Source: Visual Capitalist, 2022)
The market has seen rapid progress in turbine technology, with larger turbines providing more energy in one rotation, hence reducing the cost per megawatt-hour. Three key Western OEMs have announced their 14-15 MW models, while Chinese OEMs’ have produced a 16 MW model and are planning an 18 MW one (Figure 11). Chinese turbine OEMs are looking ways to export to overseas markets, which will inevitably create price competition between them and Western OEMs. However, Western OEMs also entering into joint ventures to supply APAC markets and comply with local supply requirements. Chinese Manufacturer CSSC claims that 18 MW turbines would cut the number of units needed for a 1 GW wind farm by 13% compared to installing 16 MW models, and this creates CAPEX savings on both turbine supply and turbine installation.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, wind turbine production costs have increased by as much as 40%, according to Wind Europe. The increased cost of raw materials is leading to prolonged negotiations between turbine OEMs and their customers, resulting in project delays. This challenging business environment of volatile commodity prices and inflation will likely continue throughout the year. In SGRE’s preliminary results for Q1 of FY 2023, charges of €472 million reflect the outcome of evaluating the installed fleet; the company ‘detected a negative development of failure rates in specific components resulting in expected higher warranty and service maintenance costs than previously estimated’.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Turbine Manufacturer | MW | Rotor Diameter (m) | Blade Length (m) | First Commercial Commissioning |
| GE Renewable Energy | Haliade-X | 14 | 220 | 107 | To be installed in Dogger Bank C in 2024 |
| Vestas | V236-15.0 MW | 15 | 236 | 116 | First prototype generated power in December 2022 |
| Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy | SG14-236 DD | 14 | 236 | 115 | Serial Production in 2024 |
| Mingyang Smart Energy | MySE 16.0-242 | 16 | 242 | 118 | Prototype installation in the first half of 2023 and commercial production in the first half of 2024 |
| MySE 18.X-28X | 18 | 280+ | 140 | No indication of production timelines |
| CSSC | H260-18MW | 18 | 260 | 128 | Components rolled out, no date for commercial use |
Figure 11: Latest and biggest offshore wind turbine models, comparison
The growing physical dimensions of turbine components increases demands placed on the jack-up fleet which installs them. As rotor diameters increase, tower heights and thus weights also increase. Nacelle weight increases with rated turbine capacity, although innovations in drive trains and design optimization mean this trend is not linear (Figure 12).
According to the International Energy Association (EIA), offshore wind requires 15.5 tonnes of critical minerals per MW of capacity. These minerals include copper, zinc, manganese, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum, along with rare earth minerals. Turbine manufacturers are looking towards recyclable turbines blades, made of a new type of resin which allows it to be separated from other components, making the materials reusable. Siemens Gamesa’s recyclable blades have been installed on Kaskasi, and Hollandse Kust Zuid. GE Renewable Energy has committed to zero-waste blades by 2030, and Vestas by 2040.
Figure 12: Offshore wind turbine physical dimension trends
Cost of Offshore Wind: LCOE & CAPEX
The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE ) is the lifetime average cost per unit of electricity produced. It accounts for all capital, financing and operational costs over the lifetime of the project and discounts them to the present value . The graph below shows the modelled LCOE trend for projects in 4C’s database . Technology developments, changes in financing costs, competitive auctions, and cluster effects have facilitated rapid cost reductions in offshore wind. Differences between geo-regions can be attributed to emerging market risks, supply chain development, input costs and wind speeds.
Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) is the cost of all activities up until the works completion date and the largest contributor to lifecycle costs, at approximately 60-65% of LCOE. CAPEX breakdown is shown on the Figure 14, with turbine supply making up 40%. Increasing CAPEX due to inflation will have a significant impact on LCOE, particularly the cost of turbines. High inflation rates will make investment decisions riskier, and ultimately delay projects further. In 2022, the US adopted the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides tax credits for both developers and manufacturers. With turbine sizes getting bigger, some of the CAPEX costs for installation are expected to be reduced, as fewer turbines & foundations will be required for large-scale projects.
Siting Trends in Offshore Wind
A clear trend towards increased water depth, further distance from shore, and increased project size in Europe, Asia, and North America can be seen in Figure 15.
Water depths have steadily increased in Europe, reaching 35 m in 2022, and will continue to do so on average, forecast to reach 50 m by 2030, driven by the larger size of projects in deeper waters. The distance from shore in Europe has increased from 25 km in 2010, to 50 km in 2022, forecast to reach 80 km by 2030. The average project size in Europe has increased from 200 MW in 2010 to 600 MW in 2022, forecast to reach 1.2 GW in 2030. Projects around 1.2 GW are expected to become the norm in Europe and North America by 2030, but Asia is lagging behind.
The areas most suitable for pile driving are exhausted hence more difficult markets which require drilling of monopiles and pin piles will increase in frequency. Areas with known hard sea beds include western France, north Wales, the east coast of Scotland and the south coast of the UK.
Offshore Wind Project Value Chain
The offshore wind industry connects a wide range of industries and companies worldwide, starting from the development phase through to decommissioning. Figure 16 summarizes a typical offshore windfarm project life cycle.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Integrated Offshore Wind Solutions |
| Creating value from surplus generation though hydrogen electrolysis, energy storage and other system integration technologies. |
| Development and consent | Manufacture | Installation and commissioning | Operation and maintenance | Decommissioning |
Activities up to the point of financial close, including: planning consents, environmental impact assessments, resource and met ocean surveys, engineering and consultancy services Developers are responsible for development and consents
Local market knowledge
Key Developers: Ørsted, Vattenfall, RWE, Equinor, SSE, Iberdola
| Supply of the key components contracted by the developer
Turbine Suppliers (OEM): Siemens Gamesa, GE, Vestas
Foundation suppliers: Bladt, EEW, Sif, Navantia (Designers: COWI, Atkins, Ramboll)
Cable Suppliers: JDR, Hellenic Cable, LS Cable, Nexans, NKT, Prysmian
Offshore substation Suppliers-Electrical: ABB, GE, Schneider
Offshore substation Suppliers-Structure: Bladt, Smulders, Navantia
| Installation and commissioning of the key components contracted by the developer
For more detail see the Installation Value Chain Section
| It is the combined functions of day-to-day management, maintenance of assets, and service of assets during the lifetime of the wind farm. The wind farm operator will oversee and fulfil overall site operations activities, including turbine and balance of plant maintenance
Operations and Maintenance Model and Plan
Key Operators: Ørsted, Vattenfall, RWE, Equinor, SSE
| Removal or making safe of offshore infrastructure at the end of its useful life, plus disposal of equipment.
Contractors will be similar to those used for installation.
|
| DEVEX | CAPEX | OPEX | DECEX |
Figure 16: Offshore windfarm project lifecycle
Development and consent are managed by the windfarm developer, covering the activities up to the point of financial close with a time span of 5-7 years. Now with the inclusion of other technologies available, deciding which technologies to include in its portfolio is also another task of the developer in the DEVEX stage. It could be a battery storage, hydrogen or O&M related improvements. The developer will typically procure the Tier 1 suppliers to design, supply and installation of key components in the late stage of development.
The offshore wind supply chain has a strong cohort of major component suppliers which contract directly with project developers. This top level of the supply chain is commonly referred to as Tier 1, and typically supplies or installs wind turbine generators (WTGs), foundations, substations (onshore & offshore) export and array cables. Manufacturing, and transport and installation (T&I) contracts are often signed two years before construction. Construction of an offshore windfarm takes 3-4 years on average. Turbine installation is the final stage of construction, and typically takes place in the final 12 months of the construction process. Once the windfarm is fully commissioned, the longest value chain activities start, in the operation and maintenance (O&M) phase. O&M activities last for 20-25 years or more. Turbines to be installed in the future will have significantly more mature technology but also more complexity resulting from significantly larger blades, gearboxes, and generators, for example. O&M costs are hard to predict and heavily based on historical assumptions such as the number of major component failures expected. Given the significant unexpected costs (€472m) that SGRE faced in the Q1 2023, manufacturers have room for savings with better O&M strategies.
Wind turbines are typically under warranty for 5 to 10 years of operations and the wind turbine suppliers (i.e. Siemens Gamesa, GE, Vestas) offer a service level agreement to the windfarm operator during this period to provide turbine maintenance and service. After this initial warranty period, the wind farm operator may choose to retain the services of the supplier, maintain and service the wind farm using an in-house team, contract a specialist company, or develop an intermediate arrangement where turbine technicians transfer to the wind farm owner at the end of the warranty period. Since the inflation has an increasing trend, the component costs expect to increase in order to compensate the future maintenance under guarantee agreement.
Excess offshore wind capacity can now serve as an alternative fuel source for hydrogen electrolysis, a versatile energy storage, transmission, and fuel technology that can be used to decarbonize many hard-to-abate industries and applications. Because electrolysis is so capital intensive to build, companies are eager to maximize utilization, an objective that offshore wind also supports due to its high capacity.
The Installation Value Chain
The typical offshore installation process for fixed bottom windfarms is in the following order, with overlaps where possible to shorten the construction timeline:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foundation Installation | Offshore Substation Installation | Array Cable Installation | Export Cable Installation | Turbine Installation |
Monopile, jacket or gravity-based foundation installation
Monopiles and jackets can be installed by floating or jack up vessels. Gravity-based can be installed by floating vessels or crane barges.
Monopiles usually also require a separate transition piece installing, and jackets usually require pre-piling.
Increasing drilling activities due to lacking of ideal seabed locations.
Securing mission equipment in order to install new generation monopiles.
| The foundation is installed prior to the topside. The substation foundation can be a monopile or jacket.
Substation installation is a heavy lift operation requiring high crane capacity.
Sheerleg crane vessels, barges, heavy lift vessels and semisubmersible vessels can be used.
| Cable installation between wind turbines and the offshore substation (typically rated at 66kV AC)
Steps include: Cable lay, cable burial (pre-trenching/simultaneous lay & burial), cable pull in to turbine and testing & termination.
Specialized cable lay vessels are used
| Cable installation between offshore and onshore substation (typically HVAC and recently HVDC)
Export cable installation steps involves the same activities as array cables.
Same cable lay vessels can be used for export cable installation however, export cable installation vessels will typically have larger carousels.
| Turbine installation vessels transport turbine components to the site and install the turbine on the foundation
Jack-up vessels are used for turbine installation
Crane updates are taking place in order to install the next generation turbines.
|
| Key Players: Eneti/Seajacks DEME, Van Oord, Subsea 7, Boskalis, Saipem, Cadeler | Key Players: Subsea 7, DEME, Scaldis, Heerema, Saipem, Boskalis | Key Players: Boskalis, NKT, Prysmian, Jan De Nul, DEME, Nexans, Seaway 7 | Key Players: Boskalis, NKT, Prysmian, Jan De Nul, DEME, Nexans, Seaway 7 | Key Players: Eneti/Seajacks DEME, Van Oord, Fred Olsen, Cadeler, Jan De Nul, |
Figure 17: Installation stages of an offshore windfarm
Wind Turbine Installation Vessel Supply
The water depth at which jack-ups can safely install turbines is dependent on several site-specific variables including wave and wind conditions, seabed conditions, tides and tidal range, and sea state. Turbine transport and installation requires stable platforms for operations to ensure safe operations and reduce the risk of damage to components. A small motion at deck level quickly becomes a large movement at an elevated hook height, adding dynamic loads on to the crane and making turbine installation more complex; components getting bigger increases that risk. For these reasons, only jack-up platforms are used for turbine installation.
Current Fleet
The active turbine installation fleet consists of 14 jack ups. Many of these vessels also engage in foundation installation and turbine maintenance. The current fleet is largely limited to installing 10 MW turbines. Four vessels are only able to meet a typical 10 MW hub height if the blade clearance is on average lower or the vessel jacks to a higher air gap.
Outside of Europe, the jack-ups in Figure 18 are likely to serve in emerging Asian markets, where cabotage rules allow, until domestic assets are built. Out of these 13 vessels, CP-8001 is the only Japanese one that can serve the APAC market. Recently, Bold Tern’s crane has been upgraded and commissioned, so the vessel is now capable of installing 15 MW turbines.
Therefore, there are three vessels currently capable of installing 12 – 14 MW turbines: Bold Tern, Seajacks Scylla, and Wind Osprey. Three of the total fleet are technically capable and thus likely to contribute to future installations even though they are not classified as turbine installation jack-ups: INNOVATION, MPI Adventure, and CP-8001 (which is intended for use in the Japanese market). Also, DEME Offshore has signed an MOU with Japan’s Penta Ocean to upgrade Sea Challenger with a 1,600-tonne crane, and re-flag for 2025, but a firm order is yet to be seen. Taillevent and Apollo now work in the Chinese market. Therefore, they are excluded from this analysis.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Vessel | Operator | Year Built | Design | Hook Height Asl (m)1 | Max Lift Capacity (t)2 | Max Water Depth (m) | Variable Deck Load (t) | 10
MW | 12 - 14
MW | 15
MW | # 12-15
MW |
| Aeolus | Van Oord | 2014 | N/A | 136.1 | 1600 | 45 | 7250 | X | | | |
| Blue Tern | Fred. Olsen | 2012 | KFELS MPSEP | 127 | 800 | 65 | 7000 | X | | | |
| Bold Tern | Fred. Olsen | 2013 | NG-9000C-HPE | 158 | 1600 | 60 | 9000 | X4 | X | X | 3 |
| Brave Tern | Fred. Olsen | 2012 | NG-9000C-HPE | 120 | 1600 | 60 | 9000 | X4 | | | |
CP-80016 | Penta-Ocean | 2018 | GJ-3750C | | 800 | 50 | | X | | | |
| INNOVATION | DEME Offshore | 2012 | N/A | 141 | 1500 | 65 | 8000 | X | | | |
| MPI Adventure | Van Oord | 2011 | NG-7500/6 | 120 | 1000 | 40 | 6000 | X5 | | | |
| SEA CHALLENGER | DEME Offshore | 2014 | NG-9000C | 140 | 632 | 55 | 6000 | X5 | | | |
| SEA INSTALLER | DEME Offshore | 2012 | NG-9000C | 121 | 632 | 55 | 6000 | X5 | | | |
| Seajacks Scylla | Seajacks | 2015 | NG-14000X | 153 | 1500 | 65 | 8390 | X | X5 | | 3 |
| Seajacks Zaratan | Seajacks | 2012 | NG-5500C | 119 | 600 | 55 | 3607 | X | | | |
| Vole au Vent | Jan de Nul | 2013 | N/A | 139.5 | 15003 | 50 | 6500 | X | | | |
| Wind Orca | Cadeler | 2012 | N/A | 117.4 | 1200 | 60 | 11000 | X5 | | | |
| Wind Osprey | Cadeler | 2012 | N/A | 152.4 | 1150 | 60 | 11000 | X | X5 | | 3 |
Figure 18: Wind Turbine Installation Vessels Current Fleet
(1) Hook height above sea level (ASL) is defined as hook height above deck + specified vessel depth + 10 m air gap (2) At ~30-40 m radius (3) At 20-25m radius (4) Hook height marginal (5) At sites with low blade clearance and/or increased air gap (6) Unlikely to leave Japanese market.
10 MW: 112 m hub height + 15 m rigging allowance, 450 t nacelle weight (exc. ~50t for grillage, equipment and rigging)
12-14 MW: 150 m hub height + 15 m rigging allowance; 850 t nacelle weight (exc. ~50t for grillage, equipment and rigging); carrying capacity assumes ~2200t per turbine.
15 MW: 155 m hub height + 20 m rigging allowance; 550 t nacelle weight (exc. ~50t for grillage, equipment and rigging)
New Builds and Upgrades
Increasing turbine dimensions mean that operators need to secure their existing vessels to be utilized in the market. They are proceeding with upgrades to existing vessels, generally by increasing the crane capacity and hook height. Upgrades provide a lower cost option than newbuilds and are usually scheduled over winter months to minimize lost earnings impact.
However, upgrading is not enough to solve future market shortages and complete the installation of bigger components to be seen toward the end of the decade. Several existing operators and new market entrants plan to build new jack-ups to meet the rising demand. Those with secured orders are listed in figure 19 along with the planned upgrades.
New builds consist of 15 jack-ups. Of these, three are Japanese builds (Blue Wind, CP-16001, and Obayashi New Build) and two are vessels for the USA market in order to comply with Jones Act (Maersk New Build and Charybdis). There are five vessels listed with scheduled updates, and by 2025 all of these will be up and running in the market.
Out of the 18 vessels capable of installing 15 MW turbines (including expected upgrades), 11 vessels will be capable of installing monopiles, indicated with pale blue highlights.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Vessel | Operator | Delivery | Status | Design | Hook Height Asl (m) 1 | Max Lift (t) 2
| Max
Depth (m) | Variable
Deck
Load (t) | 10-12
MW | 12-14
MW | 15
MW | #
Of
12-15
MW |
| Voltaire | Jan de Nul | H2 2022 | Launched | | 187.1 | 3000 | 80 | 14000 | X | X | X | 6 |
Seaway Ventus
(JU VIND 1) | Seaway 7 | 2023 | In Construction | NG-14000XL-G | 177 | 2500 | 65 | 8750 | X | X | X | 4 |
| Nessie | Eneti | 2024 | In Construction | NG-16000X | 183 | 2600 | 65 | 11400 | X | X | X | 5-6 |
| Siren | Eneti | 2025 | In Construction | NG-16000X | 183 | 2600 | 65 | 11400 | X | X | X | 5-6 |
| NG-20000X-G 1 | Cadeler | H2 2024 | In Construction | NG-20000X-G | 192 | 2600 | 80 | 17600 | X | X | X | 7 |
| NG-20000X-G 2 | Cadeler | 2025 | Ordered | NG-20000X-G | 192 | 2600 | 80 | 17600 | X | X | X | 7 |
Charybdis 5 | Dominion | Q4 2023 | In construction | NG-16000X-SJ | 173.7 | 2200 | n/a | 11500 | X | X | X3 | 5 |
Blue Wind4 | Shimizu | 2022 | Launched | SC-14000XL | 176 | 2500 | 65 | | X | X | X | 3 |
CP-160014 | Penta-Ocean | Q2 2023 | Launched | GJ-9800C | 140 | 1600 | 50 | | X | X | | |
Tbc4 | Obayashi | 2023 | In construction | | TBC | 1250 | n/a | | X | | | |
| Boreas | Van Oord | 2024 | In Construction | | TBC | 3000 | 70 | | X | X | X | |
| Tbc | Maersk | 2025 | Ordered | | TBC | TBC | TBC | | X | X | X | |
| F-Class | Cadeler | Q4 2025 | In construction | | 200 | TBC | TBC | TBC | X | X | X | 6 |
| F-Class 2 | Cadeler | 2027 | Ordered | | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | X | X | X | 6 |
NG20000X
Havfram tbc | Havfram | 2024 | Ordered | NG20000X | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | X | X | X | |
| VESSEL UPGRADES (specifications after upgrade) |
| Brave Tern | Fred. Olsen | 2024 | Upgrade Ordered | NG-9000C-HPE | 158 | 1600 | 60 | 9000 | X | X | X | |
| Wind Orca | Cadeler | 2025 | Upgrade Ordered | N/A | 180.1 | 1600 | 60 | 11000 | X | X | X | 4 |
| Wind Osprey | Cadeler | 2025 | Upgrade Ordered | N/A | 180.1 | 1600 | 60 | 11000 | X | X3 | X3 | 4 |
| Sea Installer | DEME | 2023 | Upgrade Ordered | NG-9000C | 179 | 1600 | 55 | | X | X3 | X3 | |
| Aeolus | Van Oord | 2023 | Upgrade Ordered | | 136.1 | 1600 | 45 | 7250 | X | X | X | |
Figure 19:Wind Turbine Installation Vessels New Builds & Upgrades Specifications
(1) Hook height above sea level (ASL) is defined as hook height above deck + specified vessel depth + 10 m air gap (2) At ~30-40 m radius (3) At sites with low blade clearance or increased air gap or split tower installation (4) Likely to remain in Japanese market (5) Likely to remain in US market. (7) Estimated values.
12-14 MW: 150 m hub height + 15 m rigging allowance; 850 t nacelle weight (exc. ~50t for grillage, equipment and rigging); carrying capacity assumes ~2200t per turbine unless otherwise stated
15 MW: 155 m hub height + 20 m rigging allowance; 550 t nacelle weight (exc. ~50t for grillage, equipment and rigging)
Vessel Suitability Analysis
Hook height above deck + specified vessel depth + 10 m air gap. Includes marginal capability. Brave Tern, Wind Orca, Wind Osprey, Sea Installer, and Aeolus are considered as upgrades and after upgrade specifications are included in the analysis.
Wind Turbine Installation Vessel Demand
The demand for large offshore wind turbines is growing, meaning increased demand for highly specialized vessels capable of installing large offshore components.
Figure 21: Global turbine installation demand by vessel number and turbine units by year (exc. China)
Turbine installation start (if unknown) is modelled assuming that turbine installation will start one year after offshore construction starts (foundation installation start). Installation is spread through the year and may roll into the following year. The length of the installation period (unless known from developer communications) is calculated by multiplying the number of turbines by an installation rate of 3 days per turbine in Europe, and 3.5 days per turbine in Asia and North America to account for the learning rate and the influence of typhoons and earthquakes. Projects in water depths under 15 m are excluded from the installation demand as well as floating projects. Floating projects are not assumed to be installed by jack-up vessels in the demand model, but some of the projects are expected to be installed by jack-up vessels as port sizes will not be suitable for installation. Chinese projects are also excluded.
In order to forecast the number of vessels required per year, an estimate of the number of vessel days for future turbine installations (number of turbines x turbine installation rate) is calculated. Additionally, the productivity rate of a vessel (the proportion of the year spent on turbine installation-related activities) is set at 65% in accordance with historical data. A lower productivity rate will increase the number of vessels required for turbine installation and vice versa. Forecasting shows an average of 24 vessels per year will be required between the period 2025-2031.21). The demand for vessels that can install 12MW+ turbines is expected to reach 15 vessels in 2026 and continue to increase and reaching 26 vessels needed for 15 MW+ turbines.
Supply vs. Demand
Jack-up supply is expected to be tight beyond 2026, with a clear shortage in the supply of windfarm installation jack-ups (Figure 22). WTIV demand climbs steadily from 11 vessels in 2022 to 29 vessels in 2027, 2 of them being excess foundation installation vessel demand which is not covered by foundation installation vessel fleet. Vessel supply follows a similar trajectory, plateauing at 29 vessels in 2027. A shortage of WTIVs capable of 12 – 14 MW turbines exists from 2028, and for ≥15 MW turbines from 2030.
Developers will find it increasingly difficult to secure the vessel assets needed to keep their projects on schedule and meet planned commissioning dates, especially when we see bigger turbines being the norm in the market. Increasingly ambitious renewable energy targets add pressure to the offshore wind industry to get projects built this side of 2030. Demand will continue to increase post 2025, and vessel shortages are anticipated towards the end of the decade, leading to increased vessel day rates. Also, Supply chain constraints, grid infrastructure, and delays with new build and upgraded vessels will delay foundation installation activity, which will have a knock-on effect on turbine installation. Under these conditions, some market power is likely to shift from project developers towards those vessel operators that have assets capable of installing large turbines (12-15 MW).
