Ardmore Shipping CorporAtion Cumberland House, 1 Victoria Street, 5th Floor, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda +1 441 405 7800 info@ardmoreshipping.com www.ardmoreshipping.com Stock Listing Ardmore Shipping Corporation’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “ASC”. transfer Agent Computershare Inc, P.O. Box 30170, College Station, Texas, TX 77842-3170, USA Tel: +1 877 373 6374 investor relations Investor Relations, Ardmore Shipping Corporation, Cumberland House, 1 Victoria Street, 5th Floor, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda +1 441 405 7800 info@ardmoreshipping.com Mr. Leon Berman, The IGB Group, 45 Broadway, Suite 1150, New York, NY 10006, USA Tel: +1 212 477 8438 lberman@igbir.com Auditors Ernst & Young, Ernst & Young Building, Harcourt Centre, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Tel: +353 1 475 0555 Ardmore Shipping CorporAtion ANNUAl report 2016 Contents Our Company and Strategy Letter from the Chairman Letter from the CEO Directors & Senior Management Our Fleet Form 20F 02 03 05 09 13 14 Ardmore ShippiNg CorporAtioN ANNUAl report 2016 Our company Ardmore Shipping owns and operates a fleet of mid-size product and chemical tankers ranging from 25,000 Dwt to 52,000 Dwt. We provide seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies, with our modern, fuel-efficient fleet of tankers. Ardmore’s core strategy is to develop a modern, high-quality fleet of product and chemical tankers, build key long-term commercial relationships, maintain our cost advantage in assets, operations and overhead, while creating significant synergies and economies of scale as the Company grows. We provide our services to customers through voyage charters, commercial pools and time charters enjoying close working relationships with key commercial and technical management partners. We view the continued development of these relationships as crucial to our longterm success. Ardmore strategy Long-Term Value Creation Transparent Corporate Structure Dividends & Capital Growth Conservative Capital Structure High Quality Fleet Significant Earnings Power Focus Mid-size Product & Chemical Tankers Service Excellence Quality Operations Emissions Reduction & Fuel Efficiency Voyage Optimisation Cost Leadership Assets Acquired at Cyclical Lows Operational Cost Advantage Low Corporate Overhead Disciplined Investment 2 | 02 AnnuAl report 2016 L e t t e r f r o m t h e C h a r m a n i On behalf of my board colleagues, I am pleased to report on the continued progress at Ardmore during 2016. After concluding our new building program in 2015, the company has focused on investing in the organization, identifying and executing on accretive second-hand vessel acquisitions, and strengthening our balance sheet and liquidity profile. As a result of these actions, Ardmore continues to be well positioned to capitalize on strategic opportunities and deliver long term value for shareholders in an improving market. Our company operates in a highly cyclical and capital intensive business, and judicious capital allocation is a key factor in a company’s ability to deliver shareholder value. Ardmore capitalized on a softening market in June to complete the acquisition of six eco-design MR product tankers. The attractive acquisition price, excellent maintenance condition of the vessels and significant earnings power enhancement further positions Ardmore to deliver superior returns on equity over the coming years. Importantly, the transaction was enabled by strong support from the Company’s shareholders and lenders and is a reflection of Ardmore’s selective and opportunistic approach to acquisitions. Ardmore’s fleet now stands at 27 ships in operation, and revenue days will increase by a further 13% in 2017. From an operations perspective, we remain pleased with Ardmore’s performance in terms of cost control, service delivery and safety. The company continues to drive industry leading initiatives designed to address tightening regulatory requirements, decrease fuel consumption and improve operational efficiency. Additionally, Ardmore opened a new office in Houston during 2016 and remains committed to supporting its operations locally in all key global markets. 3 This enables the company to fully service its customers, optimize fleet utilization and deliver exceptional performance. Sound corporate governance practices remain critically important to the company and to all of our stakeholders, and we are pleased that our approach to governance continues to set a leading standard within the industry. Our compensation structure aligns management interests and economic rewards with those of shareholders, while our internal management structure precludes related party and affiliated transactions. Our management team stands side-by-side with our investors and we remain committed to generating long-term value for all stakeholders. Looking forward, the business will continue to focus on delivering industry-leading results through executing on accretive acquisition opportunities, delivering leading chartering performance, and maintaining rigorous operational standards. While the current dynamics of the oil market and inventory levels are resulting in softer and more volatile charter rates in the short term, the outlook for our market remains very positive due to the combination of forecasted oil demand growth, refinery capacity trends and decreasing incremental supply of new vessels. Once again, we appreciate the strong support we have received from our shareholders, financiers, customers, employees and business partners. On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank you for your continued support and we look forward to continuing to work together. Reginald L. Jones III Chairman Ardmore Shipping Corporation Ardmore Shipping CorporAtion AnnuAl report 2016 4 03 | 04 AnnuAl report 2016 t h e C e o L e t t e r f r o m Dear Shareholders It is my pleasure to report on the performance of Ardmore Shipping Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2016. 2016 was a year of two halves for the MR product tanker chartering market; rates were strong during the first six months, before retreating in the second half of the year amid high oil product inventory levels globally. Despite the softer market, a strong chartering performance and a focus on operational excellence and cost control enabled the Company to report earnings from continuing operations for the year of $6.3 million, all while the orderbook for new MR vessels reached its lowest level in at least 20 years, boding well for the future. We also successfully completed a few key initiatives to enhance the Company’s position to profit from supportive long-term trends and the highly attractive outlook for our sector. 2016 was our first year with our full fleet in operation, following the completion of our newbuilding programme in 2015. We also executed a highly accretive acquisition of six Eco-design MR’s in June, taking our fleet to 27 ships by year end. Furthermore, we successfully refinanced the majority of the fleet at the start of the year, and in June we completed a $65 million equity offering and secured $108 million in senior debt from our banks to finance the six-vessel acquisition. While maintaining best-in-class overhead levels, we also invested in our organization and opened a chartering office in Houston in April 2016. We completed the sale of the Ardmore Calypso and Ardmore Capella in May, the proceeds of which were used to partially fund the six-ship acquisition. We also completed the sale of the Ardmore Centurion in September, achieving a strong price 5 relative to the market. These vessel sales were part of our strategy of refocusing our fleet around a core of MR product / chemical tankers with the added benefit of improving the age profile of our fleet; the average age of our 27 ships in operation at the end of the year was 4.3 years. High refined product inventories led to a softer charter market in the second half of 2016 Following a strong charter market in 2015 which was characterised by oil price volatility, high levels of oil trading and increased refinery throughput, 2016 started out very well before rates started to retreat in August as high product inventories and lower refinery throughput led to a process of inventory de-stocking, resulting in reduced oil trading activity and softer demand for product tankers. The chemical tanker market was also strong in the first half of 2016, driven by higher methanol and other petrochemical cargo flows, aided by a robust refined product market. This market also softened in the second half as spot methanol and other petrochemical movements declined, which was further compounded by the weaker CPP market. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global refined product inventories peaked and began to decline in the first quarter of 2016, falling by 150 million barrels over the remainder of the year. Product inventory levels in OECD have been slower to decline, with the bulk of de- stocking occurring in non-OECD regions. In addition to high product inventory levels and reduced trading activity, a heavy pace of MR newbuild deliveries for the first nine months of the year further contributed to downward pressure on charter rates; however, the charter market improved towards year end as a result of typical winter market activity. Ardmore Shipping CorporAtion Overall, despite more challenging market conditions in 2016, product tanker demand continued to grow, as seaborne volumes of refined products increased by 4.6%, or one million barrels, to 23.2 million for the year. Tonne mile demand for the year is estimated to have increased by 4.5% in 2016 with an estimated CAGR for the last ten years at 5.4%. Building value with a high-quality fleet and global infrastructure A key accomplishment for 2016 was the highly accretive acquisition of six Eco- design MR product / chemical tankers with an average age of 2.4 years, which we completed in June. The vessels were built at STX Offshore and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd in South Korea and are sisters to the Ardmore Endeavour, so we were very familiar with the design and build quality. The vessels were acquired at a very attractive en-bloc price and will position us to maximize shareholder value in a strengthening market. The acquisition was accretive to NAV and earnings, and reduces Ardmore’s fleet average breakeven by virtue of the low acquisition cost and improved cost efficiencies. The acquisition was made possible by our strong balance sheet and prudent, opportunistic approach to fleet growth, as well as a constructive relationship with the seller. We also appreciate the support of our shareholders for the equity offering and of our lending banks who provided a senior debt facility. Throughout 2016, we continued to invest in our commercial infrastructure and operational capabilities to improve our performance and to provide a continued high-quality service for our customers. The opening of our Houston office in April provides us with a local presence in a key chartering hub and refined product market. Our operations team continues to be at the forefront of new developments in fuel efficiency and service excellence, utilising the latest technological developments and industry-leading practices, including advanced weather routing tools and real- time voyage data analysis to optimise voyage efficiency. This ensures that we create significant value and surpass the expectations of our customers, all while maximizing cost efficiency and, most importantly, maintaining our excellent record on safety and vettings. Maintained profitability and a strong balance sheet In 2016, Ardmore reported earnings from continuing operations of $6.3 million for the year. We continued to deliver solid chartering performance, whilst maintaining control of operating costs and overhead. We completed a refinancing of $408 million in debt in January on improved terms, reducing our cost of capital and improving cash flow. In December, we also completed a refinancing of the Ardmore Seatrader under a sale and leaseback agreement, releasing additional cash and diversifying our sources of finance. We continue to maintain a strong balance sheet and financial flexibility; at year end our corporate leverage was 54%, with cash on hand of $56 million. The Company paid out $0.27 per common share in cash dividends, in the aggregate, for the first and second quarter of 2016 under our dividend policy of paying out 60% of earnings from continuing operations. Our Board remains committed to this policy going forward. We remain very transparent and engaged with our shareholders, and we are pleased to report that Ardmore is ranked in the top tier of all public shipping companies for corporate governance, according to a research report published by a leading US investment bank. 6 05 | 06 AnnuAl report 2016 L e t t e r f r o m t h e C e o Strong market outlook Looking ahead to 2017, global refined product inventories remain at elevated levels, particularly in OECD, and it is expected that de-stocking will continue for the near term. The IEA is forecasting refinery throughput in OECD countries to increase by mid-2017, while non-OECD refinery throughput is expected to increase earlier in the year as a result of markedly lower inventory levels for that region. Meanwhile, the longer-term demand fundamentals remain intact, underpinned by solid global economic growth. Oil product demand is expected to grow by 1.4 million barrels per day in 2017 and to experience annual growth equivalent to 1.2 million barrels per day through 2022. At that pace, oil product demand will break the 100 million barrel per day level in 2019. This growth in demand is expected to be matched by additional refinery capacity from the Middle East, China and Asia. The IEA is forecasting additional refinery capacity of 7.2 million barrels over the next five years, on top of refinery contraction in Europe and Japan, where the refinery capacity tends to be proximate to end markets. Taken together, this is expected to increase cargo volumes and lead to longer seaborne voyages. As a result, product tanker demand is projected to continue growing by 4% to 5% per annum for the next few years. On the supply side, following a heavy period of newbuild deliveries in 2015 and 2016, the pace of deliveries is set to steeply decline. The orderbook for MRs stands at 4.7% of the fleet at the end of 2016, which is the lowest it has been in over 20 years. compliance costs associated with ballast water treatment and sulphur emissions, which will make it difficult for operators of older fleets to trade profitably. Overall, we are very positive on the outlook for our market; the fundamentals remain solidly intact with tonne mile demand continuing to grow and the supply of vessels decreasing. This sets the stage for a sustained increase in charter rates as the market continues to tighten. In 2017, our revenue days will increase by 13% with 27 vessels in operation, and every $1,000 per day increase across our fleet results in $0.29 in earnings and $0.17 of dividends per share(1). With our high-quality modern fleet, strong balance sheet and earnings power, the Company is very well-positioned to build significant value for shareholders as we enter this promising next phase of the shipping cycle. Acknowledgements: We would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers, financiers, service partners and shareholders for their consistent support throughout the year, and to recognise the efforts of our seafarers and shore staff, who work with renewed vigour each day to meet and surpass the very highest standards of operational excellence. Anthony Gurnee Chief Executive Officer Meanwhile, vessel scrapping is continuing, with 1% to 1.5% of the MR fleet expected to be scrapped annually for the next few years based solely on the standard practice of scrappage as a vessel reaches 25 years. In reality, this scrapping rate is likely to accelerate as a result of increased (1) Management’s estimates Sources: • International Monetary Fund, “World Economic Outlook”, January 2017 • International Energy Agency, “Market Series Report: Oil 2017” • International Energy Agency, “Oil Market Report”, January 2017 • International Energy Agency, “Oil Market Report”, February 2017 • Drewry Research, January 2017 • Clarksons, “Oil & Tanker Trades Outlook”, February 2017 • Clarksons Shipping Intelligence Network 7 Ardmore Shipping CorporAtion AnnuAl report 2016 07 | 08 AnnuAl report 2016 i D r e C t o r s & i s e n o r m a n a g e m e n t Mr. Reginald Jones Chairman and Director, Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Chairman of the Compensation Committee Mr. Niall McComiskey Director, Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Member of the Audit Committee Reginald Jones is our Chairman and a director. Mr. Jones has been the Chairman and a director of Ardmore since 2010. Mr. Jones is a co- founder and Managing Partner of Greenbriar Equity Group LLC. Prior to founding Greenbriar in 1999, Mr. Jones spent 13 years at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he was a Managing Director and Group Head of global transportation investment banking. During his time there, Mr. Jones managed a number of the firm’s largest corporate clients and led the execution of significant transactions related to mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and principal investments. Prior to Goldman Sachs, he worked as a consultant at Bain & Company. Mr. Jones earned a BA from Williams College and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Mr. Brian Dunne Director, Chariman of the Audit Committee, Member of the Nominating and Corporate Goverance Committee Mr. Dunne is a director of a number of companies in the aviation, finance and insurance sectors, and has served as a director of Ardmore since June 2010. Mr. Dunne was the Chief Financial Officer of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. (‘‘ACE’’) from 2005 until 2012 and was the President of the company in 2011 and 2012. ACE was the parent holding company of the reorganized Air Canada and a number of other entities including Aeroplan LP (now AIMIA Inc.) and Air Canada Jazz (now Chorus Aviation Inc.). Mr. Dunne was also a director of Air Canada from its initial public offering in 2006 until 2008. Prior to joining ACE, Mr. Dunne was Chief Financial Officer and a director of Aer Lingus Group plc. He started his career at Arthur Andersen in 1987 and became a partner in 1998. Mr. Dunne is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a post graduate diploma in Professional Accounting from the University College Dublin. Niall McComiskey has served as a director of Ardmore since March 2011. Mr. McComiskey is also a Managing Director at Greenbriar Equity Group LLC. Prior to joining Greenbriar, Mr. McComiskey was a Vice President at HSH Nordbank AG from 2004 to 2006, where he led many of the firm’s investment activities in the transportation sector. Previously, Mr. McComiskey worked in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group at Deutsche Bank AG. Mr. McComiskey holds a BA in economics from Yale University. He also serves as a director of Aergen Leasing and Ryan Herco Flow Solutions. Dr. Peter Swift Director, Member of the Compensation Committee Dr.Peter Swift has served as a director of Ardmore since its IPO in August 2013. Dr. Swift has had a distinguished career spanning more than 45 years in the maritime industry, and is presently serving in non- profit and charitable directorships, including Seafarer Welfare as Vice Chairman of the Sailors’ Society and a Trustee of the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network, a Member for both the American Bureau of Shipping and the IMO Committee of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, an Advisory Committee Member of the Green Award Foundation and as a Director of the Maritime Industry Foundation. Dr Swift was previously the Managing Director of INTERTANKO from 2000 to 2010 and a Director of Seascope Shipping Limited from 1999 to 2001. He was employed by Royal Dutch Shell from 1975 to 1999 in a range of senior, international, commercial and technical positions. Dr. Swift holds a PhD in Transport Economics, an MS in Engineering degree from the University of Michigan, and a BSc in Naval Architecture from the University of Durham. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. 9 Ardmore Shipping CorporAtion Mr. Alan Robert McIlwraith Director, Member of the Audit Committee Robert McIlwraith has served as a director of Ardmore since its IPO in August 2013. Mr. McIlwraith has been an owner of Redwood Management Consultants since April 2011 and has served as Chairman of the Exeter Initiative for Science and Technology (ExIST) since June 2011 and as a Director of Exeter Science Park Ltd. since August 2013. He has also served as Chairman of the Trustees of the AmSafe Bridport Pension Scheme since 2000, has been teaching Accounting and Finance, Management Studies and Lecturing in Operations Management at INTO University of Exeter since January 2011, became a Director at the Exeter Chamber of Commerce and Industry in April 2013, became Chairman of Seedata Ltd. in 2016 and has served as a Trustee of Sidmouth Hospiscare since 2011. He previously served as the President of Align Aerospace France from October 2011 to August 2012, and most recently as their interim General Manager from October 2016 to March 2017. He was Managing Director and Executive Vice President for the global aerospace and defense business AmSafe from 1998 to 2011. Mr. McIlwraith earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cardiff University and is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Mr. Albert Enste Director, Member of the Compensation Committee Albert Enste has served as a director of Ardmore since its IPO in August 2013. Mr. Enste currently serves as an active partner and Managing Director of both Enste & American Investors Holding Gmbh and Federnfabrik Schmid AG. He also currently serves on the board Federnfabrik Schmid AG Switzerland. Between 2006 and 2011, Mr. Enste served as the Vice President and General Manager of International Business at Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Enste headed worldwide locomotive sales as Vice President of Locomotives at DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems ADtranz and continued to hold this position, as well as that of Senior Director until 2006 with Bombardier Transportation after they acquired DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems ADtranz. Mr. Enste holds a Master of Engineering from the Technical University of Munich. Mr. Curtis McWilliams Director, Member of the Audit Committee Curtis McWilliams was appointed as a director by the board of directors in January 2016. Mr. McWilliams is a real estate industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in finance and real estate. He currently serves as a member of the Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. Board of Directors. He retired from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of CNL Real Estate Advisors, Inc. in 2010 after serving in the role since 2007. Mr. McWilliams was also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Trustreet Properties Inc. from 1997 to 2007, and a director of the company from 2005 to 2007. He served on the Board of Directors and as the Audit Committee Chairman of CNL Bank from 1999 to 2004 and has over 13 years of investment banking experience at Merrill Lynch & Co. Mr. McWilliams has a Master’s degree in Business, with a concentration in Finance, from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University. Mr. Anthony Gurnee President, Chief Executive Officer, Director Anthony Gurnee has been our President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Ardmore since 2010. Between 2006 and 2008, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Industrial Shipping Enterprises, Inc., a containership and chemical tanker company, and Chief Operating Officer of MTM Group, an operator of chemical tankers. From 1992 to 1997, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Teekay Corporation, where he led the company’s financial restructuring and initial public offering. Mr. Gurnee began his career as a financier with Citicorp, and he served for six years as a surface line officer in the US Navy, including a tour with naval intelligence. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and earned an MBA at Columbia Business School, is a CFA charter holder, and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. 10 09 | 10 AnnuAl report 2016 Mr. Mark Cameron Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Cameron is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Ardmore. Mr. Cameron joined Ardmore as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was appointed an alternate director in June 2010. From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Cameron served as Vice President, Strategy and Planning for Teekay Marine Services, Teekay Corporation’s internal ship management function. Mr. Cameron spent 11 years at sea rising to the rank of Chief Engineer with Safmarine and later AP Moller, including time served onboard bulk carriers, salvage tugs, tankers, general cargo, reefer and container ships. Mr. Cameron has held a number of senior management roles ashore specializing in integrating acquisitions covering all facets of ship management, as well as sale and purchase, newbuilding supervision, personnel management, procurement, fleet management and technical supervision. Mr. Paul Tivnan Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer Paul Tivnan has been Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of Ardmore since June 2010. Mr. Tivnan joined Ardmore in June 2010 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in December 2012. From 2002 to 2010, he was employed at Ernst & Young, most recently, as a Senior Executive in the Financial Services Tax Advisory department specialising in international tax and corporate structuring. He was a participant in Ernst & Young’s Accelerated Leadership Program from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Tivnan holds a BA in Accounting and Finance and an MBS in Accounting each from Dublin City University. He is a graduate of the London Business School Executive Leadership program, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland, an Associate of the Irish Taxation Institute and a member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. 11 Mr. Gernot Ruppelt Senior Vice President, Chartering and Business Development Gernot Ruppelt is our Senior Vice President, Chartering and Business Development. Mr. Ruppelt joined Ardmore as Director, Chartering and Business Development in 2013 and was appointed to his current position as Senior Vice President in December 2014. Mr. Ruppelt brought to Ardmore 12 years of commercial experience in the maritime business. From 2008 to 2013, he worked as a Tanker Broker at Poten & Partners, New York. During his time at Poten & Partners, Mr. Ruppelt brokered longer term deals for crude oil, product and chemical tankers working on behalf of ship-owners and operators, oil traders, refineries and oil companies. From 2001 to 2008 he worked for Maersk Broker and AP Moller— Maersk in Copenhagen, Singapore and Germany. As a broker at Maersk, Mr. Ruppelt concluded container ship contracts for third party business, and he also spent several years at Maersk’s liner organization, most recently as Trade Manager for their Pacific Eastbound trade. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers in London. He also completed the two-year “Maersk International Shipping Education” program and graduated from Hamburg Shipping School. Mr. Thomas Hodgson Senior Vice President, Planning and Corporate Services Thomas H. Hodgson joined Ardmore as Senior Vice President, Planning and Corporate Services in August 2016 with 10 years of experience in the commercial maritime industry following almost 23 years in the US Navy. Prior to joining Ardmore, Mr Hodgson served as Director, Maersk Broker America Inc. and as Senior Financial Advisor, Corporate Finance at Maersk Broker from 2011 to 2016. Prior to Maersk Broker he was a member of the Projects team at tanker brokerage firm MJLF from 2006 through 2010. Mr. Hodgson’s career as a submarine officer in the US Navy included nearly 11 years at sea on four nuclear-powered submarines. Shore assignments included strategy development and evaluation at the US Naval War College and assignments at both the US Naval Academy and the US Merchant Marine Academy involving practical leadership and ethics instruction. He graduated with distinction from the US Naval Academy with a BS degree in Marine Engineering, holds a MS degree in National Security Affairs from the US Naval Postgraduate School and an MBA from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Ardmore Shipping CorporAtion 12 11 | 12 AnnuAl report 2016 o u r f L e e t Vessel Name Type Dwt IMO Constructed Country Flag Specification Ardmore Seavaliant Product/Chemical 49,998 2/3 Feb-13 Ardmore Seaventure Product/Chemical 49,998 2/3 Jun-13 Ardmore Seavantage Product/Chemical 49,997 2/3 Jan-14 Ardmore Seavanguard Product/Chemical 49,998 2/3 Feb-14 Ardmore Sealion Product/Chemical 49,999 2/3 May-15 Ardmore Seafox Product/Chemical 49,999 2/3 Jun-15 Ardmore Seawolf Product/Chemical 49,999 2/3 Aug-15 Ardmore Seahawk Product/Chemical 49,999 2/3 Nov-15 Ardmore Endeavour Product/Chemical 49,997 2/3 Jul-13 Ardmore Enterprise Product/Chemical 49,453 2/3 Sep-13 Ardmore Endurance Product/Chemical 49,466 2/3 Dec-13 Ardmore Encounter Product/Chemical 49,478 2/3 Jan-14 Ardmore Explorer Product/Chemical 49,494 2/3 Jan-14 Ardmore Exporter Product/Chemical 49,466 2/3 Feb-14 Ardmore Engineer Product/Chemical 49,420 2/3 Mar-14 Ardmore Seafarer Product/Chemical 45,744 Ardmore Seatrader Product 47,141 3 — Aug-04 Dec-02 Ardmore Seamaster Product/Chemical 45,840 3 Sep-04 Ardmore Seamariner Product 45,726 — Oct-06 Ardmore Sealeader Ardmore Sealifter Product Product 47,463 — Aug-08 47,472 — Jul-08 Ardmore Dauntless Product/Chemical 37,764 Ardmore Defender Product/Chemical 37,791 Ardmore Cherokee Product/Chemical 25,215 Ardmore Cheyenne Product/Chemical 25,217 Ardmore Chinook Product/Chemical 25,217 Ardmore Chippewa Product/Chemical 25,217 2 2 2 2 2 2 Feb-15 Feb-15 Jan-15 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Japan Japan Japan Japan Japan Japan Korea Korea Japan Japan Japan Japan MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design CArgOeS CArrIeD IN 2016 CPP* 7,217,586 MT Veg-Oil 265,150 MT Chemicals 898,315 MT Bio-Fuel 53,274 MT Total 8,434,325 MT *Clean Petroleum Products 13 Ardmore Shipping CorporAtion f o r m 2 0 - f 14 13 | 14 AnnuAl report 2016 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 20-F (Mark One) □ � □ □ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR For the transition period from to OR SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of event requiring this shell company report Commission file number: 001-36028 ARDMORE SHIPPING CORPORATION (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Republic of the Marshall Islands (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) Cumberland House, 1 Victoria Street, 5th Floor, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda (Address of principal executive offices) Mr. Anthony Gurnee Cumberland House, 1 Victoria Street, 5th Floor, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda + 1 441 405-7800 info@ardmoreshipping.com (Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile, and address of Company Contact Person) Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act. Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered Common stock, par value $0.01 per share New York Stock Exchange Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act. NONE (Title of class) Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act. NONE (Title of class) Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report. As of December 31, 2016, there were 33,575,610 shares of common stock outstanding, par value $0.01 per share. Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes � No � If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes � No � Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes � No � Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes � No � Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See the definitions of ‘‘large accelerated filer’’ and ‘‘accelerated filer’’ in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer □ Accelerated filer � Non-accelerated filer □ Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing: � U.S. GAAP □ International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the international Accounting Standards Board □ Other If ‘‘Other’’ has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow: □ Item 17 □ Item 18 If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes � No � TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I Item 1. Item 2. Item 3. Item 4. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Key Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Information on the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 4.A Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 5. Item 6. Item 7. Item 8. Item 9. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Directors, Senior Management and Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financial Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Offer and Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 10. Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PART II Item 13. Item 14. Item 15. Item 16 Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Material Modifications to the Rights of Shareholders and Use of Proceeds . . . . . . Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 16.A Audit Committee Financial Expert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 16.B Code of Ethics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 16.C Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 16.D Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 16.E Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers . . . . . . . . . . Item 16.F Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 16.G Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 16.H Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 17. Item 18. Item 19. Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exhibits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 3 25 49 49 62 68 70 70 71 79 80 80 80 80 81 81 81 81 81 82 82 82 83 83 83 84 INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ARDMORE SHIPPING CORPORATION . . . . . . F-1 i FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their business. We desire to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with such safe harbor legislation. This Annual Report and any other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements which reflect our current views and assumptions with respect to future events and financial performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, expectations, projections, strategies, beliefs about future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. In some cases, words such as ‘‘believe’’, ‘‘anticipate’’, ‘‘intends’’, ‘‘estimate’’, ‘‘forecast’’, ‘‘project’’, ‘‘plan’’, ‘‘potential’’, ‘‘will’’, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘should’’, ‘‘expect’’ and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report include, among others, such matters as: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • our future operating or financial results; global and regional economic and political conditions; the strength of national economies and currencies; general market conditions; our vessel acquisitions, our business strategy and expected capital spending or operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs; competition in the tanker industry; shipping market trends and general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values and changes in demand for and the supply of tanker vessel capacity; charter counterparty performance; changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities; the formal designation of the North Sea and Baltic Sea as Emission Control Areas for nitrogen oxides; our financial condition and liquidity, including our ability to obtain financing in the future to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions, refinancing of existing indebtedness and other general corporate activities; our ability to comply with covenants in financing arrangements; vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires; future dividends; our ability to enter into fixed-rate charters after our current charters expire and our ability to earn income in the spot market; and our expectations of the availability of vessels to purchase, the time it may take to construct new vessels, and vessels’ useful lives. Many of these statements are based on our assumptions about factors that are beyond our ability to control or predict and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are described more fully under the ‘‘Risk Factors’’ section of this Annual Report. Any of these factors or a combination of these factors could materially affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and the ultimate accuracy of the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause future results to differ include, among others, the following: • changes in the markets in which we operate; 1 • • • • • changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities; changes in economic and competitive conditions affecting our business, including market fluctuations in charter rates and charterers’ abilities to perform under existing time charters; potential liability from future litigation and potential costs due to environmental damage and vessel collisions; the length and number of off-hire periods and dependence on third-party managers; and other factors discussed under the ‘‘Risk Factors’’ section of this Annual Report. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report, because they are statements about events that are not certain to occur as described or at all. All forward-looking statements in this Annual Report are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this Annual Report. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of our future performance, and actual results and future developments may vary materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. 2 PART I Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors Not applicable Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable Not applicable. Item 3. Key Information Unless the context otherwise requires, when used in this Annual Report, the terms ‘‘Ardmore’’, ‘‘Ardmore Shipping’’, the ‘‘Company’’, ‘‘we’’, ‘‘our’’, and ‘‘us’’ refer to Ardmore Shipping Corporation and its subsidiaries. ‘‘Ardmore Shipping Corporation’’ refers only to Ardmore Shipping Corporation and not its subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to ‘‘dollars’’, ‘‘U.S. dollars’’ and ‘‘$’’ in this annual report are to the lawful currency of the United States. Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (or U.S. GAAP). We use the term deadweight tons, or dwt, expressed in metric tons, each of which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, in describing the size of tankers. A. Selected Financial Data The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial data and other operating data. The selected financial data as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The selected consolidated financial data set forth below as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this Annual Report. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with ‘‘Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.’’ For the years ended Dec 31, 2014 Dec 31, 2013 Dec 31, 2012 INCOME STATEMENT DATA REVENUE Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $164,403,938 157,882,259 67,326,634 Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2016 — 2,120,974 10,748,622 2,715,109 14,077,212 37,121,398 56,399,979 — 30,091,237 30,137,173 7,004,045 46,416,510 29,447,876 — 24,157,022 14,854,885 OPERATING EXPENSES Commissions and voyage expenses(1) . . Vessel operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . Charter hire costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of deferred drydock 2,031,100 expenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . General and administrative expenses . . . 8,178,666 Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . 140,404,935 113,580,301 61,516,572 5,810,062 Profit/(loss) from operations . . . . . . . . (4,119,283) Interest expense and finance costs . . . . . 16,444 Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loss on disposal of vessels — 1,707,223 Profit/(loss) before taxes . . . . . . . . . . (46,749) Income tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net profit/(loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,660,474 Earnings/(loss) per share, basic and diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted . . . 23,999,003 44,301,958 (17,754,118) (12,282,704) 15,571 — 32,034,825 (79,860) 31,954,965 164,629 (2,601,148) 3,808,366 (60,434) 3,747,932 26,059,122 24,547,661 30,141,891 0.12 0.07 1.23 3 35,867,356 25,172,654 2,523,842 18,215,487 789,149 14,598,071 — 1,699,943 6,195,416 8,388,208 1,420,814 5,669,935 36,218,286 (350,930) (3,464,006) 6,059 — (3,808,877) (33,726) (3,842,603) 441,491 2,975,139 26,699,209 (1,526,555) (2,966,014) 4,713 — (4,487,856) (51,237) (4,539,093) (0.31) (0.56) 12,241,599 8,049,500 Dec 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 40,109,382 BALANCE SHEET DATA Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . $ 55,952,873 Net vessels (including drydock assets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $788,693,708 662,359,307 Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $883,642,723 778,197,608 Net Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $404,269,799 347,611,278 Senior debt and capital leases . . . . . $462,343,756 415,014,315 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $401,347,393 337,211,121 Paid in capital 10,400,157 Accumulated surplus/(deficit) . . . . . . $ 2,922,406 As at Dec 31, 2014 59,879,596 Dec 31, 2013 56,860,845 Dec 31, 2012 15,334,123 489,833,626 562,214,991 327,200,093 224,902,715 338,064,585 (10,864,492) 292,054,606 157,008,968 357,965,633 179,960,468 232,358,111 108,390,989 119,239,015 67,100,000 244,883,077 117,073,352 (8,682,363) (12,524,966) Dec 31, 2016 CASH FLOW DATA Net cash provided by operating 3,985,253 activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 42,634,500 Net cash used in investing activities. . $(122,311,231) (232,849,734) (209,741,529) (144,637,558) (14,941,514) Net cash provided by financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 95,520,221 175,419,834 200,339,153 178,044,107 12,421,127 37,659,686 20,830,080 8,120,173 Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2013 For the years ended Dec 31, 2014 FLEET OPERATING DATA Time Charter Equivalent(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . MR Tankers ‘‘Eco-design’’ MR Tankers ‘‘Eco-mod’’ . . . . . . . . . Chemical Tankers ‘‘Eco-design’’ . . . . Chemical Tankers ‘‘Eco-mod’’ . . . . . Fleet weighted average TCE(3) . . . . . Operating expenditure . . . . . . . . . Fleet operating expenses per day(4) . . Technical management fees per day(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total fleet operating costs per day . Expenditures for drydock(6) . . . . . . On-hire utilization(7) . . . . . . . . . . . Dec 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 For the years ended Dec 31, 2014 Dec 31, 2013 Dec 31, 2012 $ $ $ $ $ $ 15,098 14,318 15,395 11,839 14,785 19,149 20,223 17,507 13,417 18,309 15,913 14,793 — 11,404 14,393 15,838 13,732 — 10,483 12,850 — 13,294 — 9,108 10,911 6,017 5,976 6,197 6,152 6,103 388 $ $ 6,405 $3,099,805 357 6,333 3,314,568 359 6,556 4,921,479 379 6,531 242,263 344 6,447 2,959,820 99.52% 99.70% 99.90% 99.54% 99.10% (1) Voyage expenses are all expenses related to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls and agency fees. (2) Time Charter Equivalent (‘‘TCE’’) daily rate is the gross charter rate or gross pool rate, as applicable, per revenue day plus allowances paid by charterers to owners for communications, victualing and entertainment costs for crew. Revenue days are the total number of calendar days the vessels are in our possession less off-hire days generally associated with drydocking or repairs. For vessels employed on voyage charters, TCE is the net rate after deducting voyage expenses incurred by commercial managers. (3) Fleet weighted average TCE is total gross revenue for the fleet, after deducting voyage expenses incurred on voyage charters divided by the number of revenue days. Voyage expenses are all expenses related to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls and agency fees. (4) Fleet operating costs per day are routine operating expenses and include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication costs. They do not include additional costs related to upgrading or enhancement of the vessels that are not capitalized. (5) Technical management fees are fees paid to third-party technical managers. 4 (6) Drydock costs, which include costs for in-water surveys, represent direct costs that are incurred as part of vessel drydocking to meet regulatory requirements, expenditures during drydocking that add economic life to the vessel, and expenditures during drydocking that increase the vessel’s earnings capacity or improve the vessel’s operating efficiency. (7) On-hire utilization represents revenue days divided by net operating days (i.e. operating days less scheduled off-hire days). B. Capitalization and Indebtedness Not applicable. C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds Not applicable. 5 D. Risk Factors Some of the following risks relate principally to the industry in which we operate and to our business in general. Other risks relate principally to the securities market and to ownership of our securities. The occurrence of any of the events described in this section could significantly and negatively affect our business, financial condition, operating results and ability to pay dividends on our shares, or the trading price of our shares. RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY The tanker industry is cyclical and volatile in terms of charter rates and profitability, which may affect our results of operations. The tanker industry is both cyclical and volatile in terms of charter rates and profitability. A prolonged downturn in the tanker industry could adversely affect our ability to recharter our vessels or to sell them on the expiration or termination of their charters. In addition, the rates payable in respect of our vessels currently operating in a commercial pool, or any renewal or replacement charters that we enter into, may not be sufficient for us to operate our vessels profitably. Fluctuations in charter rates and tanker values result from changes in the supply and demand for tanker capacity and changes in the supply and demand for oil, oil products and chemicals. The factors affecting the supply and demand for tankers are outside of our control, and the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions are unpredictable. Factors that influence demand for tanker capacity include: • • • • • • • • • • supply of and demand for oil, oil products and chemicals; regional availability of refining capacity; global and regional economic and political conditions; the distance oil, oil products and chemicals are to be moved by sea; changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns; environmental and other legal and regulatory developments; currency exchange rates; weather; competition from alternative sources of energy; and international sanctions, embargoes, import and export restrictions, nationalizations and wars. Factors that influence the supply of tanker capacity include: • • • • • • the number of newbuilding deliveries; the scrapping rate of older vessels; conversion of tankers to other uses; the price of steel and other raw materials; the number of vessels that are out of service; and environmental concerns and regulations. Historically, the tanker markets have been volatile as a result of a variety of conditions and factors that can affect the price, supply and demand for tanker capacity. Demand for transportation of oil products and chemicals over longer distances was significantly reduced during the last economic downturn. More recently, since 2015 the oversupply contributed to continuing low charter rates in the tanker industry. As of February 28, 2017, one of our vessels was on time charter, eight of our vessels operated in a spot market oriented commercial pool and 18 vessels operated in the spot market directly. We may seek to employ one or more of our vessels directly in the spot market upon re-delivery from the current time charterers. If time 6 charter or spot charter rates decline, we may be unable to achieve a level of charter hire sufficient for us to operate our vessels profitably or we may have to operate our vessels at a greater loss. Any decrease in spot-charter rates in the future or continuation of current rates may adversely affect our results of operations. As at February 28, 2017, eight of our vessels were employed in a spot market-oriented commercial pool and 18 of our vessels operated directly in the spot market. The earnings of these vessels are based on the spot market charter rates of the pool or the particular voyage charter. We may seek to employ other vessels directly in the spot market upon re-delivery from the current charterers. We may employ in the spot-charter market additional vessels that we may acquire in the future or vessels upon termination of existing time charter contracts. Where we plan to employ a vessel in the spot-charter market, we intend to generally place such vessel in a commercial pool that pertains to that vessel’s size class or to employ the vessel in the spot market directly. Although spot chartering is common in the tanker industry, the spot-charter market may fluctuate significantly based upon tanker and oil product/chemical supply and demand, and there have been periods when spot rates have declined below the operating cost of vessels. The successful operation of our vessels in the competitive spot-charter market, including within commercial pools, depends upon, among other things, spot-charter rates and minimizing, to the extent possible, time spent waiting for charters and time spent travelling unladen to pick up cargo. If spot-charter rates decline, we may be unable to operate our vessels trading in the spot market profitably, meet our obligations, including payments on indebtedness or of dividends in the future. In addition, as charter rates for spot-charters are fixed for a single voyage that may last up to several weeks, during periods in which spot-charter rates are rising, we will generally experience delays in realizing the benefits from such increases. Our ability to renew the charters on our vessels on the expiration or termination of our current charters, or to enter into charters on vessels that we may acquire in the future, the charter rates payable under any replacement charters and vessel values will depend upon, among other things, economic conditions in the sectors in which our vessels operate at that time, changes in the supply and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the seaborne transportation of oil and chemical products. A continuation of the recent significant declines in oil prices may adversely affect our growth prospects and results of operations. Global crude oil prices have significantly declined since mid-2014. A continuation of lower oil prices or a further decline in oil prices may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to service our indebtedness and pay dividends, as a result of, among other things: • • • • • a reduction in exploration for or development of new oil fields or energy projects, or the delay or cancelation of existing projects as energy companies lower their capital expenditures budgets, which may reduce our growth opportunities; potential lower demand for tankers, which may reduce available charter rates and revenue to us upon chartering or rechartering of our vessels; customers failing to extend or renew contracts upon expiration; the inability or refusal of customers to make charter payments to us due to financial constraints or otherwise; or declines in vessel values, which may result in losses to us upon vessel sales or impairment charges against our earnings. Declines in charter rates and other market deterioration could cause us to incur impairment charges. We evaluate the carrying amounts of our vessels to determine if events have occurred that would require an impairment of their carrying amounts. The recoverable amount of vessels is reviewed based on events and changes in circumstances that would indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recovered. The review for potential impairment indicators and projection of future cash flows related to our vessels is complex and requires us to make various estimates, including future charter rates, operating expenses and drydock costs. Historically, each of these items has been volatile. 7 An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value is in excess of the estimated future undiscounted net operating cash flows. The impairment loss is measured based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair market value of the asset. An impairment loss could adversely affect our results of operations. The market values of our vessels may decrease, which could cause us to breach covenants in our credit facilities and adversely affect our operating results. The market values of tankers have historically experienced high volatility. The market prices for tankers declined significantly from historically high levels reached in early 2008 and remain at relatively low levels. The market value of our vessels will fluctuate depending on general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry and prevailing charter hire rates, competition from other shipping companies and other modes of transportation, the types, sizes and ages of vessels, applicable governmental regulations and the cost of new buildings. If the market value of our fleet declines, we may not be able to obtain other financing or to incur debt on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. A decrease in these values could also cause us to breach certain loan-to-value covenants that are contained in our credit facilities and in future financing agreements that we may enter into from time to time. If we breach such covenants due to decreased vessel values and we are unable to remedy the relevant breach, our lenders could accelerate our debt and foreclose on vessels in our fleet, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. An over-supply of tanker capacity may lead to reductions in charter rates, vessel values, and profitability. The market supply of tankers is affected by a number of factors, such as demand for energy resources, oil, petroleum and chemical products, as well as the level of global and regional economic growth. If the capacity of new ships delivered exceeds the capacity of tankers being scrapped and lost, tanker capacity will increase. In addition, the global newbuilding MR product tanker orderbook, which extends to 2020, equalled approximately 4.7% of the existing MR product tanker fleet and approximately 10.4% of the existing chemical tanker fleet as of January 20, 2017, and the orderbook may increase further in proportion to the existing fleet. If the supply of tanker capacity increases and if the demand for tanker capacity does not increase correspondingly, charter rates and vessel values could materially decline. A reduction in charter rates and the value of our vessels may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Global financial markets and economic conditions may adversely impact our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all, and otherwise negatively impact our business. Global financial markets and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile. In the last economic downturn, operating businesses in the global economy faced tightening credit, weakening demand for goods and services, deteriorating international liquidity conditions and declining markets. There was a general decline in the willingness of banks and other financial institutions to extend credit, particularly in the shipping industry due to the historically volatile asset values of vessels. Since 2008, lending by financial institutions worldwide decreased significantly compared to the period preceding 2008 and lending to the shipping industry remains restrictive. As the shipping industry is highly dependent on the availability of credit to finance and expand operations, it was negatively affected by this decline. Also, as a result of concerns about the stability of financial markets generally and the solvency of counterparties specifically, the cost of borrowing funds during the last economic downturn increased as many lenders increased interest rates, enacted tighter lending standards, refused to refinance existing debt at all or on terms similar to current debt and reduced, and in some cases, ceased to provide funding to borrowers. Due to these factors, additional financing may not be available if needed by us on acceptable terms or at all. If additional financing is not available when needed or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to expand or meet our obligations as they come due or we may be unable to enhance our existing business, complete additional vessel acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. Changes in fuel, or bunkers, prices may adversely affect our results of operation. Fuel, or bunkers, is a significant expense for our vessels employed in the spot market and can have a significant impact on pool earnings. For our vessels employed on time charters, the charterer is generally responsible for the cost and supply of fuel; however, such cost may affect the charter rates we are able to 8 negotiate for our vessels. Changes in the price of fuel may adversely affect our profitability. The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control, including geopolitical developments, supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by OPEC and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and environmental concerns. In addition, fuel price increases may reduce the profitability and competitiveness of our business versus other forms of transportation, such as truck or rail. Changes in the oil, oil products and chemical markets could result in decreased demand for our vessels and services. Demand for our vessels and services in transporting oil, oil products and chemicals depends upon world and regional oil markets. Any decrease in shipments of oil, oil products and chemicals in those markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Historically, those markets have been volatile as a result of the many conditions and events that affect the price, production and transport of oil, oil products and chemicals, including competition from alternative energy sources. Past slowdowns of the U.S. and world economies have resulted in reduced consumption of oil and oil products and decreased demand for our vessels and services, which reduced vessel earnings. Additional slowdowns could have similar effects on our operating results and may limit our ability to expand our fleet. We are subject to complex laws and regulations, including environmental laws and regulations, which can adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Our operations are subject to numerous laws and regulations in the form of international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and national and international regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate or are registered, which can significantly affect the ownership and operation of our vessels. Compliance with such laws and regulations, where applicable, may require installation of costly equipment or operational changes and may affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. We may also incur additional costs in order to comply with other existing and future regulatory obligations, including costs relating to, among other things: air emissions including greenhouse gases; the management of ballast and bilge waters; maintenance and inspection; elimination of tin-based paint; development and implementation of emergency procedures and insurance coverage or other financial assurance of our ability to address pollution incidents. Environmental or other initiatives or incidents (such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico) may result in additional regulatory initiatives or statutes or changes to existing laws that may affect our operations or require us to incur additional expenses to comply with such regulatory initiatives, statutes or laws. These costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations 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. 