Figure 23 shows a surplus of vessels in Europe, and a shortage in the US and Asia. Additional new builds and upgrades are expected in Asia and the US, but financial progress and timelines are unclear. Without significant new-build capacity, North America and APAC will be dependent on European vessels.
Environmental and Other Regulations in the Shipping Industry
Government regulation and laws significantly affect the ownership and operation of our fleet. We are subject to international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the countries in which our vessels may operate or are registered relating to safety and health and environmental protection including the storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination and liability for damage to natural resources. Compliance with such laws, regulations and other requirements entails significant expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of certain operating procedures.
A variety of government and private entities subject our vessels to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include the local port authorities (applicable national authorities such as the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”), harbor master or equivalent), classification societies, flag state administrations (countries of registry) and charterers, particularly terminal operators. Certain of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations for the operation of our vessels. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or result in the temporary suspension of the operation of one or more of our vessels.
Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to stricter environmental standards. We are required to maintain operating standards for all of our vessels that emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of our officers and crews and compliance with United States and international regulations. We believe that the operation of our vessels is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that our vessels have all material permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations necessary for the conduct of our operations. However, because such laws and regulations frequently change and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these requirements, or the impact of these requirements on the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. In addition, a future serious marine incident that causes significant adverse environmental impact could result in additional legislation or regulation that could negatively affect our profitability.
International Maritime Organization
The International Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency for maritime safety and the prevention of pollution by vessels (the “IMO”), has adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, collectively referred to as MARPOL 73/78 and herein as “MARPOL,” adopted the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974 (“SOLAS Convention”), and the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966 (the “LL Convention”). MARPOL establishes environmental standards relating to oil leakage or spilling, garbage management, sewage, air emissions, handling and disposal of noxious liquids and the handling of harmful substances in packaged forms. MARPOL is applicable to vessels of any type under countries that are signatories and is broken into six Annexes, each of which regulates a different source of pollution. Annex I relates to oil leakage or spilling; Annexes II and III relate to harmful substances carried in bulk in liquid or in packaged form, respectively; Annexes IV and V
relate to sewage and garbage management, respectively; and Annex VI, lastly, relates to air emissions. Annex VI was separately adopted by the IMO in September of 1997; new emissions standards, titled IMO 2020, became effective on January 1, 2020.
Air Emissions
In September of 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution from vessels. Effective May 2005, Annex VI sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from all commercial vessel exhausts and prohibits “deliberate emissions” of ozone depleting substances (such as halons and chlorofluorocarbons), emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks, and the shipboard incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions, as explained below. Emissions of “volatile organic compounds” from certain vessels, and the shipboard incineration (from incinerators installed after January 1, 2000) of certain substances (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, or “PCBs”) are also prohibited. We believe that all our vessels are currently compliant in all material respects with these regulations.
The Marine Environment Protection Committee, or “MEPC,” adopted amendments to Annex VI regarding emissions of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and ozone depleting substances, which entered into force on July 1, 2010. The amended Annex VI seeks to further reduce air pollution by, among other things, implementing a progressive reduction of the amount of sulfur contained in any fuel oil used on board ships. On October 27, 2016, at its 70th session, the MEPC agreed to implement a global 0.5% m/m sulfur oxide emissions limit (reduced from 3.50%) starting from January 1, 2020. This limitation can be met by using low-sulfur compliant fuel oil, alternative fuel, or certain exhaust gas cleaning systems. Ships are now required to obtain bunker delivery notes and International Air Pollution Prevention (“IAPP”) Certificates from their flag states that specify sulfur content. Additionally, at MEPC 73, amendments to Annex VI to prohibit the carriage of bunkers above 0.5% sulfur on ships were adopted and took effect March 1, 2020, with the exception of vessels fitted with exhaust gas cleaning equipment (“scrubbers”) which can carry fuel of higher sulfur content. These regulations subject ocean-going vessels to stringent emissions controls and may cause us to incur substantial costs.
Sulfur content standards are even stricter within certain “Emission Control Areas,” or “ECAs”. As of January 1, 2015, ships operating within an ECA were not permitted to use fuel with sulfur content in excess of 0.1% m/m. Amended Annex VI establishes procedures for designating new ECAs. Currently, the IMO has designated four ECAs, including specified portions of the Baltic Sea area, North Sea area, North American area and United States Caribbean area. Ocean-going vessels in these areas will be subject to stringent emission controls and may cause us to incur additional costs. Other areas in China are subject to local regulations that impose stricter emission controls. In December 2021, the member states of the Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution (“Barcelona Convention”) agreed to support the designation of a new ECA in the Mediterranean. On December 15, 2022, MEPC 79 adopted the designation of a new ECA in the Mediterranean, with an effective date of May 1, 2025. If other ECAs are approved by the IMO, or other new or more stringent requirements relating to emissions from marine diesel engines or port operations by vessels are adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) or the states where we operate, compliance with these regulations could entail significant capital expenditures or otherwise increase the costs of our operations.
Amended Annex VI also establishes new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for marine diesel engines, depending on their date of installation. At the MEPC meeting held from March to April 2014, amendments to Annex VI were adopted which address the date on which Tier III Nitrogen Oxide (“NOx”) standards in ECAs will go into effect. Under the amendments, Tier III NOx standards apply to ships that operate in the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea ECAs designed for the control of NOx produced by vessels with a marine diesel engine installed and constructed on or after January 1, 2016. Tier III requirements could apply to areas that will be designated for Tier III NOx in the future. At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, the MEPC approved the North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs for nitrogen oxide for ships built on or after January 1, 2021. The EPA promulgated equivalent (and in some senses stricter) emissions standards in late 2010. As a result of these designations or similar future designations, we may be required to incur additional operating or other costs.
As determined at the MEPC 70, the new Regulation 22A of MARPOL Annex VI became effective as of March 1, 2018 and requires ships above 5,000 gross tonnage to collect and report annual data on fuel oil consumption to an IMO database, with the first year of data collection having commenced on January 1, 2019. The IMO intends to use such data as the first step in its roadmap (through 2023) for developing its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships, as discussed further below.
As of January 1, 2013, MARPOL made mandatory certain measures relating to energy efficiency for ships. All ships are now required to develop and implement Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans (“SEEMP”), and new ships must be designed in compliance with minimum energy efficiency levels per capacity mile as defined by the Energy Efficiency Design Index (“EEDI”). Under these measures, by 2025, all new ships built will be 30% more energy efficient than those built in 2014. MEPC 75 adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI which brings forward the effective date of the EEDI’s “phase 3”
requirements from January 1, 2025 to April 1, 2022 for several ship types, including gas carriers, general cargo ships, and LNG carriers.
Additionally, MEPC 75 introduced draft amendments to Annex VI that impose new regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. These amendments introduce requirements to assess and measure the energy efficiency of all ships and set the required attainment values, with the goal of reducing the carbon intensity of international shipping. The requirements include (1) a technical requirement to reduce carbon intensity based on a new Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (“EEXI”), and (2) operational carbon intensity reduction requirements, based on a new operational carbon intensity indicator (“CII”). The attained EEXI is required to be calculated for ships of 400 gross tonnage and above, in accordance with different values set for ship types and categories. With respect to the CII, the draft amendments would require ships of 5,000 gross tonnage to document and verify their actual annual operational CII achieved against a determined required annual operational CII. Additionally, MEPC 75 proposed draft amendments requiring that, on or before January 1, 2023, all ships above 400 gross tonnage must have an approved SEEMP on board. For ships above 5,000 gross tonnage, the SEEMP would need to include certain mandatory content. The draft amendments introduced at MEPC 75 were adopted at the MEPC 76 session in June 2021 and entered into force on November 1, 2022, with the requirements for EEXI and CII certification coming into effect from January 1, 2023. MEPC 77 adopted a non-binding resolution which urges Member States and ship operators to voluntarily use distillate or other cleaner alternative fuels or methods of propulsion that are safe for ships and could contribute to the reduction of Black Carbon emissions from ships when operating in or near the Arctic. MEPC 79 adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, Appendix IX to include the attained and required CII values, the CII rating and attained EEXI for existing ships in the required information to be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database. The amendments will enter into force on May 1, 2024.
We may incur costs to comply with these revised standards. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could require the installation of expensive emission control systems and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Safety Management System Requirements
The SOLAS Convention was amended to address the safe manning of vessels and emergency training drills. The Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (the “LLMC”) sets limitations of liability for a loss of life or personal injury claim or a property claim against ship owners. We believe that our vessels are in substantial compliance with SOLAS and LLMC standards.
Under Chapter IX of the SOLAS Convention, or the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (the “ISM Code”), our operations are also subject to environmental standards and requirements. The ISM Code requires the party with operational control of a vessel to develop an extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. We rely upon the safety management system that we and our technical management team have developed for compliance with the ISM Code. The failure of a vessel owner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel’s management with the ISM Code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a safety management certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. We have obtained applicable documents of compliance for our offices and safety management certificates for all of our vessels for which the certificates are required by the IMO. The document of compliance and safety management certificate are renewed as required.
Amendments to the SOLAS Convention Chapter VII apply to vessels transporting dangerous goods and require those vessels be in compliance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (“IMDG Code”). Effective January 1, 2018, the IMDG Code includes (1) updates to the provisions for radioactive material, reflecting the latest provisions from the International Atomic Energy Agency, (2) new marking, packing and classification requirements for dangerous goods, and (3) new mandatory training requirements. Amendments that became effective on January 1, 2020 also reflect the latest material from the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, including (1) new provisions regarding IMO type 9 tank, (2) new abbreviations for segregation groups, and (3) special provisions for carriage of lithium batteries and of vehicles powered by flammable liquid or gas. Additional amendments, which came into force on June 1, 2022, include (1) addition of a definition of dosage rate, (2) additions to the list of high consequence dangerous goods, (3) new provisions for medical/clinical
waste, (4) addition of various ISO standards for gas cylinders, (5) a new handling code, and (6) changes to stowage and segregation provisions.
The IMO has also adopted the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (“STCW”). As of February 2017, all seafarers are required to meet the STCW standards and be in possession of a valid STCW certificate. Flag states that have ratified SOLAS and STCW generally employ the classification societies, which have incorporated SOLAS and STCW requirements into their class rules, to undertake surveys to confirm compliance.
The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and MEPC, respectively, each adopted relevant parts of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Water (the “Polar Code”). The Polar Code, which entered into force on January 1, 2017, covers design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue as well as environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in the waters surrounding the two poles. It also includes mandatory measures regarding safety and pollution prevention as well as recommendatory provisions. The Polar Code applies to new ships constructed after January 1, 2017, and after January 1, 2018, ships constructed before January 1, 2017 are required to meet the relevant requirements by the earlier of their first intermediate or renewal survey.
Furthermore, recent action by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and United States agencies indicates that cybersecurity regulations for the maritime industry are likely to be further developed in the near future in an attempt to combat cybersecurity threats. By IMO resolution, administrations are encouraged to ensure that cyber-risk management systems are incorporated by ship-owners and managers by their first annual Document of Compliance audit after January 1, 2021. In February 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard published guidance on addressing cyber risks in a vessel’s safety management system. This might cause companies to create additional procedures for monitoring cybersecurity, which could require additional expenses and/or capital expenditures. The impact of future regulations is hard to predict at this time.
MEPC 79 adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, Appendix IX to include the attained and required CII values, the CII rating and attained EEXI for existing ships in the required information to be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database. The amendments will enter into force on May 1, 2024.
Pollution Control and Liability Requirements
The IMO has negotiated international conventions that impose liability for pollution in international waters and the territorial waters of the signatories to such conventions. For example, the IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (the “BWM Convention”) in 2004. The BWM Convention entered into force on September 8, 2017. The BWM Convention requires ships to manage their ballast water to remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of new or invasive aquatic organisms and pathogens within ballast water and sediments. The BWM Convention’s implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits, and require all ships to carry a ballast water record book and an international ballast water management certificate.
On December 4, 2013, the IMO Assembly passed a resolution revising the application dates of the BWM Convention so that the dates are triggered by the entry into force date and not the dates originally in the BWM Convention. This, in effect, makes all vessels delivered before the entry into force date “existing vessels” and allows for the installation of ballast water management systems on such vessels at the first International Oil Pollution Prevention (“IOPP”) renewal survey following entry into force of the convention. The MEPC adopted updated guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems (G8) at MEPC 70. At MEPC 71, the schedule regarding the BWM Convention’s implementation dates was also discussed and amendments were introduced to extend the date existing vessels are subject to certain ballast water standards. Those changes were adopted at MEPC 72. Ships over 400 gross tons generally must comply with a “D-1 standard,” requiring the exchange of ballast water only in open seas and away from coastal waters. The “D-2 standard” specifies the maximum amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged, and compliance dates vary depending on the IOPP renewal dates. Depending on the date of the IOPP renewal survey, existing vessels must comply with the D-2 standard on or after September 8, 2019. For most ships, compliance with the D-2 standard will involve installing on-board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate unwanted organisms. Ballast water management systems, which include systems that make use of chemical, biocides, organisms or biological mechanisms, or which alter the chemical or physical characteristics of the ballast water, must be approved in accordance with IMO Guidelines (Regulation D-3). As of October 13, 2019, MEPC 72’s amendments to the BWM Convention took effect, making the Code for Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems, which governs assessment of ballast water management systems, mandatory rather than permissive, and formalized an implementation schedule for the D-2 standard. Under these amendments, all ships must meet the D-2 standard by September 8, 2024. Costs of compliance with these regulations may be substantial. Additionally, in November 2020, MEPC 75 adopted amendments to the BWM Convention which would require a commissioning test of the ballast water management system for the initial survey or when performing an additional survey for retrofits. This analysis will not apply to ships that already have an installed BWM system certified under the BWM Convention. These amendments have entered into force on June 1, 2022.MEPC 79 adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, Appendix IX to include the attained and required CII values, the CII rating and attained EEXI for existing
ships in the required information to be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database. The amendments will enter into force on May 1, 2024.
Once mid-ocean exchange ballast water treatment requirements become mandatory under the BWM Convention, the cost of compliance could increase for ocean carriers and may have a material effect on our operations. However, many countries already regulate the discharge of ballast water carried by vessels from country to country to prevent the introduction of invasive and harmful species via such discharges. The U.S., for example, requires vessels entering its waters from another country to conduct mid-ocean ballast exchange, or undertake some alternate measure, and to comply with certain reporting requirements.
The IMO also adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (the “Bunker Convention”) to impose strict liability on ship owners (including the registered owner, bareboat charterer, manager or operator) for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross tons to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the LLMC). With respect to non-ratifying states, liability for spills or releases of oil carried as fuel in a ship’s bunkers typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.
Ships are required to maintain a certificate attesting that they maintain adequate insurance to cover an incident. In jurisdictions, such as the United States where the Bunker Convention has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or on a strict-liability basis.
Anti-Fouling Requirements
In 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, or the “Anti-fouling Convention.” The Anti-fouling Convention, which entered into force on September 17, 2008, prohibits the use of organotin compound coatings to prevent the attachment of mollusks and other sea life to the hulls of vessels. Vessels of over 400 gross tons engaged in international voyages will also be required to undergo an initial survey before the vessel is put into service or before an International Anti-fouling System Certificate (the “IAFS Certificate”) is issued for the first time; and subsequent surveys when the anti-fouling systems are altered or replaced. MEPC 79 adopted amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, Appendix IX to include the attained and required CII values, the CII rating and attained EEXI for existing ships in the required information to be submitted to the IMO Ship Fuel Oil Consumption Database. The amendments will enter into force on May 1, 2024.
In November 2020, MEPC 75 approved draft amendments to the Anti-fouling Convention to prohibit anti-fouling systems containing cybutryne, which would apply to ships from January 1, 2023, or, for ships already bearing such an anti-fouling system, at the next scheduled renewal of the system after that date, but no later than 60 months following the last application to the ship of such a system. In addition, the IAFS Certificate has been updated to address compliance options for anti-fouling systems to address cybutryne. Ships that are affected by this ban on cybutryne must receive an updated IAFS Certificate no later than two years after the entry into force of these amendments. Ships that are not affected (i.e. with anti-fouling systems that do not contain cybutryne) must receive an updated IAFS Certificate at the next Anti-fouling application to the vessel. These amendments were formally adopted at MEPC 76 in June 2021.
We have obtained Anti-fouling System Certificates for all of our vessels that are subject to the Anti-fouling Convention.
Compliance Enforcement
Noncompliance with the ISM Code or other IMO regulations may subject the ship owner or bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. The USCG and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code by applicable deadlines will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports, respectively. As of the date hereof, each of our vessels is ISM Code certified. However, there can be no assurance that such certificates will be maintained in the future.
The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations. It is impossible to predict what additional regulations, if any, may be passed by the IMO and what effect, if any, such regulations might have on our operations.
United States Regulations
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”) established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all “owners and operators” whose vessels trade or operate within the U.S., its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in U.S. waters, which includes the U.S.’s territorial sea and its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the U.S. The U.S. has also enacted the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil, except in limited circumstances, whether on land or at sea. OPA and CERCLA both define “owner and operator” in the case of a vessel as any person owning, operating or chartering by demise, the vessel. Both OPA and CERCLA impact our operations.
Under OPA, vessel owners and operators are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels, including bunkers (fuel). OPA defines these other damages broadly to include:
(i) injury to, destruction or loss of, or loss of use of, natural resources and related assessment costs;
(ii) injury to, or economic losses resulting from, the destruction of real and personal property;
(iii) loss of subsistence use of natural resources that are injured, destroyed or lost;
(iv) net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees or net profit revenues resulting from injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property, or natural resources;
(v) lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property or natural resources; and
(vi) net cost of increased or additional public services necessitated by removal activities following a discharge of oil, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards, and loss of subsistence use of natural resources.
OPA contains statutory caps on liability and damages; such caps do not apply to direct cleanup costs. Effective November 12, 2019, the USCG adjusted the limits of OPA liability for non-tank vessels, edible oil tank vessels, and any oil spill response vessels, to the greater of $1,200 per gross ton or $997,100 (subject to periodic adjustment for inflation). On December 23, 2022, the USCG issued a final rule to adjust the limitation of liability under the OPA. Effective March 23, 2022, the new adjusted limits of OPA liability for non-tank vessels, edible oil tank vessels, and any oil spill response vessels, to the greater of $1,300 per gross ton or $1,076,000 (subject to periodic adjustment for inflation). These limits of liability do not apply if an incident was proximately caused by the violation of an applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulation by a responsible party (or its agent, employee or a person acting pursuant to a contractual relationship), or a responsible party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The limitation on liability similarly does not apply if the responsible party fails or refuses to (i) report the incident as required by law where the responsible party knows or has reason to know of the incident; (ii) reasonably cooperate and assist as requested in connection with oil removal activities; or (iii) without sufficient cause, comply with an order issued under the Federal Water Pollution Act (Section 311 (c), (e)) or the Intervention on the High Seas Act.
CERCLA contains a similar liability regime whereby owners and operators of vessels are liable for cleanup, removal and remedial costs, as well as damages for injury to, or destruction or loss of, natural resources, including the reasonable costs associated with assessing the same, and health assessments or health effects studies. There is no liability if the discharge of a hazardous substance results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5.0 million for vessels carrying a hazardous substance as cargo and the greater of $300 per gross ton or $500,000 for any other vessel. These limits do not apply (rendering the responsible person liable for the total cost of response and damages) if the release or threat of release of a hazardous substance resulted from willful misconduct or negligence, or the primary cause of the release was a violation of applicable safety, construction or operating standards or regulations. The limitation on liability also does not apply if the responsible person fails or refused to provide all reasonable cooperation and assistance as requested in connection with response activities where the vessel is subject to OPA.
OPA and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law, including maritime tort law. OPA and CERCLA both require owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the USCG evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the maximum amount of liability to which the particular responsible person may be subject. Vessel owners and operators may satisfy their financial responsibility obligations by providing a proof of insurance, a surety bond, qualification as a self-insurer or a guarantee. We comply and plan to comply going forward with the USCG’s financial responsibility regulations by providing applicable certificates of financial responsibility.
Deepwater Horizon
The 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in additional regulatory initiatives or statutes, including higher liability caps under OPA, new regulations regarding offshore oil and gas drilling, and a pilot inspection program for offshore facilities. However, several of these initiatives and regulations have been or may be revised. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (“BSEE”) revised Production Safety Systems Rule (“PSSR”), effective December 27, 2018, modified and relaxed certain environmental and safety protections under the 2016 PSSR. Additionally, the BSEE amended the Well Control Rule, effective July 15, 2019, which rolled back certain reforms regarding the safety of drilling operations, and former U.S. President Trump had proposed leasing new sections of U.S. waters to oil and gas companies for offshore drilling. In January 2021, current U.S. President Biden signed an executive order temporarily blocking new leases for
oil and gas drilling in federal waters. However, attorney generals from 13 states filed suit in March 2021 to lift the executive order, and in June 2021, a federal judge in Louisiana granted a preliminary injunction against the Biden administration, stating that the power to pause offshore oil and gas leases “lies solely with Congress.” In August 2022, a federal judge in Louisiana sided with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with the other 12 plaintiff states, by issuing a permanent injunction against the Biden Administration’s moratorium on oil and gas leasing on federal public lands and offshore waters. With these rapid changes, compliance with any new requirements of OPA and future legislation or regulations applicable to the operation of our vessels could impact the cost of our operations and adversely affect our business.
OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, provided they accept, at a minimum, the levels of liability established under OPA and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for oil spills. Many U.S. states that border a navigable waterway have enacted environmental pollution laws that impose strict liability on a person for removal costs and damages resulting from a discharge of oil or a release of a hazardous substance. These laws may be more stringent than U.S. federal law. Moreover, some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for discharge of pollutants within their waters, although in some cases, states which have enacted this type of legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining vessel owners’ responsibilities under these laws. We intend to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.
We currently maintain pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1.0 billion per incident for each of our vessels except the Seajacks Zaratan, which due to her flag, trade and ownership, is required to have coverage in Japan and is limited to $500.0 million. If the damages from a catastrophic spill were to exceed our insurance coverage, it could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operation.
Other United States Environmental Initiatives
The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 (including its amendments of 1977 and 1990) (“CAA”) requires the EPA to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds and other air contaminants. The CAA requires states to adopt State Implementation Plans, or “SIPs”, some of which regulate emissions resulting from vessel loading and unloading operations, which may affect our vessels.
The U.S. Clean Water Act (“CWA”) prohibits the discharge of oil, hazardous substances and ballast water in U.S. navigable waters unless authorized by a duly-issued permit or exemption, and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges. The CWA also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA and CERCLA. In 2015, the EPA expanded the definition of “waters of the United States” (“WOTUS”), thereby expanding federal authority under the CWA. Following litigation on the revised WOTUS rule, in December 2018, the EPA and Department of the Army proposed a revised, limited definition of WOTUS. In 2019 and 2020, the agencies repealed the prior WOTUS Rule and promulgated the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (“NWPR”), which significantly reduced the scope and oversight of EPA and the Department of the Army in traditionally non-navigable waterways. On August 30, 2021, a federal district court in Arizona vacated the NWPR and directed the agencies to replace the rule. On December 7, 2021, the EPA and the Department of the Army proposed a rule that would reinstate the pre-2015 definition. On December 30, 2022, the Department of Army announced the final WOTUS rule that largely reinstated the pre-2015 definition.
The EPA and the USCG have also enacted rules relating to ballast water discharge, compliance with which requires the installation of equipment on our vessels to treat ballast water before it is discharged or the implementation of other port facility disposal arrangements or procedures at potentially substantial costs, and/or otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. Waters. The EPA will regulate these ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the normal operation of certain vessels within United States waters pursuant to the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (“VIDA”), which was signed into law on December 4, 2018 and replaces the 2013 Vessel General Permit (“VGP”) program (which authorizes discharges incidental to operations of commercial vessels and contains numeric ballast water discharge limits for most vessels to reduce the risk of invasive species in U.S. waters, stringent requirements for exhaust gas scrubbers, and requirements for the use of environmentally acceptable lubricants) and current Coast Guard ballast water management regulations adopted under the U.S. National Invasive Species Act (“NISA”), such as mid-ocean ballast exchange programs and installation of approved USCG technology for all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks bound for U.S. ports or entering U.S. waters. VIDA establishes a new framework for the regulation of vessel incidental discharges under the CWA, requires the EPA to develop performance standards for those discharges within two years of enactment, and requires the U.S. Coast Guard to develop implementation, compliance, and enforcement regulations within two years of EPA’s promulgation of standards. Under VIDA, all provisions of the 2013 VGP and USCG regulations regarding ballast water treatment remain in force and effect until the EPA and U.S. Coast Guard regulations are finalized. Non-military, non-recreational vessels greater than 79 feet in length must continue to comply with the requirements of the VGP, including submission of a Notice of Intent (“NOI”) or retention of a Permit Authorization and Record of Inspection (“PARI”) form and submission of annual reports. Compliance with the EPA, U.S. Coast Guard and state regulations could require the installation of ballast water treatment equipment on our vessels or the implementation of
other port facility disposal procedures at potentially substantial cost, or may otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. waters.
European Union Regulations
In October 2009, the European Union amended a directive to impose criminal sanctions for illicit ship-source discharges of polluting substances, including minor discharges, if committed with intent, recklessly or with serious negligence and the discharges individually or in the aggregate result in deterioration of the quality of water. Aiding and abetting the discharge of a polluting substance may also lead to criminal penalties. The directive applies to all types of vessels, irrespective of their flag, but certain exceptions apply to warships or where human safety or that of the ship is in danger. Criminal liability for pollution may result in substantial penalties or fines and increased civil liability claims. Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 (amending EU Directive 2009/16/EC) governs the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport, and, subject to some exclusions, requires companies with ships over 5,000 gross tonnage to monitor and report carbon dioxide emissions annually, which may cause us to incur additional expenses.
The European Union has adopted several regulations and directives requiring, among other things, more frequent inspections of high-risk ships, as determined by type, age and flag as well as the number of times the ship has been detained. The European Union also adopted and extended a ban on substandard ships and enacted a minimum ban period and a definitive ban for repeated offenses. The regulation also provided the European Union with greater authority and control over classification societies, by imposing more requirements on classification societies and providing for fines or penalty payments for organizations that failed to comply. Furthermore, the European Union has implemented regulations requiring vessels to use reduced sulfur content fuel for their main and auxiliary engines. The EU Directive 2005/33/EC (amending Directive 1999/32/EC) introduced requirements parallel to those in Annex VI relating to the sulfur content of marine fuels. In addition, the European Union imposed a 0.1% maximum sulfur requirement for fuel used by ships at berth in the Baltic, the North Sea and the English Channel (the so called “SOx-Emission Control Area:). As of January 2020, EU member states also have to ensure that ships in all EU waters, except the SOx-Emission Control Area, use fuels with a 0.5% maximum sulfur content.
On September 15, 2020, the European Parliament voted to include greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime sector in the European Union’s carbon market, the EU Emissions Trading System (“EU ETS”). On July 14, 2021, the European Commission formally proposed its plan, which would involve gradually including the maritime sector from 2023 and phasing the sector in over a three-year period. This will require shipowners to buy permits to cover these emissions. The Environment Council adopted a general approach on the proposal in June 2022. On December 18, 2022, the Environmental Council and European Parliament agreed to include maritime shipping emissions within the scope of the EU ETS on a gradual introduction of obligations for shipping companies to surrender allowances: 40% for verified emissions from 2024, 70% for 2025 and 100% for 2026. Most large vessels will be included in the scope of the EU ETS from the start. Big offshore vessels of 5,000 gross tonnage and above will be included in the 'MRV' on the monitoring, reporting and verification of CO2 emissions from maritime transport regulation from 2025 and in the EU ETS from 2027. General cargo vessels and off-shore vessels between 400-5,000 gross tonnage will be included in the MRV regulation from 2025 and their inclusion in EU ETS will be reviewed in 2026.
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization (the “ILO”) is a specialized agency of the UN that has adopted the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 (“MLC 2006”). A Maritime Labor Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labor Compliance is required to ensure compliance with MLC 2006 for all ships of 500 gross tons or over and are either engaged in international voyage or flying the flag of a Member and operating from a port, or between ports, in another country. We believe that all our vessels are in substantial compliance with and are certified to meet MLC 2006.
Greenhouse Gas Regulation
Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which entered into force in 2005 and pursuant to which adopting countries have been required to implement national programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with targets extended through 2020. International negotiations are continuing with respect to a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, and restrictions on shipping emissions may be included in any new treaty. In December 2009, more than 27 nations, including the U.S. and China, signed the Copenhagen Accord, which includes a non-binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris resulted in the Paris Agreement, which entered into force on November 4, 2016 and does not directly limit greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The U.S. initially entered into the agreement, but on June 1, 2017, former U.S. President Trump announced that the United States intends to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, and the withdrawal became effective on November 4, 2020. On January 20, 2021, U.S. President Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the Paris Agreement, which the U.S. officially rejoined on February 19, 2021.
At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, a draft outline of the structure of the initial strategy for developing a comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships was approved. In accordance with this roadmap, in April 2018,
nations at the MEPC 72 adopted an initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The initial strategy identifies “levels of ambition” to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including (1) decreasing the carbon intensity from ships through implementation of further phases of the EEDI for new ships; (2) reducing carbon dioxide emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008 emission levels; and (3) reducing the total annual greenhouse emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 while pursuing efforts towards phasing them out entirely. The initial strategy notes that technological innovation, alternative fuels and/or energy sources for international shipping will be integral to achieve the overall ambition. These regulations could cause us to incur additional substantial expenses. At MEPC 77, the Member States agreed to initiate the revision of the Initial IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG emissions from ships, recognizing the need to strengthen the ambition during the revision process. MEPC 79 revised the EEDI calculation guidelines to include a CO2 conversion factor for ethane, a reference to the updated ITCC guidelines, and a clarification that in case of a ship with multiple load line certificates, the maximum certified summer draft should be used when determining the deadweight. A final draft Revised IMO GHG Strategy would be considered by MEPC 80 (scheduled to meet in July 2023), with a view to adoption.
The European Union made a unilateral commitment to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions from its member states from 20% of 1990 levels by 2020. The European Union also committed to reduce its emissions by 20% under the Kyoto Protocol’s second period from 2013 to 2020. Starting in January 2018, large ships over 5,000 gross tonnage calling at EU ports are required to collect and publish data on carbon dioxide emissions and other information. As previously discussed, regulations relating to the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime sector in the European Union’s carbon market, EU ETS are also forthcoming.
In the United States, the EPA issued a finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and safety, adopted regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from certain mobile sources, and proposed regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from large stationary sources. However, in March 2017, former U.S. President Trump signed an executive order to review and possibly eliminate the EPA’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and in August 2019, the Trump Administration announced plans to weaken regulations for methane emissions. On August 13, 2020, the EPA released rules rolling back standards to control methane and volatile organic compound emissions from new oil and gas facilities. However, U.S. President Biden directed the EPA to publish a proposed rule suspending, revising, or rescinding certain of these rules. On November 2, 2021, the EPA issued a proposed rule under the CAA designed to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas sources. The proposed rule would reduce 41 million tons of methane emissions between 2023 and 2035 and cut methane emissions in the oil and gas sector by approximately 74 percent compared to emissions from this sector in 2005. EPA also issued a supplemental proposed rule in November 2022 to include additional methane reduction measures following public input and anticipates issuing a final rule in 2023. Although the so-proposed emissions regulations do not apply to greenhouse gas emissions from vessels, the EPA has received petitions from the California Attorney General and environmental groups to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from ocean-going vessels. Furthermore, Congress, the EPA or individual U.S. states could enact climate change legislation or regulations, such as cap-and-trade programs, carbon taxes, and mandatory greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting, that would affect our operations.
Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, the EU, the U.S. or other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at the international level to succeed the Kyoto Protocol or Paris Agreement, that restricts emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to make significant financial expenditures which we cannot predict with certainty at this time. Even in the absence of climate control legislation, our business may be indirectly affected to the extent that climate change may result in sea level changes or certain weather events.
Vessel Security Regulations
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security such as the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (“MTSA”). To implement certain portions of the MTSA, the USCG issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and at certain ports and facilities, some of which are regulated by the EPA.
Similarly, Chapter XI-2 of the SOLAS Convention imposes detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities and mandates compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (“the ISPS Code”). The ISPS Code is designed to enhance the security of ports and ships against terrorism. To trade internationally, a vessel must attain an International Ship Security Certificate (“ISSC”) from a recognized security organization approved by the vessel’s flag state. Ships operating without a valid certificate may be detained, expelled from or refused entry at port until they obtain an ISSC. The various requirements, some of which are found in the SOLAS Convention, include, for example, on-board installation of automatic identification systems to provide a means for the automatic transmission of safety-related information from among similarly equipped ships and shore stations, including information on a ship’s identity, position, course, speed and navigational status; on-board installation of ship security alert systems, which do not sound on the vessel but only alert the authorities on shore; the development of vessel security plans; ship identification number to be permanently marked on a vessel’s hull; a
continuous synopsis record kept onboard showing a vessel’s history including the name of the ship, the state whose flag the ship is entitled to fly, the date on which the ship was registered with that state, the ship’s identification number, the port at which the ship is registered and the name of the registered owner(s) and their registered address; and compliance with flag state security certification requirements.
The USCG regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board a valid ISSC that attests to the vessel’s compliance with the SOLAS Convention security requirements and the ISPS Code. Future security measures could have a significant financial impact on us. We intend to comply with the various security measures addressed by MTSA, the SOLAS Convention and the ISPS Code.
The cost of vessel security measures has also been affected by the escalation in the frequency of acts of piracy against ships, notably off the coast of Somalia, including the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea area. Substantial loss of revenue and other costs may be incurred as a result of detention of a vessel or additional security measures, and the risk of uninsured losses could significantly affect our business. Costs are incurred in taking additional security measures in accordance with Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy, notably those contained in the BMP5 industry standard.
Inspection by Classification Societies
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and SOLAS. Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage and lending that a vessel be certified “in class” by a classification society which is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies, the IACS. The IACS has adopted harmonized Common Structural Rules, or “the Rules,” which apply to oil tankers and bulk carriers contracted for construction on or after July 1, 2015. The Rules attempt to create a level of consistency between IACS Societies. All of our vessels are certified as being “in class” by all the applicable Classification Societies (e.g., American Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd’s Register of Shipping).
A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys, drydockings and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every 30 to 36 months for inspection of the underwater parts of the vessel. If any vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey, drydocking or special survey, the vessel will be unable to carry cargo between ports and will be unemployable and uninsurable which could cause us to be in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements. Any such inability to carry cargo or be employed, or any such violation of covenants, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
General
The operation of any vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, physical damage, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, piracy incidents, hostilities and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. OPA, which imposes virtually unlimited liability upon shipowners, operators and bareboat charterers of any vessel trading in the exclusive economic zone of the United States for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has made liability insurance more expensive for shipowners and operators trading in the United States market. We carry insurance coverage as customary in the shipping industry. However, not all risks can be insured, specific claims may be rejected, and we might not be always able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates.
Hull and Machinery Insurance
We procure hull and machinery insurance plus hull interest insurance, protection and indemnity insurance, which includes environmental damage and pollution insurance and war risk insurance including war loss of hire and freight, demurrage and defense insurance for our fleet.
Protection and Indemnity Insurance
Protection and indemnity insurance is provided by mutual protection and indemnity associations, or “P&I Associations”, and covers our third-party liabilities in connection with our shipping activities. This includes third-party liability and other related expenses of injury or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, loss or damage to cargo, claims arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third-party property, pollution arising from oil or other substances, and salvage, towing subject to the circumstances and other related costs, including wreck removal. Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual protection and indemnity supported by mutual associations, or “clubs”.
Our current protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution is $1.0 billion per vessel per incident for all of our vessels. The 13 P&I Associations that comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the world’s commercial tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to reinsure each association’s liabilities. The International Group’s website states that the Pool provides a mechanism for sharing all claims in excess of US $10.0 million up to, currently, approximately US$ 3.2 billion. In case of an ‘overspill’ claim, which would fall back on the collective membership and on the total limitation of the liability of group membership, that amount may go up to approximately US$ 8.9 billion. As a member of a P&I Association, which is a member of the International Group, we are subject to calls payable to the associations based on our claim records as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual associations and members of the shipping pool of P&I Associations comprising the International Group.
Permits and Authorizations
We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses and certificates with respect to our vessels. The kinds of permits, licenses and certificates required depend upon several factors, including the commodity transported, the waters in which the vessel operates, the nationality of the vessel’s crew and the age of a vessel. We believe that we have obtained all permits, licenses and certificates currently required to permit our vessels to operate. Additional laws and regulations, environmental or otherwise, may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of us doing business.
Sustainability Initiatives
We aim to uphold and advance a set of principles and practices regarding Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) matters and have developed, adopted, and implemented ESG initiatives within our operations and business culture. In adopting these initiatives, our primary goals are to reduce the environmental impact of our operations, create a safe and healthy work environment, both at sea and onshore, and engage in responsible corporate governance practices. Our Board of Directors, which includes seven independent members, oversees our ESG strategy, evaluates and adopts ESG initiatives including those relating to sustainability and climate change, assesses ESG risks and opportunities, and promotes responsible ESG practices within our Company. In April 2023, we published our fourth comprehensive sustainability report, which was prepared in accordance with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Marine Transportation standard, and which disclosed our ESG performance in 2022. The sustainability report is available on our website at www.eneti-inc.com The information included on our website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report.
ESG initiatives we have undertaken include, among others:
•Signing the Call to Action for Shipping Decarbonization, pledging to offer net zero emission shipping services by 2030, measure carbon intensity and assess climate alignment of our vessels on an annual basis, develop and improve digital and other management tools to measure greenhouse gas emissions from the full supply chain to compare activities and optimize operations.
•Our continuing membership in:
▪The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN)
▪Marine Anti-Corruption Network (MACN)
•Aligning our internal policies with certain UN Sustainable Development Goals relating to work and economic growth, climate action, and life below water.
•Supporting the principles of the Sea Cargo Charter.
•Creating a direct reporting line from our environmental compliance audit and training team (SECAT) to our Board of Directors.
•Signing the Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change.
•Committing to responsible ship recycling in accordance with the Hong Kong Convention and conducted in compliance with the IMO Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.
C.Organizational Structure
Eneti Inc. is a company incorporated under the laws of the Marshall Islands. We own our vessels through separate wholly-owned subsidiaries that are incorporated in the United Kingdom and Japan. Please see Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report for a list of our current subsidiaries.
D.Property, Plants and Equipment
Our only material physical assets consist of our vessels which are owned through our separate wholly owned subsidiaries.
For a description of our fleet, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Our Fleet.”
| | | | | |
| ITEM 4A. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
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| ITEM 5. | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS |
A.Operating Results
The following presentation of management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.
Overview
Eneti Inc. is a leading provider of installation and maintenance vessels to the offshore wind sector and is focused on the offshore wind and marine based renewable energy industry and has invested in the next generation of Wind Turbine Installation Vessels (“WTIVs”). The Company operates five WTIVs, which in addition to wind farm installation can perform maintenance, construction, decommissioning and other tasks within the offshore industry. The Company typically operates its five WTIVs (collectively “our fleet”) on modified time charters, which provide a fixed and stable cash flow for a known period of time, and often places risks, such as weather downtime, on the charterer’s account.
The Company’s marine energy business is managed as a single operating segment.
Seajacks Transaction
On August 12, 2021, we completed the acquisition of Atlantis Investorco Limited, the parent of Seajacks International Limited (“Seajacks”), from Marubeni Corporation, INCJ, Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (together, the “Sellers”), after which Seajacks became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eneti.
Seajacks (www.seajacks.com) was founded in 2006 and is based in Great Yarmouth, UK. It is one of the largest owners of purpose-built self-propelled wind turbine installation vessels in the world and has a track record of installing wind turbines and foundations dating to 2009. Seajacks’ flagship vessel, NG14000X design “Seajacks Scylla”, was delivered from Samsung Heavy Industries in 2015. Seajacks also owns and operates the NG5500C design “Seajacks Zaratan” which is currently operating in the Japanese market under the Japanese flag, as well as three NG2500X specification WTIVs.
Dry Bulk Activities
From March 2013 through July 2021, we were an international shipping company that owned and operated dry bulk carriers. We completed our exit from the dry bulk industry with the sale of our last drybulk vessel in July 2021.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, management uses certain “non-GAAP financial measures” as such term is defined in Regulation G promulgated by the SEC. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s operating performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are included in, or excluded from, the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Management believes the presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency and supplemental data relating to our financial condition and results of operations, and therefore a more complete understanding of factors affecting our business than GAAP measures alone. In addition, management believes the presentation of these matters is useful to investors for period-to-period comparison
of results as the items may reflect certain unique and/or non-operating items such as asset sales, write-offs, contract termination costs or items outside of management’s control.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, adjusted net loss and related per share amounts, as well as adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures that we believe provide investors with a means of evaluating and understanding how our management evaluates our operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, nor superior to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Reconciliations of EBITDA as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, as well as reconciliations of adjusted net income or loss and related per share amounts and adjusted EBITDA in accordance with U.S. GAAP for the year ended December 31, 2021 are provided below.
EBITDA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Year Ended December 31, |
| In thousands | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 | |
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 105,702 | | | $ | 20,227 | | | $ | (671,983) | | |
| Adjustments: | | | | | | | |
| Net interest expense | | 907 | | 8,425 | | | 29,853 | | |
Depreciation and amortization (1) | | 32,983 | | | 30,591 | | | 62,441 | | |
| Income tax (benefit) expense | | 748 | | | 344 | | | — | | |
| EBITDA | | $ | 140,340 | | | $ | 59,587 | | | $ | (579,689) | | |
(1) Includes depreciation, amortization of deferred financing costs and restricted stock amortization.
Adjusted net loss
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | For the Year Ended December 31, |
| | | 2021 | | | |
| In thousands, except per share amounts | | | | | Amount | | Per share | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | | | | | $ | 20,227 | | | $ | 1.24 | | | | | | |
| Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gain on bargain purchase of Seajacks | | | | | (57,436) | | | (3.53) | | | | | | |
| Transaction costs | | | | | 49,564 | | | 3.04 | | | | | | |
| (Gain) loss / write down on assets held for sale | | | | | (22,732) | | | (1.40) | | | | | | |
| Write off of deferred financing cost | | | | | 7,196 | | | 0.44 | | | | | | |
| Total adjustments | | | | | (23,408) | | | (1.45) | | | | | | |
| Adjusted net loss | | | | | $ | (3,181) | | | $ | (0.21) | | | | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Year Ended
December 31, |
| In thousands | | 2021 | | |
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 20,227 | | | |
| Impact of Adjustments | | (23,408) | | | |
| Adjusted net income (loss) | | (3,181) | | | |
| Add Back: | | | | |
| Net interest expense | | 8,425 | | | |
Depreciation and amortization (1) | | 17,467 | | | |
| Income tax (benefit) expense | | 344 | | | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 23,055 | | | |
(1) Includes depreciation, amortization of deferred financing costs and restricted stock amortization.
Executive Summary for the Year Ended December 31, 2022
For 2022, the Company’s GAAP net income was $105.7 million, or $2.76 per diluted share including a gain of approximately $54.9 million and cash dividend income of $0.6 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, from the Company’s equity investment in Scorpio Tankers Inc.
Total revenues for 2022 were $199.3 million compared to $144.0 million for 2021. 2022 revenues were generated primarily by the Seajacks Scylla, which provided transportation and installation services for an offshore wind farm project in Taiwan throughout 2022 and the Seajacks Zaratan which worked on the Akita project from the second quarter of 2022 through year end. Higher utilization rates on all three of the NG2500Xs since the start of the second quarter of 2022, as well as a consultancy engagement have also contributed to revenues during 2022.
For the twelve months of 2021, the Company’s GAAP net income was $20.2 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, including: a gain on bargain purchase of Seajacks of $57.4 million, or $3.53 per diluted share; transaction costs of approximately $49.6 million, or $3.04 per diluted share related to the acquisition of Seajacks; a gain on vessels sold of approximately $22.7 million, or $1.40 per diluted share; the write-off of $7.2 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, of deferred financing costs on repaid credit facilities related to certain vessels that have been sold; and a gain of approximately $3.5 million and cash dividend income of $0.9 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, from the Company’s equity investment in Scorpio Tankers Inc.
EBITDA for the twelve months of 2022 was $140.3 million and EBITDA for the twelve months of 2021 was $59.6 million (see Non-GAAP Financial Measures below).
Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to the Results Year Ended December 31, 2021
We exited the dry bulk sector of the shipping industry in July 2021 and completed its acquisition of Seajacks on August 12, 2021. Since the completion of the Acquisition, our operations are primarily those of Seajacks.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | | 2022 | | 2021 | | Change | | Change % |
| Revenue: | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue | | $ | 199,326 | | | $ | 144,033 | | | $ | 55,293 | | | 38 | % |
| Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | |
| Voyage expenses | | — | | | 17,562 | | | (17,562) | | | (100) | % |
| Vessel operating and project costs | | 79,353 | | | 52,505 | | | 26,848 | | | 51 | % |
| Charterhire expense | | — | | | 34,001 | | | (34,001) | | | (100) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| Vessel depreciation | | 24,598 | | | 10,190 | | | 14,408 | | | 141 | % |
| General and administrative expenses | | 41,177 | | | 83,954 | | | (42,777) | | | (51) | % |
| Gain on assets sold or held for sale | | — | | | (22,732) | | | 22,732 | | | (100) | % |
| Total operating expenses | | 145,128 | | | 175,480 | | | (30,352) | | | (17) | % |
| Operating income (loss) | | 54,198 | | | (31,447) | | | 85,645 | | | 272 | % |
Total revenues for 2022 were $199.3 million compared to $144.0 million for 2021. 2022 revenues were generated primarily by the Seajacks Scylla, which provided transportation and installation services for an offshore wind farm project in Taiwan throughout 2022 and the Seajacks Zaratan which worked on the Akita project from the second quarter of 2022 through year end. Higher utilization rates on all three of the NG2500Xs since the start of the second quarter of 2022, as well as a consultancy engagement have also contributed to revenues during 2022.