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 the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, for example, owners, operators and bareboat charterers are jointly and severally strictly liable for the discharge of oil in U.S. waters, including the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. An oil spill could also result in significant liability, including fines, penalties, criminal liability, remediation costs and natural resource damages under international and U.S. federal, state and local laws, as well as third-party damages, and could harm our reputation with current or potential charterers of our tankers. We are required to satisfy insurance and financial responsibility requirements for potential oil (including marine fuel) spills and other pollution incidents. Although we have arranged 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 and financial condition. If we fail to comply with international safety regulations, we may be subject to increased liability, which 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 Maritime Organization’s International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention (‘‘ISM Code’’). The ISM Code requires ship owners, ship managers and bareboat charterers to 9 develop and maintain an extensive ‘‘Safety Management System’’ that includes the adoption of safety and environmental protection policies setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. If we fail to comply with the ISM Code or similar regulations, we may be subject to increased liability or our existing insurance coverage may be invalidated or decreased for our affected vessels. Such failure may also result in a denial of access to, or detention of our vessels in, certain ports. If our vessels suffer damage due to the inherent operational risks of the shipping industry, we may experience unexpected drydocking costs and delays or total loss of our vessels, which may adversely affect our business and financial condition. The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks. Our vessels and their cargoes will be at risk of being damaged or lost because of events, such as marine disasters, bad weather, climate change, business interruptions caused by mechanical failures, grounding, fire, explosions, collisions, human error, war, terrorism, piracy, cargo loss, latent defects, acts of God and other circumstances or events. Changing economic, regulatory and political conditions in some countries, including political and military conflicts, have from time to time resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways, piracy, terrorism, labor strikes and boycotts. These hazards may result in death or injury to persons, loss of revenues or property, environmental damage, higher insurance rates, damage to our customer relationships, market disruptions, delays or rerouting. In addition, the operation of tankers has unique operational risks associated with the transportation of oil and chemical products. An oil or chemical spill may cause significant environmental damage and the associated costs could exceed the insurance coverage available to us. Compared to other types of vessels, tankers are exposed to a higher risk of damage and loss by fire, whether ignited by a terrorist attack, collision or other causes, due to the high flammability and high volume of the oil or chemicals transported in tankers. If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We may have to pay drydocking costs if our insurance does not cover them in full. The loss of revenues while these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, space at drydocking facilities is sometimes limited and not all drydocking facilities are conveniently located. We may be unable to find space at a suitable drydocking facility or our vessels may be forced to travel to a drydocking facility that is not conveniently located to our vessels’ positions. The loss of earnings while such vessels wait for space or travel or are towed to more distant drydocking facilities may be significant. The total loss of any of our vessels could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator. If we are unable to adequately maintain or safeguard our vessels, we may be unable to prevent any such damage, costs or loss which could negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. We operate our vessels worldwide and, as a result, our vessels are exposed to international risks which may reduce revenue or increase expenses. The international shipping industry is an inherently risky business involving global operations. Our vessels are at risk of damage or loss because of events such as marine disasters, bad weather, climate change, business interruptions caused by mechanical failures, grounding, fire, explosions, collisions, human error, war, terrorism, piracy, cargo loss, latent defects, acts of God and other circumstances or events. In addition, changing economic, regulatory and political conditions in some countries, including political and military conflicts, have from time to time resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways, piracy, terrorism, labor strikes and boycotts. These sorts of events could interfere with shipping routes and result in market disruptions, which may reduce our revenue and increase our expenses. Our worldwide operations also expose us to the risk that an increase in restrictions on global trade will harm our business. The adoption of trade barriers by governments may reduce global shipping demand and reduce our revenue. International shipping is subject to various security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin and destination and transhipment points. Inspection procedures can result in the seizure of the cargo or vessels, delays in the loading, offloading or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against vessel owners. It is possible that changes to inspection procedures could impose additional financial and legal obligations on us. In addition, changes to inspection procedures could also impose 10 additional costs and obligations on our customers and may, in certain cases, render the shipment of certain types of cargo uneconomical or impractical. Any such changes or developments may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels could adversely affect our business. Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean and in the Gulf of Aden. Sea piracy incidents continue to occur, particularly in the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Guinea, Venezuela, and in certain areas of the Middle East, and increasingly the Sulu Archipelago and Indonesia in the South China Sea with tankers particularly vulnerable to such attacks. If piracy attacks result in the characterization of regions in which our vessels are deployed as ‘‘war risk’’ zones or Joint War Committee ‘‘war and strikes’’ listed areas by insurers, premiums payable for such coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. In addition, crew costs, including costs which may be incurred to the extent we employ onboard security guards, could increase in such circumstances. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, detention or hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase in cost, or unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and may result in loss of revenues, increased costs and decreased cash flows to our customers, which could impair their ability to make payments to us under our charters. Political instability, terrorist or other attacks, war or international hostilities can affect the tanker industry, which may adversely affect our business. We conduct most of our operations outside of the United States, and our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and available cash may be adversely affected by the effects of political instability, terrorist or other attacks, war or international hostilities. Continuing conflicts and recent developments in the Middle East, and the presence of the United States and other armed forces in regions of conflict, may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed conflict around the world, which may contribute to further world economic instability and uncertainty in global financial markets. As a result of these factors, insurers have increased premiums and reduced or restricted coverage for losses caused by terrorist acts generally. Future terrorist attacks could result in increased volatility of the financial markets and negatively impact the United States and global economy. These uncertainties could also adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. In the past, political instability has also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the West of Africa, South China Sea, South-East Asia and the Gulf of Aden including off the coast of Somalia. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. If our vessels call on ports located in countries that are subject to restrictions imposed by the U.S. government, our reputation and the market for our securities could be adversely affected. Although no vessels owned or operated by us have called on ports located in countries subject to sanctions and embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and other authorities or countries identified by the U.S. government or other authorities as state sponsors of terrorism, such as Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria, in the future our vessels may call on ports in these countries from time to time on charterers’ instructions in violation of contractual provisions that prohibit them from doing so. 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 or strengthened over time. Although we believe that we have been in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, and intend to maintain such compliance, there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance 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 11 the market for our common shares, 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. Our charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of actions that do not involve us or our vessels and those violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation or the ability of our charters to meet their obligations to us or result in fines, penalties or sanctions. The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental claims against us. We expect that our vessels will call on ports where smugglers may attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. To the extent our vessels are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel and whether with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental or other regulatory claims which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Maritime claimants could arrest our vessels, which would have a negative effect on our business and results of operations. Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In 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 business or require us to pay significant amounts to have the arrest lifted, which would have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. 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 try to assert ‘‘sister ship’’ liability against one vessel in our fleet for claims relating to another of our vessels. Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, which may adversely affect our business and results of operations. A government could requisition for title or seize our vessels. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. Also, a government could requisition our vessels for hire. Requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes the charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during a period of war or emergency. Government requisition of one or more of our vessels could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Technological innovation could reduce our charterhire income and the value of our vessels. The charterhire rates and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors, including the vessel’s efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Efficiency includes speed, fuel economy and the ability to load and discharge cargo quickly. Flexibility includes the ability to enter various harbors and ports, utilize related docking facilities and pass through canals and straits. The length of a vessel’s physical life is related to its original design and construction, its maintenance and the impact of the stress of operations. If new tankers are built that are more efficient or more flexible or have longer physical lives than our vessels, competition from these more technologically advanced vessels could adversely affect the amount of charterhire payments, if any, we receive for our vessels once existing charters expire and the resale value of our vessels could significantly decrease. As a result, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. If labor or other interruptions are not resolved in a timely manner, they could have a material adverse effect on our business. We, indirectly through our technical managers, employ masters, officers and crews to operate our vessels, exposing us to the risk that industrial actions or other labor unrest may occur. A significant portion of the seafarers that crew our vessels are employed under collective bargaining agreements. We may suffer labor 12 disruptions if relationships deteriorate with the seafarers or the unions that represent them. The collective bargaining agreements may not prevent labor disruptions, particularly when the agreements are being renegotiated. If not resolved in a timely and cost-effective manner, industrial action or other labor unrest could prevent or hinder our operations from being carried out as we expect and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS Delays in deliveries of vessels we may purchase or order, our decision to cancel an order for purchase of a vessel or our inability to otherwise complete the acquisitions of additional vessels for our fleet, could harm our operating results. We expect to purchase and order additional vessels from time to time. The delivery of these vessels could be delayed, not completed or cancelled, which would delay or eliminate our expected receipt of revenues from the employment of these vessels. The seller could fail to deliver these vessels to us as agreed, or we could cancel a purchase contract because the seller has not met its obligations. The delivery of any vessels we may propose to acquire could be delayed because of, among other things, hostilities or political disturbances, non-performance of the purchase agreement with respect to the vessels by the seller, our inability to obtain requisite permits, approvals or financings or damage to or destruction of vessels while being operated by the seller prior to the delivery date. If the delivery of any vessel is materially delayed or cancelled, especially if we have committed the vessel to a charter under which we become responsible for substantial liquidated damages to the customer as a result of the delay or cancellation, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. The delivery of vessels we may purchase or order could be delayed because of, among other things: • • • • • • • • • • • • • work stoppages or other labor disturbances or other events that disrupt the operations of the shipyard building the vessels; quality or other engineering problems; changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory organization standards; lack of raw materials; bankruptcy or other financial crisis of the shipyard building the vessels; our inability to obtain requisite financing or make timely payments; a backlog of orders at the shipyard building the vessels; hostilities or political or economic disturbances in the countries where the vessels are being built; weather interference or catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake or fire; our requests for changes to the original vessel specifications; shortages or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials, such as steel; our inability to obtain requisite permits or approvals; or a dispute with the shipyard building the vessels. We will be required to make substantial capital expenditures to expand the number of vessels in our fleet and to maintain all our vessels, which will depend on our ability to obtain additional financing. Our business strategy is based in part upon the expansion of our fleet through the purchase and ordering of additional vessels. We will be required to make substantial capital expenditures to expand the size of our fleet. We also have incurred significant capital expenditures to upgrade secondhand vessels we have required to Eco-Mod standards. In addition, we will incur significant maintenance costs for our current fleet and any additional vessels we acquire. A newbuilding vessel must be drydocked within five years of its delivery from a shipyard and vessels 13 are typically drydocked every 30 to 60 months thereafter depending on the vessel, not including any unexpected repairs. We estimate the cost to drydock a vessel is between $0.75 million and $1.5 million, depending on the size and condition of the vessel and the location of drydocking relative to the location of the vessel. We may be required to incur additional debt or raise capital through the sale of equity securities to fund the purchasing of vessels or for drydocking costs from time to time. However, we may be unable to access the required financing if conditions change and we may be unsuccessful in obtaining financing for future fleet growth. Use of cash from operations will reduce available cash. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. If we finance our expenditures by incurring additional debt, our financial leverage could increase. If we finance our expenditures by issuing equity securities, our shareholders’ ownership interest in us could be diluted. We will not be able to take advantage of favorable opportunities in the spot market with respect to vessels employed on medium to long-term time charters. As of February 28, 2017, one of our vessels was employed under a fixed rate time charter agreement. When our existing time charter agreements expire and upon delivery of any vessels to be ordered, we may enter into new time charter agreements for periods of one year or longer. Vessels committed to medium and long-term time charters may not be available for spot charters during periods of increasing charter hire rates, when spot charters might be more profitable. If we do not identify suitable vessels or shipping companies for acquisition or successfully integrate any acquired vessels or shipping companies, we may not be able to grow or effectively manage our growth. One of our principal strategies is to continue expanding our operations and our fleet. Our future growth will depend upon a number of factors, some of which may not be within our control. These factors include our ability to: • • • • • • • identify suitable tankers and/or shipping companies for acquisitions at attractive prices; identify businesses engaged in managing, operating or owning tankers for acquisitions or joint ventures; integrate any acquired tankers or businesses successfully with our existing operations; hire, train and retain qualified personnel and crew to manage and operate our growing business and fleet; identify additional new markets; improve or expand our operating, financial and accounting systems and controls; and obtain required financing for our existing and new vessels and operations. Our failure to effectively identify, purchase, develop and integrate any tankers or businesses could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The number of employees that perform services for us and our current operating and financial systems may not be adequate as we implement our plan to expand the size of our fleet and we may not be able to effectively hire more employees or adequately improve those systems. In addition, acquisitions may require additional equity issuances or the incurrence of additional debt (which may require additional amortization payments or impose more restrictive covenants). If we are unable to successfully accommodate any growth, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected. Growing any business by acquisition presents numerous risks such as undisclosed liabilities and obligations, difficulty in obtaining additional qualified personnel and managing relationships with customers and suppliers and integrating newly acquired vessels and operations into existing infrastructures. The expansion of our fleet may impose significant additional responsibilities on our management and staff, and the management and staff of our technical managers, and may necessitate that we, and they, increase the number of personnel to support 14 such expansion. We may not be successful in executing our growth plans and we may incur significant expenses and losses in connection with such growth plans. If we purchase and operate second-hand vessels, we will be exposed to increased operating costs that could adversely affect our earnings and, as our fleet ages, the risks associated with older vessels could adversely affect our ability to obtain profitable charters. Our current business strategy includes additional growth through the acquisition of new and second-hand vessels. While we typically inspect second-hand vessels prior to purchase, this does not provide us with the same knowledge about their condition that we would have had if these vessels had been built for and operated exclusively by us. Generally, we do not receive the benefit of warranties from the builders of the second-hand vessels that we acquire. These factors could increase the ultimate cost of any second-hand vessel acquisitions by us. In general, the costs to maintain a vessel in good operating condition increase with the age of the vessel. Older vessels are typically less fuel-efficient than more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine technology. Cargo insurance rates increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of vessels may require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which the vessels may engage. As our vessels age, market conditions may not justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives. An increase in operating or voyage expenses would decrease our earnings and cash flows. For all vessels operating under time charters, the charterer is primarily responsible for voyage expenses and we are responsible for the vessel operating expenses. We may seek to employ vessels in the spot market following expiration of time charters. Under spot chartering arrangements, we will be responsible for all cost associated with operating the vessel, including operating expenses, voyage expenses, bunkers, port and canal costs. Our vessel operating expenses include the costs of crew, provisions, deck and engine stores, insurance and maintenance, repairs and spares, which depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydocking repairs are unpredictable and can be substantial. Increases in any of these expenses would decrease earnings and cash flow. We may be unsuccessful in competing in the highly competitive international tanker market, which would negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition and our ability to expand our business. The operation of tanker vessels and transportation of petroleum and chemical products is extremely competitive, and our industry is capital intensive and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other tanker owners, including major oil companies as well as independent tanker companies, some of which have substantially greater resources than we do. Competition for the transportation of oil products and chemicals can be intense and depends on price, location, size, age, condition and the acceptability of the tanker and its operators to the charterers. We may be unable to compete effectively with other tanker owners, including major oil companies and independent tanker companies. Our market share may decrease in the future. We may not be able to compete profitably as we seek to expand our business into new geographic regions or provide new services. New markets may require different skills, knowledge or strategies than we use in our current markets, and the competitors in those new markets may have greater financial strength and capital resources than we do. We derive a substantial majority of our revenues from a limited number of customers, and the loss of any such customers could result in a significant loss of revenues and cash flow. We have derived, and we believe we will continue to derive, a substantial majority of revenues and cash flow from a limited number of customers. Each of Vitol Group, Navig8 Group and Trafigura accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues from continuing operations during 2016; each of Vitol Group and 15 Navig8 Group accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenues from continuing operations during 2015; and each of Cargill International SA, Geneva, Koch Shipping Inc., Vitol Group, and Womar Logistic Pte. Ltd (pool arrangement) accounted for more than 10%, of our consolidated revenues from continuing operations during 2014. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of revenues from continuing operations during any of these periods. If we lose a key customer or if a customer exercises its right under some charters to terminate the charter, we may be unable to enter into an adequate replacement charter for the applicable vessel or vessels. The loss of any of our significant customers or a reduction in revenues from them could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Our charterers may terminate or default on their charters, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and cash flow. Our charters may terminate earlier than their scheduled expirations. The terms of our charters vary as to which events or occurrences will cause a charter to terminate or give the charterer the option to terminate the charter, but these generally include: a total or constructive loss of the relevant vessel; the governmental requisition for hire of the relevant vessel; the drydocking of the relevant vessel for a certain period of time; and the failure of the relevant vessel to meet specified performance criteria. In addition, the ability of each of our charterers to perform its obligations under a charter will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control. These factors may include general economic conditions, the condition of the tanker industry, the charter rates received for specific types of vessels and various operating expenses. The costs and delays associated with the default by a charterer under a charter of a vessel may be considerable and may adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and our available cash. We cannot predict whether our charterers will, upon the expiration of their charters, re-charter our vessels on favorable terms or at all. If our charterers are unable or decide not to re-charter our vessels, we may not be able to re-charter them on terms similar to our current charters or at all. In addition, the ability and willingness of each of our counterparties to perform its obligations under a time charter agreement with us will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, the condition of the tanker shipping industry and the overall financial condition of the counterparties. Charterers are sensitive to the commodity markets and may be impacted by market forces affecting commodities. In depressed market conditions, there have been reports of charterers renegotiating their charters or defaulting on their obligations under charters. Our customers may fail to pay charter hire or attempt to renegotiate charter rates. If a counterparty fails to honor its obligations under agreements with us, it may be difficult for us to secure substitute employment for such vessel, and any new charter arrangements we secure in the spot market or on time charters may be at lower rates. Any failure by our charterers to meet their obligations to us or any renegotiation of our charter agreements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. GA Holdings LLC (‘‘GA Holdings’’) beneficially owns a significant amount of our outstanding common shares and is represented on our board of directors, which may limit other shareholders’ ability to influence our actions, and GA Holdings may compete with us. As of February 28, 2017, GA Holdings beneficially owns approximately 17.24% of our outstanding common shares and has the power to exert considerable influence over matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and the determination to enter into a corporate transaction or to prevent a transaction, regardless of whether our shareholders believe that any such transaction is in their or our best interests. For example, GA Holdings may have considerable influence in our determining whether to consummate a merger or acquisition or to sell all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, members of our management team are investors in GA Holdings, which may affect their decisions relative to matters directly or indirectly involving GA Holdings and us. We cannot assure you that the interests of GA Holdings will align with the interests of other shareholders. As a result, the market price of our common shares could be adversely affected. In addition, two members of our board of directors, Reginald Jones and Niall McComiskey, are affiliated with GA Holdings. GA Holdings may invest in entities that directly or indirectly compete with us, or companies in which GA Holdings currently invests may begin competing with us. GA Holdings may also separately pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business 16 and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. As a result of these relationships, when conflicts arise between the interests of GA Holdings and the interests of our other shareholders, our directors who are affiliated with GA Holdings may not be disinterested. Our ability to obtain additional debt financing may be dependent on the performance of our then-existing charters and the creditworthiness of our charterers. The actual or perceived credit quality of our charterers, and any defaults by them, may materially affect our ability to obtain the additional capital resources that we will require to purchase additional vessels or may significantly increase our costs of obtaining such capital. Our inability to obtain additional financing at all or at a higher than anticipated cost may materially affect our results of operations and our ability to implement our business strategy. Servicing our debt, including debt which we may incur in the future, limits funds available for other purposes and if we cannot service our debt, we may lose our vessels. Borrowing under our existing credit facilities requires us to dedicate a significant part of our cash flow from operations to paying principal and interest on our indebtedness, and we intend to incur additional debt in the future. These payments limit funds available for working capital, capital expenditures and other purposes. Amounts borrowed under our credit facilities bear interest at variable rates. Currently, we do not have any hedge arrangements in place to reduce our exposure to interest rate variability on variable rate debt. 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. We expect our earnings and cash flow to vary from year to year due to the cyclical nature of the tanker industry. If we do not generate or reserve enough cash flow from operations to satisfy our debt obligations, we may have to: • • • • seek to raise additional capital; refinance or restructure our debt; sell tankers; or reduce or delay capital investments. However, these alternatives, 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, the lenders could elect to declare that debt, together with accrued interest and fees, to be immediately due and payable and proceed against the vessels or other collateral securing that debt. We are a holding company and 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, which are all directly and indirectly wholly owned by us, conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. As a result, our ability to satisfy our financial obligations and to pay dividends to our shareholders depends on the ability of our subsidiaries to generate profits available for distribution to us and, to the extent that they are unable to generate profits, we will be unable to pay our creditors or dividends to our shareholders. Our ability to grow may be adversely affected by our dividend policy. Under our dividend policy, we expect to distribute on a quarterly basis as dividends on our shares of common stock an amount equal to 60% of Earnings from Continuing Operations (which represents our earnings per share reported under U.S. GAAP as adjusted for unrealized and realized gains and losses and extraordinary items). Accordingly, our growth, if any, may not be as fast as businesses that do not distribute quarterly dividends. To the extent we do not have sufficient cash reserves or are unable to obtain financing from external sources, our dividend policy may significantly impair our ability to meet our financial needs or to grow. 17 Our credit facilities contain restrictive covenants that limit our business and financing activities, which could negatively affect our growth and results of operations. Our credit facilities and capital leases impose operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions may limit our ability, or the ability of our subsidiaries to: • • • • • • • pay dividends and make capital expenditures if we do not repay amounts drawn under our credit facilities or if there is a default under our credit facilities; incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; 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; or enter into a new line of business. Certain of our credit facilities and capital leases require us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial covenants. These financial ratios and covenants require us, among other things, to maintain minimum solvency, cash and cash equivalents, corporate net worth, working capital, loan-to-value and interest coverage levels and to avoid exceeding corporate leverage maximum. As a result of these restrictions, we may need to seek consent 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’ consent when needed. This may limit our ability to finance our future operations or capital requirements, make acquisitions or pursue business opportunities. Our ability to comply with covenants and restrictions contained in debt instruments may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, we may fail to comply with these covenants. If we breach any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in our financing agreements, our obligations may become immediately due and payable, and the lenders’ commitment under our credit facilities, if any, to make further loans may terminate. A default under financing agreements could also result in foreclosure on any of our vessels and other assets securing related loans. If interest rates increase, it will affect the interest rates under our credit facilities, which could affect our results of operations. Amounts borrowed under our existing credit facilities bear interest at an annual rate ranging from 2.50% to 2.90% above LIBOR. Interest rates have recently been at historic lows and any normalization in interest rates would lead to an increase in LIBOR, which would affect the amount of interest payable on amounts that we borrow under our credit facilities, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, shareholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our common stock. Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing we conduct in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the ‘‘Sarbanes-Oxley Act’’), or any subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm, may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our securities. 18 We are required to disclose changes made in our internal controls and procedures and our management is required to assess the effectiveness of these controls annually. However, for as long as we are an ‘‘emerging growth company’’, as defined in the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘‘Securities Act’’), our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We could be an ‘‘emerging growth company’’ until December 31, 2018. An independent assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls could detect problems that our management’s assessment might not. Undetected material weaknesses in our internal controls could lead to financial statement restatements and require us to incur the expense of remediation. We are subject to certain risks with respect to our counterparties on contracts, and failure of such counterparties to meet their obligations could cause us to suffer losses or otherwise adversely affect our results of operation. We enter into time-charter contracts, commercial pool agreements, ship management agreements, credit facilities and capital lease arrangements and other commercial arrangements. Such agreements and arrangements subject us to counterparty risks. The ability of each of our counterparties to perform its obligations under a contract with us will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, the condition of the maritime and offshore industries, the overall financial condition of the counterparty, charter rates received for specific types of vessels, and various expenses. For example, the combination of a reduction of cash flow resulting from declines in world trade, a reduction in borrowing bases under reserve-based credit facilities and the lack of availability of debt or equity financing may result in a significant reduction in the ability of our charterers to make charter payments to us. In addition, in depressed market conditions, our charterers and customers may no longer need a vessel that is currently under charter or contract or may be able to obtain a comparable vessel at lower rates. As a result, charterers and customers may seek to renegotiate the terms of their existing charter agreements or avoid their obligations under those contracts. Should a counterparty fail to honor its obligations under agreements with us, we could sustain significant losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation. Our business depends upon key members of our senior management team who may not necessarily continue to work for us. Our future success depends to a significant extent upon certain members of our senior management team. Our management team includes members who have substantial experience in the product tanker and chemical shipping industries and have worked with us since inception. Our management team is crucial to the execution of our business strategies and to the growth and development of our business. If the individuals were no longer affiliated with us, we may be unable to recruit other employees with equivalent talent and experience, and our business and financial condition may suffer as a result. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover our losses that may result from our operations due to the inherent risks of the tanker industry. We carry insurance to protect us against most of the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business, including marine hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance, which includes pollution risks, crew insurance and war risk insurance. However, we may not be adequately insured to cover losses from our operational risks, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Additionally, our insurers may refuse to pay particular claims and our insurance may be voidable by the insurers if we take, or fail to take, certain action, such as failing to maintain certification of our vessels with applicable maritime regulatory organizations. Any significant uninsured or under-insured loss or liability could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates in the future during adverse insurance market conditions. Changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks may also make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain due to increased premiums or reduced or restricted coverage for losses caused by terrorist acts generally. 19 Because we obtain some of our insurance through protection and indemnity associations, we may be required to make additional premium payments. We receive insurance coverage for tort liability, including pollution-related liability, from protection and indemnity associations. We may be subject to increased premium payments, or calls, in amounts based on our claim records, the claim records of our managers, as well as the claim records of other members of the protection and indemnity associations. In addition, our protection and indemnity associations may not have enough resources to cover claims made against them. Our payment of these calls could result in significant expense to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations could result in fluctuations in our operating results. We operate within the international shipping market, which utilizes the U.S. Dollar as its functional currency. As a consequence, the majority of our revenues and the majority of our expenses are in U.S. Dollars. However, we incur certain general and operating expenses, including vessel operating expenses and general and administrative expenses, in foreign currencies, the most significant of which are the Euro, Singapore Dollar, and British Pound Sterling. This partial mismatch in revenues and expenses could lead to fluctuations in net income due to changes in the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to other currencies. Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may adversely affect our operating results. A number of countries have adopted, or are considering the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions due to the concern about climate change. These regulatory measures in various jurisdictions include the adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, increased efficiency standards, and incentives or mandates for renewable energy. In November 2016, the international Paris Agreement that deals with greenhouse gas emission reduction measures and targets to limit global temperature increases came into force. Compliance with changes in laws, regulations and obligations relating to climate change, including as a result of such international negotiations, could increase our costs related to operating and maintaining our vessels and require us to install new emission controls, acquire allowances or pay taxes related to our greenhouse gas emissions, or administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program. Revenue generation and strategic growth opportunities may also be adversely affected. The effects upon the oil industry relating to climate change and the resulting regulations may also include declining demand for our services. We do not expect that demand for oil will lessen dramatically over the short-term, but in the long-term climate change may reduce the demand for oil or increased regulation of greenhouse gases may create greater incentives for use of alternative energy sources. Any long-term material adverse effect on the oil industry could adversely affect the financial and operational aspects of our business, which we cannot predict with certainty at this time. We are incorporated in the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate case law or bankruptcy law and, as a result, shareholders may have fewer rights and protections under Marshall Islands law than under a typical jurisdiction in the United States. Our corporate affairs are governed by our articles of incorporation and bylaws and by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act (the ‘‘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 law of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in certain U.S. jurisdictions. Shareholder rights may differ as well. While the BCA does specifically incorporate the non-statutory law, or judicial case law, of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, our shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction. In addition, the Marshall Islands does not have a well-developed body of bankruptcy law. As such, in the case of a bankruptcy involving us, there may be a delay of bankruptcy proceedings and the ability of securityholders and creditors to receive recovery after a bankruptcy proceeding, and any such recovery may be less predictable. 20 It may be difficult to serve process on or enforce a U.S. judgment against us, our officers and our directors. We are a Marshall Islands corporation and several of our executive offices are located outside of the United States. Most of our directors and officers reside outside the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of our directors, officers and experts are located outside of the United States. As a result, you may have difficulty serving legal process upon us or any of these persons within the United States. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside the United States, judgments you may obtain in U.S. courts against us or any of these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal or state securities laws. In addition, there is substantial doubt that the courts of the Marshall Islands or of the non-U.S. jurisdictions in which our offices are located would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on U.S. federal or state securities laws. Our ability to pay dividends may be limited by the amount of cash we generate from operations following the payment of fees and expenses, by the establishment of any reserves by our board of directors and by additional factors unrelated to our profitability. We intend to pay regular quarterly dividends on our common shares. The amount of dividends we pay will depend in part upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations. We may not, however, have sufficient cash available each quarter to pay dividends, as a result of insufficient levels of profit, restrictions on the payment of dividends contained in our financing arrangements or under applicable law and the decisions of our management and directors. The amount of cash we have available for dividends may fluctuate upon, among other things: • • • • • • • the rates we obtain from our charters, as well as the rates obtained following expiration of our existing charters; the level of our operating costs; the number of unscheduled off-hire days and the timing of, and number of days required for, scheduled drydocking of our vessels; vessel acquisitions and related financings, such as restrictions in our credit facilities and in any future debt arrangements; prevailing global and regional economic and political conditions; the effect of governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards, including with respect to environmental and safety matters, on the conduct of our business; and changes in the bases of taxation of our activities in various jurisdictions. The actual amount of cash we will have available for dividends will also depend on many factors, including: • • • • • changes in our operating cash flows, capital expenditure requirements, working capital requirements and other cash needs; our fleet expansion strategy and associated uses of our cash and our financing requirements; modification or revocation of our dividend policy by our board of directors; the amount of any cash reserves established by our board of directors; and restrictions under our credit facilities and Marshall Islands law. The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our net income or loss for the period, which may be affected by non-cash items. We may incur other expenses or liabilities that could reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution as dividends. Our credit facilities also restrict our ability to declare and pay dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or if the payment of the dividend would result in an event of default. In addition, Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus (retained earnings in excess of consideration received for the sale of stock above the par value of the stock), or while a company is insolvent or if it would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend, and any dividend may be discontinued at the discretion of our board of 21 directors. As a result of these or other factors, we may pay dividends during periods when we record losses and may not pay dividends during periods when we record income. Future sales of our common shares could cause the market price of our common shares to decline. The market price for our common shares could decline as a result of sales by existing shareholders, including GA Holdings, of large numbers of our common shares, or as a result of the perception that such sales may occur. Sales of our common shares by these shareholders also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and at the prices that we deem appropriate. Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents could make it difficult for our shareholders to replace or remove our current board of directors or could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect the market price of our common shares. Several provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it difficult for our shareholders to change the composition of our board of directors 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 the board of directors to issue ‘‘blank check’’ preferred stock without shareholder approval; providing for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms; prohibiting cumulative voting in the election of directors; authorizing the removal of directors only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote for the directors; limiting the persons who may call special meetings of shareholders; and establishing advance notice requirements for nominating candidates for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by shareholders at shareholder meetings. 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 stock and your ability to realize any potential change of control premium. We are an ‘‘emerging growth company’’, and we cannot be certain if the reduced reporting requirements applicable to ‘‘emerging growth companies’’ will make our common shares less attractive to investors. We are an ‘‘emerging growth company’’, as defined in the Securities Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not ‘‘emerging growth companies’’. Investors may find our common shares less attractive because we rely on certain of these exemptions. If some investors find our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common shares and our share price may be more volatile. Because of our status as an ‘‘emerging growth company’’ under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act status, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for so long as we are an emerging growth company. As long as we take advantage of the reduced reporting obligations, the information that we provide shareholders may be different from information provided by other public companies. We may take advantage of these provisions until December 31, 2018 or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will cease to be an emerging growth company if, among other things, we have more than $1.0 billion in ‘‘total annual gross revenues’’ during the most recently completed fiscal year. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (‘‘PCAOB’’) is not currently permitted to inspect our independent accounting firm and you may not benefit from such inspections. Auditors of U.S. public companies are required by law to undergo periodic PCAOB inspections to assess their compliance with U.S. law and professional standards in connection with performance of audits of financial 22 statements filed with the SEC. Certain European Union countries, including Ireland, do not currently permit the PCAOB to conduct inspections of accounting firms established and operating in such European Union countries, even if they are part of major international firms. Accordingly, unlike for most U.S. public companies, the PCAOB is currently prevented from evaluating our auditor’s performance of audits and its quality control procedures, and, unlike shareholders of most U.S. public companies, we and our shareholders are deprived of the possible benefits of such inspections. Tax Risks U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a ‘‘passive foreign investment company’’, which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders. A foreign corporation will be treated as a passive foreign investment company (‘‘PFIC’’), for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of ‘‘passive income’’ or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation’s assets produce or are held for the production of ‘‘passive income’’. For purposes of these tests, ‘‘passive income’’ generally 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 generally does not constitute ‘‘passive income’’. U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are subject to an adverse U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC. Based upon our operations as described herein, we do not believe that our income from our time charters should be treated as ‘‘passive income’’ for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, and, consequently, the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of that income should not constitute passive assets. Accordingly, based on our current operations, we do not believe we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. There is substantial legal authority supporting this position consisting of case law and U.S. Internal Revenue Service (‘‘IRS’’), pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court of law will accept this position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if the nature and extent of our operations change. If the IRS were successful in asserting that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, U.S. shareholders would face adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences. Under the PFIC rules, unless a shareholder makes an election available under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (‘‘the Code’’), (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders, as discussed below under Item 10.E (‘‘Taxation of Holders — U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of United States Holders’’)), excess distributions and any gain from the disposition of such shareholder’s common shares would be allocated ratably over the shareholder’s holding period of the common shares and the amounts allocated to the taxable year of the excess distribution or sale or other disposition and to any year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be subject to tax at the highest rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as appropriate, for that taxable year, and an interest charge would be imposed with respect to such tax. See Item 10.E (‘‘Taxation of Holders — U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — U.S. Federal Income Taxation of United States Holders’’) for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to United States shareholders if we are treated as a PFIC. We may have to pay tax on U.S. source shipping income, which would reduce our earnings. Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the ‘‘Code’’), 50% of the gross shipping income of a corporation that owns or charters vessels, as we and our subsidiaries do, that is attributable to 23 transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States will be subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax without allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder or that corporation is entitled to an exemption from such tax under an applicable U.S. income tax treaty. We have taken the position that we qualified for this statutory exemption for U.S. federal income tax return reporting purposes for our 2015 taxable year and we intend to so qualify for future taxable years. However, there are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption and thereby cause us to become subject to U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. source shipping income. For example, there is a risk that we could no longer qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code for a particular taxable year if ‘‘non-qualified’’ shareholders with a 5% or greater interest in our stock were, in combination with each other, to own 50% or more of the outstanding shares of our stock on more than half the days during the taxable year. Due to the factual nature of the issues involved, we can give no assurances on our tax-exempt status or that of any of our subsidiaries. If we or our subsidiaries were not entitled to exemption under Section 883 of the Code for any taxable year, we or our subsidiaries would be subject for such year to an effective 4% U.S. federal income tax on the shipping income we or our subsidiaries derive during the year which is attributable to the transport of cargoes to or from the United States. The imposition of this taxation would have a negative effect on our business and would decrease our earnings available for distribution to our shareholders. We may be subject to additional taxes, which could adversely impact our business and financial results. We and our subsidiaries are subject to tax in certain jurisdictions in which we or our subsidiaries are organized, own assets or have operations. In computing our tax obligations in these jurisdictions, we are required to take various tax accounting and reporting positions on matters that are not entirely free from doubt and for which we have not received rulings from the governing authorities. We cannot assure you that, upon review of these positions, the applicable authorities will agree with our positions. A successful challenge by a tax authority could result in additional tax imposed on us or our subsidiaries, which could adversely impact our business and financial results. 24 Item 4. Information on the Company A. History and Development of the Company We are Ardmore Shipping Corporation. We provide seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies, with our modern, fuel-efficient fleet of mid-size product and chemical tankers. Our current fleet consists of 27 vessels, all of which are in operation. Ardmore Shipping Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on May 14, 2013. We commenced business operations through our predecessor company, Ardmore Shipping LLC, on April 15, 2010. On August 6, 2013, we completed our initial public offering (‘‘IPO’’) of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock. Prior to our IPO, GA Holdings LLC, who was our sole shareholder, exchanged its 100% interest in Ardmore Shipping LLC for 8,049,500 shares of Ardmore Shipping Corporation, and Ardmore Shipping LLC became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ardmore Shipping Corporation. In March 2014, we completed a follow-on public offering of 8,050,000 common shares. In November 2015, GA Holdings LLC sold 4,000,000 of its shares of our common stock in an underwritten public offering. In June 2016, we completed a public offering of 7,500,000 common shares, of which GA Holdings LLC purchased 1,277,250 shares. As of February 28, 2017, we had 33,575,610 shares of our common stock outstanding and GA Holdings LLC, our largest shareholder, held 5,787,942, or approximately 17.24%, of our outstanding common stock. We have 46 wholly owned subsidiaries, a list of which is included as Exhibit 8.1 to this Annual Report. The substantial majority of these entities represent single ship-owning companies for our fleet. We maintain our principal executive and management offices at Cumberland House, 1 Victoria Street, 5th Floor, Hamilton, HM 11, Bermuda. Our telephone number at these offices is +1 441 405 7800. Ardmore Shipping (Bermuda) Limited (‘‘ASBL’’), a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in Bermuda, carries out our management services and associated functions. Ardmore Shipping Services (Ireland) Limited (‘‘ASSIL’’), a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in Ireland, provides our corporate, accounting, fleet administration and operations services. Ardmore Shipping (Asia) Pte. Limited (‘‘ASA’’), a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in Singapore, performs commercial management and chartering services for us. Ardmore Shipping (Americas) LLC (‘‘ASUS’’), a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in Delaware, performs commercial management and chartering services for us. Vessel Acquisitions Our current fleet consists of 27 double-hulled product and chemical tankers, all of which are in operation. We acquired 17 of our vessels as second-hand vessels, all of which we have upgraded to increase efficiency and improve performance. In 2014, 2015, and 2016 we paid an aggregate of $209.7 million, $232.5 million, and $174.0 million respectively, in capital expenditures for vessel acquisitions, vessel equipment and newbuilding orders. As of December 31, 2010, our operating fleet consisted of four vessels. During 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 we acquired or took delivery of two, six, ten and six vessels respectively. Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company We continue to qualify as an ‘‘emerging growth company’’ as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (the ‘‘JOBS Act’’). An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include: • • exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting; and exemption from new or revised financial accounting standards applicable to public companies until such standards are also applicable to private companies. We may take advantage of these provisions until December 31, 2018 or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will cease to be an emerging growth company if we have more than $1.0 billion in ‘‘total annual gross revenues’’ during our most recently completed fiscal year, if we become a 25 ‘‘large accelerated filer’’ with market capitalization of more than $700 million, or as of any date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt over the three year period to such date. For as long as we take advantage of the reduced reporting obligations, the information that we provide shareholders may be different from information provided by other public companies. We have irrevocably chosen to ‘‘opt out’’ of the extended transition period relating to the exemption from new or revised financial accounting standards and, as a result, we comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. B. Business Overview We commenced business operations in April 2010 through our predecessor company with the goal of building an enduring product and chemical tanker company that emphasizes service excellence, innovation, and operational efficiency through our focus on high quality, fuel-efficient vessels. We are led by a team of experienced senior managers who have previously held senior management positions with highly regarded public shipping companies and financial institutions. We are strategically focused on modern, fuel-efficient, mid-size product and chemical tankers. We actively pursue opportunities to exploit the overlap we believe exists between the clean petroleum product (‘‘CPP’’) and chemical sectors in order to enhance earnings, and also seek to engage in more complex CPP trades, such as multi-grade and multi-port loading and discharging operations, where our knowledge of chemical operations is beneficial to our CPP customers. Our fuel-efficient operations are designed to enhance our investment returns and provide value-added service to our customers. We believe we are on the forefront of fuel efficiency and emissions reduction trends and are well positioned to capitalize on these developments by (a) constructing new economically advanced vessels (‘‘Eco-design’’), (b) modifying existing vessels to improve fuel efficiency (‘‘Eco-mod’’) and (c) equipping our fleet with engine diagnostic and ship performance management systems to optimize voyage performance. As a result, we have reduced the fuel consumption of our Eco-mod vessels which, in some cases, achieve performance close to that of new Eco-design vessels. Our acquisition strategy is to build our fleet with Eco-design newbuildings and modern second-hand vessels that can be upgraded to Eco-mod. We have no related-party transactions concerning our vessel operations. Certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries carry out our management and administrative services, with ASBL providing our management services and associated functions, ASSIL providing our corporate, accounting, fleet administration and operations services and ASA and ASUS performing our commercial management and chartering services. Technical management of our vessels is performed by a combination of ASSIL and our third-party technical managers. ASSIL’s operations team is directly responsible for insurance and for overseeing significant operational functions of the third-party technical managers. ASSIL’s operations team also supervises the construction of our newbuilding vessels in close coordination with the third-party supervision teams. We have a resolute focus on both high-quality service and efficient operations, and we believe that our corporate overhead and operating expenses are among the lowest of our peers. We are commercially independent, as we have no blanket employment arrangements with third-party or related-party commercial managers. We market our services both directly to a broad range of customers, including oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, chemical companies, and a range of pooling service providers. We monitor the tanker markets to understand and best utilize our vessels and may change our chartering strategy to take advantage of changing market conditions. We believe that the market for mid-size product and chemical tankers is recovering from cyclical lows, resulting from strong underlying demand growth driven by both cyclical and secular trends, as well as a reduction in the supply overhang due to reduced ordering activity and an extended period of fleet growth at a rate below that of demand growth. We believe that we are well positioned to benefit from the market recovery with a modern, fuel-efficient fleet, access to capital for growth, a diverse and high-quality customer base, an emphasis on service excellence in an increasingly demanding regulatory environment and a relative cost advantage in assets, operations and corporate overhead. 26 Fleet List Our current fleet consists of 27 vessels, including 21 Eco-design and six Eco-mod vessels, all of which are in operation. The average age of our vessels at February 28, 2017, is 4.5 years. Vessel Name Ardmore Sevaliant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seaventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seavantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seavanguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Sealion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seafox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seawolf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seahawk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Endeavour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Enterprise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Endurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Encounter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Exporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seafarer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seatrader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seamaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seamariner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Sealeader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Sealifter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Dauntless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Defender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Cherokee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Cheyenne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Chinook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Chippewa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total Business Strategy Type Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product Product Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical 27 IMO Dwt Tonnes 2/3 49,998 2/3 49,998 2/3 49,997 2/3 49,998 2/3 49,999 2/3 49,999 2/3 49,999 2/3 49,999 2/3 49,997 2/3 49,453 2/3 49,466 2/3 49,478 2/3 49,494 2/3 49,466 2/3 49,420 45,744 3 47,141 — 3 45,840 45,726 3 47,463 — 47,472 — 2 37,764 2 37,791 2 25,215 2 25,217 2 25,217 25,217 2 1,202,568 Built Feb-13 Jun-13 Jan-14 Feb-14 May-15 Jun-15 Aug-15 Nov-15 Jul-13 Sep-13 Dec-13 Jan-14 Jan-14 Feb-14 Mar-14 Aug-04 Dec-02 Sep-04 Oct-06 Aug-08 Jul-08 Feb-15 Feb-15 Jan-15 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Country Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Japan Japan Japan Japan Japan Japan Korea Korea Japan Japan Japan Japan Flag MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI Specification Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Our objective is to solidify our position as a market leader in modern, fuel-efficient, mid-size product and chemical tankers by engaging in well-timed growth and utilizing our operational expertise and quality-focused approach to provide value-added services to our customers. The key elements of our business strategy include: • Focus on Modern, Mid-Size Product and Chemical Tankers. The average sizes of our product and chemical tankers are substantially similar to the median sizes of the global fleets for product tankers and chemical tankers. We have developed our strategic focus around mainstream tanker sizes that are readily employed and actively traded worldwide in broad and deep markets. Additionally, as a result of the overlap between the product and chemical sectors, we believe that our fleet composition enables us to take advantage of opportunities, both operationally and strategically, while also providing investment diversification. • Well-Timed Growth through the Acquisition of Quality Tonnage. We have a diligent and patient approach to expanding our fleet and are selective as to the quality of ships we seek to acquire. Since we commenced business in 2010, we have only acquired Japanese or Korean-built ships, but may consider vessels constructed elsewhere if they meet the same high standard of quality. We believe that our commitment and selectivity in growing our fleet has been instrumental in building our reputation for quality and service excellence. 27 • • • Optimizing Fuel Effıciency. The shipping industry is experiencing a steady increase in fuel efficiency, and we intend to remain at the forefront of this development. Our Eco-design vessels incorporate many of the latest technological improvements, such as electronically-controlled engines, more efficient hull forms matched with energy efficient propellers, and decreased water resistance. Our Eco-mod vessels have improved propulsion efficiency and decreased water resistance. In addition, we achieve further improvements through engine diagnostics and operational performance monitoring. We estimate that our Eco-design and Eco-mod medium range (‘‘MR’’) tankers consume approximately 10 − 20% less fuel than similar standard MR tankers. Commercial Independence, Flexibility and Diversification. We maintain a broad range of existing and potential time-charter and spot customers, as well as pooling alternatives, as part of our effort to maximize commercial flexibility and to manage cash flow visibility through charter duration and customer diversification. In particular we seek customers who value our active approach to fuel efficiency and service delivery. Low Cost Structure. We have established a solid foundation for growth while cost-effectively managing our operating expenses and corporate overhead. We intend to grow our staff as needed and to realize further economies of scale as our fleet expands. At the core of our business philosophy is the belief that well-run companies can deliver high quality service and achieve efficiency simultaneously, through hands-on management, effective communication with employees, and constant re-evaluation of budgets and operational performance. Corporate Officers, Staff and Seafarers Biographical information with respect to each of our directors and executive officers is set forth in Item 6 (‘‘Directors, Senior Management and Employees’’) of this Annual Report. As at February 28, 2017, we employed 45 full-time staff. We engage the services of two third-party ship management companies, Thome Ship Management and Univan Ship Management Limited, to provide technical management and crewing for our vessels, who are supervised by our senior management team. We currently employ, through our third-party technical managers, approximately 1027 seafarers, including 564 officers and cadets and 463 crew. Commercial management is provided directly by us, in the case of fixed time charters and spot charters that we enter into directly, and by third-party commercial pool managers, in the case of vessels participating in pooling arrangements. Commercial pools can provide many benefits for vessels operating in the spot market, including the ability to generate higher returns due to the economies of scale derived by operating a larger fleet. Customers Our customers include national, regional, and international companies and our fleet is employed through a mixture of time charters (including some time charters with profit participation components), direct spot charter employment and commercial pool employment. 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, and reliability track record are important factors in negotiating our vessels’ employment. Competition We operate in markets that are highly competitive and based primarily on supply and demand. We compete for charters on the basis of price, vessel location, size, age and condition of the vessel, as well as our reputation. Ownership of tanker vessels is highly fragmented and is divided among publicly listed companies, state-controlled owners and private ship-owners. 28 The International Product and Chemical Tanker Industry The information and data contained in this section relating to the international product and chemical tanker shipping industries has been provided by Drewry Maritime Research (‘‘Drewry’’), and is taken from Drewry’s database and other sources. Drewry has advised that: (i) some information in their database is derived from estimates or subjective judgments; (ii) the information in the databases of other maritime data collection agencies may differ from the information in their database. We believe that all third-party data provided in this section, ‘‘The International Product and Chemical Tanker Industry’’, is reliable. The world tanker fleet is generally divided into four main categories of vessels based on the main type of cargo carried. These categories are crude oil, refined petroleum products (both clean and dirty products), hereinafter referred to as products, chemicals, (including vegetable oils and fats) and specialist products such as bitumen. There is some overlap between the main tanker types and the cargoes carried which is explained in the table below. Principal Tanker Types and Main Cargoes Carried Vessel Type Ship Size − Dwt Tank Type IMO Status Principal Cargo Other Cargoes UL/VLCC Suezmax Aframax Panamax Long Range 3 (LR3) Long Range 2 (LR2) Long Range 1 (LR1) Medium Range (MR) Short Range (SR) Uncoated 200,000+ 120,000 − 199,999 Uncoated Uncoated 80,000 − 119,999 60,000 − 79,999 Uncoated 120,000 − 199,999 Coated Coated 80,000 − 119,999 Coated 60,000 − 79,999 Coated 25,000 − 59,999 Coated 25,000 − 59,999 Coated 25,000 − 59,999 Uncoated 25,000 − 59,999 Coated 10,000 − 24,999 Coated 10,000 − 24,999 Stainless Uncoated/ Coated Refined Products − Dirty Refined Products − Dirty Crude; Chemicals/Veg Oils Crude; Chemicals/Veg Oils Crude; Chemicals/Veg Oils Chemicals/Veg Oils Chemicals/Veg Oils Non IMO Crude Oil Non IMO Crude Oil Non IMO Crude Oil Non IMO Crude Oil Non IMO Refined Products Non IMO Refined Products Non IMO Refined Products Refined Products IMO 2 IMO 3 Refined Products Non IM O Refined Products Non IMO Refined Products Non-IMO Refined Products Refined Products IMO 2 Chemicals/Veg Oils Refined Products IMO 2 Non IMO Various e.g Bitumen Chemicals/Veg Oils Stainless Steel Tankers 10,000+ 10,000+ Specialist Tankers Source: Drewry In the product and chemical sectors there are a number of vessels that possess the ability to carry both products and some chemicals. These vessels therefore represent a ‘‘swing’’ element in supply in both of these markets. However, in practice many vessels will tend to trade in either refined products or chemicals/vegetable oils and fats. In 2016, a total of 3.23 billion tons of crude oil, oil products and chemicals were moved by sea.(1) This was 2.9% up on 2015 (3.14 billion tons) and is the result of record crude oil imports by Asian economies due to increased stockpiling at lower crude prices and rising refining activity leading to further growth in seaborne product trades. Over the period from 2006 to 2016, seaborne trade in oil products grew at an annual average rate of 3.8% and in 2016 totalled 987 million tons. The growth in seaborne products trade between 2015 and 2016 was 3.5%, based on provisional figures. (1) Provisional estimate. 29 Between 2011 and 2016 seaborne trade grew by an annual rate of 0.8% for crude oil, 2.8% for oil products, and 3.4% for chemicals. Over the period from 2011 to 2016, seaborne trade in refined products and chemicals were two of the fastest growing sectors of international tanker shipping. Changes in world seaborne tanker trade volumes in the period 2006 to 2016 are shown in the table below. World Seaborne Tanker Trade Volumes Year 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . 2016(1) . . . . . . . . . . . CAGR (2011 − 2016) . . CAGR (2006 − 2016) . . Crude Oil Mill T %y-o-y 0.1% 1,996 0.6% 2,008 0.3% 2,014 -4.2% 1,928 3.6% 1,997 -2.8% 1,941 2.4% 1,988 -3.5% 1,918 -1.2% 1,895 3.3% 1,957 3.0% 2,016 0.8% 0.1% Oil Products Mill T %y-o-y 4.7% 677 6.8% 723 5.8% 765 1.6% 777 4.3% 810 6.3% 860 -0.2% 859 5.3% 904 0.9% 912 4.6% 954 987 3.5% 2.8% 3.8% (1) Provisional estimates The Product Tanker Industry Source: Drewry Total Mill T %y-o-y 1.5% 2.2% 1.6% -2.2% 3.9% 0.0% 1.8% -0.5% -0.4% 4.0% 2.9% 6.5% 2,839 2.5% 2,902 -0.6% 2,947 5.4% 2,883 6.2% 2,996 2.6% 2,996 4.2% 3,049 4.1% 3,033 2.1% 3,022 7.5% 3,143 -0.8% 3,233 Chemicals Mill T %y-o-y 166 170 169 178 189 194 202 211 215 231 229 3.4% 3.3% 1.5% 1.3% Global GDP (IMF) %y-o-y 5.3% 5.4% 2.6% -0.9% 5.2% 4.2% 3.4% 3.3% 3.4% 3.1% 3.1% While crude oil tankers transport crude oil from points of production to points of consumption, typically oil refineries in consuming countries, product tankers can carry both refined and unrefined petroleum products, including some crude oil, as well as fuel oil and vacuum gas oil (often referred to as ‘dirty products’) and gas oil, gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene and naphtha (often referred to as ‘clean products’). Tankers with no International Maritime Organisation (IMO) certification but with coated cargo tanks are designed to carry products, while tankers with IMO certification (normally IMO 2 or IMO 3) and coated cargo tanks are able to carry both products and chemicals/vegetable oils and fats. Given the above, a tanker with IMO 2 certification and with an average tank size in excess of 3,000 cubic metres is normally classified as a product tanker, while a tanker with IMO 2 certification and an average tank size of less than 3,000 cubic metres is normally categorised as a chemical tanker. In essence, products can be carried in coated non IMO tankers and IMO rated coated tankers. By this definition the product capable tanker fleet comprises just over 50% (44.5%) of the total tanker fleet (above 10,000 dwt) in numbers terms, and are therefore a key part of the global tanker trade. Demand for product tankers is determined by world oil demand and trade, which is influenced by various factors including economic activity, geographic changes in oil production, consumption and refinery capacity, oil prices, the availability of transport alternatives (such as pipelines) and inventory policies of nations and oil trading companies. Tanker demand is a product of (i) the volume of cargo transported in tankers, multiplied by (ii) the distance that cargo is transported. Oil demand growth and the changing location of oil supply have altered the structure of the tanker market in recent years. Between 2003 and 2008, more than half of new crude oil production was located in the Middle East and Africa. These two regions still produce approximately one third of global supply in 2015. However, in recent years, the United States (U.S.) and Canadian crude oil production has increased as a result of the development of shale oil deposits. This has reduced U.S. seaborne crude import demand, but is resulting in greater oil product volumes becoming available for export from the U.S. Gulf, because refiners have access to plentiful supplies of competitively priced feedstock. 30 In addition, in 2014 the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in the U.S. began classifying exports of U.S. treated condensate as ‘‘kerosene and light gas oils’’ in its Petroleum Supply Monthly report. This followed on from a decision by the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to allow the export of distilled condensate as a refined product. Field condensate, which can be fed into a refinery or used as a chemical plant feedstock, had until 2014 been considered as an upstream product and therefore restricted for export under U.S. law. However, the BIS ruling that field stabilization processing changes condensate enough that it becomes a new product, which has opened up further export opportunities. In short, changes in the U.S. oil market have had a very positive impact on product tanker demand because U.S. product exports have risen sharply since 2009 as the chart below indicates. U.S. Crude Oil Production and U.S. Product Exports Source: Drewry Much of the increase in U.S. exports have gone to satisfy growing South American and African demand for oil products while other U.S. exports have been moving transatlantic into Europe, where local refinery shutdowns have supported the rise in import of products. In terms of tonne-mile demand, a notable development in the patterns of world refining over the last five years has been the shift towards crude oil producing regions developing their own refinery capacity, while at the same time, poor refinery margins have led to closures of refineries in the developed world, most notably in Europe and on the U.S. east coast. In this context it is already apparent that the closures of refining capacity in the developed world are prompting longer haul imports to cater for product demand, for instance on routes such as the West Coast India to the U.S. eastern seaboard and Europe. Refinery closures close to consuming regions elsewhere in the world will also help to support product import demand. For example, in Australia, trade from Singapore has become increasingly important to compensate for the conversion of local producing refineries into storage depots. This is part of a general increase in intra-Asian trade which is already boosting product tanker demand. As a result of the growth in trade and the changes in the location of refinery capacity, demand for product tankers expressed in terms of tonne-miles grew by a CAGR of 5.4% between 2006 and 2016. Generally growth in products trade and product tanker demand is more consistent and less volatile than crude oil trade. 