Voyage expenses relate only to our dry bulk operations which ceased in 2021.
Vessel operating and project costs increased by 51% in 2022 compared to 2021 due to the full year impact of the acquisition of Seajacks, the expense also includes costs incurred to perform our obligation for each project (“project costs”) which was acquired in August 2021.
Charterhire expense relate only to our dry bulk operations which ceased in 2021.
Vessel depreciation increased in 2022 from 2021 because 2021 vessel depreciation includes only depreciation on the five WTIVs acquired in the Seajacks acquisition in August 2021.
General and administrative expenses decreased from 2021 primarily due to the inclusion of transaction costs of approximately $49.6 million during 2021.
During 2021, we recorded a gain on vessels sold of approximately $22.7 million. This was primarily the result of an increase in the fair value of common shares of Star Bulk and Eagle received as a portion of the consideration for the sale of certain of our vessels to Star Bulk and Eagle.
Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020
For a discussion of our results for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020, please see “Item 5 - Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - A. Operating Results - Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2020” contained in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2022.
B.Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary source of funds for our short-term and long-term liquidity needs will be the cash flows generated from our vessels, which primarily operate on time charter which give us a fixed and stable cash flow for a known period of time, and often places risks, such as weather downtime, on the charterer’s account.
At December 31, 2022, cash and cash equivalents totaled $120.0 million. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents balance and operating cash flows, and our access to credit markets will be sufficient to meet our short-term and long-term liquidity needs for the next 12 months from the date of this annual report, which are primarily comprised of debt
repayment obligations (see Liquidity Risk section of Note 1, Organization and Basis of Presentation, to the consolidated financial statements).
Cash Flow
Operating Activities
The table below summarizes the effect of the major components of operating cash flow.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| (in thousands) | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 105,702 | | | $ | 20,227 | | | $ | (671,983) | |
| Adjustment to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | (22,162) | | | (60,792) | | | 574,061 | |
| Related party balances | | 1,122 | | | 7,880 | | | 9,314 | |
| Effect of changes in other working capital and operating assets and liabilities | | (21,399) | | | 40,927 | | | 49,773 | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | $ | 63,263 | | | $ | 8,242 | | | $ | (38,835) | |
The cash flow provided by operating activities for 2022 reflects the higher utilization and rates earned during the period. Our non-cash items include unrealized gains on investments, depreciation and amortization of restricted stock.
Investing Activities
Net cash provided by investing activities of $6.8 million during 2022 primarily reflects the sale of our entire holding of 2,155,140 common shares in Scorpio Tankers Inc., a related party, for approximately $38.65 per share and net proceeds of approximately $82.5 million offset by payments made towards the newbuildings of $76.3 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash used financing activities of $96.8 million primarily reflects the repayments of long-term debt acquired as part of the Seajacks acquisition of $140.7 million, offset by the net drawdown of new debt of $65.6 million and the repurchase of $17.0 million of our common shares.
Equity Issuances
In November 2021, the Company issued approximately 19.4 million shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at $9.00 per share in an underwritten public offering. Scorpio Holdings Limited, a related party to the Company, purchased approximately 3.7 million common shares in the offering at the public offering price. In addition, Robert Bugbee (the Company’s President) and a non-executive director purchased 222,222 and 11,111 common shares, respectively, at the public offering price. The Company received approximately $165.9 million of net proceeds from the issuance.
Share Repurchase Program
In August 2022, the Company repurchased 2,292,310 shares of its common stock (the “Shares”) from INCJ SJ Investment Limited, for approximately $17.0 million. The Company issued the Shares to INCJ, Ltd. as part of the acquisition price paid by it to acquire Seajacks in August 2021. The repurchase of the Shares was made under the Company’s then existing board authorized repurchase plan. The Shares are held in treasury stock.
In September 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program to purchase up to an aggregate of $50.0 million of the Company’s common shares. This new share repurchase program replaced the Company’s previous share repurchase program that was authorized in January 2019 and that was terminated in conjunction with the authorization of the new share repurchase program. The specific timing and amounts of the repurchases will be in the sole discretion of management and may vary based on market conditions and other factors. The Company is not obligated under the terms of the program to repurchase any of its common shares. The authorization has no expiration date.
Dividend
During 2022, our Board of Directors also declared and we paid a quarterly cash dividend totaling $0.04 per share in the aggregate, or approximately $1.6 million in the aggregate.
In February 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share, paid to all shareholders of record as of March 1, 2023 on March 3, 2023 for approximately $0.4 million in the aggregate.
Credit Facilities
As of December 31, 2022, we had $65.6 million of outstanding borrowings under the credit agreements described below as shown in the following table (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2022 | | March 31, 2023 |
| | Amount outstanding | | Amount outstanding | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| $175.0 Million Credit Facility | | $ | 65,625 | | | $ | 62,500 | | | |
| Total | | $ | 65,625 | | | $ | 62,500 | | | |
Financial Covenants under the Agreements Governing our Indebtedness
Our credit facilities discussed above, have, among other things, the following financial covenants, as amended or waived, the most stringent of which require us to maintain:
•Minimum liquidity of not less than $30.0 million, of which $15.0 million must be cash.
•The ratio of net debt to adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) calculated on a trailing four quarter basis of no greater than 2.50 to 1.00.
•The ratio of adjusted EBITDA to finance charges calculated on a trailing four quarter basis of at least 5.00 to 1.00.
•Solvency (equity divided by total assets) shall not be less than 50%.
•Minimum fair value of the collateral, such that the aggregate fair value of the vessels collateralizing the credit facility be at least 175% of the aggregate of (i) outstanding amount under such credit facility and (ii) negative value of any hedging exposure under such credit facility (if any), or, if the Company does not meet these thresholds, to prepay a portion of the loan and cancel such available commitments or provide additional security to eliminate the shortfall.
Our credit facilities set out above have, among other things, the following restrictive covenants which would restrict our ability to:
•incur additional indebtedness;
•sell the collateral vessel, if applicable;
•make additional investments or acquisitions;
•pay dividends; or
•effect a change of control of us.
A violation of any of the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities and financing obligations described above may constitute an event of default under all of our credit facilities and financing obligations, which, unless cured within the grace period set forth under the credit facility or financing obligation, if applicable, or waived or modified by our lenders, provides our lenders with the right to, among other things, require us to post additional collateral, enhance our equity and liquidity, increase our interest payments, pay down our indebtedness to a level where we are in compliance with the financial covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness, sell vessels in our fleet, reclassify our indebtedness as current liabilities, accelerate our indebtedness, and foreclose their liens on our vessels and the other assets securing the credit facilities and financing obligations, which would impair our ability to continue to conduct our business.
In addition, our credit facilities and finance leases contain subjective acceleration clauses under which the debt could become due and payable in the event of a material adverse change in our business.
Furthermore, our credit facilities and financing obligations contain a cross-default provision that may be triggered by a default under one of our other credit facilities and financing obligations. A cross-default provision means that a default on one loan or financing obligation would result in a default on certain of our other loans and financing obligations. Because of the
presence of cross-default provisions in certain of our credit facilities and financing obligations, the refusal of any one lender under our credit facilities and financing obligations to grant or extend a waiver could result in certain of our indebtedness being accelerated, even if our other lenders under our credit facilities and financing obligations have waived covenant defaults under the respective credit facilities and financing obligations. If our secured indebtedness is accelerated in full or in part, it would be very difficult in the current financing environment for us to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing and we could lose our vessels and other assets securing our credit facilities and financing obligations if our lenders foreclose their liens, which would adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
Moreover, in connection with any waivers of or amendments to our credit facilities and financing obligations that we have obtained, or may obtain in the future, our lenders may impose additional operating and financial restrictions on us or modify the terms of our existing credit facilities and financing obligations. These restrictions may further restrict our ability to, among other things, pay dividends, make capital expenditures or incur additional indebtedness, including through the issuance of guarantees. In addition, our lenders may require the payment of additional fees, require prepayment of a portion of our indebtedness to them, accelerate the amortization schedule for our indebtedness and increase the interest rates they charge us on our outstanding indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants contained in the credit facilities and financing obligations that we had entered into as of that date.
Please see Note 12, Debt, to our consolidated financial statements for additional information about our credit facilities and financing obligations.
$60.0 Million ING Revolving Credit Facility
As part of the Seajacks transaction, we entered into a $60.0 million senior secured non-amortizing revolving credit facility from ING Bank N.V. The credit facility, which includes sub-limits for performance bonds, and was subject to other conditions for full availability, has a final maturity of August 2022 and bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.45% per annum. The $60.0 Million ING Loan Facility was secured by, among other things: a first priority mortgage over the relevant collateralized vessels; a first priority assignment of earnings, and insurances from the mortgaged vessels for the facility; a pledge of the earnings account of the mortgaged vessels for the facility; and a pledge of the equity interests of each vessel owning subsidiary under the facility.
In March 2022, we drew down $25.0 million of the available facility and repaid it in May 2022.
$87.7 Million Subordinated Debt
As part of the Seajacks transaction, we assumed $87.7 million of subordinated, non-amortizing debt due in September 2022 and owed to financial institutions with guarantees provided by the Sellers, which bore interest at 1.0% until November 30, 2021, 5.5% from December 1, 2021 and 8.0% from January 1, 2022. In February 2022, we repaid the entire outstanding balance.
$70.7 Million Redeemable Notes
As part of the Seajacks transaction, we issued subordinated redeemable notes totaling $70.7 million, with a final maturity of March 31, 2023 and which bore interest at 5.5% until December 31, 2021 and 8.0% afterwards. In May 2022, we repaid the entire remaining outstanding balance of $53.0 million.
$175.0 Million Credit Facility
In March 2022, we entered into an agreement with DNB Capital LLC, Societe Generale, Citibank N.A., Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and Credit Industriel et Commercial for a five-year credit facility of $175.0 million (the “Credit Facility”).
The Credit Facility consists of three tranches: (i) a $75.0 million Green Term Loan (the “Term Loan”), (ii) up to $75.0 million Revolving Loans (the “Revolving Loans”), and (iii) up to $25.0 million revolving tranche for the issuance of letters of credit, performance bonds and other guarantees (the “Letters of Credit”). The Credit Facility has a final maturity date of five years from the signing date, up to 100% of the amounts available under the Revolving Loans may be drawn in Euros and up to 50% of the amounts available under the Letters of Credit may be issued in Euros. The Term Loan tranche (qualified as a green loan) bears interest at Term SOFR (along with a credit adjustment spread depending on duration of interest period) plus a margin of 3.05% per annum, the Revolving Loans tranche bears interest at Term SOFR (along with a credit adjustment spread
depending on duration of interest period) plus a margin of 3.15% per annum, and the Letters of Credit tranche bears fees of 3.15% per annum. The amount available for drawing under the Revolving Loans is based upon 50% of contracted cash flows on a forward looking 30 months basis. The terms and conditions of the Credit Facility are similar to those set forth in the similar credit facilities of this type. The green loan accreditation process is supported by second party opinions from Position Green.
Performance Bonds
Under certain circumstances, we issue either advance payment or performance bonds upon signing a wind turbine installation contract. An advance payment bond protects the money being advanced to us by the client at the start of the project. The bond will protect the client for the full advanced amount should Seajacks default on the agreement. A performance bond can be issued to the client as a guarantee against us meeting the obligations specified in the contract. As of March 31, 2023 there are approximately €1.8 million of bonds issued.
New Buildings
We are currently under contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering for the construction of two next-generation offshore WTIVs. The aggregate contract price is approximately $654.8 million, of which $98.5 million has been paid. The vessels are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2024 and second quarter of 2025, respectively. The estimated future payment dates and amounts are as follows (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| DSME1 | | DSME2 |
| 2023 | $ | 66,072 | | | $ | 32,441 | |
| 2024 | 198,217 | | | 64,882 | |
| 2025 | — | | | 194,644 | |
| $ | 264,289 | | | $ | 291,967 | |
COVID-19
Since the beginning of the calendar year 2020, the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that originated in China in December 2019 and that has spread to most developed nations of the world has resulted in numerous actions taken by governments and governmental agencies in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the virus. These measures have resulted in a significant reduction in global economic activity and extreme volatility in the global financial and commodities markets. Future charter rates remain highly dependent on the duration and continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. When these measures and the resulting economic impact will end and what the long-term impact of such measures on the global economy will be are not known at this time. The COVID-19 outbreak continues to rapidly evolve, with periods of improvement followed by periods of higher infection rates, along with the development of new disease variants, such as the Delta and Omicron variants, in various geographical areas throughout the world. As a result, the extent to which COVID-19 will impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.
C.Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.
Not applicable
D.Trend Information
See “Item 4. Information on the Company - B. Business Overview - Industry and Market Conditions.”
E.Critical Accounting Estimates
The audited annual consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP and, accordingly, include certain amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our estimates are based on historical experience and on our future expectations that we believe are reasonable. The combination of these factors forms the basis for making judgements about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We believe that the following are the more critical accounting estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements that involve a higher degree of uncertainty and judgement, which could have a significant impact on our future consolidated results of operations and financial position. Because of the uncertainty inherent in such estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates.
Income Taxes
The Company is registered in the Marshall Islands. The Company operates through its Seajacks business in several countries. The Company’s annual tax positions are based on taxable income, statutory rates, transfer pricing assumptions and the interpretation of the tax laws in the various jurisdictions of its operations.
Such positions require significant judgment and the use of estimates and assumptions regarding significant future events such as the amount, timing and tax characterization of certain transactions, changes in tax laws and treaties, and the timing and amount of profitability in each location in any given year. Additionally, certain of our entities enter into agreements with other of our entities to provide specialized services and equipment to their operations. However, in some jurisdictions the interpretation of tax laws relating to the pricing of transactions between related parties could potentially result in tax authorities asserting additional tax liabilities with no offsetting tax recovery in other jurisdictions.
The Company’s tax filings are subject to regular audits by the tax authorities. These audits may result in assessments for additional taxes that are resolved with the authorities or, potentially, through the courts. Due to the uncertain and complex application of tax regulations, the ultimate resolution of audits may result in liabilities that could be materially different from these estimates. In such an event, the Company will record additional tax expense or tax benefit in the period in which such resolution occurs.
The Company recognized deferred tax assets in relation to tax losses incurred in current and past years. The Company reviewed the carrying amount of deferred tax assets at the reporting date and assessed if sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all of the deferred tax asset to be utilized and determined that a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset was appropriate. To assess the availability of future taxable profits, management estimates future revenues and costs, capital allowances and tax planning opportunities. The Company critically reviews supporting evidence for recognition of deferred tax assets and assesses the probability of future profits that will be generated, including from confirmed contracts, resulting in projected taxable profits over the next three years. Changes in tax laws, applicable tax rates and market factors affecting expected future revenue and operating expenses may impact the future profitability and actual outcome may differ from the estimates and judgements made which could result in part of the deferred tax asset to remain unutilized. After consideration of all the information available, including its historical operating losses over the last three years, management believes that sufficient uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of deferred tax assets and therefore has established a full valuation allowance. The Company expects to continue to maintain a full valuation allowance until it can sustain a level of profitability that demonstrates its ability to realize these assets.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
Vessels, intangible assets and other long-lived assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment (if applicable). We estimate the useful lives and salvage values of our assets based on historical data of similar assets. Our long-lived assets could become impaired if our operating plans or business environment changes. We review our long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangible and right-of-use assets, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their net book value may not be recovered over their remaining service lives. Indicators of possible impairment may include significant declines in activity levels in regions where specific assets or groups of assets are located, extended periods of idle use, declining revenue or cash flow, business obsolescence, asset damage, or overall changes in general market conditions. Whenever possible impairment is indicated, we do a recovery analysis comparing the carrying value of the assets or asset group to the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from use, plus salvage value, less the costs of the subsequent disposition of the assets. If impairment is still indicated, we compare the fair value of the assets to their carrying amount, and recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value.
| | | | | |
| ITEM 6. | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES |
A.Directors and Senior Management
Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our directors and executive officers. Our Board of Directors is elected annually on a staggered basis, and each director elected holds office for a three-year term or until their successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, except in the event of their death, resignation, removal or the earlier termination of their term of office. Our Class A directors will serve for a term expiring at the 2023 annual meeting of shareholders, our Class B directors will serve for a term expiring at the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders, and our Class C directors will serve for a term expiring at the 2025 annual meeting of shareholders. Officers are elected from time to time by vote of our Board of Directors and hold office until a successor is elected. The business address of each of our directors and executive officers listed below is Eneti Inc., 9, Boulevard Charles III, MC 98000 Monaco.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Name | | Age | | Position |
| Emanuele A. Lauro | | 44 | | | Chairman, Class A Director and Chief Executive Officer |
| Robert Bugbee | | 62 | | | Class B Director and President |
| Cameron Mackey | | 54 | | | Chief Operating Officer |
| Filippo Lauro | | 46 | | | Vice President |
| Hugh Baker | | 55 | | | Chief Financial Officer |
| Auste Vizbaraite | | 33 | | | Secretary |
| Einar Michael Steimler | | 74 | | | Class B Director |
| Roberto Giorgi | | 72 | | | Class A Director |
| Christian M. Gut | | 43 | | | Class C Director |
| Thomas Ostrander | | 72 | | | Class A Director |
| James B. Nish | | 64 | | | Class C Director |
Berit Ledel Henriksen | | 69 | | | Class B Director |
| Aileen Tan | | 52 | | | Class C Director |
On December 20, 2022, Ms. Monica Pahwa resigned as Secretary of the Company. On January 12, 2023, Ms. Auste Vizbaraite was appointed as Secretary of the Company.
On March 1, 2023, Ms. Aileen Tan was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company.
On September 26, 2022, Mr. Hiroshi Tachigami resigned from the Board of Directors of the Company.
On May 12, 2022, Mr. Peter Niklai resigned from the Board of Directors of the Company.
Biographical information concerning the directors and executive officers listed above is set forth below.
Emanuele A. Lauro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Emanuele Lauro joined the Scorpio group of companies in 2003 and has continued to serve there in a senior management position since 2004. He is the founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Scorpio Tankers since its initial public offering in April 2010. Mr. Emanuele Lauro also founded and serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, which was formed in 2013. Over the course of the last several years, he has founded and developed several ventures such as the Scorpio Pools, which became a leading ship manager of more than 250 vessels in the international markets. Mr. Emanuele Lauro also founded Scorpio Logistics, which owns and operates specialized assets engaged in the transshipment of dry cargo commodities and invests in coastal transportation and port infrastructure developments in Asia and Africa since 2007. He is the President of the Monaco Chamber of Shipping and is also a member of the Advisory Board of Fordham University. Mr. Emanuele Lauro served as director of the Standard Protection and Indemnity Club from 2013 to 2019, and as director and Chief Executive Officer of Hermitage Offshore Services Ltd. (OTC: HOFSQ) between 2018 and 2021. He has a degree in international business from the European Business School, London. Mr. Emanuele Lauro is the brother of our Vice President, Mr. Filippo Lauro.
Robert Bugbee, President and Director
Robert Bugbee, the Company’s co-founder, has served as a Class B Director since April 2013 and as President since July 2013. He has more than 36 years of experience in the shipping industry. Mr. Bugbee has also served as President and Director of Scorpio Tankers since its initial public offering in April 2010 and of Hermitage Offshore Services Ltd. between December 2018 and June 2021. He joined Scorpio in March 2009 and has continued to serve there in a senior management position. Prior to joining Scorpio, Mr. Bugbee was a partner at Ospraie Management LLP between 2007 and 2008, a company which advises and invests in commodities and basic industries. From 1995 to 2007, he was employed at OMI Corporation, or OMI, a NYSE-listed tanker company sold in 2007. While at OMI, Mr. Bugbee served as President from January 2002 until the sale of the company, and before that served as Executive Vice President since January 2001, Chief Operating Officer since March 2000 and Senior Vice President from August 1995 to June 1998. Prior to this, he was employed by Gotaas-Larsen Shipping Corporation since 1984. During this time, Mr. Bugbee took a two-year sabbatical from 1987 for the M.I.B. Program at the Norwegian School for Economics and Business Administration in Bergen. He has a B.A. (Honors) from London University.
Cameron Mackey, Chief Operating Officer
Cameron Mackey has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since July 2013. Mr. Mackey has also served as Chief Operating Officer of Scorpio Tankers, since its initial public offering in April 2010 and as a Director since May 2013, and as Chief Operating Officer of Hermitage Offshore Services Ltd. between December 2018 and June 2021 and as a director since July 2019. He joined Scorpio in March 2009, where he continues to serve in a senior management position. Prior to joining Scorpio, Mr. Mackey was an equity and commodity analyst at Ospraie Management LLC from 2007 to 2008. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President of OMI Marine Services LLC from 2004 to 2007, where he was also in Business Development from 2002 to 2004. Mr. Mackey has been employed in the shipping industry since 1994 and, earlier in his career, was employed in unlicensed and licensed positions in the merchant navy, primarily on tankers in the international fleet of Mobil Oil Corporation, where he held the qualification of Master Mariner. He has an M.B.A. from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a B.S. from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a B.A. from Princeton University.
Filippo Lauro, Vice President
Filippo Lauro has served as an executive officer of the Company with the title of Vice President since June 2016. He has also served as Vice President of Scorpio Tankers since May 2015, and of Hermitage Offshore Services Ltd. between December 2018 and June 2021. Mr. Filippo Lauro joined Scorpio in 2010 and has continued to serve there in a senior management position. Prior to joining Scorpio, he was the founder of and held senior executive roles in several private companies, primarily active in real estate, golf courses and resorts development. Mr. Filippo Lauro is the brother of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emanuele Lauro.
Hugh Baker, Chief Financial Officer
Hugh Baker has served as our Chief Financial Officer since July 2013. Mr. Baker has also been employed by Scorpio Tankers since 2012 focusing on business development and finance. For three years before joining Scorpio, Mr. Baker was a Managing Director in the investment banking team at Evercore Partners in New York, concentrating on the shipping industry. Prior to Evercore, he was the Head of Shipping at HSH Nordbank in New York and was previously a Managing Director in the ship finance team at ING Bank in London. Prior to banking, Mr. Baker worked in commercial roles for Greek-owned shipping companies in London. Mr. Baker has a BA from the London School of Economics and a MSc in Shipping, Trade & Finance from Cass Business School. Mr. Baker is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
Auste Vizbaraite, Secretary
Auste Vizbaraite has served as our Secretary since January 12, 2023. Ms. Vizbaraite also serves as secretary of Scorpio Tankers Inc. and other companies within Scorpio. After several years of experience in the maritime industry, she joined Scorpio in 2018 and has since been working within Scorpio’s legal department, focusing on implementing and developing Know Your Counterparty and sanctions compliance procedures for both the Company and Scorpio Tankers. Ms. Vizbaraite is a member of International Compliance Association since 2019, where she has completed several qualifications in business compliance. She has also completed courses with Corporate Governance Institute, focusing on corporate governance. Ms. Vizbaraite has also been representing Scorpio in Maritime Anti-Corruption Network since 2020.
Einar Michael Steimler, Director
Einar Michael Steimler has served as our Class B Director since the closing of our initial public offering in December 2013 and is our lead independent director. Mr. Steimler has also served as a director of DHT Holdings Inc. (NYSE:DHT), where he is also the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Steimler has over 48 years of experience in the shipping industry. In 2000, he was instrumental in the formation of Tanker (UK) Agencies, the commercial agent to Tankers International. He served as its Chief Executive Officer until the end of 2007, and subsequently as its Chairman until 2011. From 1998 to 2010, Mr. Steimler served as a Director of Euronav NV (EURN:EN Brussels). He has been involved in both sale and purchase and chartering brokerage in the tanker, gas and chemical sectors and was a founder of Stemoco, a Norwegian ship brokerage firm. He graduated from the Norwegian School of Business Management in 1973 with a degree in Economics.
Roberto Giorgi, Director
Roberto Giorgi has served as a Class A Director of the Company since the closing of its initial public offering in December 2013. In addition, Mr. Giorgi has served as Chairman of Fraser Yachts’ Advisory Committee since January 2020, where he also served as Chairman between September 2014 and December 2019, and as a committee member of Skuld P&I Club between 2013 and 2021. He is also an independent director of the Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco, which provides commercial and technical management to the ports of the principality of Monaco. From 2014 to 2015, Mr. Giorgi served as Honorary President and member of the Group Executive of V.Ships, the world’s largest ship management company. From 1988 to 2014, he held various roles within V.Ships, including President of V.Ships Ship Management, Managing Director of V.Ships New York, head of V.Ships Leisure in the cruise sector, and head of V.Ship’s ship management operation from its Monaco office. From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Giorgi also served as President of InterManager, the international trade association for third-party and in-house ship managers, whose members between them are responsible for approximately 3,700 ships and more than 200,000 crew members. Prior to joining the V.Ships Group, he attended the San Giorgio Nautical College in Genoa (1964 - 1969) and sailed from Deck Cadet to First Officer with Navigazione Alta Italia, Italian Line and Sitmar Cruises. Before joining the merchant marine, he spent one year (1970/71) in the Naval Academy of Leghorn and sailed with the Italian Navy as Lieutenant.
Christian M. Gut, Director
Christian M. Gut has served as our Class C Director since the closing of our initial public offering in December 2013. He is the co-founder and co-manager of Luxembourg based Millennia SICAV-RAIF, a consumer credit strategies specialist, and of its sub-fund P2P Lending Fund launched in 2018. Mr. Gut started his professional career at ThyssenKrupp Technologies AG (as it then was) in Essen, Germany in 2002. He later joined Singapore based EABC Pte Ltd., or EABC, in 2003 where he served as Director from 2006 to 2018. EABC’s services comprised market intelligence and strategy, sales promotion and support to project management in selected Asia Pacific countries, principally Australia. Furthermore, Mr. Gut was a co-founder and a former co-manager of the Stellar Energy Fund, launched in Singapore in 2006, which invested in fossil and renewable energy focused private companies in Asia, Middle East and Europe with exposure on the following industries: oil trading and bunkering, gas E&P, solar, geothermal and power generating heat plants. Mr. Gut has a Bachelor’s degree in international business from the European Business School in London.
Thomas Ostrander, Director
Thomas Ostrander has served as our Class A director since January 2016. From 2013 to 2015, Mr. Ostrander served as Chief Financial Officer of U.S. Alliance Paper Inc., a privately held business involved in consumer tissue converting and marketing in the eastern half of the United States. From 2011 to 2013, he served as a Managing Director at GCA Savvian, a global investment bank. From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Ostrander served as a Managing Director and Sector Head in the Industrial Group at Banc of America Securities. From 1989 to 2006, he held various roles within Citigroup (legacy Salomon Brothers), where he was most recently Chairman of the Global Industrial Group for North America. Prior to that, he was the Co-Head then Head of the Global Industrial Group for North America and the Co-Head of the Global Industrial Group. From 1976 to 1989, he served in various roles, including as a Managing Director, and he was a member of the board of directors of New York based Kidder Peabody & Co., where he also was Co-Founder and Co-Head of Equity Capital Markets. Furthermore, Mr. Ostrander was a Director of Westmoreland Coal Company for over 12 years, where he served as Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee and was a member of the Audit, Compensation and Benefits, Finance and Nominating Committees. Mr. Ostrander has an MBA from Harvard Business School and an AB from the University of Michigan in Economics and Accounting.
James B. Nish, Director
James B. Nish has served as our Class C director since January 2016. Mr. Nish has over 30 years of experience in investment banking, serving clients across a variety of international industrial markets. Since 2015, he has served as a board member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Gibraltar Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROCK), a manufacturer of products serving the renewable energy, growing and processing, home improvement, and infrastructure markets, and was also appointed as Chairman of its Capital Structure and Asset Management Committee in 2018. Mr. Nish has also served as a board member of Alert360, a private company that provides security alarm monitoring and related home automation services to subscribers in the United States, since 2014 and as Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2020. From 2008 to 2012, he was Group Head of Middle Corporate Investment Banking at J.P. Morgan. From 1986 to 2008, Mr. Nish served as Co-Chairman of the Investment Banking Commitment Committee and Group Head of the General Industries Group of Bear Stearns & Co. Inc., where he organized and managed investment banking coverage of a diversified group of industrial companies. Mr. Nish is a Certified Public Accountant and Adjunct Professor in both the Undergraduate Business School and MBA Programs at Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business in New York and at Pace University, Lubin School of Business in New York, where he teaches a number of courses in both the Accounting and Finance departments. Mr. Nish has an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BS from the State University of New York at Buffalo in Accounting and Business.
Berit Ledel Henriksen, Director
Berit Ledel Henriksen has served as our Class B Director since February 2019. Ms. Henriksen has extensive experience from the banking and finance industries. She serves as a director of Ferd Holding AS, a Norwegian investment company that manages a broad portfolio of privately owned and Nordic listed companies. Furthermore, Ms. Henriksen also serves on the board of directors of three other privately held companies in Norway. She is Chair of the Nomination Committee of Norsk Hydro ASA and member of the Nomination Committee of Equinor ASA, two Norwegian listed companies. From 1985 to 2017, Ms. Henriksen held a range of management positions at DNB, Norway’s largest financial services group, where she focused on shipping, energy and other international industries. Ms. Henriksen most recently served as DNB’s Executive Vice President and Global Head of Energy (Power & Renewables and Oil & Gas), and was Head of DNB Americas in New York between 1998 and 2004. She also previously held various other bank related board positions. Ms. Henriksen has an MBA from the Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario, and a BSc from the Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada.
Aileen Tan, Director
Aileen Tan has served as our Class C Director since March 2023. She has nearly 30 years in the shipping industry. Ms. Tan began her career at IMC Shipping where she spent more than 10 years focusing on ship chartering, operations, sales and purchases. In 2011, she founded and served as director of the Blue Ocean Marine & Offshore group, which provided sale and purchase and chartering brokerage services to vessels across the drybulk, tanker, gas and container sectors, as well as offshore vessels. She has also served as director of SpringOcean Investment & Project Pte Ltd since 2015 where she was involved in ship finance transactions. Since 2019, Ms. Tan has been a director of GSB Tankers Pte Ltd, which is a joint venture partner of Golden-Agri, Stena Bulk and Baycrest Shipmanagement involved with chemical tankers. She was a director of STC Shipping Pte Ltd., a drybulk shipowner, from 2020-2022, where she was a member of the management team. Ms. Tan graduated with both a BA and BSocSci degree in Economics from the National University of Singapore. She is a resident and citizen of Singapore, and is fluent in the Chinese language.
Arrangement or Understanding with Major Shareholders
In connection with the Seajacks Transaction, pursuant to the Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of August 12, 2021 (the “Shareholders Agreement”), by and between Eneti Inc., Marubeni Corporation (“Marubeni”), INCJ, Ltd. (“INCJ”), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (“MOL”), and Scorpio Services Holding Limited (“SSH”), for a period of seven years commencing on the Completion Date (as defined in the Shareholders Agreement), as long as each of Marubeni and INCJ each beneficially own at least 2,500,000 common shares of the Company, each of Marubeni and INCJ has the right to designate one nominee for appointment or election to the Board of the Company. Either Marubeni or INCJ (but not both) has the right to transfer its right to designate one nominee for appointment or election to the Board of the Company to MOL such that MOL, instead of Marubeni or INCJ, will have the right to designate one nominee for appointment or election to the Board.
Furthermore, for a period of seven years commencing at the Completion Date, Marubeni, INCJ, MOL, and SSH have agreed to vote their Common Shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board, or any committee thereof, with respect to the appointment of any director recommended by the Board or any committee (including the Marubeni and INCJ nominees to the Board); provided that the number of directors related to SSH or any of its affiliates does not exceed two directors at any given time. Additionally, each of Marubeni, INCJ, and MOL have agreed to vote their Common Shares in support of any increase in the authorized share capital of the Company as recommended by the Board, including a majority of the independent directors; provided that such shareholder is entitled pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement to nominate at least one director to the Board.
On September 26, 2022, it was mutually agreed that a Shareholders' Agreement, dated August 12, 2021, entered into by Eneti Inc., Scorpio Services Holding Limited, Marubeni Corporation, INCJ, Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. would be terminated effective September 26, 2022.
B.Compensation
Each of our non-employee directors receive cash compensation in the aggregate amount of $60,000 annually, plus either (i) an additional fee of $10,000 per year for each committee on which a director serves or (ii) an additional fee of $20,000 per year for each committee for which a director serves as Chairman. In addition, our lead independent director receives an additional fee of $20,000 per year. All actual expenses incurred while acting in their capacity as a director are reimbursed. For each board or committee meeting the non-employee director attends, the director receives $2,000. There are no material post-employment benefits for our executive officers or directors. By law, our employees in Monaco are entitled to a one-time
payment of up to two months’ salary upon retirement if they meet certain minimum service requirements. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we paid an aggregate compensation to our directors and senior management of approximately $5.3 million.
Executive Officers
We have employment agreements with the majority of our executive officers. These employment agreements remain in effect until terminated in accordance with their terms upon no less than 24 months’ prior written notice. Pursuant to the terms of their respective employment agreements, our executive officers are prohibited from disclosing or unlawfully using any of our material confidential information.
Upon a change in control of us, the annual bonus provided under the employment agreement becomes a fixed bonus of between 150% and 250% of the executive’s base salary, depending on the terms of the employment agreement applicable to each executive.
Any such executive may be entitled to receive upon termination an assurance bonus equal to such fixed bonus and an immediate lump-sum payment in an amount equal to up to three times the sum of the executive’s then current base salary and the assurance bonus. If an executive’s employment is terminated for cause or voluntarily by the employee, he shall not be entitled to any salary, benefits or reimbursements beyond those accrued through the date of his termination, unless he voluntarily terminated his employment in connection with certain conditions. Those conditions include a change in control combined with a significant geographic relocation of his office, a material diminution of his duties and responsibilities, and other conditions identified in the employment agreement.
We believe that it is important to align the interests of our directors and management with that of our shareholders. In this regard, we have determined that it will generally be beneficial to us and to our shareholders for our directors and management to have a stake in our long-term performance. We expect a meaningful component of our compensation package for our directors and management to consist of equity interests in us in order to provide them on an on-going basis with a meaningful percentage of ownership in us.
Equity Incentive Plan
Our Board of Directors has adopted an equity incentive plan, which we refer to as the Equity Incentive Plan, under which directors, officers and employees of us and our subsidiaries, as well as employees of affiliated companies are eligible to receive incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and unrestricted common shares. As of March 15, 2023, we had reserved a total of 3,199,954 common shares, for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan, subject to adjustment for changes in capitalization as provided in the Equity Incentive Plan. Our Equity Incentive Plan is administered by our Compensation Committee.
Under the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan, stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Equity Incentive Plan will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of a common share on the date of grant, unless otherwise determined by the plan administrator, but in no event will the exercise price be less than the fair market value of a common share on the date of grant. Options and stock appreciation rights will be exercisable at times and under conditions as determined by the plan administrator, but in no event will they be exercisable later than ten years from the date of grant.
The plan administrator may grant shares of restricted stock and awards of restricted stock units subject to vesting, forfeiture and other terms and conditions as determined by the plan administrator.
Adjustments may be made to outstanding awards in the event of a corporate transaction or change in capitalization or other extraordinary event. In the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the Equity Incentive Plan), unless otherwise provided by the plan administrator in an award agreement, awards then outstanding will become fully vested and exercisable in full.
Our Board of Directors may amend or terminate the Equity Incentive Plan and may amend outstanding awards, provided that no such amendment or termination may be made that would materially impair any rights, or materially increase any obligations, of a grantee under an outstanding award. Shareholder approval of Equity Incentive Plan amendments will be required under certain circumstances. Unless terminated earlier by our Board of Directors, the Equity Incentive Plan will expire ten years from the date the Equity Incentive Plan is adopted.
On March 3, 2023, we granted 156,725 restricted shares with an aggregate fair value of $1.7 million to our officers, employees and SSH employees pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan. These awards will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on January 12, 2025.
On March 3, 2023, we granted 45,000 restricted shares with an aggregate fair value of $0.5 million to our independent directors pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan. These awards will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on March 3, 2024.
On April 8, 2022, we granted 952,500 restricted shares with an aggregate fair value of $6.1 million to our officers, employees and SSH employees pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan. These awards will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on November 11, 2023.
On April 8, 2022, we granted 45,000 restricted shares with an aggregate fair value of $0.3 million to our independent directors pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan. These awards will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on November 8, 2022.
On October 25, 2021, we granted 813,000 restricted shares with an aggregate fair value of $13.4 million to our officers, employees and SSH employees pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan. These awards will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on October 2, 2023.
On October 8, 2021, we granted 45,000 restricted shares with an aggregate fair value of $1.1 million to our independent directors pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan. These awards will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on June 16, 2022.
On November 9, 2020, we granted 395,000 restricted shares with an aggregate fair value of $5.2 million to our officers, employees and SSH employees pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan. These awards will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on June 6, 2022.
On June 26, 2020, we granted 30,000 restricted shares with an aggregate fair value of $0.5 million to our independent directors pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan. These awards will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on June 16, 2021.
Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. Please see Note 11, Equity Incentive Plan, to our Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for additional information.
C.Board Practices
Our Board of Directors currently consists of ten directors, eight of whom have been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent under the rules of the NYSE and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Mr. Steimler is our lead independent director. Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a Compensation Committee. Our Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Ostrander, Nish and Giorgi. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our Compensation Committee are comprised of Messrs. Steimler, Giorgi and Gut. The Audit Committee, which operates under a charter, among other things, reviews our external financial reporting, engages our external auditors and oversees our internal audit activities, procedures and the adequacy of our internal controls. In addition, provided that no member of the Audit Committee has a material interest in such transaction, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing transactions that we may enter into in the future with other members of Scorpio that our Board of Directors believes may present potential conflicts of interests between us and Scorpio. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors nominees for director and directors for appointment to board committees and advising the board with regard to corporate governance practices. Our shareholders may also nominate directors in accordance with procedures set forth in our bylaws. The Compensation Committee oversees our equity incentive plan and recommends director and senior employee compensation.
D.Disclosure of a Registrant’s Action to Recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation
Not applicable.
E.Employees
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we had 286 full time equivalents (excluding our executive officers) and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 we had 276 and seven full time equivalents, respectively (excluding our executive officers).
Our executive officers are employed by us and our support staff is provided by SSH pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement. Our technical manager, SSM, is responsible for identifying, screening and recruiting, directly or through a crewing agent, the officers and all other crew members for our vessels that are employed by our vessel-owning subsidiaries.
F.Share ownership
The common shares beneficially owned by our directors and our executive officers are disclosed in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders.”
| | | | | |
| ITEM 7. | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS. |
A.Major shareholders.
The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our common shares for (i) owners of more than five percent of our common shares and (ii) our directors and executive officers, of which we are aware as of March 31, 2023. All of our shareholders, including the shareholders listed in the table below, are entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock held.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Name | | No. of Shares | | | % Owned (1) |
| Scorpio Holdings Limited | | 11,119,181 | | (2) | | | 28.8 | % |
| | | | | |
| Directors and executive officers as a group | | 2,999,934 | | | | 7.8 | % |
____________________
(1)Calculated based on 38,647,119 common shares outstanding as of March 31, 2023.
(2)This information is derived from a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on March 27, 2023 by Scorpio Holdings Limited, Scorpio Services Holding Limited, and Ms. Annalisa Lolli-Ghetti. Ms. Annalisa Lolli-Ghetti may be deemed to be the ultimate beneficial owner of these shares by virtue of being the majority shareholder of Scorpio Holdings Limited. Emanuele Lauro, our Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Bugbee, our Director and President, and Cameron Mackey, our Chief Operating Officer, own 10%, 10% and 7% of Scorpio Holdings Limited, respectively.
As of March 15, 2023, we had 115 shareholders of record, 38 of which were located in the United States and held an aggregate of 37,096,821 shares of our common stock, representing 96% of our outstanding common shares. However, one of the U.S. shareholders of record is Cede & Co., a nominee of The Depository Trust Company, which held 36,026,387 shares of our common stock, as of that date. Accordingly, we believe that the shares held by Cede & Co. include common shares beneficially owned by holders in the United States and non-U.S. beneficial owners. We are not aware of any arrangements the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in our change of control.
B.Related Party Transactions
Management of Our Fleet
Commercial and Technical Management Agreements - Master Agreement
Our drybulk vessels were commercially managed by SCM and technically managed by SSM pursuant to the Master Agreement, which could have been terminated by either party upon 24 months’ notice, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms. In the event of a sale of one or more drybulk vessels, a notice period of three months and a payment equal to three months of management fees will apply, provided that the termination did not amount to a change of control, including a sale of all or substantially all drybulk vessels, in which case a payment equal to 24 months of management fees will apply as was the case in the fourth quarter of 2020, when the our Board of Directors authorized us, as part of our transition to a sustainable future, to sell our remaining drybulk vessels and exit the drybulk sector during 2021. This fee was considered as part of our assessment of the fair value less cost to sell of our remaining fleet, and was therefore included in the captions "Loss/write down on assets held for sale-related party" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
SCM’s commercial management services included securing employment for our drybulk vessels in the spot market or on time charters. SCM also managed the Scorpio Pools (spot market-oriented vessel pools) including the Scorpio Ultramax Pool, the Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool and the Scorpio Capesize Pool in which most of our owned, finance leased and time chartered-in drybulk vessels were employed and from which a significant portion of our revenue was generated. For commercial management of any of our drybulk vessels that did not operate in one of these pools, we paid SCM a daily fee of
$300 per vessel, plus a 1.75% commission on the gross revenues per charter fixture. The Scorpio Ultramax Pool and Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool participants, including us and third-party owners of similar vessels, paid SCM a pool management fee of $300 per vessel per day, plus a 1.75% commission on the gross revenues per charter fixture.
SSM’s technical management services included providing technical support, such as arranging the hiring of qualified officers and crew, supervising the maintenance and performance of drybulk vessels, purchasing supplies, spare parts and new equipment, arranging and supervising drydocking and repairs, and monitoring regulatory and classification society compliance and customer standards. We paid SSM an annual fee of $160,000 plus charges for certain itemized services per drybulk vessel to provide technical management services for each of our owned or finance leased drybulk vessels. In addition, representatives of SSM, including certain subcontractors, previously provided us with construction supervisory services while our drybulk vessels were being constructed in shipyards. For these services, we compensated SSM for its direct expenses, which varied between $200,000 and $500,000 per vessel. Please see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Commercial and Technical Management Agreements” for additional information.
Technical Support Agreement
On October 20, 2021, we entered into a technical support agreement with Scorpio Ship Management S.A.M. (“SSM”), a related party, pursuant to which SSM provides technical advice and services to us in connection with the construction of our newbuilding WTIV at Daewoo. In consideration for these services, we paid SSM a fee of $671,200, and thereafter, will pay a monthly fee in the amount of $41,667.
Administrative Services Agreement
Effective September 21, 2021, we entered into the Amendment No. 1 to Administrative Services Agreement with SSH, a related party, for the provision of administrative staff, office space and accounting, legal compliance, financial and information technology services for which we reimburse SSH for the direct and indirect expenses incurred while providing such services. The services provided to us by SSH may be sub-contracted to other entities.
In addition, SSH has agreed with us not to own any vessels engaged in seabed preparation, transportation, installation, operation and maintenance activities related to offshore wind turbines so long as the Amended Administrative Services Agreement is in full force and effect. The agreement may be terminated by either party providing three (3) months’ notice.
Other Related Party Transactions
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we paid an aggregate $30.0 million to our senior management due to provisions in the employment contracts triggered by the acquisition of Seajacks. The Company was required to incur these costs at the time of the transaction in order to avoid adverse U.S. tax consequences. The U.S. senior executive officers receiving these payments have agreed not to receive salaries for a period of three years and bonuses for a period of four years.
During the year ended 2021, the Company transferred the existing lease finance arrangements of the SBI Tango, SBI Echo, and SBI Hermes, Ultramax bulk carriers, and SBI Rumba and SBI Samba, Kamsarmax bulk carriers built in 2015, to affiliates of Scorpio Holdings Limited (“SHL”) for consideration of $16.0 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company time-chartered out four Kamsarmax vessels to the Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool for a period of 24-27 months at rates linked to the BPI. The related income is recorded as Vessel Revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In October 2018, the Company invested $100.0 million in Scorpio Tankers for approximately 54.1 million (which was subsequently adjusted to 5.4 million shares after a one-for-ten reverse stock split effected by Scorpio Tankers on January 18, 2019), or 10.9% (as of October 12, 2018), of Scorpio Tankers’ issued and outstanding common shares. The investment was part of a larger $337.0 million equity raise by Scorpio Tankers through a public offering of its common shares. Scorpio Tankers is a large international shipping company incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands engaged in seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products. The Company and Scorpio Tankers have a number of common shareholders. They also share a number of directors and officers, including Mr. Emanuele Lauro who serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both companies, Mr. Robert Bugbee, who serves as President and a Director of both companies, Mr. Cameron Mackey, who serves as Chief Operating Officer of both companies, and Mr. Filippo Lauro, who serves as Vice President of both companies. In October 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a one-time special stock dividend to the shareholders of the Company of an aggregate of approximately one million shares of common stock of Scorpio Tankers. Following the payment of the special dividend, the Company continued to own approximately 4.4 million common shares of Scorpio Tankers. In May 2020, the Company sold 2.25 million shares of Scorpio Tankers for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $42.7 million. In
August 2022, the Company sold the remaining 2.16 million common shares of Scorpio Tankers it held for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $82.5 million, of which approximately $50.0 million of shares were sold to Scorpio Tankers. There were no other significant transactions between the Company and Scorpio Tankers. This investment was accounted for under the equity method utilizing the fair value option.
Representatives of SSM, including certain subcontractors, provide supervisory services during drydocking of our drybulk vessels, for which they were compensated.
The fees of certain consultants and the salaries of certain SUK employees are allocated to us for services performed for us.
We paid a related party port agent for supply and logistical services for our drybulk vessels, which are charged as vessel operating costs.
We paid a related bunker supplier for bunkers used by our drybulk vessels, which were charged as voyage expenses.
We pay a related party travel service provider for travel services, such as flights, which are charged as general and administrative services.