31 Seaborne Product Trade and Ton Mile Demand 1,050 1,000 950 900 850 800 750 700 650 600 3,300 3,100 2,900 2,700 2,500 2,300 2,100 1,900 1,700 1,500 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Seaborne Product Trade - Million Tons (Left Hand Scale) Ton Mile Demand - Billion Tons Miles (Right Hand Scale) Source: Drewry Product Tanker Supply The global product tanker fleet is classified as any non stainless steel/specialised tanker between 10,000 dwt and 60,000 dwt, as well as coated and other ‘‘product-capable’’ vessels over 60,000 dwt. As of January 20, 2017 the world product tanker capable fleet consisted of 3,633 vessels with a combined capacity of 167.5 million dwt. Within the total tanker fleet MR vessels account for 34% of total ship numbers and in the global product tanker fleet they account for 58% of total ship numbers. MR vessels are considered the ‘‘workhorses’’ of the fleet. As of January 20, 2017 the MR product tanker orderbook was 89 vessels totalling 4.4 million dwt. The MR orderbook as a percentage of the existing MR fleet in terms of dwt was 4.7%, compared with close to 50% at the last peak in 2008. Based on scheduled deliveries, 3.3 million dwt of MR product tankers are due for delivery in the remainder of 2017 and a further 0.9 million dwt in 2018. Approximately 75% of the vessels on order in the MR category are scheduled to be delivered in 2017 and this would increase the MR fleet by 3.2%, assuming no vessel scrapping. However, in recent years the orderbook has been affected by the non-delivery of vessels or ‘‘slippage’’ as it is sometimes referred to. Current estimates suggest that in 2016, approximately 25% of vessels across the entire tanker orderbook scheduled for delivery in 2016 did not deliver during the year. Some of the non-delivery was a result or delays, either through mutual agreement or through shipyard problems, whilst some was due to vessel cancellations. Slippage is likely to remain an issue going forward and will continue to temper fleet growth. The other factor that will affect future supply is vessel scrapping. The volume of scrapping is a function primarily of the age profile of the fleet, scrap prices in relation to current and prospective charter market conditions, as well as operating, repair and survey costs. In 2014, a total of 106 tankers of a combined 9.9 million dwt were sold for scrap, of which 26 tankers of approximately 1 million dwt were in the MR size range. In comparison, only 46 tankers with combined capacity of 2.1 million dwt of tonnage were scrapped in 2015, of which 16 tankers with total capacity of 0.5 million dwt were in the MR size range. Provisional data suggests that in 2016 a further 22 MR tankers of 0.8 million dwt were removed from the operating fleet. 32 Vessel Type/Class Crude Tankers UL/VLCC . . . . . . . . . . Suezmax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aframax (Uncoated) Panamax (Uncoated) . . . . Crude Tankers . . . . . . . Long Range 3 (LR3) . . . . Long Range 2 (LR2) . . . . Long Range 1 (LR1) . . . . . . . LR Product Tankers Medium Range (MR) Coated IMO 2 . . . . . . . . Coated IMO 3 & Non IMO Coated/Uncoated . . . . . . Total MR . . . . . . . . . . . Short Range . . . . . . . . . Stainless Steel Tankers . . Total All Tankers . . . . . . World Tanker Fleet & Orderbook: January 20, 2017 Fleet Number M Dwt Size dwt Orderbook Number M Dwt % Fleet Dwt Orderbook Delivery Schedule (M Dwt) 2018 2019 2017 701 498 655 89 1,943 15 314 339 668 215.6 77.6 70.8 6.2 370.2 2.4 34.0 24.9 61.3 200,000+ 120,000 − 199,999 80,000 − 119,999 60,000 − 79,999 120,000 − 199,999 80,000 − 119,999 60,000 − 79,999 829 37.2 25,000 − 59,999 1,274 2,103 862 636 6,212 56.2 93.4 12.8 13.8 551.4 25,000 − 59,999 10,000 − 24,999 10,000+ Source: Drewry 95 80 76 1 252 4 42 42 88 80 9 89 50 90 569 29.3 12.6 8.6 0.1 50.6 0.6 4.8 3.1 8.5 13.6% 15.0 16.2% 10.1 12.1% 4.2 1.0% 0.1 13.7% 29.4 26.7% 0.3 14.1% 3.8 12.5% 2.0 13.9% 6.1 13.7 2.5 4.2 0.0 20.4 0.3 1.0 1.1 2.4 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.9 10.6% 3.1 0.8 0.1 0.4 4.4 0.8 2.4 66.7 0.8% 0.2 4.7% 3.3 6.3% 0.6 17.4% 1.4 12.1% 40.8 0.1 0.9 0.2 0.7 24.6 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.3 1.3 The Product Tanker Freight Market Between 2003 and early 2008, the differential between demand and supply for tankers remained narrow and rates were generally very firm. Following the recession in 2009, tanker demand nosedived, coinciding with substantial tonnage entering the fleet, driving earnings down until the market started to recover in 2014. Product tanker fleet growth in 2015 was approximately 5.0% in capacity terms and with demand growing by approximately 6.0% improved utilization rates in the sector have led to much stronger freight rates. The specific factors which have led to improved market conditions include: (i) increased trade due to higher stocking activity and improved demand for oil products (ii) longer voyage distances because of refining capacity additions in Asia (iii) product tankers are also carrying crude oil encouraged by firm freight rates for dirty tankers (iv) lower bunker prices have also been a factor contributing to higher net earnings For example, the average time charter equivalent (‘‘TCE’’) of the spot rate for a Medium Range (MR) product tanker in 2015 was $18,422/day, compared with an average of $9,592/day in 2014. On a one-year time charter rate basis, average MR rates rose from $14,438/day in 2014 to $17,271/day in 2015. 33 However, continued high newbuild delivery schedule and large product inventory levels in the second half of 2016 had a negative impact on vessel earnings, with average freight rates in the spot and time charter markets falling to $11,125/day and $15,125/day respectively. The trend in MR spot and time charter rates in the period from 2006 to December 2016 is shown in the chart below. MR Product Tanker Freight Rates (US$ Per Day) Source: Drewry It should be noted that these rates are based on a standard MR vessel built circa 2010, and there is some evidence that more-recently built vessels constructed to particularly fuel-efficient ‘‘Eco’’ specifications are currently able to achieve an additional premium on these levels of up to 10%. Asset Values Product tanker asset values have also fluctuated over time, and there is a relationship between changes in asset values and the charter market. Newbuilding prices increased significantly between 2003 and early 2008, primarily as a result of increased tanker demand and rising freight rates. Current newbuilding prices are significantly below the peaks reported at the height of the market in 2008, and in 2016 the average newbuilding price for an MR product tanker was estimated at $33.1 million. 34 The secondhand sale and purchase market has traditionally been relatively liquid, with tankers changing hands between owners on a regular basis. Secondhand prices peaked over the summer of 2008 and have since followed a similar path to both freight rates and newbuilding prices. In 2016 a five year old MR product tanker was estimated to have a value of $24.8 million. The trend in newbuilding prices, second hand values and freight rates for an MR tanker in the period 2006 to 2016 are summarised in the table below. MR Product Tankers: Freight Rate and Asset Value Summary Spot (US$/day) 25,609 23,682 21,156 9,043 10,568 11,150 11,142 13,517 9,592 18,422 11,125 12,759 3,100 30,800 13,940 3,100 30,800 Timecharter (US$/day) Asset Prices (US$ million) 1 Year 26,792 25,367 23,092 14,850 12,388 13,633 13,325 14,346 14,438 17,271 15,125 14,901 12,000 19,500 16,383 10,800 27,250 3 Year 21,675 22,146 21,500 15,267 13,646 14,575 14,500 15,161 15,417 16,458 15,354 15,378 14,000 18,000 16,402 12,200 24,000 Newbuild 46.8 49.5 52.1 40.3 35.9 36.1 33.2 33.8 36.9 36.1 33.1 34.6 32.0 37.0 38.7 32.0 54.0 5 Year Old 47.1 50.0 51.0 30.2 26.4 28.3 25.2 26.2 27.1 25.8 24.8 25.8 22.0 29.0 31.5 22.0 53.5 Source: Drewry Period Averages 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2012 − 2016 5 Year Avg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Year Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Year High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2007 − 2016 10 Yr Avg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Yr Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Yr High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Chemical Tanker Industry Introduction The world chemical industry is one of the largest and most diversified industries in the world with more than 1,000 large and medium-sized companies manufacturing over 70,000 different product lines. Although most specialist chemicals are used locally, world trade is becoming an increasingly prominent part of the global chemical industry for a number of reasons ranging from local stock imbalances to a lack of local production of particular chemicals in various parts of the world. In broad terms, seaborne trade growth in bulk liquid chemicals has tracked trends in economic activity and globalization. The seaborne transportation of chemicals is technically and logistically complex compared with the transportation of crude oil and oil products, with cargoes ranging from hazardous and noxious chemicals to products such as edible oils and fats. Consequently, the chemical tanker sector comprises a wide array of specially constructed small and medium sized tankers designed to carry chemical products in various stages of production. 35 Chemical Tanker Demand Demand for chemicals is affected by, among other things, general economic conditions (including increases and decreases in industrial production and transportation), chemical prices, feedstock costs and chemical production capacity. Given their industrial usage, chemical demand, and as a result demand for seaborne transport, is well-correlated with global GDP. Seaborne trade in chemicals is characterized by a wide range of individual cargoes and a relatively regionalized structure compared with crude and products. Given the geographical complexity and the diversity of cargoes involved and the way in which some cargoes are transported, estimating total seaborne trade in chemicals is difficult. Essentially, there are four main types of chemical transported by sea; organic chemicals, inorganic chemicals; vegetable oils and fats and other commodities such as molasses. Seaborne Chemical Trades (In Millions of Tons) 250.0 200.0 150.0 100.0 50.0 0.0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Organics Inorganics Veg/Animal Oils & Fats Other Chemical Cargoes Source: Drewry The U.S. is the largest exporter of organic chemicals, accounting for approximately 25% of all exports, while China accounts for approximately one-third of total organic chemical imports. The four organic chemicals most frequently traded by sea are methanol, styrene, benzene and para-xylene. Inorganic chemical trade accounts for approximately 10 − 15% of total seaborne movements. They are not traded geographically as wide as organic chemicals and they also present several transport problems; not only are they very dense, they are also highly corrosive. Palm oil accounts for about half of this, with the next top two commodities in this sector traded by sea being soybean oil and sunflower seed oil. From a regional perspective, activity is focused on three main geographical areas. Europe is a mature, established producing region, contributing over one quarter of total chemical production. Much of Europe’s production serves domestic requirements. This manifests itself in increased demand for short-sea services, rather than deep-sea trades. North American (predominantly the U.S. manufacturers produce approximately one fifth of the major chemical products in the world. Although the majority of the U.S. production is for domestic use, particularly where gasoline additives are involved, the country also produces above domestic requirements, which results in significant export volumes. In the U.S. the chemicals industry will be affected by the development of shale gas. Increased supplies of natural gas in the U.S. have already served to push down domestic gas prices and the fall in natural gas prices has had a beneficial impact on feedstock costs for the petrochemical industry. In particular, the cost of ethane has fallen significantly since 2011 thereby increasing the competiveness of the U.S. petrochemical industry within a global perspective. Accordingly, U.S. ethylene production costs have fallen to levels where the U.S. can now compete with Middle Eastern suppliers, and this opens up new opportunities to expand U.S. ethylene cracking capacity and subsequently petrochemical capacity. Ethylene cracker utilization in the U.S. has improved and prior to the recent fall in oil prices plans had been announced for a number of new petrochemical plants. Ethylene is a precursor for many of the organic chemicals shipped by sea (e.g. ethylene 36 dichloride, ethylene glycol), so increased production would lead to increased availability of downstream chemical products for export from the U.S. Although the Middle East will continue to be the largest supplier of organic chemicals, the U.S. will be a major exporter of methanol and ethylene derivatives to the Far East market. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran’s new methanol projects may have a significant impact on global seaborne chemical trade. Chemical Tanker Supply Chemical tankers are characterized mainly by cargo containment systems which are technically more sophisticated than those found in conventional oil and product tankers. Since chemical tankers are often required to carry many products which are typically hazardous and easily contaminated, cargo segregation and containment is essential feature of these tankers. Chemicals can only be carried in a tanker which has a current IMO Certificate of Fitness. The IMO regulates the carriage of chemicals by sea under the auspices of the International Bulk Chemical Code (IBC), which classifies potentially dangerous cargoes into three categories, typically referred to as IMO 1, IMO 2 and IMO 3. Specific IMO conventions govern the requirements for particular tanks to be classified as each grading, which the pertinent features of each tank being the internal volume and its proximity to the sides and bottom of the vessel’s hull. The carriage of 18 cargoes is restricted to IMO Type 1 classified vessels, while the majority of cargoes require IMO 2 vessels, including vegetable oils and palm oils. One concession to the IBC Code regulations is an allowance that IMO 3 tankers may carry other edible oils, an exemption introduced because of the tendency for such cargoes to be shipped in large bulk parcels. This often requires ships of up to MR size. Despite this exemption, these vessels are not ‘true’ chemical tankers in the general sense of the word, as they are not able to carry IMO 2 cargoes. As well as defining the chemical tanker fleet in terms of IMO type, it is also possible to further define the fleet according to the degree of tank segregation, tank size and tank coating as detailed below. • • Chemical parcel tankers: Over 75% of the tanks are segregated with an average tank size less than 3,000 cbm, all of which are stainless steel. A typical chemical parcel tanker might be IMO 2 with a capacity of 20,000 dwt and have twenty fully segregated tanks which are of stainless steel. Chemical bulk tankers: Vessels with a lower level of tank segregations (below 75%), with an average tank size below 3,000 cbm, and with coated tanks. A typical chemical bulk tanker might be 17,000 dwt with 16 coated tanks but 8 segregations and be IMO 2. Given the above, a broad definition of a chemical tanker is any vessel with a current IMO certificate of fitness with coated/and or stainless steel tanks and an average tank size of less than 3,000 cbm. Overall, within the product and chemical tanker fleets it is important to recognise that there are a group of ‘‘swing’’ ships which can trade in either products or in chemicals, vegetable oils and fats. For example, a product tanker with IMO 2 certification may trade from time to time in easy chemicals such as caustic soda. Equally, an IMO 2 chemical tanker can in theory carry in products. The sector in which these ‘‘swing’’ ships trade will depend on a number of factors, with the main influences being the exact technical specifications of the ship; the last cargo carried; the state of the freight market in each sector and the operating policy of the ship owner/operator. As of January 20, 2017 the world IMO 2 Coated and Stainless Steel tanker fleet consisted of 1,577 vessels with a combined capacity of 33.7 million dwt. The orderbook consisted of 138 vessels of 3.5 million dwt, or 10.5% of the existing fleet. In 2016, provisional data suggests that 17 MR chemical tankers totalling 0.6 million dwt were sent for demolition. In addition, chemical tankers are relatively complex vessel types to build and this increases the barriers to entry for shipyards and the pool of yards that owners are willing to consider is small. 37 World Coated IMO 2 and Stainless Steel Tanker Fleet and Orderbook: January 20, 2017 Size Ship Type (DWT) Coated IMO 2 . . . . . 10,000+ . . . . . 10,000+ Stainless Steel Total . . . . . . . . . . . Fleet Number M Dwt 20.0 13.8 33.7 941 636 1,577 Number M Dwt 48 90 138 1.1 2.4 3.5 Orderbook − Jan 2017 % Fleet Orderbook Delivery Schedule (M Dwt) 2018 0.6 0.7 1.4 2019 0.1 0.3 0.3 2017 5.7% 0.4 17.4% 1.4 10.5% 1.8 Source: Drewry The Chemical Tanker Freight Market Some 50% of all chemical movements are covered by COAs, while the spot market covers 35% to 40%. The remainder is made up by other charter arrangements and cargoes moved in tonnage controlled by exporters or importers. In the chemical tanker freight market, the level of reporting of fixture information is far less widespread than for the oil tanker market. Furthermore, it is not always possible to establish a monthly series of rates for an individual cargo, on a given route, as fixing is often sporadic, or more often than not covered by contract business. For these reasons, the assessment of spot freight rate trends in the freight market is made by using a small number of routes where there is sufficient fixture volume to produce meaningful measurements. Following an increase in rates throughout 2010 and 2011 after the decline in 2009, freight rates on most major trade lanes declined during 2012 as market sentiment eroded. In 2013 spot rates on most routes strengthened and in 2014 rates continued to record small gains on the back of increased vessel demand. In 2015, freight rates moved up by 4.9% on account of improved seaborne chemical trade. However provisional data for 2016 suggest that global seaborne chemical trade fell 0.8% and declining demand for chemical tankers was reflected in a decline of 4.7% in average time charter rates. Chemical Tanker Asset Values As in other shipping sectors, chemical tanker sale and purchase values show a relationship to the charter market and newbuilding prices. Newbuilding prices are influenced by shipyard capacity and increased steel prices; secondhand vessel values may vary because of the country of construction and the level of outfitting of such vessels. Although there has been a relatively high level of activity in recent years, chemical vessels can be difficult to market to buyers due to complexity of operations in the chemical market and they may not always achieve their initial newbuilding premium. Newbuilding price trends in the chemical tanker sector are more difficult to track than MRs due to the lower volume of ordering and variation in specification. However, at the end of 2016 prices were generally 25% to 35% lower than the market peak in early 2008. Similarly, in the secondhand market, asset values in some cases have dropped by nearly 50% since 2008. Environmental and Other Regulations Government laws and regulations significantly affect the ownership and operation of our tankers. We are subject to international conventions, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the countries in which our vessels may operate or are registered. Compliance with such laws, regulations and other requirements entails significant expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of certain operating procedures. A variety of governmental, quasi-governmental and private organizations subject our tankers to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These organizations include local port authorities, national authorities, harbor masters, classification societies, flag state administrations, labor organizations, charterers, terminal operators and oil companies. Some of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates and approvals for the operation of our tankers. Our failure to maintain necessary permits, licenses, certificates or approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend operation of one or more of the vessels in our fleet, or lead to the invalidation or reduction of our insurance coverage. We believe that the heightened levels of environmental and quality concerns among insurance underwriters, financial institutions, regulators and charterers have led to greater inspection and safety requirements on all 38 vessels and may accelerate the scrapping of older vessels throughout the tanker industry. Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for tankers that conform to stricter environmental standards and these standards are expected to increase in stringency. We are required to maintain operating standards for all of our vessels that emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, and procedural compliance, together with continuous training of officers and crews to maintain compliance with applicable local, national and international environmental laws and regulations. Such laws and regulations frequently change and may impose increasingly strict requirements. We cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these or future requirements, or the impact of these requirements on the resale value or useful lives of our tankers. In addition, a future serious marine incident that results in significant oil pollution, release of hazardous substances, loss of life or otherwise causes significant adverse environmental impact, such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, could result in additional legislation, regulation or other requirements that could negatively affect our business, results of operations or financial position. International Maritime Organization (‘‘IMO’’) The IMO, the United Nations agency for maritime safety and the prevention of pollution, has adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973 (‘‘MARPOL’’), which has been updated through various amendments. 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. In 2012, the IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee (‘‘MEPC’’) adopted a resolution amending the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (the ‘‘IBC Code’’). The provisions of the IBC Code are mandatory under MARPOL and SOLAS. These amendments, which entered into force in June 2014, pertain to revised international certificates of fitness for the carriage of dangerous chemicals in bulk and identifying new products that fall under the IBC Code. As of January 1, 2016 amendments to Annex I, the IBC Code, require that all chemical tankers must be fitted with approved stability instruments capable of verifying compliance with both intact and damage stability. We may need to make certain financial expenditures to comply with these amendments. In 2013, the MEPC adopted a resolution amending MARPOL Annex I Conditional Assessment Scheme (‘‘CAS’’). The amendments, which became effective on October 1, 2014, pertain to revising references to the inspections of bulk carriers and tankers after the 2011 International Code on the Enhanced Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers (‘‘ESP Code’’), which provides for enhanced inspection programs, becomes mandatory. We may need to make certain financial expenditures to comply with these amendments. Air Emissions In September 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution from ships. Effective May 2005 and as subsequently revised, Annex VI sets limits on sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions from all commercial vessel exhausts and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances (such as halons and chlorofluorocarbons), emissions of volatile organic compounds from cargo tanks, and the shipboard incineration from incinerators installed after January 1, 2000 of specific substances. ‘‘Deliberate emissions’’ are not limited to times when the ship is at sea; they can, for example, include discharges occurring in the course of the ship’s repair and maintenance. 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 known as Emission Control Areas (‘‘ECAs’’). Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that could require the installation of expensive emission control systems and adversely affect our business, cash flows, results of operations and financial condition. In October 2008, the IMO 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 will reduce air pollution from vessels by, among other things, (i) implementing a progressive reduction of sulfur oxide emissions from ships by reducing the global sulfur fuel cap initially to 3.50%, effective January 1, 2012; and (ii) establishing new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for new marine engines, depending on their date of installation. On October 27, 2016, at its 70th session, MEPC 70, MEPC announced its decision concerning the implementation of regulations mandating a reduction in sulfur emissions from the 39 current 3.5% to 0.5% as of the beginning of 2020 rather than pushing the deadline back to 2025. By 2020 ships will have to either remove sulfur from emissions through the use of emission scrubbers or buy fuel with low sulfur content. The United States ratified the Annex VI amendments in October 2008, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (‘‘EPA’’), promulgated equivalent emissions standards in late 2009. The United States and Canada requested the IMO designate the area extending 200 nautical miles from the Atlantic/Gulf and Pacific coasts of the United States and Canada and the Hawaiian Islands as ECAs under the MARPOL Annex VI amendments, which would subject ocean-going vessels in these areas to stringent emissions controls and cause us to incur additional costs. The North American ECA came into force on August 1, 2012. The North American ECA includes areas subject to the exclusive sovereignty of the United States and extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coasts of the United States, which area includes parts of the United States Gulf of Mexico. As of July 1, 2010, ships operating within an ECA were not permitted to use fuel with sulfur content in excess of 1.0%, which was further reduced to 0.1% on January 1, 2015. On January 1, 2014, the United States Caribbean Sea was also designated an ECA. The Baltic Sea and the North Sea have also been designated ECAs. At MEPC 70, MEPC approved the North Sea and Baltic Sea as ECAs for nitrogen oxides, effective January 1, 2021. It is expected that these areas will be formally designated after the draft amendments are presented at MEPC’s next session. 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 EPA or the states where we operate, compliance with these regulations could entail significant capital expenditures or operational changes or otherwise increase the costs of our operations. Safety Management System Requirements The IMO also adopted the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974 (‘‘SOLAS’’) and the International Convention on Load Lines (‘‘LL Convention’’), which impose a variety of standards that regulate the design and operational features of ships. The IMO periodically revises the SOLAS and LL Convention standards. The May 2012 SOLAS amendments that relate to the safe manning of vessels entered into force on January 1, 2014. Several SOLAS regulations also came into effect in 2016, including regulations regarding adequate vessel integrity maintenance, structural requirements, and construction. The IMO Legal Committee also adopted the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (the ‘‘LLMC’’), which specifies limits of liability for loss of life or personal injury claims and property claims against ship-owners. The limits of liability are periodically amended to adjust to inflation. Amendments to the LLMC, which were adopted in April 2012, went into effect on June 8, 2015. Our operations are also subject to environmental standards and requirements contained in the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (‘‘ISM Code’’), promulgated by the IMO under SOLAS. 