As part of the Seajacks transaction, we issued subordinated redeemable notes totaling $70.7 million, with a final maturity of March 31, 2023 and which bear interest at 5.5% until December 31, 2021 and 8.0% afterwards, to the former owners of Seajacks, who, in the aggregate, currently hold approximately 8.2 million common shares of the Company. The redeemable notes were repaid in May 2022.
The Company also assumed $87.7 million of subordinated, non-amortizing debt due in September 2022 and owed to financial institutions with guarantees provided by the former owners of Seajacks to whom the Company paid a fee of 0.3% of the outstanding balance through November 2021 and 5.0% afterwards. This debt was repaid in February 2022.
Please see Note 16, Related Party Transactions, to our consolidated financial statements for additional information about our related party transactions.
Related Party Balances
For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, we had the following transactions with related parties, which have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the year ended December 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Vessel revenue | | | | | |
| Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool | $ | — | | | $ | 10,754 | | | $ | 48,930 | |
| Scorpio Ultramax Pool | — | | | 5,638 | | | 81,682 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Total vessel revenue | $ | — | | | $ | 16,392 | | | $ | 130,612 | |
| Voyage expense | | | | | |
| SCM | $ | — | | | $ | 2,582 | | | $ | 1,449 | |
| Bunker supplier | — | | | 2,853 | | | 1,844 | |
| Total voyage expense | $ | — | | | $ | 5,435 | | | $ | 3,293 | |
| Vessel operating cost | | | | | |
| SSM | $ | — | | | $ | 2,799 | | | $ | 11,547 | |
| Port agent | 4 | | | 293 | | | 399 | |
| Total vessel operating cost | $ | 4 | | | $ | 3,092 | | | $ | 11,946 | |
| General and administrative expense: | | | | | |
| SCM | $ | 47 | | | $ | 220 | | | $ | 71 | |
| SSM | — | | | 13 | | | 148 | |
| SSH | 567 | | | 1,783 | | | 5,992 | |
| Scorpio UK Limited | 458 | | | 1,119 | | | 1,869 | |
| Eneti Senior Management | — | | | 30,000 | | | — | |
| Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool | (158) | | | — | | | — | |
| Scorpio Ultramax Pool | (303) | | | — | | | — | |
| Travel provider | — | | | — | | | 23 | |
| Total general and administrative expense | $ | 611 | | | $ | 33,135 | | | $ | 8,103 | |
| Income (loss) from equity investment | | | | | |
| Scorpio Tankers Inc. | $ | 55,538 | | | $ | 4,353 | | | $ | (105,384) | |
Loss on termination fees for assets held for sale | | | | | |
SCM | $ | — | | | $ | 4,582 | | | $ | 17,250 | |
| SSM | — | | | (1,344) | | | 17,789 | |
| SSH | — | | | (1,764) | | | 1,764 | |
| Total write down on assets held for sale | $ | — | | | $ | 1,474 | | | $ | 36,803 | |
| Financial expense, net | | | | | |
| Marubeni Corporation | $ | 804 | | | $ | 782 | | | $ | — | |
| INCJ, Ltd | 700 | | | 680 | | | — | |
| Mitsui O.S.K, Lines Ltd. | 51 | | | 50 | | | — | |
| Total financial expense, net | $ | 1,555 | | | $ | 1,512 | | | $ | — | |
At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had the following balances with related parties, which have been included in the consolidated balance sheets (amounts in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of December 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
| Assets | | | |
| Due from related parties-current: | | | |
| Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool | $ | 297 | | | $ | 559 | |
| Scorpio Ultramax Pool | 604 | | | 1,566 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Total due from related parties-current | $ | 901 | | | $ | 2,125 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Equity investment in Scorpio Tankers Inc. | $ | — | | | $ | 27,607 | |
| | | |
| Liabilities | | | |
| Due to related parties-current: | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| SCM | $ | — | | | $ | 107 | |
| | | |
| SSH | 5 | | | — | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Total due to related parties-current | $ | 5 | | | $ | 107 | |
| Redeemable notes: | | | |
| Marubeni Corporation | $ | — | | | $ | 27,422 | |
| INCJ, Ltd | — | | | 23,857 | |
| Mitsui O.S.K, Lines Ltd. | — | | | 1,736 | |
| Total redeemable notes | $ | — | | | $ | 53,015 | |
0Please see “Item 3. Key Information - D. Risk Factors - Risks Related to our Relationship with Scorpio and its Affiliates”.
Related Party Share Issuances
For information on additional share issuances under the Equity Incentive Plan see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees - B. Equity Incentive Plan.”
C.INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Not applicable.
| | | | | |
| ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
A.Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See “Item 18. Financial Statements.”
Legal Proceedings
To our knowledge, we are not currently a party to any lawsuit that, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. As such, we do not believe that pending legal proceedings, taken as a whole, should have any significant impact on our financial statements. From time to time in the future we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. While we expect that these claims would be covered by our existing insurance policies, those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. We have not been involved in any legal proceedings which may have, or have had, a significant effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity, nor are we aware of any proceedings that are pending or threatened which may have a significant effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Dividend Policy
The declaration and payment of dividends is subject at all times to the discretion of our Board of Directors. The timing and amount of dividends, if any, depends on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and
availability, fleet renewal and expansion, restrictions in our loan agreements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends and other factors.
We are a holding company with no material assets other than the equity interests in our wholly-owned subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to pay dividends, if any, depends on our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. Our credit facilities and financing obligations have restrictions on our ability, and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries, to pay dividends in the event of a default or breach of covenants under the credit facility or financing obligation agreement. Under such circumstances, we or our subsidiaries may not be able to pay dividends so long as we are in default or have breached certain covenants of the credit facility or financing obligation without our lender’s consent or waiver of the default or breach. In addition, Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends (i) other than from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares) or (ii) when a company is insolvent or (iii) if the payment of the dividend would render the company insolvent.
In addition, we may incur expenses or liabilities, including extraordinary expenses, decreases in revenues, including as a result of unanticipated off-hire days or loss of a vessel, or increased cash needs that could reduce or eliminate the amount of cash that we have available for distribution as dividends.
During 2022, our Board of Directors also declared and we paid a quarterly cash dividend totaling $0.01 per share in the aggregate, or approximately $1.6 million in the aggregate. In February 2023, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share, paid to all shareholders of record as of March 1, 2023 on March 15, 2023. Please see “Item 10. Additional Information - E. Taxation” for additional information relating to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of our dividend payments, if any are declared in the future.
B.Significant Changes.
There have been no significant changes since the date of the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
| | | | | |
| ITEM 9. | OFFER AND THE LISTING |
A.Offer and Listing Details.
Please see “Item 9. Offer and the Listing - C. Markets”
B.Plan of Distribution
Not applicable
C.Markets
Our common shares have traded on the NYSE since December 12, 2013, under the symbol “SALT”. Effective February 8, 2021, we changed our name to Eneti Inc. and our common shares began trading on the NYSE under the symbol “NETI”.
D.Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E.Dilution
Not applicable.
F.Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
| | | | | |
| ITEM 10. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
A.Share capital.
Not applicable.
B.Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and bylaws have been filed as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, to our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-192246), declared effective by the SEC on December 11, 2013, and are hereby incorporated by reference into this annual report. In December 2015, upon receiving shareholder approval, we amended our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to effect a one-for-twelve reverse stock split of our common shares, par value $0.01 per share, and to reduce the total number of authorized common shares to 56,250,000 shares. In June 2016, upon receiving shareholder approval, we amended our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the aggregate number of shares of capital stock that we are authorized to issue to 162,500,000, consisting of 112,500,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share, and 50,000,000 preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share. In June 2018, upon receiving shareholder approval, we amended our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the aggregate number of shares of capital stock that we are authorized to issue to 262,500,000, consisting of 212,500,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share, and 50,000,000 preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share. In April 2020, upon receiving shareholder approval, we amended our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to effect a one-for-ten reverse stock split of our common shares, par value $0.01 per share, and to reduce the total number of authorized common shares to 31,875,000 shares. In February 2021, upon receiving shareholder approval, we amended our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to effect a change in name to “Eneti Inc.” In September 2021, upon receiving shareholder approval, we amended our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation to increase the aggregate number of shares of capital stock that we are authorized to issue to 131,875,000, consisting of 81,875,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share, and 50,000,000 preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share. These amendments to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are filed as exhibits to this annual report. The share numbers in this paragraph have not been retroactively adjusted to reflect any of the foregoing reverse stock splits.
Information regarding the rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to each class of our shares is described in exhibit 2.2 to this annual report, titled “Description of Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.”
C.Material contracts.
We refer you to “Item 4. Information on the Company”, “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - B. Liquidity and Capital Resources”, “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—B. Compensation” and “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions” for a discussion of the contracts that we consider to be both material and outside the ordinary course of business during the two-year period immediately preceding the date of this annual report. Certain of these material agreements that are to be performed in whole or in part at or after the date of this annual report are attached as exhibits to this annual report.
Other than as set forth above, there were no material contracts, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which we were a party during the two-year period immediately preceding the date of this annual report.
D.Exchange controls.
Under Marshall Islands law, there are currently no restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls or restrictions that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our common shares.
E.Taxation
The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations of the ownership and disposition by a U.S. Holder and a Non-U.S. Holder, each as defined below, with respect to our common shares. This discussion does not purport to deal with the tax consequences of owning common shares to all categories of investors, some of which, such as dealers in securities or commodities, financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons liable for an alternative minimum tax, persons who hold common shares as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or integrated investment, U.S. Holders whose functional currency is not the United States dollar, persons required to recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than when such income is included on an “applicable financial statement”, persons subject to the “base erosion and anti-avoidance” tax and investors that own, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, 10% or more of our common shares, may be subject to special rules. This discussion deals only with holders who hold our common shares as a capital asset. You are encouraged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences arising in your own particular situation under U.S. federal, state, local or foreign law of the ownership of our common shares.
Marshall Islands Tax Considerations
In the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, the following are the material Marshall Islands tax consequences of our activities to us and of our common shares to our shareholders. We are incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Under current Marshall Islands law, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains, and no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon payments of dividends by us to our shareholders.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
In the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, our U.S. counsel, the following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of our activities to us, and of the ownership of our common shares to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders, each as defined below. The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax matters is based on the Code, judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or the Treasury Regulations, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Operating Income: In General
Certain of our income may be subject to U.S. federal income tax. as we intend to conduct activities that may give rise to income that is considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, or ECI, through one or more subsidiaries. In particular, our subsidiary, Seajacks US Inc., will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation on its taxable income, if any, in any given year, currently imposed at a rate of 21%. If, contrary to our expectations, we directly conduct business activities in the United States and its territorial waters, any ECI we recognize, net of applicable deductions, would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, at the 21% domestic corporate income tax rate. In addition, we would generally be subject to the 30% “branch profits” tax on earnings effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, as determined after allowance for certain adjustments, and on certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of our U.S. trade or business.
Prior to our shift from the dry bulk commodity transportation business to the offshore wind and marine-based renewable energy industry, we have relied on a statutory exemption from U.S. federal income taxation on our U.S. source transportation income. For a discussion of these rules and our eligibility in prior taxable years, see the “Item 10.E.—Taxation” from our 2020 annual report on Form 20-F filed on March 8, 2021. To the extent we may have earned U.S. source gross transportation income, we expect to take the position on our U.S. federal income tax returns that we were eligible for the statutory exemption from the 4% gross U.S. federal income tax on U.S. source shipping income.
U.S. Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels
We will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain realized on a sale of a vessel, provided the sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under U.S. federal income tax principles. In general, a sale of a vessel will be considered to occur outside of the United States for this purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of loss with respect to the vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States. It is expected that any sale of a vessel by us will be considered to occur outside of the United States.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a holder that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is a beneficial owner of common shares and is an individual U.S. citizen or resident, a U.S. corporation or other U.S. entity taxable as a corporation, an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
If a partnership holds the common shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding the common shares, you are encouraged to consult your tax advisor.
Distributions
Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies below, any distributions made by us with respect to our common shares to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of such earnings and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in our common shares and thereafter as capital gain. Because we are not a U.S. corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations generally will not be entitled to claim a dividend received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us. Dividends paid with respect to our common shares will generally be treated as foreign source dividend income and will generally constitute “passive category income” for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
Dividends paid on our common shares to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders will generally be treated as “qualified dividend income” that is taxable to such U.S. Holders at preferential tax rates provided that (1) the common shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the NYSE); (2) we are not a passive foreign investment company for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (as discussed in detail below); (3) the non-corporate U.S. Holder has owned the common shares for more than 60 days in the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common shares become ex-dividend; and (4) certain other conditions are met.
There is no assurance that any dividends paid on our common shares will be eligible for these preferential rates in the hands of such non-corporate U.S. Holders. Any dividends paid by us which are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a non-corporate U.S. Holder.
Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend” generally, a dividend in an amount which is equal to or in excess of 10% of a shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in a common share paid by us. If we pay an “extraordinary dividend” on our common shares that is treated as “qualified dividend income,” then any loss derived by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders from the sale or exchange of such common shares will be treated as long term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Shares
Assuming we do not constitute a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such shares. Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Such capital gain or loss will generally be treated as U.S. source income or loss, as applicable, for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Long-term capital gains of certain non-corporate U.S. Holders are currently eligible for reduced rates of taxation. A U.S. Holder’s ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences
Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that holds shares in a foreign corporation classified as a “passive foreign investment company,” or a PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which such holder holds our common shares, either:
1.at least 75% of our gross income for such taxable year consists of passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and rents derived other than in the active conduct of a rental business), which we refer to as the income test; or
2.at least 50% of the average value of our assets during such taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income, which we refer to as the asset test.
For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, cash will be treated as an asset which is held for the production of passive income. In addition, we will be treated as earning and owning our proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of any of our subsidiary corporations in which we own at least 25% of the value of the subsidiary’s stock. Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection with the performance of services would not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income would generally constitute “passive income” unless we were treated under specific rules as deriving our rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business.
For our 2022 taxable year and subsequent taxable years, whether we will be treated as a PFIC will depend upon the nature and extent of our operations. In making the determination as to whether we are a PFIC, we intend to treat the gross income that we derive or that we are deemed to derive from the wind turbine installation and management activities of us or any of our subsidiaries as active business income. Correspondingly, such income should not constitute passive income, and the assets that we or our wholly owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income should not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. Although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, we cannot assure you that the nature of our operations will not change in the future.
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a “Qualified Electing Fund,” which election we refer to as a “QEF election.” As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to our common shares, as discussed below. If we were treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder will generally be required to file IRS Form 8621 with respect to its ownership of our common shares, and may be subject to additional U.S. tax or information reporting obligations in connection with the acquisition, holding or disposition of our common shares.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election, which U.S. Holder we refer to as an “Electing Holder,” the Electing Holder must report for U.S. federal income tax purposes its pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if any, for each of our taxable years during which we are a PFIC that ends with or within the taxable year of the Electing Holder, regardless of whether distributions were received from us by the Electing Holder. No portion of any such inclusions of ordinary earnings will be treated as “qualified dividend income.” Net capital gain inclusions of certain non-corporate U.S. Holders may be eligible for preferential capital gains tax rates. The Electing Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares will be increased to reflect any income included under the QEF election. Distributions of previously taxed income will not be subject to tax upon distribution but will decrease the Electing Holder’s tax basis in the common shares. An Electing Holder would not, however, be entitled to a deduction for its pro rata share of any losses that we incur with respect to any taxable year. An
Electing Holder would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares. A U.S. Holder would make a timely QEF election for our common shares by filing IRS Form 8621 with his U.S. federal income tax return for the first year in which he held such shares when we were a PFIC. If we determine that we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we intend to provide each U.S. Holder with information necessary for the U.S. Holder to make the QEF election described above. If we were treated as a PFIC for our 2022 taxable year, we anticipate that, based on our current projections, we would not have a significant amount of taxable income or gain that would be required to be taken into account by U.S. Holders making a QEF election effective for such taxable year.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a “Mark-to-Market” Election
If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we anticipate will be the case, our shares are treated as “marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to our common shares, provided the U.S. Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and related Treasury Regulations. If that election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common shares at the end of the taxable year over such Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares. The U.S. Holder would also be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares over its fair market value at the end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in our common shares would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount recognized. Any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common shares would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included by the U.S. Holder.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election
If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder who does not make either a QEF election or a “mark-to-market” election for that year, which we refer to as a “Non-Electing Holder,” would be subject to special rules with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on the common shares in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holder’s holding period for the common shares), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares. Under these special rules:
1.the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holder’s aggregate holding period for the common shares;
2.the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, would be taxed as ordinary income and would not be “qualified dividend income”; and
3.the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed tax deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of “Non-U.S. Holders”
As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a holder that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of common shares (other than a partnership) and who is not a U.S. Holder.
If a partnership holds our common shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common shares, you are encouraged to consult your tax adviser.
Dividends on Common Shares
A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on dividends received from us with respect to our common shares, unless that income is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. In general, if the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of an applicable U.S. income tax treaty with respect to those dividends, that income is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Shares
A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares, unless:
1.the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States; in general, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder entitled to the benefits of an applicable U.S. income tax treaty with respect to that gain, that gain is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States; or
2.the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of disposition and who also meets other conditions.
Income or Gains Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business
If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes, dividends on the common shares and gains from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the shares, that are effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if required by an applicable U.S. income tax treaty, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment), will generally be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as discussed in the previous section relating to the taxation of U.S. Holders. In addition, in the case of a corporate Non-U.S. Holder, its earnings and profits that are attributable to the effectively connected income, which are subject to certain adjustments, may be subject to an additional U.S. federal branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or at a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable U.S. income tax treaty.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, dividend payments, or other taxable distributions, and the payment of gross proceeds on a sale or other disposition of our common shares, made within the United States to a non-corporate U.S. Holder will be subject to information reporting. Such payments or distributions may also be subject to backup withholding if the non-corporate U.S. Holder:
1.fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
2.is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns; or
3.in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.
Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding with respect to dividend payments or other taxable distributions on our common shares by certifying their status on an applicable IRS Form W-8. If a Non-U.S. Holder sells our common shares to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment of the proceeds is subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless the Non-U.S. Holder certifies that it is a non-U.S. person, under penalties of perjury, or it otherwise establishes an exemption. If a Non-U.S. Holder sells our common shares through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are paid outside the United States, then information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to that payment. However, U.S. information reporting requirements, but not backup withholding, will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United States, if a Non-U.S. Holder sells our common shares through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is a U.S. person or has some other contacts with the United States. Such information reporting requirements will not apply, however, if the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and certain other conditions are met, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, a refund may generally be obtained of any amounts withheld under backup withholding rules that exceed the taxpayer’s U.S. federal income tax liability by filing a timely refund claim with the IRS.
Individuals who are U.S. Holders (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury Regulations, Non-U.S. Holders and certain U.S. entities) who hold “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code) are required to file IRS Form 8938 with information relating to the asset for each taxable year in which the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $75,000 at any time during the taxable year or $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year (or such higher dollar amount as prescribed by applicable Treasury Regulations). Specified foreign financial assets would include, among other assets, our common shares, unless the common shares are held in an account maintained with a U.S. financial institution. Substantial penalties apply to any failure to timely file IRS Form 8938, unless the failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause and not
due to willful neglect. Additionally, in the event an individual U.S. Holder (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury Regulations, a Non-U.S. Holder or a U.S. entity) that is required to file IRS Form 8938 does not file such form, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes of such holder for the related tax year may not close until three years after the date that the required information is filed. U.S. Holders (including U.S. entities) and Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations in respect of our common shares.
F.Dividends and paying agents.
Not applicable.
G.Statement by experts.
Not applicable.
H.Documents on display.
We file reports and other information with the SEC. These materials, including this annual report and the accompanying exhibits are available from http://www.sec.gov.
Shareholders may also request a copy of our filings at no cost, by writing to us at the following address: 9, Boulevard Charles III, Monaco, 98000 or telephoning us at + 377 9798 5715.
I.Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
J.Annual Report to Security Holders
We intend to submit any annual report provided to shareholders in electronic format as an exhibit to a current report on Form 6-K.
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| ITEM 11. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes primarily through our unhedged variable-rate borrowings. Significant increases in interest rates could adversely affect our operating margins, results of operations and our ability to service our debt. As of December 31, 2022, we have variable-rate borrowings totaling $65.6 million. A one percent increase in interest rates would increase our interest payments by approximately $0.6 million per year from January 1, 2022.
Spot Market Rate Risk
We typically operate our WTIVs on modified time charters, which give us a fixed and stable cash flow for a known period of time, and often places risks, such as weather downtime, on the charterer’s account thus minimizing the number of days our vessels operate in the spot market and impact of the cyclical nature of the industry.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
While our functional currency is the U.S. dollar, certain of our revenue and expenses are in foreign currencies, such as the Euro and Pound Sterling, exposing us to the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates. The amount and frequency of some of these revenues and expenses (such as vessel repairs, supplies and stores) may fluctuate from period to period. Depreciation in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to these currencies will reduce U.S. dollar revenues and increase the U.S. dollar cost of us paying these expenses. The portion of our business conducted in other currencies could increase in the future, which could expand our exposure to losses arising from currency fluctuations.
There is a risk that currency fluctuations will have a negative effect on our cash flows. We have not entered into any hedging contracts to protect against currency fluctuations. However, we have some ability to shift the purchase of goods and services from one country to another and, thus, from one currency to another, on relatively short notice. We also have the ability to draw down a portion of our debt in Euro. We may seek to hedge this currency fluctuation risk in the future.
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| ITEM 12. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES |
Not applicable.
The following table summarizes other supplemental information about the Company’s dry bulk operating leases:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Twelve months ended
December 31, 2020 |
| Weighted average discount rate | | 4.9 | % |
| Weighted average remaining lease term | | 0.5 years |
| Cash paid for the amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities for operating leases (in thousands) | | $ | — | |
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (in thousands) | | $ | — | |
*results prior to ceasing dry bulk operations in July 2021 |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
8.Commitment and Contingencies
Legal Matters
The Company is periodically involved in litigation and various legal matters that arise in the normal course of business. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes which are not predictable. At the current time, the Company does not believe that any legal matters could have a material adverse effect on its financial position or future results of operations and therefore has not recorded any reserves in relation thereto as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.
Capital Commitments
The Company is currently under contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering for the construction of two next-generation offshore WTIVs. The aggregate contract price is approximately $654.7 million, of which $98.5 million has been paid. The vessels are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2024 and second quarter of 2025. At December 31, 2022, the estimated future payment dates and amounts are as follows (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| DSME1 | | DSME2 |
| 2023 | $ | 66,072 | | | $ | 32,441 | |
| 2024 | 198,218 | | | 64,881 | |
| 2025 | — | | | 194,644 | |
| $ | 264,290 | | | $ | 291,966 | |
Debt
See Note 12, Debt, to the consolidated financial statements for a schedule of debt and financing obligation payments as of December 31, 2022.
Performance Bonds
Under certain circumstances, the Company issues either advance payment or performance bonds upon signing a wind turbine installation contract. An advance payment bond protects the money being advanced to the Company by the client at the start of the project. The bond will protect the client for the full advanced amount should Seajacks default on the agreement. A performance bond can be issued to the client as a guarantee against the Company meeting the obligations specified in the contract. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, there were approximately $14.0 million and $31.6 million of bonds issued, respectfully. At December 31, 2022, the Company had a restricted cash of $7.3 million, which served as cash collateral on certain of the performance bonds issued.
Other
There are no material post-employment benefits for our executive officers or directors. By law, our employees in Monaco are entitled to a one-time payment of up to two months’ salary upon retirement if they meet certain minimum service requirements. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments consisted principally of debt repayments and future minimum purchases under non-cancelable purchase agreements.
9.Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| (in thousands) | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| Accounts payable | $ | 9,856 | | | $ | 6,566 | |
| Accrued operating expense | 6,264 | | | 11,448 | |
| Accrued administrative expense | 7,504 | | | 9,059 | |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 23,624 | | | $ | 27,073 | |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
Accounts payable primarily consists of obligations to suppliers arising in the normal course of business. Accrued operating relates to obligations arising from operation of the Company’s owned vessels, such as operating costs. Accrued administrative relates to obligations that are corporate or financing in nature, such as payroll, professional fees, interest and commitment fees.
10.Common Shares
As of December 31, 2022 the Company had:
•Approximately 38.4 million common shares outstanding, the $0.01 par value of which is recorded as common stock of $1.1 million.
•Paid-in capital of $2.1 billion which substantially represents the excess net proceeds from common stock issuances over the par value as well as the amount of cumulative restricted stock amortization.
•Treasury stock of $17.7 million representing the cost at which the Company repurchased approximately 2.3 million of its own shares.
Equity Issuance
In November 2021, the Company issued approximately 19.4 million shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at $9.00 per share in an underwritten public offering. Scorpio Services Holding Limited, a related party to the Company, purchased approximately 3.7 million common shares in the offering at the public offering price. In addition, Robert Bugbee (the Company’s President) and a non-executive director agreed to purchase 222,222 and 11,111 common shares, respectively, at the public offering price. The Company received approximately $165.9 million of net proceeds from the issuance.
Share Repurchase Program
In August 2022, the Company repurchased 2,292,310 shares of its common stock (the “Shares”) from INCJ SJ Investment Limited, for approximately $17.0 million. The Company issued the Shares to INCJ, Ltd. as part of the acquisition price paid by it to acquire Seajacks in August 2021. The repurchase of the Shares was made under the Company’s then existing board authorized repurchase plan. The Shares are held in treasury stock.
In September 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program to purchase up to an aggregate of $50.0 million of the Company’s common shares (the “Program”). This new share repurchase program replaced the Company’s previous share repurchase program that was authorized in January 2019 and that was terminated in conjunction with the authorization of the new share repurchase program. The specific timing and amounts of the repurchases will be in the sole discretion of management and may vary based on market conditions and other factors. The Company is not obligated under the terms of the program to repurchase any of its common shares. The authorization has no expiration date.
As of December 31, 2022, $50.0 million remained available under the Program.
In February 2021, the Company retired approximately 2.0 million or $74.1 million of treasury stock.
Dividends
During 2022 and 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $0.04 per share and $0.12 per share, or $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
11.Equity Incentive Plan
The Eneti Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, or the Plan, was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and became effective on September 30, 2013 and was last amended to reserve additional common shares for issuance pursuant to the Plan on October 8, 2021. Adjustments may be made to outstanding awards in the event of a corporate transaction or change in capitalization or other extraordinary event. In the event of a “change in control” (as defined in the Plan), unless otherwise provided by the Plan administrator in an award agreement, awards then outstanding will become fully vested and exercisable in full. The Board of Directors may amend or terminate the Plan and may amend outstanding awards, provided that no such
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
amendment or termination may be made that would materially impair any rights, or materially increase any obligations, of a grantee under an outstanding award. Shareholder approval of Plan amendments will be required under certain circumstances. On November 30, 2022, the Board of Directors approved the reloading of the Plan and reserved an additional 15,790 common shares of the Company for issuance pursuant to the Plan. As of December 31, 2022, we had reserved a total of 3,199,954 common shares for issuance under the Plan, subject to adjustment for changes in capitalization as provided in the Plan. The Plan is administered by the Company’s Compensation Committee. The Plan will remain in effect until the tenth anniversary of the date on which the Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors, unless terminated, or extended by the Board of Directors. After the termination date, no further awards shall be granted pursuant to the Plan, but previously granted awards will remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions.
Under the Plan, the Company is permitted to grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and unrestricted common shares.
Under the terms of the Plan, stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under the Plan will have an exercise price equal to the fair value of a common share on the date of grant, unless otherwise determined by the Plan administrator, but in no event will the exercise price be less than the fair value of a common share on the date of grant. Options and stock appreciation rights will be exercisable at times and under conditions as determined by the Plan administrator, but in no event will they be exercisable later than ten years from the date of grant. The Company did not grant any option awards or stock appreciation rights under the Plan during the three years ended December 31, 2022.
The Plan administrator may grant shares of restricted stock and awards of restricted stock units subject to vesting, forfeiture and other terms and conditions as determined by the Plan administrator. Generally, restricted stock granted under the Plan vests in one of the following manners: (a) annually in three equal installments, if the independent director has continued to serve on the Board of Directors from the grant date to the applicable vesting date or (b) serial vest on each of the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant so long as the award recipient is employed on such date. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense (see Note 1, Organization and Basis of Presentation) over this three-year period or four-year period, as applicable.
The Company recorded share-based compensation expense of $7.8 million, $12.2 million, and $7.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to restricted stock awards, which is included in General and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
A summary of activity for restricted stock awards during the three years ended December 31, 2022 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Number of
Shares | | Weighted
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
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| Outstanding at December 31, 2019 | 364,986 | | | $ | 62.90 | |
Fractional shares exchanged for cash upon reverse stock split | (37) | | | 62.90 | |
| Granted | 425,000 | | | 13.22 | |
| Vested | (149,342) | | | 50.75 | |
| Forfeited | (800) | | | 64.64 | |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2020 | 639,807 | | | 32.74 | |
| Granted | 858,000 | | | 16.41 | |
| Vested | (548,612) | | | 32.90 | |
| Forfeited | — | | | — | |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2021 | 949,195 | | | 17.89 | |
| Granted | 997,500 | | | 6.37 | |
| Vested | (99,681) | | | 19.55 | |
| Forfeited | — | | | — | |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2022 | 1,847,014 | | | $ | 11.58 | |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
As of December 31, 2022, there was $11.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards. These costs are expected to be recognized over the weighted average period of approximately one year. During 2022, restricted stock with a fair value of approximately $0.7 million vested.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
12.Debt
The Company’s long-term debt consists of bank loans, summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| (amounts in thousands) | 2022 | | 2021 |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
$175.0 Million Credit Facility | $ | 65,625 | | | $ | — | |
$87.7 Million Subordinated Debt | | | 87,650 | |
$70.7 Million Redeemable Notes | — | | | 53,015 | |
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| Total bank loans and financing obligations outstanding | 65,625 | | | 140,665 | |
| Less: Current portion | (12,500) | | | (87,650) | |
| $ | 53,125 | | | $ | 53,015 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
(amounts in thousands) | Current | | Non-current | | Total | | Current | | Non-current | | Total |
| Total bank loans and financing obligations, gross | $ | 12,500 | | | $ | 53,125 | | | $ | 65,625 | | | $ | 87,650 | | | $ | 53,015 | | | $ | 140,665 | |
| Unamortized deferred financing costs | (461) | | | (872) | | | (1,333) | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Total bank loans and financing obligations, net | $ | 12,039 | | | $ | 52,253 | | | $ | 64,292 | | | $ | 87,650 | | | $ | 53,015 | | | $ | 140,665 | |
The future principal and estimated interest payments (based on the interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2022) under the Company’s long-term debt over the next five years based on the Company’s existing credit facilities as of December 31, 2022 is as below.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(amounts in thousands) | Principal | Interest | Total |
| 2023 | $ | 12,500 | | $ | 2,742 | | $ | 15,242 | |
| 2024 | 12,500 | | 1,575 | | 14,075 | |
| 2025 | 12,500 | | 1,165 | | 13,665 | |
| 2026 | 12,500 | | 759 | | 13,259 | |
| 2027 | 15,625 | | 125 | | 15,750 | |
| Thereafter | — | | — | | — | |
| Total | $ | 65,625 | | $ | 6,366 | | $ | 71,991 | |
Credit Facilities
$175.0 Million Credit Facility
In March 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with DNB Capital LLC, Societe Generale, Citibank N.A., Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and Credit Industriel et Commercial for a five-year credit facility of $175.0 million (the “Credit Facility”).
The Credit Facility consists of three tranches: (i) a $75.0 million Green Term Loan (the “Term Loan”), (ii) up to $75.0 million Revolving Loans (the “Revolving Loans”), and (iii) up to $25.0 million revolving tranche for the issuance of letters of credit, performance bonds and other guarantees (the “Letters of Credit”). The Credit Facility has a final maturity date of five years from the signing date, up to 100% of the amounts available under the Revolving Loans may be drawn in Euros and up to 50% of the amounts available under the Letters of Credit may be issued in Euros. The Term Loan tranche (qualified as a green loan) bears interest at Term SOFR (along with a credit adjustment spread depending on duration of interest period) plus a margin of 3.05% per annum, the Revolving Loans tranche bears interest at Term SOFR (along with a credit adjustment spread depending on duration of interest period) plus a margin of 3.15% per annum, and any letters of credit, performance bonds or other guarantees issued under the Letters of Credit tranche bears fees of 3.15% per annum. The amount available for drawing under
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
the Revolving Loans is based upon 50% of contracted cash flows on a forward looking 30 months basis. The terms and conditions of the Credit Facility are similar to those set forth in the similar credit facilities of this type. The green loan accreditation process was supported by a second party opinion from the Governance Group AS of Norway (since acquired by Position Green of Norway).
In May 2022, we drew down the entire $75.0 million term loan and approximately $30.0 million under the revolving loans. The $30.0 million under the revolving loans was subsequently repaid in June 2022
$87.7 Million Subordinated Debt
As part of the Seajacks transaction, the Company assumed $87.7 million of subordinated, non-amortizing debt due in September 2022 and owed to financial institutions with guarantees provided by the Sellers, which bore interest at 1.0% until November 30, 2021, 5.5% from December 1, 2021 and 8.0% from January 1, 2022. In February 2022, the Company repaid $87.7 million of 8% subordinated debt due September 2022 and terminated this facility.
$70.7 Million Redeemable Notes
As part of the Seajacks transaction, the Company issued subordinated redeemable notes totaling $70.7 million, with a final maturity of March 31, 2023 and which bear interest at 5.5% until December 31, 2021 and 8.0% afterwards. In December 2021, $17.7 million of the notes were repaid. In May 2022, the Company repaid the $53.0 million outstanding balance and terminated this facility.
$60.0 Million ING Revolving Credit Facility
As part of the Seajacks transaction, the Company entered into a $60.0 million senior secured non-amortizing revolving credit facility from ING Bank N.V. The credit facility, which included sub-limits for performance bonds, and is subject to other conditions for full availability, had a final maturity of August 2022 and bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.45% per annum. Commitment fees on any unused portion of the credit line were 0.98% per annum. Any issuances of performance bonds under the facility reduced the amount of funds available for the Company to draw down by an equal amount.
The $60.0 million ING Loan Facility was secured by, among other things: a first priority mortgage over the relevant collateralized vessels; a first priority assignment of earnings, and insurances from the mortgaged vessels for the facility; a pledge of the earnings account of the mortgaged vessels for the facility; and a pledge of the equity interests of each vessel owning subsidiary under the facility.
In March 2022, the Company drew down $25.0 million of the available facility. In May 2022, the Company repaid the outstanding balance and terminated this facility.
Financial Covenants under the Agreements Governing Our Indebtedness
The Company’s credit facilities discussed above, have, among other things, the following financial covenants, as amended or waived, the most stringent of which require us to maintain:
•Minimum liquidity of not less than $30.0 million, of which $15.0 million must be cash.
•The ratio of net debt to adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) calculated on a trailing four quarter basis of no greater than 2.75 to 1.00.
•The ratio of adjusted EBITDA to finance charges calculated on a trailing four quarter basis of at least 5.00 to 1.00.
•Solvency shall not be less than 50%.
•Minimum fair value of the collateral, such that the aggregate fair value of the vessels collateralizing the credit facility be at least 175% of the aggregate of (i) outstanding amount under such credit facility and (ii) negative value of any hedging exposure under such credit facility (if any), or, if the Company does not meet these thresholds, to prepay a portion of the loan and cancel such available commitments or provide additional security to eliminate the shortfall.
Our credit facilities set out above have, among other things, the following restrictive covenants which would restrict our ability to:
•incur additional indebtedness;
•sell the collateral vessel, if applicable;
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
•make additional investments or acquisitions;
•pay dividends; or
•effect a change of control of us.
A violation of any of the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities and financing obligations described above may constitute an event of default under all of our credit facilities and financing obligations, which, unless cured within the grace period set forth under the credit facility or financing obligation, if applicable, or waived or modified by our lenders, provides our lenders with the right to, among other things, require us to post additional collateral, enhance our equity and liquidity, increase our interest payments, pay down our indebtedness to a level where we are in compliance with the financial covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness, sell vessels in our fleet, reclassify our indebtedness as current liabilities, accelerate our indebtedness, and foreclose their liens on our vessels and the other assets securing the credit facilities and financing obligations, which would impair our ability to continue to conduct our business.
In addition, our credit facilities and finance leases contain subjective acceleration clauses under which the debt could become due and payable in the event of a material adverse change in our business.
Furthermore, our credit facilities and financing obligations contain a cross-default provision that may be triggered by a default under one of our other credit facilities and financing obligations. A cross-default provision means that a default on one loan or financing obligation would result in a default on certain of our other loans and financing obligations. Because of the presence of cross-default provisions in certain of our credit facilities and financing obligations, the refusal of any one lender under our credit facilities and financing obligations to grant or extend a waiver could result in certain of our indebtedness being accelerated, even if our other lenders under our credit facilities and financing obligations have waived covenant defaults under the respective credit facilities and financing obligations. If our secured indebtedness is accelerated in full or in part, it would be very difficult in the current financing environment for us to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing and we could lose our vessels and other assets securing our credit facilities and financing obligations if our lenders foreclose their liens, which would adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
Moreover, in connection with any waivers of or amendments to our credit facilities and financing obligations that we have obtained, or may obtain in the future, our lenders may impose additional operating and financial restrictions on us or modify the terms of our existing credit facilities and financing obligations. These restrictions may further restrict our ability to, among other things, pay dividends, make capital expenditures or incur additional indebtedness, including through the issuance of guarantees. In addition, our lenders may require the payment of additional fees, require prepayment of a portion of our indebtedness to them, accelerate the amortization schedule for our indebtedness and increase the interest rates they charge us on our outstanding indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants contained in the credit facility that we had entered into as of that date.
Interest rates on all of the Company’s secured credit facilities during the year ended December 31, 2022 ranged from 2.4% to 7.8%. The Company records its interest expense as a component of Financial expense, net and Financial expense - related party on its Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, Financial expense, net consists of:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31, |
| (in thousands) | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Interest expense | $ | 4,947 | | | $ | 6,926 | | | $ | 29,557 | |
| Interest expense - related party | 1,555 | | | 1,512 | | | — | |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | 564 | | | 658 | | | 3,667 | |
| Write off of deferred financing costs | — | | | 7,196 | | | 3,088 | |
| | | | | |
| Capitalized interest * | (5,348) | | | — | | | — | |
| Other, net | 400 | | | 68 | | | 506 | |
| $ | 2,118 | | | $ | 16,360 | | | $ | 36,818 | |
*See Vessels under Construction in Note 1, Organization and Basis of Presentation
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
13.Derivatives
The Company is exposed to, among other things, the impact of changes in interest rates in the normal course of business. The Company managed the exposure to and volatility arising from these risks, and utilized derivative financial instruments to offset a portion of these risks. The Company used derivative financial instruments only to the extent necessary to hedge identified business risks and did not enter into such transactions for speculative purposes.
The Company uses variable rate debt as a source of funds for use in the Company's investment activities. These debt obligations expose the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. If interest rates increase, interest expense increases. Interest rate cap agreements were used to manage interest rate risk associated with floating-rate borrowings under the Company’s credit facilities. The interest rate cap agreements utilized by the Company effectively modified the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk by converting a portion of the Company’s floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis through December 31, 2020, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on interest expense.
The Company did not elect to designate any of its derivative instruments as hedging instruments under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”, and as such the gain or loss on the derivative was recognized in current earnings during the period of change and is included in Financial expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The interest rate caps expired at December 31, 2020. Prior to their expiration they would have been included in Other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. There was no impact to interest expense in 2022, 2021 or 2020.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
14.Equity Investments
On October 12, 2018 the Company invested $100.0 million in a related party, Scorpio Tankers, through participation in a public offering on a basis equivalent to other investors. As a result of this investment, the Company became a significant investor in Scorpio Tankers, a related party, holding a total of approximately 54.1 million shares of common stock, which was approximately 10.9% of the then issued and outstanding shares of Scorpio Tankers. While the Company was not directly invested in Scorpio Tankers prior to this investment, it shared a number of shareholders, directors and officers (see Note 16, Related Party Transactions), which along with its investment interest indicated its ability to exercise significant influence. Accordingly, this investment is accounted for under the equity method. The investment was subsequently adjusted to 5.4 million shares after a one-for-ten reverse stock split effected on January 18, 2019. The Company uses the fair value option in accounting for its investment in Scorpio Tankers based upon the quoted market price of Scorpio Tankers common stock.
On October 22, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a one-time special stock dividend to the shareholders of the Company of an aggregate of approximately one million shares of common stock of Scorpio Tankers (NYSE: STNG). For each common share that a shareholder held in the Company on November 15, 2019 that shareholder received 0.0138 shares of common stock of Scorpio Tankers on December 13, 2019. The Scorpio Tankers common shares distributed in the special dividend were acquired from Scorpio Tankers in the abovementioned public offering of its common shares in October 2018. Following the payment of the special dividend, the Company continued to own approximately 4.4 million common shares of Scorpio Tankers. No fractional shares of Scorpio Tankers were issued in connection with the special dividend, and instead the Company’s shareholders received cash in lieu of any fractional shares.
In May 2020, the Company sold 2.25 million common shares of Scorpio Tankers for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $42.7 million. In August 2022, the Company sold all of its remaining 2.16 million common shares of Scorpio Tankers for approximately $82.5 million.
Below is a table of equity investment activity (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
| Beginning balance | $ | 27,607 | | | $ | 24,116 | |
| Investment in Scorpio Tankers | — | | | — | |
| Sale of investment in Scorpio Tankers | (82,497) | | | — | |
| Gain from change in fair value of investment in Scorpio Tankers | 54,890 | | | 3,491 | |
| | | |
| Equity investments at fair value | $ | — | | | $ | 27,607 | |
| Dividend income from Scorpio Tankers common stock | $ | 646 | | | $ | 862 | |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
15.Fair value of financial instruments
The carrying amount and fair value of financial instruments at December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Level | | Carrying value | | Fair Value | | Carrying value | | Fair Value |
| Financial assets: | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash | 1 | | $ | 127,227 | | | $ | 127,227 | | | $ | 153,977 | | | $ | 153,977 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Equity investment - Common stock of Scorpio Tankers Inc. | 1 | | — | | | — | | | 27,607 | | | 27,607 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Financial liabilities: | | | | | | | | | |
| Bank loans, net | 2 | | 64,292 | | | 64,292 | | | 87,650 | | | 87,650 | |
| Redeemable notes | 2 | | — | | | — | | | 53,015 | | | 53,015 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, various methods are used including market, income and cost approaches. Based on these approaches, certain assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability are used, including assumptions about risk and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market-corroborated, or generally unobservable firm inputs. Valuation techniques that are used maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, fair value measured financial instruments are categorized according to the fair value hierarchy prescribed by ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
•Level 1: Fair value measurements using unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
•Level 2: Fair value measurements using correlation with (directly or indirectly) observable market-based inputs, unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data, or quoted prices in markets that are not active.
•Level 3: Fair value measurements using inputs that are significant and not readily observable in the market.
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted comprise cash on hand and demand deposits, and other short-term highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
In August 2022, the Company sold its remaining investment of approximately 2.16 million shares of common stock of Scorpio Tankers.
The carrying value of our secured bank loans are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The Company considers that the carrying value approximates fair value because (i) the interest rates on these instruments change with, or approximate, market interest rates and (ii) the credit risk of the Company has remained stable.
These amounts are shown net of $1.3 million of unamortized deferred financing fees on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2022. There were no such unamortized deferred financing fees at December 31, 2021.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
In May 2022, the Company repaid the redeemable notes and terminated the facility.
Certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities are carried at contracted amounts that approximate fair value. Assets and liabilities that are recorded at contracted amounts approximating fair value consist primarily of balances with related parties, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses.
16.Related Party Transactions
The Company’s co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emanuele Lauro, and the Company’s Vice President, Mr. Filippo Lauro, are members of the Lolli-Ghetti family, which owns and controls the Scorpio group of companies, or Scorpio. Scorpio includes SSM, which has provided the Company with vessel technical management services, SCM, which has provided the Company with vessel commercial management services, SSH, which provides the Company and other related entities with administrative services and services related to the acquisition of vessels, and Scorpio UK Limited, or SUK, which has provided the Company with vessel chartering services. SSH also has a majority equity interest in a port agent that has provided supply and logistical services for the Company’s vessels operating in its regions. In 2009, Mr. Emanuele Lauro also co-founded Scorpio Tankers (NYSE: STNG), a large international shipping company engaged in seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products, of which he is currently the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Emanuele Lauro also has a senior management position at Scorpio. The Company’s co-founder, President and Director, Mr. Robert Bugbee, is also the President and a Director of Scorpio Tankers and has a senior management position at Scorpio. The Company’s Vice President, Mr. Filippo Lauro and the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Cameron Mackey, also hold the office of Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Scorpio Tankers, respectively, and have senior management positions at Scorpio. From December 2018 to June 2021, Messrs. Emanuele Lauro, Robert Bugbee, Filippo Lauro and Cameron Mackey have served in similar capacities for Hermitage Offshore Services Ltd., formerly Nordic American Offshore Ltd.
Administrative Services Agreement
The Company entered into the Administrative Services Agreement with SSH for the provision of administrative staff, office space and accounting, legal compliance, financial and information technology services, as well as arranging drybulk vessel sales and drybulk purchases for the Company, including drybulk newbuildings.
Effective September 21, 2021, the Company entered into the Amendment No. 1 to Administrative Services Agreement with SSH, a related party, for the provision of administrative staff, office space and accounting, legal compliance, financial and information technology services for which we reimburse SSH for the direct and indirect expenses incurred while providing such services. The services provided to us by SSH may be sub-contracted to other entities.
In addition, SSH has agreed with us not to own any vessels engaged in seabed preparation, transportation, installation, operation and maintenance activities related to offshore wind turbines so long as the Amended Administrative Services Agreement is in full force and effect. The agreement may be terminated by either party providing three (3) months’ notice.
Master Agreement
The Company’s former dry bulk vessels were commercially managed by SCM and technically managed by SSM pursuant to the Master Agreement. SCM’s commercial management services included securing employment for the Company’s dry bulk vessels in the spot market and on time charters. SCM has also managed the Scorpio Pools (spot market-oriented vessel pools) including the Scorpio Ultramax Pool, the Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool in which most of the Company’s owned, finance leased and time chartered-in dry bulk vessels were employed and from which a significant portion of its revenue was generated. The Company typically has had balances due from the Scorpio Pools, consisting primarily of working capital, undistributed earnings and reimbursable costs. These receivables are either classified as current or non-current assets within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company has also been allocated general and administrative expenses from SCM.
On October 20, 2021, the Company entered into a support agreement with SSM pursuant to which SSM provides technical advice and services to the Company in connection with the construction of the newbuilding WTIV at Daewoo. In consideration for these services, the Company paid SSM a fee of $671,200, and thereafter, will pay a monthly fee in the amount of $41,667.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
These payments are being capitalized as a cost to build the vessel and are included in Vessels under construction, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Prior to its exit from the dry bulk business, The Company’s Master Agreement, could be terminated by either party upon 24 months’ notice, unless terminated earlier in accordance with its terms. In the event of a sale of one or more drybulk vessels, a notice period of three months and a payment equal to three months of management fees will apply, provided that the termination does not amount to a change of control, including a sale of all or substantially all drybulk vessels, in which case a payment equal to 24 months of management fees will apply as was the case in the fourth quarter of 2020, when the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company, as part of its transition to a sustainable future, to sell its remaining drybulk vessels and exit the dry bulk sector during 2021. This fee was considered as part of our assessment of the fair value less cost to sell of our remaining fleet, and is therefore included in the captions “Loss/write-down on assets held for sale – related party” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and “Assets held for sale” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
SCM’s commercial management services have included securing employment for the Company’s drybulk vessels in the spot market and on time charters. SCM also manages the Scorpio Pools (spot market-oriented vessel pools) including the Scorpio Ultramax Pool, the Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool and the currently inactive Scorpio Capesize Pool in which most of the Company’s owned, finance leased and time chartered-in drybulk vessels were employed and from which a significant portion of its revenue was generated. The Scorpio Ultramax Pool and the Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool participants, including the Company and third-party owners of similar drybulk vessels, pay SCM a pool management fee of $300 per vessel per day, plus a 1.75% commission on the gross revenues per charter fixture. The Company typically had balances due from the Scorpio Pools, consisting primarily of working capital, undistributed earnings and reimbursable costs. These receivables were either classified as current or non-current assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheet depending upon whether the associated drybulk vessel was expected to exit the pool within the next 12 months. The Company was also allocated general and administrative expenses from SCM.
During 2020, the Company time-chartered out four Kamsarmax drybulk vessels to the Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool for a period of 24-27 months at rates linked to the Baltic Panamax Index (“BPI”). The related income is recorded as Revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
For the commercial management of any of the Company’s drybulk vessels that did not operate in one of the Scorpio Pools, it pays SCM a daily fee of $300 per drybulk vessel, plus a 1.75% commission on the gross revenues per charter fixture, which are classified as voyage expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
SSM’s technical management services have included providing technical support, such as arranging the hiring of qualified officers and crew, supervising the maintenance and performance of drybulk vessels, purchasing supplies, spare parts and new equipment, arranging and supervising drydocking and repairs, and monitoring regulatory and classification society compliance and customer standards. As part of these services, the Company pays SSM, a related party, including certain subcontractors, for crew costs which are then distributed to the crew.
The Company paid SSM an annual fee of $160,000 plus charges for certain itemized services per drybulk vessel to provide technical management services for each of its owned or finance leased drybulk vessels, which is a component of vessel operating cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, representatives of SSM, including certain subcontractors, previously provided the Company with construction supervisory services while its drybulk vessels were being constructed in shipyards. For these services, SSM was compensated between $0.2 million and $0.5 million per drybulk vessel. Representatives of SSM, including certain subcontractors, provide supervisory services during drydocking, for which they are compensated.
During the year ended 2021, the Company transferred the existing lease finance arrangements of the SBI Tango, SBI Echo, and SBI Hermes, Ultramax bulk carriers, and SBI Rumba and SBI Samba, Kamsarmax bulk carriers built in 2015, to affiliates of Scorpio Holdings Limited (“SHL”) for consideration of $16.0 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company paid an aggregate $30.0 million to its senior management due to provisions in the employment contracts triggered by the acquisition of Seajacks. The Company was required to incur these costs at the time of the transaction in order to avoid adverse U.S. tax consequences. The U.S. senior executive officers receiving these payments have agreed not to receive salaries for a period of three years and bonuses for a period of four years.
The fees of certain consultants and the salaries of certain SUK employees are allocated to the Company for services performed for the Company.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
The Company paid a related party port agent for supply and logistical services related to our drybulk vessels, which were charged as vessel operating costs.
The Company paid a related party bunker supplier for bunkers for our drybulk vessels, which were charged as voyage expenses.
The Company pays a related party travel service provider for travel services, such as flights, which are charged as general and administrative expenses.
In October 2018, the Company invested $100.0 million in Scorpio Tankers for approximately 54.1 million (which was subsequently adjusted to 5.4 million shares after a one-for-ten reverse stock split effected by Scorpio Tankers on January 18, 2019), or 10.9% (as of October 12, 2018), of Scorpio Tankers’ issued and outstanding common shares. The investment was part of a larger $337.0 million equity raise by Scorpio Tankers through a public offering of its common shares. Scorpio Tankers is a large international shipping company incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands engaged in seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products. The Company and Scorpio Tankers have a number of common shareholders. They also share a number of directors and officers, including Mr. Emanuele Lauro who serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both companies, Mr. Robert Bugbee, who serves as President and a Director of both companies, Mr. Cameron Mackey, who serves as Chief Operating Officer of both companies, and Mr. Filippo Lauro, who serves as Vice President of both companies. In October 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a one-time special stock dividend to the shareholders of the Company of an aggregate of approximately one million shares of common stock of Scorpio Tankers (NYSE: STNG). Following the payment of the special dividend, the Company continued to own approximately 4.4 million common shares of Scorpio Tankers. In May 2020, the Company sold 2.25 million shares of Scorpio Tankers for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $42.7 million. In August 2022, the Company sold the remaining 2.16 million common shares of Scorpio Tankers it held for aggregate net proceeds of approximately $82.5 million. There were no other significant transactions between the Company and Scorpio Tankers. This investment was accounted for under the equity method utilizing the fair value option.
As part of the Seajacks transaction, the Company issued subordinated redeemable notes totaling $70.7 million, with a final maturity of March 31, 2023 and which bear interest at 5.5% until December 31, 2021 and 8.0% afterwards, to the former owners of Seajacks, who, in the aggregate, currently hold approximately 3.7 million common shares of the Company.
The Company also assumed $87.7 million of subordinated, non-amortizing debt due in September 2022 and owed to financial institutions with guarantees provided by the former owners of Seajacks to whom the Company paid a fee of 0.3% of the outstanding balance through November 2021 and 5.0% afterwards. This debt was repaid in February 2022.
For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company had the following transactions with related parties, which have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (amounts in thousands):
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Twelve Months Ended December 31, |
| | | | | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Vessel revenue | | | | | | | | | |
| Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10,754 | | | $ | 48,930 | |
| Scorpio Ultramax Pool | | | | | — | | | 5,638 | | | 81,682 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Total vessel revenue | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 16,392 | | | $ | 130,612 | |
| Voyage expense: | | | | | | | | | |
| SCM | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,582 | | | $ | 1,449 | |
| Bunker supplier | | | | | — | | | 2,853 | | | 1,844 | |
| Total voyage expense | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 5,435 | | | $ | 3,293 | |
| Vessel operating cost: | | | | | | | | | |
| SSM | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,799 | | | $ | 11,547 | |
| Port agent | | | | | 4 | | | 293 | | | 399 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Total vessel operating cost | | | | | $ | 4 | | | $ | 3,092 | | | $ | 11,946 | |
| General and administrative expense: | | | | | | | | | |
| SCM | | | | | $ | 47 | | | $ | 220 | | | $ | 71 | |
| SSM | | | | | — | | | 13 | | | 148 | |
| SSH | | | | | 567 | | | 1,783 | | | 5,992 | |
| SUK | | | | | 458 | | | 1,119 | | | 1,869 | |
| Eneti Senior Management | | | | | — | | | 30,000 | | | — | |
| Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool | | | | | (158) | | | — | | | — | |
| Scorpio Ultramax Pool | | | | | (303) | | | — | | | — | |
| Travel provider | | | | | — | | | — | | | 23 | |
| Total general and administrative expense | | | | | $ | 611 | | | $ | 33,135 | | | $ | 8,103 | |
| Income (loss) from equity investment | | | | | | | | | |
| Scorpio Tankers Inc. | | | | | $ | 55,538 | | | $ | 4,353 | | | $ | (105,384) | |
Loss (gain) on termination fees for assets held for sale | | | | | | | | | |
| SCM | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,582 | | | $ | 17,250 | |
| SSM | | | | | — | | | (1,344) | | | 17,789 | |
| SSH | | | | | — | | | (1,764) | | | 1,764 | |
| Total write down on assets held for sale | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,474 | | | $ | 36,803 | |
| Financial expense, net | | | | | | | | | |
| Marubeni Corporation | | | | | $ | 804 | | | $ | 782 | | | $ | — | |
| INCJ, Ltd | | | | | 700 | | | 680 | | | — | |
| Mitsui O.S.K, Lines Ltd. | | | | | 51 | | | 50 | | | — | |
| Total financial expense, net | | | | | $ | 1,555 | | | $ | 1,512 | | | $ | — | |
At December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had the following balances with related parties, which have been included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, |
| 2022 | | 2021 |
| Assets | | | |
| Due from related parties-current: | | | |
| Scorpio Kamsarmax Pool | $ | 297 | | | $ | 559 | |
| Scorpio Ultramax Pool | 604 | | | 1,566 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Total due from related parties-current | $ | 901 | | | $ | 2,125 | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Equity investment in Scorpio Tankers Inc. | $ | — | | | $ | 27,607 | |
| | | |
| Liabilities | | | |
| Due to related parties-current : | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| SCM | $ | — | | | $ | 107 | |
| | | |
| SSH | 5 | | | — | |
| | | |
| | | |
| Total due to related parties-current | $ | 5 | | | $ | 107 | |
| Redeemable notes: | | | |
| Marubeni Corporation | $ | — | | | $ | 27,422 | |
| INCJ, Ltd | — | | | 23,857 | |
| Mitsui O.S.K, Lines Ltd. | — | | | 1,736 | |
| Total redeemable notes | $ | — | | | $ | 53,015 | |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
17. Income Taxes
Eneti Inc. is incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and in accordance with the income tax laws of the Marshall Islands, we are not subject to Marshall Islands income tax. The Company, through its Seajacks business, operates in various countries and records income taxes based upon the tax laws and rates of the countries in which it operates and earns income.
The liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets, liabilities and tax loss carryforwards and are measured using the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more likely than not to be realized.
The Company is subjected to tax audits in the jurisdictions it operates in. There have been no adjustments assessed to the Company in the past and the Company believes there are no uncertain tax positions to consider.
Income tax expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 consisted of the following components (dollars in thousands). There was no such expense in 2020.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Twelve Months ended December 31, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Current | | | | |
| Foreign | | $ | 748 | | | $ | 344 | |
| | | | |
| Deferred | | | | |
| Foreign | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | |
| Total | | $ | 748 | | | $ | 344 | |
Income before income taxes for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 consisted of the following (dollars in thousands). There was no such expense in 2020.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Twelve Months ended December 31, |
| | 2022 | | 2021 |
| Foreign | | $ | 106,450 | | | $ | 20,571 | |
| Total | | $ | 106,450 | | | $ | 20,571 | |
The components of the Company’s net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows (dollars in thousands).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
Deferred tax assets | | | | |
Net operating loss and capital loss carryover | | $ | 53,165 | | | $ | 54,726 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Depreciation | | 42,603 | | | 61,110 | |
Other | | 6,741 | | | 3,976 | |
Total deferred tax assets | | $ | 102,509 | | | $ | 119,812 | |
Less: Valuation allowance | | (102,509) | | | (119,812) | |
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Total deferred tax liabilities | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Net deferred tax assets | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Under ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred taxes. In making that assessment, both positive and negative evidence is considered related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets to determine, based on the weight of available evidence, whether it is more likely than not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considered its cumulative pre-tax loss in the United Kingdom jurisdiction over the previous years as a significant piece of negative evidence. Prevailing accounting guidance limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence to support deferred tax assets, such as
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
projections of future profits, when objective verifiable evidence such as a cumulative loss exists. As a result, the Company recorded a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.
Net operating loss carryforwards expire as follows (dollars in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Amount | | Years remaining |
United Kingdom | | $ | 212,659 | | | Indefinite |
Total | | $ | 212,659 | | | |
The effective tax rate amounts to 1.0% compared to a statutory income tax rate of the parent entity Eneti Inc. of 0%. The income tax expense relates to the current income tax in the Japan, Netherlands, Taiwan and United States jurisdictions as in the United Kingdom jurisdiction the group is in tax loss position and given the full valuation allowance on the deferred tax positions all deferred taxes movements are not recognized.
18.Segment Reporting
Marine Energy (acquired August 2021)
In August 2020, the Company announced its intention to transition away from dry bulk commodity transportation and towards marine based renewable energy. In July 2021, the Company completed its exit from the dry bulk commodity transportation business. Effective with the August 2021 acquisition of Seajacks, the Company’s sole business is principally engaged in the ownership, management and operation of five self-propelled jack up vessels primarily servicing the offshore wind turbine and oil and gas industries. The Company is organized into one operating segment, marine energy, through which the Company’s chief operating decision maker manages the Company’s business, assesses performance and allocates resources. Vessels are opportunistically marketed as multi-vessel solutions based upon market needs of all potential customers in all industries. They are marketed under a singular Seajacks brand name, and can be moved from one geographical area to another.
Former Dry Bulk Operations (exited July 2021)
Prior to the completion of its exit from the dry bulk commodity transportation business in July 2021, the Company was organized by vessel type into two operating segments through which the Company’s chief operating decision maker managed the Company’s business. The Kamsarmax and Ultramax Operations segments included the following:
•Kamsarmax - included vessels ranging from approximately 82,000 DWT to 84,000 DWT
•Ultramax - includes vessels ranging from approximately 60,200 DWT to 64,000 DWT
Although each vessel within its respective class qualified as an operating segment under U.S. GAAP, each vessel also exhibited similar long-term financial performance and similar economic characteristics to the other vessels within the respective vessel class, thereby meeting the aggregation criteria in U.S. GAAP. The Company therefore chose to present its segment information by vessel class using the aggregated information from the individual vessels.
The Company’s dry bulk vessels regularly moved between countries in international waters, over dozens of trade routes and, as a result, the disclosure of financial information about geographic areas is impracticable.
Corporate and other costs
Certain of the corporate income and general and administrative expenses incurred by the Company are not attributable to any specific segment. Accordingly, these amounts are included in the results below as “Corporate”.
The following schedule presents the Company’s sole operating segment, marine energy, and non-reportable reconciling items for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands).
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Marine Energy Segment | | | | | Corporate | | Total |
| | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2022 | | | | | | | | | |
| Vessel revenue | | $ | 199,326 | | | | | | $ | — | | | $ | 199,326 | |
| Vessel operating cost | | 79,353 | | | | | | — | | | 79,353 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Vessel depreciation | | 24,597 | | | | | | — | | | 24,597 | |
| General and administrative expenses | | 24,754 | | | | | | 16,423 | | | 41,177 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Interest income | | — | | | | | | 647 | | | 647 | |
| Income from equity investment | | — | | | | | | 55,538 | | | 55,538 | |
| Foreign exchange (loss) | | — | | | | | | (1,816) | | | (1,816) | |
| Financial expense, net | | — | | | | | | (2,118) | | | (2,118) | |
| Income before taxes | | $ | 70,622 | | | | | | $ | 35,828 | | | $ | 106,450 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Former Dry Bulk Business* | | | | |
| December 31, 2021 | | Marine Energy Segment | | Kamsarmax | | Ultramax | | Corporate | | Total |
| Revenue | | $ | 41,903 | | | $ | 51,260 | | | $ | 50,870 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 144,033 | |
| Voyage expenses | | — | | | 11,398 | | | 6,164 | | | — | | | 17,562 | |
| Vessel operating cost | | 28,233 | | | 7,124 | | | 17,149 | | | — | | | 52,505 | |
| Charterhire expense | | — | | | 31,657 | | | 2,344 | | | — | | | 34,001 | |
| Vessel depreciation | | 10,190 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 10,190 | |
| General and administrative expenses | | 10,033 | | | 525 | | | 1,208 | | | 72,188 | | | 83,954 | |
| (Gain on vessels sold) loss / write down on assets held for sale | | — | | | (7,873) | | | (14,859) | | | — | | | (22,732) | |
| Interest income | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 87 | | | 87 | |
| Gain on bargain purchase of Seajacks | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 57,436 | | | 57,436 | |
| Income from equity investment | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 9,735 | | | 9,735 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign exchange gain | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,120 | | | 1,120 | |
| Financial expense, net | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (16,360) | | | (16,360) | |
| (Loss) income before income taxes | | (6,553) | | | 8,429 | | | 38,864 | | | (20,170) | | | 20,571 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
*exited business in July 2021 |
The following schedule presents segment information about the Company’s former dry bulk operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands).
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2020 | | | Kamsarmax | | Ultramax | | Corporate | | Total |
| Vessel revenue | | | $ | 67,047 | | | $ | 96,685 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 163,732 | |
| Voyage expenses | | | 4,831 | | | 5,178 | | | — | | | 10,009 | |
| Vessel operating cost | | | 30,542 | | | 62,264 | | | — | | | 92,806 | |
| Charterhire expense | | | 18,620 | | | 2,487 | | | — | | | 21,107 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Vessel depreciation | | | 16,366 | | | 32,003 | | | — | | | 48,369 | |
| General and administrative expenses | | | 1,891 | | | 3,908 | | | 19,872 | | | 25,671 | |
| Loss / write down on assets held for sale | | | 168,171 | | | 327,242 | | | — | | | 495,413 | |
| Interest income | | | — | | | — | | | 210 | | | 210 | |
| Income from equity investment | | | — | | | — | | | (105,384) | | | (105,384) | |
| Foreign exchange loss | | | — | | | — | | | (348) | | | (348) | |
| Financial expense, net | | | — | | | — | | | (36,818) | | | (36,818) | |
| Segment loss | | | $ | (173,374) | | | $ | (336,397) | | | $ | (162,212) | | | $ | (671,983) | |
Geographic Areas
The Company operates its marine energy business internationally, primarily in Europe and Asia. Please see Note 19, Revenues, for revenues attributed to geographic locations. Prior to the Company’s exit from the dry bulk business in July 2021, the dry bulk vessels regularly moved between countries in international waters, over dozens of trade routes and, as a result, the disclosure of financial information about geographic areas is impracticable.
Marine Energy
The following schedule presents geographic information about the Company’s long-lived assets at December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Geographic Areas | | December 31, 2022 | | December 31, 2021 |
| Europe: | | | | |
| United Kingdom | | $ | 108,417 | | | $ | 442,279 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Total Europe | | $ | 108,417 | | | $ | 442,279 | |
| Asia: | | | | |
| Taiwan | | 291,561 | | | 83 | |
| | | | |
| Japan | | 121,353 | | | 102,153 | |
| Total Asia | | 412,914 | | | 102,236 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| Total | | 521,331 | | | 544,515 | |
19.Revenues
Revenue Analysis by Activity
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31, |
| $000s | 2022 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
| Seajacks business:* | | | | | |
| Time charter revenue | $ | 172,768 | | | $ | 20,724 | | | $ | — | |
| Service revenue | 15,099 | | | 1,486 | | | — | |
| Project revenue | 7,291 | | | 18,254 | | | — | |
| Construction supervision revenue | 4,168 | | | 1,439 | | | — | |
| Total Seajacks revenue | 199,326 | | | 41,903 | | | — | |
| Dry bulk business (sold) ** | — | | | 102,130 | | | 163,732 | |
| Total revenues | $ | 199,326 | | | $ | 144,033 | | | $ | 163,732 | |
| | | | | |
| *post-acquisition | | | | | |
| ** business exit completed by July 2021 | | | | | |
Service revenue relates to catering and other similar costs incurred and recharged to the charterers and provision of vessel management services as part of the time charter arrangement. Project revenues consists mainly of recoverable claims due to change orders or variations which are recognized when realization of the recovery is deemed probable and can be reliably measured.
Disaggregation of Seajacks Revenue
The following table disaggregates our revenue geographically, as we believe it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Revenue attribution is determined by location of project.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| $000s | Year ended December 31, | | | | | |
| Geographical analysis: | 2022 | | 2021* | | | | | |
| Asia: | | | | | | | | |
| Japan | 69,509 | | | 18,979 | | | | | | |
| China | — | | | 16,050 | | | | | | |
| Taiwan | 94,016 | | | — | | | | | | |
| Total Asia | 163,525 | | | 35,029 | | | | | | |
| Europe: | | | | | | | | |
| Germany | 7,650 | | | — | | | | | | |
| Netherlands | 7,827 | | | 5,479 | | | | | | |
| UK | 16,156 | | | — | | | | | | |
| Total Europe | 31,633 | | | 5,479 | | | | | | |
| USA | 4,168 | | | 1,395 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Total Seajacks Revenue | $ | 199,326 | | | $ | 41,903 | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| *post-acquisition | | | | | | | | |
During 2022, revenue recorded from two major customers contributing more than 10% revenue each were ($000s): $94,016 and $69,509.
During 2021, revenue recorded from three major customers contributing more than 10% revenue each were ($000s): $18,979, $16,050 and $5,479.
Contract Assets and Liabilities
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
Contract assets include unbilled amounts when revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer under contracts where revenue is recognized over-time. There were no contract assets at December 31, 2022 or 2021.
Contract liabilities consist of advance payments, billings in excess of revenue recognized and deferred revenue. All contract liabilities are expected to be realized within 12 months.
20.COVID-19
Since the beginning of the calendar year 2020, the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that originated in China in December 2019 and that has spread to most developed nations of the world has resulted in numerous actions taken by governments and governmental agencies in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the virus. These measures have resulted in a significant reduction in global economic activity and extreme volatility in the global financial and commodities markets. Future charter rates remain highly dependent on the duration and continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. When these measures and the resulting economic impact will end and what the long-term impact of such measures on the global economy will be are not known at this time. The COVID-19 outbreak continues to rapidly evolve, with periods of improvement followed by periods of higher infection rates, along with the development of new disease variants, such as the Delta and Omicron variants, in various geographical areas throughout the world. As a result, the extent to which COVID-19 will impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in thousands, except per share, per day and per vessel data)
21.Subsequent Events
Dividend
On February 9, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share, paid on March 15, 2023, to all shareholders of record as of March 1, 2023.
Scorpio Bulkers (NYSE:SALT)
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