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 safety and environmental protection policies 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 has been developed for our vessels for compliance with the ISM Code. The ISM Code requires that vessel operators also obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel’s management with code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. Our technical managers have obtained documents of compliance for its offices and safety management certificates for all of our vessels for which the certificates are required by the ISM Code. These documents of compliance and safety management certificates are renewed as required. Noncompliance with the ISM Code and other IMO regulations may subject the ship-owner or bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to decreases in, or invalidation of, available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. The United States Coast 40 Guard (‘‘USCG’’) and European Union (‘‘EU’’) authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code by the applicable deadlines will be prohibited from trading in United States and EU ports, as the case may be. Pollution Control and Liability Requirements Many countries have ratified and follow the liability plan adopted by the IMO and set out in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, as from time to time amended (‘‘CLC’’), although the United States is not a party. Under the CLC and depending on whether the country in which the damage results is a party to the 1992 Protocol to the CLC, a vessel’s registered owner is strictly liable, subject to certain affirmative defenses, for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil. The limits on liability outlined in the 1992 Protocol use the International Monetary Fund currency unit of Special Drawing Rights (‘‘SDR’’). The limits on liability have since been increased. The right to limit liability is forfeited under the CLC where the spill is caused by the ship owner’s personal fault and under the 1992 Protocol where the spill is caused by the ship owner’s personal act or omission or by intentional or reckless conduct. Vessels trading with states that are parties to these conventions must provide evidence of insurance covering the liability of the owner. In jurisdictions where the CLC has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to that of the CLC. We believe that our protection and indemnity insurance will cover the liability under the plan adopted by the IMO. The IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage of 2001 (the ‘‘Bunker Convention’’), to impose strict liability on ship owners for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention, which became effective on November 21, 2008, requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross tons to maintain insurance, or other financial security, for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims of 1976, as amended). 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. In 1996, the IMO International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea (‘‘HNS’’), was adopted and subsequently amended by the 2010 Protocol. If it enters into force, the HNS Convention will provide for compensation to be paid out to victims of accidents involving HNS, such as chemicals. The HNS Convention introduces strict liability for the ship-owner and covers pollution damage as well as the risks of fire and explosion, including loss of life or personal injury and damage to property. HNS are defined by reference to lists of substances included in various IMO Conventions and Codes and include oils, other liquid substances defined as noxious or dangerous, liquefied gases, liquid substances with a flashpoint not exceeding 60˚C, dangerous, hazardous and harmful materials and substances carried in packaged form, solid bulk materials defined as possessing chemical hazards, and certain residues left by the previous carriage of HNS. The HNS Convention introduces strict liability for the ship-owner and a system of compulsory insurance and insurance certificates. However, the HNS Convention lacked the ratifications required to come into force. In April 2010, a consensus at the Diplomatic Conference convened by the IMO adopted the 2010 Protocol. Under the 2010 Protocol, if damage is caused by bulk HNS, compensation would first be sought from the ship-owner. The 2010 Protocol has not yet entered into effect. It will enter into force 18 months after the date on which certain consent and administrative requirements are satisfied. While a majority of the necessary number of states has indicated their consent to be bound by the 2010 Protocol, the required minimum has not been met. In addition, the IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (‘‘BWM Convention’’) in February 2004. 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. All ships will also have to carry a ballast water record book and an International Ballast Water Management Certificate. The BWM Convention becomes effective 12 months after it has been adopted by 30 states, the combined merchant fleets of which represent not less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping. On September 8, 2016, this threshold was met (with 41 52 contracting parties making up 35.14%). Thus, the Convention will enter into force on September 8, 2017. Many of the implementation dates in the BWM Convention have already passed, so that once the BWM Convention enters into force, the period of installation of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements would be extremely short, with several thousand ships a year needing to install ballast water management systems (‘‘BWMS’’). For this reason, on December 4, 2013, the IMO Assembly passed a resolution revising the application dates of the BWM Convention so that they are triggered by the entry into force date and not the dates originally in the BWM Convention. This, in effect, makes all vessels constructed before the entry into force date ‘‘existing vessels’’ and allows for the installation of a BWMS on such vessels at the first renewal survey following entry into force of the convention. At MEPC 70, MEPC updated ‘‘guidelines for approval of ballast water managements systems (G8).’’ G8 updates previous guidelines concerning procedures to approve BWMS. Once mid-ocean ballast exchange or ballast water treatment requirements become mandatory, the cost of compliance could increase for ocean carriers and the costs of ballast water treatments may be material. However, many countries already regulate the discharge of the ballast water carried by vessels from country to country to prevent the introduction of invasive and harmful species via such discharges. The United States, for example, requires vessels entering its waters from another country to conduct mid-ocean ballast exchange, or undertake some alternative measure and to comply with certain reporting requirements. Although we do not believe that the costs of such compliance would be material, it is difficult to predict the overall impact of such requirements on our operations. 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 United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (‘‘OPA’’) established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and clean-up of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade in the United States, its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in United States waters, which includes the United States territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The United States has also enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (‘‘CERCLA’’), which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil, whether on land or at sea. Both OPA and CERCLA impact our operations. Under OPA, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers 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. OPA defines these other damages broadly to include: • • • • • injury to, destruction or loss of, or loss of use of, natural resources damage and related assessment costs; injury to, economic loss resulting from, real and personal property damage; net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees and other lost revenues resulting from injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property, or natural resources; lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to property or natural resources damage; and net cost of public services necessitated by a spill response, 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, which caps do not apply to direct clean-up costs. Effective December 21, 2015, the USCG adjusted the limits of OPA liability to the greater of $2,200 per gross ton or $18,796,800 for any double-hull tanker that is over 3,000 gross tons (subject to possible adjustment for inflation), and our fleet is entirely composed of vessels of this size class. CERCLA, which applies to owners and operators of vessels, contains a similar liability regime and provides for clean-up, removal and natural resource damages. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5 million for vessels carrying a hazardous substance as cargo or residue and the greater of $300 per gross ton or 42 $0.5 million for any other vessel. These OPA and CERCLA limits of liability do not apply if an incident was directly caused by violation of applicable United States federal safety, construction or operating regulations or by a responsible party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, or if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and assist in connection with oil removal activities. OPA and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law, including maritime tort law. OPA and the USCG also require owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the USCG evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the limit of their potential liability under OPA and CERCLA. Vessel owners and operators may satisfy their financial responsibility obligations by providing proof of insurance, a surety bond, self-insurance or a guaranty. We comply with the USCG’s financial responsibility regulations by providing a certificate of responsibility evidencing sufficient self-insurance. OPA 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. Some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for discharge of pollutants within their waters; however, in some cases, states which have enacted this type of legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining tanker owners’ responsibilities under these laws. The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may also result in additional regulatory initiatives or statutes, including the raising of liability caps under OPA. For example, in February 2014 the United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management proposed a rule increasing the limits of liability of damages for off-shore facilities under OPA based on inflation. On August 15, 2012, the Unites States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (‘‘BSEE’’) issued a final drilling safety rule for offshore oil and gas operations that strengthens the requirements for safety equipment, well control systems, and blowout prevention practices. In December 2015, the BSEE announced a new pilot inspection program for offshore facilities. Furthermore, in April 2015, it was announced that new regulations are expected to be imposed in the United States regarding offshore oil and gas drilling. Furthermore, on December 20, 2016, the United States President invoked a law that banned offshore oil and gas drilling in large areas of the Arctic and the Atlantic Seaboard. It is presently unclear how long this ban will remain in effect. A ban on new drilling in Canadian Arctic waters was announced simultaneously. Compliance with any new requirements of OPA may substantially impact our cost of operations or require us to incur additional expenses to comply with any new regulatory initiatives or statutes. We have and expect to maintain pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1 billion per incident for each of our vessels. If the damages from a catastrophic spill were to exceed our insurance coverage or if our insurance providers were to not respond, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The United States Clean Water Act (‘‘CWA’’) prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in United States 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 and remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA and CERCLA. In addition, 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 United States federal law. The EPA and USCG have 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 cost, or otherwise restrict our vessels from entering United States waters. The EPA regulates the discharge of ballast and bilge water and other substances in United States waters under the CWA. The EPA regulations require vessels 79 feet in length or longer (other than commercial fishing vessels and recreational vessels) to comply with a permit that regulates ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the normal operation of certain vessels within United States waters the Vessel General 43 Permit for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels (‘‘VGP’’). For a new vessel delivered to an owner or operator after September 19, 2009 to be covered by the VGP, the owner must submit a Notice of Intent at least 30 days before the vessel operates in United States waters. In March 2013 the EPA re-issued the VGP for another five years, and the new VGP took effect in December 2013. The VGP focuses on authorizing discharges incidental to operations of commercial vessels and the 2013 VGP contains ballast water discharge limits for most vessels to reduce the risk of invasive species in United States waters, more stringent requirements for exhaust gas scrubbers and the use of environmentally acceptable lubricants. USCG regulations adopted and proposed for adoption under the U.S. National Invasive Species Act (‘‘NISA’’), also impose mandatory ballast water management practices for all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks entering or operating in United States waters, which require 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, or otherwise restrict our vessels from entering United States waters. The USCG must approve any technology before it is placed on a vessel, but has not yet approved the technology necessary for vessels to meet the foregoing standards. However, as of January 1, 2014, vessels became technically subject to the phasing-in of these standards. As a result, the USCG has provided waivers to vessels which cannot install the as-yet unapproved technology. The EPA, on the other hand, has taken a different approach to enforcing ballast discharge standards under the VGP. In December 2013, the EPA issued an enforcement response policy in connection with the new VGP in which the EPA indicated that it would take into account the reasons why vessels do not have the requisite technology installed, but will not grant any waivers. It should also be noted that in October 2015, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that directed the EPA to redraft the sections of the 2013 VGP that address ballast water. However, the Second Circuit stated that 2013 VGP will remains in effect until the EPA issues a new VGP. Compliance with the EPA and the USCG regulations could require 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 cost, and/or otherwise restrict our vessels from entering United States waters. European Union Regulations In October 2009, the EU 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. Member States were required to enact laws or regulations to comply with the directive by the end of 2010. Criminal liability for pollution may result in substantial penalties or fines and increased civil liability claims. From January 2011, new EU legislation came into effect which bans from EU member states’ waters manifestly sub-standard vessels (vessels which have been detained twice by EU port authorities) and created obligations on EU member port states to inspect vessels using EU member ports annually, as well as increasing surveillance of vessels posing a high risk to maritime safety or the marine environment. The legislation also gave the EU port authorities great powers and control over classification societies, including the ability to request a suspension or revocation of any negligent societies continuing to have a right to retain their classification authority. In addition, new legislation also came into effect in January 2011 which introduced a ranking system displaying shipping companies which had low safety records. These records would be published on a public website updated daily. This ranking would be based upon the results of technical inspections carried out vessels and those shipping companies with positive safety records would be rewarded by being subjected to fewer inspections and in turn those shipping companies with safety or technical failings or shortcomings would be subjected to more frequent inspections. The EU has adopted new low sulphur fuel legislation which came into effect from January 2015. This requires vessels to only burn fuel with a sulphur content which does not exceed 0.1% whilst they are in the territorial waters of EU member states, or EU exclusive economic zones, pollution control zones, or Sulphur Oxide Emissions Control Areas (‘‘SOx Emissions Control Areas’’). The IMO designated ECAs in other jurisdictions, 44 such as the United States, and similar regulations also came into effect in January 2015, as discussed above under ‘‘International Maritime Organization — Air Emissions.’’ Recently, the EU has adopted regulations in relation to recycling and management of hazardous materials on all ships. Parts of such regulations concerning carrying statements of compliance and an inventory of hazardous materials, became effective starting on December 31, 2015 and EU newbuilds must be complaint by December 31, 2018 (certain provisions also come into effect between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2020 respectively). These recycling regulations apply to any vessels which are flagged under an EU member. None of our vessels are flagged under an EU member state. However, even though a vessel is flagged in a country outside of the EU, the vessel will still have to keep a record on-board an inventory of any hazardous materials on vessels and be able to submit to the relevant authorities a copy of a statement of compliance verifying this inventory. Greenhouse Gas Regulation In February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which we refer to as the Kyoto Protocol, entered into force. Pursuant to the Kyoto Protocol, adopting countries are required to implement national programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, generally referred to as greenhouse gases, which are suspected of contributing to global warming. Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol. International negotiations are continuing with respect to a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which set emission reduction targets through 2012 and has been extended with new targets through 2020 pending negotiation of a new climate change treaty that would take effect in 2020. Restrictions on shipping emissions may be included in any new treaty. In December 2009, more than 27 nations, including the United States and China, signed the Copenhagen Accord. The 2015 United Nations Convention on Climate Change Conference in Paris resulted in the Paris Agreement, which entered into force on November 4, 2016. The Paris Agreement does not directly limit greenhouse gas emissions from ships. For 2020, the EU made a unilateral commitment to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions from its member states by 20% of 1990 levels. The EU also committed to reduce its emissions by 20% under the Kyoto Protocol’s second period, from 2013 to 2020. As of January 1, 2013, all new ships must comply with two new sets of mandatory requirements to address greenhouse gas emissions from ships, which were adopted by MEPC in July 2011. Under these measures, by 2025, all new ships built will be 30% more energy efficient than those built in 2014. Currently operating ships are required to develop SEEMPs and minimum energy efficiency levels per capacity mile, outlined in the EEDI, apply to new ships. These requirements could cause us to incur additional compliance costs. In 2015, the European Parliament and Council of Ministers adopted a regulation that large ships (over 5,000 gross tons) calling at EU ports from January 2018 collect and publish data on carbon dioxide emissions and other information requiring. In the United States, the EPA has issued a finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health and safety and has adopted regulation to limit greenhouse gas emissions from certain mobile sources and large stationary sources. The EPA enforces both the United States Clean Air Act (‘‘CAA’’) and the international standards found in Annex VI of MARPOL concerning marine diesel engines, their emissions, and the sulfur content in marine fuel. Other federal and state regulations relating to the control of greenhouse gas emissions may follow, including the climate change initiatives that are being considered in the U.S. Congress. Furthermore, in the United States individual states can also enact environmental regulations. For example, California has introduced caps for greenhouse gas emission and, in the end of 2016, signaled it might take additional actions regarding climate change. In addition, the IMO is evaluating various mandatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, including market-based instruments. Any passage of climate change legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the EU, United States, IMO or other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at the international level to succeed the Kyoto Protocol or Paris Agreement, that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to make significant financial expenditures, including capital expenditures to upgrade our vessels, that we cannot predict with certainty at this time. Even in the absence of climate control legislation and regulations, our businesses may be materially affected to the extent that climate change may result in sea level changes or more intense weather events. 45 International Labour Organization The International Labour Organization (‘‘ILO’’) is a specialized agency of the UN with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The ILO has adopted the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (‘‘MLC 2006’’). A Maritime Labour Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance will be required to ensure compliance with the MLC 2006 for all ships above 500 gross tons in international trade. Amendments to the MLC 2006 were adopted in 2014 and more amendments were proposed in 2016. The MLC 2006 entered into force on August 20, 2013. The MLC 2006 requires us to develop new procedures to ensure full compliance with its requirements. Vessel Security Regulations Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the United States Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (the ‘‘MTSA’’) came into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the USCG issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The regulations also impose requirements on certain ports and facilities, some of which are regulated by the EPA. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to SOLAS created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new chapter became effective in July 2004 and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code (the ‘‘ISPS Code’’). The ISPS Code is designed to protect ports and international shipping 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. Among the various requirements, some of which are found in SOLAS, are: • • • • • • 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 and of 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 owners and their registered address; and compliance with flag state security certification requirements. Ships operating without a valid certificate may be detained at port until it obtains an ISSC, or it may be expelled from port, or refused entry at port. The USCG regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt from MTSA vessel security measures non-U.S. vessels that have on board, as of July 1, 2004, a valid ISSC attesting to the vessel’s compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. We, together with our technical managers, have implemented the various security measures addressed by the MTSA, SOLAS and the ISPS Code. Inspection by Classification Societies Every oceangoing vessel must be ‘‘classed’’ by a classification society. The classification society certifies that the vessel is ‘‘in-class’’, signifying that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the rules of International Association of Classification Standards and complies, as appointed, with applicable rules and regulations of the vessel’s country of registry and the international conventions of which that country is a member. In addition, where surveys are required by international conventions and corresponding laws and 46 ordinances of a flag state, the classification society will undertake them on application or by official order, acting on behalf of the authorities concerned. The classification society also undertakes on request other surveys and checks that are required by regulations and requirements of the flag state. These surveys are subject to agreements made in each individual case and/or to the regulations of the country concerned. For maintenance of the class, regular and extraordinary surveys of hull, machinery, and any special equipment classed are required to be performed as follows: • • • Annual Surveys. For seagoing ships, annual surveys are conducted for the hull and the machinery, including the electrical plant and, where applicable, for special equipment classed, within three months before or after each anniversary date of the date of commencement of the class period indicated in the certificate. Intermediate Surveys. Extended annual surveys are referred to as intermediate surveys and typically are conducted two and one-half years after commissioning and each class renewal. Intermediate surveys may be carried out on the occasion of the second or third annual survey. Class Renewal or Special Surveys. Class renewal surveys, also known as special surveys, are carried out for the ship’s hull, machinery, including the electrical plant and for any special equipment classed, at the intervals indicated by the character of classification for the hull. At the special survey, the vessel is thoroughly examined, including audio-gauging to determine the thickness of the steel structures. Should the thickness be found to be less than class requirements, the classification society would prescribe steel renewals. The classification society may grant a one-year grace period for completion of the special survey. Substantial amounts of money may have to be spent for steel renewals to pass a special survey if the vessel experiences excessive wear and tear. In lieu of the special survey every four or five years, depending on whether a grace period was granted, a ship owner has the option of arranging with the classification society for the vessel’s hull or machinery to be inspected on a continuous survey cycle, in which every part of the vessel would be surveyed within a five year cycle. At an owner’s application, the surveys required for class renewal may be split according to an agreed schedule to extend over the entire period of class. This process is referred to as continuous class renewal. All areas subject to survey as defined by the classification society are required to be surveyed at least once per class period, unless shorter intervals between surveys are prescribed elsewhere. The period between two subsequent surveys of each area must not exceed five years. Vessels have their underwater parts inspected every 30 to 36 months. Depending on the vessel’s classification status and constructed notation and other factors, this inspection can often be done afloat with minimal disruption to the vessel’s commercial deployment. However, vessels are required to be drydocked, meaning physically removed from the water, for inspection and related repairs at least once every five years from delivery. If any defects are found, the classification surveyor will issue a condition of class or recommendation which must be rectified by the ship owner within prescribed time limits. Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage that a vessel be certified as ‘‘in-class’’ by a classification society which is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (‘‘IACS’’). All our vessels are certified as being ‘‘in-class’’ by American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyds Register. In December 2013 the IACS adopted new harmonized Common Structural Rules, which apply to oil tankers and bulk carriers to be constructed on or after July 1, 2015. All new and second-hand vessels that we purchase must be certified prior to their delivery to us. If the vessel is not certified on the scheduled date of closing, we have no obligation to take delivery of the vessel. In addition to the classification inspections, many of our customers regularly inspect our vessels as a precondition to chartering them for voyages. We believe that our well-maintained, high-quality vessels provide us with a competitive advantage in the current environment of increasing regulation and customer emphasis on quality. 47 Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance General The operation of any cargo vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities, labor strikes and acts of God. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental incidents, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. OPA, which in certain circumstances imposes virtually unlimited liability upon owners, operators and demise charterers of any vessel trading in the U.S. exclusive economic zone for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, and other regulations have made liability insurance more expensive for vessel owners and operators trading in the U.S. market and elsewhere. While we believe that our present insurance coverage is adequate, not all risks can be insured against, and there can be no guarantee that any specific claim will be paid, or that we will always be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates. Marine and War Risks Insurance We have in force marine and war risks insurance for all of our vessels. Our marine hull and machinery insurance covers risks of particular average and actual or constructive total loss from collision, fire, grounding, engine breakdown and other insured named perils up to an agreed amount per vessel. Our war risks insurance covers the risks of particular average and actual or constructive total loss from confiscation, seizure, capture, vandalism, sabotage, and other war-related named perils. We have also arranged coverage for increased value for each vessel. Under this increased value coverage, in the event of total loss of a vessel, we will be able to recover amounts in excess of those recoverable under the hull and machinery policy in order to compensate for additional costs associated with replacement of the vessel. Each vessel is covered up to at least its fair market value at the time of the insurance attachment and is subject to a fixed deductible per accident or occurrence, but excluding actual or constructive total loss. Protection and Indemnity Insurance We have in force marine and war risks insurance for all of our vessels. Our marine hull and machinery insurance covers risks of particular average and actual or constructive total loss from collision, fire, grounding, engine breakdown and other insured named perils up to an agreed amount per vessel. Our war risks insurance covers the risks of particular average and actual or constructive total loss from confiscation, seizure, capture, vandalism, sabotage, and other war-related named perils. We have also arranged coverage for increased value for each vessel. Under this increased value coverage, in the event of total loss of a vessel, we will be able to recover amounts in excess of those recoverable under the hull and machinery policy in order to compensate for additional costs associated with replacement of the vessel. Each vessel is covered up to at least its fair market value at the time of the insurance attachment and is subject to a fixed deductible per accident or occurrence, but excluding actual or constructive total loss. Our current protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution is $1.0 billion per vessel per incident. We are a member of a P&I Club that is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs (‘‘International Group’’). The P&I Clubs 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. Although the P&I Clubs compete with each other for business, they have found it beneficial to pool their larger risks under the auspices of the International Group. This pooling is regulated by a contractual agreement which defines the risks that are to be pooled and exactly how these risks are to be shared by the participating P&I Clubs. The pool provides a mechanism for sharing all claims in excess of $10.0 million up to approximately $7.5 billion. We are subject to calls payable to the associations based on its claim record, as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual associations and members of the pool of P&I Clubs comprising the International Group. 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. 48 C. Organizational Structure Please see Item 4.A (‘‘Information on the Company — History and Development of the Company’’) in this Annual Report for information about our organizational structure. We have 46 wholly owned subsidiaries, a list of which is included as Exhibit 8.1 to this Annual Report. D. Property, Plant and Equipment Other than our vessels, a description of which is included in Item 4.B ‘‘Business Overview — Fleet List’’ of this Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference, we own no material property. We have entered into a lease with a third party for our office space in Cork, Ireland. The lease commenced on March 2016 and is for a period of 15 years, with an option to terminate the lease after ten years. We have entered into a lease which commenced on January, 2016 with a third party for office space at Hamilton, Bermuda. This lease is for a period of one year, with an option for three additional one-year terms. We have entered into leases for our offices in Singapore and Houston, Texas with third parties which commenced on October 2016 and April 2016 respectively. These leases are for periods of one year and one year, with an option for one further term in Singapore, and automatically for successive one year terms in Houston until terminated. Average aggregate payments under these leases are approximately $0.3 million per annum. As of February 28, 2017, all of our 27 vessels are subject to liens relating to our credit facilities. Item 4.A Unresolved Staff Comments None Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes thereto and other financial information, appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. The consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. General We are Ardmore Shipping Corporation, a company incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. We provide seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies, with our modern, fuel-efficient fleet of mid-size product and chemical tankers. We are commercially independent as we have no blanket employment arrangements with third-party or related-party commercial managers. We market our services directly to our broad range of customers and commercial pool operators. Our Charters We generate revenues by charging customers for the transportation of their petroleum or chemical products using our vessels. Historically, these services generally have been provided under the following basic types of contractual arrangements: • • • Time Charter. Vessels we operate and for which we are responsible for crewing and for paying other vessel operating expenses (such as repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils, communication expenses) and technical management fees, are chartered to customers for a fixed period of time at rates that are generally fixed, but may contain a variable component based on inflation, interest rates, or current market rates. Commercial Pools. Our vessels are pooled together with a group of other similar vessels for economies of scale and the earnings are pooled and distributed to the vessel owners according to a prearranged agreement. Spot Charter. We arrange spot employment for our vessels in-house or through third-party chartering managers. We are responsible for all costs associated with operating the vessel, including vessel operating expenses and voyage expenses. 49 The table below illustrates the primary distinctions among these types of charters and contracts. Typical contract length Hire rate basis(1) Voyage expenses(2) Vessel operating expenses(3) Off-hire(4) Time Charter 1 − 5 years Daily Charterer pays We pay We pay Commercial Pool Indefinite Varies (daily rate reported) Pool pays We pay We pay Spot Charter Single voyage Varies We pay We pay We pay (1) (2) (3) (4) ‘‘Hire rate’’ refers to the basic payment from the charterer for the use of the vessel. ‘‘Voyage expenses’’ are all expenses related to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls and agency fees. ‘‘Vessel operating expenses’’ are costs of operating a vessel that are incurred during a charter, including costs of crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils, communication expenses, and technical management fees. ‘‘Off-hire’’ refers to the time a vessel is not available for service, due primarily to scheduled and unscheduled repairs or drydocking. A. Operating Results Important Financial and Operational Terms and Concepts We use a variety of financial and operational terms and concepts. These include the following: Vessel Revenues. Vessel revenues primarily include revenues from time charters, spot charters and commercial pooling arrangements. Vessel revenues are affected by hire rates and the number of days a vessel operates. Vessel revenues are also affected by the mix of business among vessels on time charter, spot charter and vessels in pools. Revenues from vessels in pools or employed in the spot market are more volatile, as they are typically tied to prevailing market rates. Voyage Expenses. Voyage expenses are all expenses related to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls and agency fees. These expenses are subtracted from shipping revenues to calculate TCE rates (as defined below). Vessel Operating Expenses. We are responsible for vessel operating expenses, which include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils, communication expenses, and technical management fees. The largest components of our vessel operating expenses are generally crews and repairs and maintenance. Expenses for repairs and maintenance tend to fluctuate from period to period because most repairs and maintenance typically occur during periodic drydockings. We expect these expenses to increase as our fleet matures and to the extent that it expands. Drydocking. We must periodically drydock each of our vessels for inspection, and any modifications to comply with industry certification or governmental requirements. Generally, each vessel is drydocked every 30 to 60 months. The capitalized costs of drydockings for a given vessel are depreciated on a straight line basis to the next scheduled drydocking of the vessel. Depreciation. Depreciation expense typically consists of charges related to the depreciation of the historical cost of our fleet (less an estimated residual value) over the estimated useful lives of the vessels and charges relating to the depreciation of upgrades to vessels, which are depreciated over the shorter of the vessel’s remaining useful life or the life of the renewal or upgrade. We depreciate our vessels over an estimated useful life of 25 years on a straight line basis to their residual scrap value. The rate we use to calculate the residual scrap value is $300 per lightweight ton. Amortization of Deferred Drydock Expenditure. Amortization of deferred drydock expenditure relates to the amortization of drydocking expenditures over the estimated number of years to the next scheduled drydocking. Time Charter Equivalent (‘‘TCE’’) Rates. TCE rates are a standard industry measure of the average daily revenue performance of a vessel. The TCE rate is the gross charter rate or gross pool rate, as applicable, per revenue day plus allowances paid by charterers to owners for communications, victualing and entertainment 50 costs for crew. Revenue days are the total number of calendar days the vessels are in our possession less off- hire days generally associated with drydocking or repairs. For vessels employed on voyage charters, TCE is the net rate after deducting voyage expenses incurred by commercial managers. Revenue Days. Revenue days are the total number of calendar days our vessels were in our possession during a period, less the total number of off-hire days during the period generally associated with repairs or drydockings. Idle days, which are days when a vessel is available to earn revenue, yet is not employed, are included in revenue days. We use revenue days to show changes in net voyage revenues between periods. Operating Days. Operating days are the number of days our vessels are in operation during the year. Where a vessel is under our ownership for a full year, operating days will generally equal calendar days. Days when a vessel is in drydock are included in the calculation of operating days, as we incur operating expenses while in drydock. Net Voyage Revenues. Net voyage revenues represent revenues less voyage expenses. Because the amount of voyage expenses we incur for a particular charter depends upon the type of the charter, we use net voyage revenues to improve the comparability between periods of reported revenues that are generated by the different types of charters and contracts. We principally use net voyage revenues, a non-GAAP financial measure, because it provides more meaningful information to us about the deployment of our vessels and their performance than revenues, the most directly comparable financial measure under U.S. GAAP. Commercial Pools. To increase vessel utilization and thereby revenues, we participate in commercial pools with other ship owners of similar modern, well-maintained vessels. By operating a large number of vessels as an integrated transportation system, commercial pools offer customers greater flexibility while achieving scheduling efficiencies. Pools typically employ experienced commercial charterers and operators who have close working relationships with customers and brokers, while technical management is performed by each ship owner. Pools negotiate charters with customers primarily in the spot market. The size and scope of these pools enhance utilization rates for pool vessels by securing backhaul voyages and contracts of affreightment, which may generate higher effective TCE revenues than otherwise might be obtainable in the spot market, while providing a higher level of service offerings to customers. Factors You Should Consider When Evaluating Our Results We face a number of risks associated with our business and industry and must overcome a variety of challenges to utilize our strengths and implement our business strategy. These risks include, among others: the highly cyclical tanker industry; partial dependence on spot charters; fluctuating charter values; changing economic, political and governmental conditions affecting our industry and business; material changes in applicable laws and regulations; level of performance by counterparties, particularly charterers; acquisitions and dispositions; increased operating expenses; increased capital expenditures; taxes; maintaining customer relationships; maintaining sufficient liquidity; financing availability and terms; and management turnover. Ship-owners base economic decisions regarding the deployment of their vessels upon actual and anticipated TCE rates, and industry analysts typically measure rates in terms of TCE rates. This is because under time charters the customer typically pays the voyage expenses, while under voyage charters, also known as spot market charters, the shipowner usually pays the voyage expenses. Accordingly, the discussion of revenue below focuses on TCE rates where applicable. Recent Fleet Growth Our current fleet consists of 27 double-hulled product and chemical tankers all of which are in operation. We acquired 17 of our vessels as second-hand vessels, of which ten of our vessels were upgraded to increase efficiency and improve performance. In 2014, 2015, and 2016 we paid an aggregate of $209.7 million, $232.5 million and $174.0 million respectively, for vessel acquisitions, vessel equipment and newbuilding orders. As of December 31, 2010, our operating fleet consisted of four vessels. During 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 we acquired or took delivery of two, six, ten and six vessels, respectively. 51 In 2016, we took delivery of the following second-hand product and chemical tankers: • • • • • • Ardmore Endurance in August 2016; Ardmore Explorer in September 2016; Ardmore Engineer in September 2016; Ardmore Encounter in September 2016; Ardmore Exporter in September 2016; Ardmore Enterprise in November 2016; Operating Results The following tables present our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 Year Ended INCOME STATEMENT DATA REVENUE Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $164,403,938 Dec. 31, 2016 OPERATING EXPENSES Commissions and voyage related costs . . . . . . . . . Vessel operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of deferred dry dock expenditure . . . General and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Profit/(loss) from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest expense and finance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest income Loss on disposal of vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Profit/(loss) before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net profit/(loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 37,121,398 56,399,979 30,091,237 2,715,109 14,077,212 140,404,935 23,999,003 (17,754,118) 164,629 (2,601,148) 3,808,366 (60,434) 3,747,932 Dec 31, 2015 Variance Variance (%) 157,882,259 6,521,679 4% 30,137,173 46,416,510 24,157,022 2,120,974 10,748,622 113,580,301 44,301,958 (12,282,704) 15,571 (6,984,225) (9,983,469) (5,934,215) (594,135) (3,328,590) (26,824,634) (20,302,955) (5,471,414) 149,058 — (2,601,148) (28,226,459) 19,426 (28,207,033) 32,034,825 (79,860) 31,954,965 (23)% (22)% (25)% (28)% (31)% (24)% (46)% (45)% 957% 100% (88)% 24% (88)% Revenue. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $164.4 million, an increase of $6.5 million from $157.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The average number of owned vessels increased to 24.1 for the year ended December 31, 2016, from 19.8 for the year ended December 31, 2015, resulting in revenue days of 8,635 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 7,069 for the year ended December 31, 2015. We had 10 and 16 vessels employed under time charter and pool arrangements as at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Revenue days derived from time charter and pool arrangements were 4,477 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 4,474 for the year ended December 31, 2015. Lower charter rates for the year ended December 31, 2016 resulted in a decrease in revenue of $3.1 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. We had 17 and eight vessels employed directly in the spot market as at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. For spot chartering arrangements, we had 4,158 revenue days for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 2,595 for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase in revenue days derived from spot chartering arrangements resulted in an increase in revenue of $50.5 million, offset by a $41.0 million decrease in spot market revenue related to softer market conditions. 52 For vessels employed directly in the spot market, revenue is recognized on a gross freight basis, while under time chartering and pool arrangements, the charterer typically pays voyage expenses and revenue is recognized on a net basis. Commissions and voyage related costs. Commissions and voyage related costs were $37.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $7.0 million from $30.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Revenue days increased to 8,635 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 7,069 for the year ended December 31, 2015. For spot chartering arrangements, we had 4,158 revenue days for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 2,595 for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase in revenue days resulted in an increase in commissions and voyage related expenses of $7.0 million. For vessels employed directly in the spot market, all voyage expenses are borne by us as opposed to the charterer, while under time chartering and pool arrangements, the charterer typically pays voyage expenses. TCE rate. The TCE rate for our fleet was $14,785 per day for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $3,524 per day from $18,309 per day for the year ended December 31, 2015. Vessel operating expenses. Vessel operating expenses were $56.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $10.0 million from $46.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase is primarily due to an increase in the number of vessels in operation for 2016. Due to the nature of this expenditure, vessel operating expenses are prone to fluctuations between periods. Average operating costs per vessel per day, including technical management fees, were $6,405 for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $6,333 for the year ended December 31, 2015 Depreciation. Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $30.1 million, an increase of $5.9 million from $24.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase is due to an increase in the average number of owned vessels to 24.1 for 2016 from 19.8 for 2015. Amortization of deferred dry dock expenditure. Amortization of deferred dry dock expenditure for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $2.7 million, as compared to $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase is due to the timing of scheduled drydockings occurring across the fleet; there were five drydockings in 2016 as compared to three in 2015. The capitalized costs of drydockings for a given vessel are depreciated on a straight-line basis to the next scheduled drydocking of the vessel. General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $14.1 million, as compared to $10.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase reflects additional staff and travel costs associated with operating a larger fleet. Average headcount increased to 36 for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 25 for the year ended December 31, 2016. Non- recurring transactions fees of $0.9 million were also incurred in 2016. Interest expense and finance costs (which include loan interest, capital Interest expense and finance costs. lease interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and are net of capitalized interest) for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $17.8 million, as compared to $12.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Cash interest expense increased by $1.3 million to $14.3 million for 2016 from $13.0 million for 2015. The increase in interest expense and finance costs was primarily as a result of an increase in costs following the delivery of the six acquired vessels, partially offset by a reduction in the interest expense following the refinancing of debt completed during the first quarter of 2016 and the sale of the Ardmore Calypso, Ardmore Capella and Ardmore Centurion. Capitalized interest, which relates to vessels under construction, amounted to nil for 2016, as compared to $2.4 million for 2015 as there were no vessels under construction during 2016. Amortization of deferred financing charges for 2016 was $3.4 million, compared to $1.7 million for 2015. The 2016 amount includes a write-off of deferred finance fees of $0.6 million relating to the sale of the Ardmore Calyspo, the Ardmore Capella and the Ardmore Centurion. 53 Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 Year Ended INCOME STATEMENT DATA REVENUE Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $157,882,259 Dec. 31, 2015 OPERATING EXPENSES 30,137,173 Commissions and voyage related costs . . . . . . . . . 46,416,510 Vessel operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,157,022 Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,120,974 Amortization of deferred dry dock expenditure . . . 10,748,622 General and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . 113,580,301 Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,301,958 Profit/(loss) from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (12,282,704) Interest expense and finance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,571 Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32,034,825 Profit/(loss) before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (79,860) Income tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net profit/(loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 31,954,965 Dec 31, 2014 Variance Variance (%) 67,326,634 90,555,625 135% 7,004,045 29,447,876 14,854,885 2,031,100 8,178,666 61,516,572 5,810,062 (4,119,283) 16,444 1,707,223 (46,749) 1,660,474 (23,133,128) (16,968,634) (9,302,137) (89,874) (2,569,956) (52,063,729) 38,491,896 (8,163,421) (873) 30,327,602 (33,111) 30,294,491 (330)% (58)% (63)% (4)% (31)% (85)% 663% (198)% (5)% 1.776% (71)% 1,824% Revenue. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $157.9 million, an increase of $90.6 million from $67.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The average number of owned vessels increased to 19.8 for 2015 from 12.1 for 2014, resulting in revenue days of 7,061 in 2015 as compared to 4,280 in 2014. We had 16 and 11 vessels employed under time charter and pool arrangements as at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Revenue days derived from time charter and pool arrangements were 4,473 in 2015 as compared to 3,802 in 2014. The increase in revenue days in time charter and pool arrangements resulted in an increase in revenue of $9.5 million while improving market conditions resulted in additional revenue of $11.1 million. We had eight vessels and three vessels employed under direct spot chartering arrangements as at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For spot chartering arrangements we had 2,588 revenue days in 2015 as compared to 478 in 2014. This increase in revenue days derived from spot chartering arrangements resulted in an increase in revenue of $60.2 million, while improving market conditions further increased spot chartering revenue by $9.8m. As discussed above, under direct spot chartering arrangements, revenue is recognized on a gross charter basis, whereas under time chartering and pooling arrangements, the charterer typically pays voyage expenses and revenue is recognized on a net basis. Commissions and voyage related costs. Commissions and voyage related costs were $30.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Revenue days increased to 7,061 in 2015 as compared to 4,280 in 2014. For spot chartering arrangements we had 2,588 revenue days in 2015 as compared to 478 in 2014. This increase in revenue days derived from spot chartering arrangements resulted in an increase in commissions and voyage related expenses of $23 million. As discussed above under direct spot chartering arrangements, all voyage expenses are borne by us as opposed to the charterer, while under time charter and pooling arrangements, the charterer typically pays the voyage expenses. TCE rate. The TCE rate for our fleet was $18,309 per day for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $3,916 per day from $14,393 per day for the year ended December 31, 2014. Vessel operating expenses. Vessel operating expenses were $46.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $17.0 million from $29.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase is primarily due to an increase in the number of vessels in operation for the year ended December 31, 2015. Due to the nature of this expenditure, vessel operating expenses are prone to fluctuations between periods. Fleet 54 operating costs per day, including technical management fees, were $6,333 for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to $6,556 for the year ended December 31, 2014. Depreciation. Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $24.2 million, an increase of $9.3 million from $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase is due to an increase in the average number of owned vessels to 19.8 for the year ended December 31, 2015, from 12.1 for the year ended December 31, 2014. Amortization of deferred dry dock expenditure. Amortization of deferred dry dock expenditure for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $2.1 million, as compared to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase is due to the timing of scheduled drydockings occurring across the fleet. The capitalized costs of drydockings for a given vessel are depreciated on a straight line basis to the next scheduled drydocking of the vessel. General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $10.7 million, as compared to $8.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase reflects additional staff and travel costs associated with operating a larger fleet of $1.5 million and $0.7 million respectively. We took delivery of ten new-buildings during 2015 and average headcount increased to 25 for 2015 from 17 for 2014. As a result, other miscellaneous costs also increased by $0.3 million. Interest expense and finance costs (which include loan interest, capital Interest expense and finance costs. lease interest, amortization of deferred financing fees and are net of capitalized interest) for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $12.3 million, as compared to $4.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Cash interest expense increased by $5.9 million to $13.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 from $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. This was the result of an increase in the average debt balance following the delivery of ten vessels since December 31, 2015. Capitalized interest, which relates to vessels under construction, amounted to $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Amortization of deferred financing charges for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $1.7 million, compared to $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 B. Liquidity and Capital Resources Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents with the majority of our cash in the currency of U.S. Dollars, cash flows provided by our operations, our undrawn credit facilities and capital raised through financing transactions. As at December 31, 2016, our total cash and cash equivalents were $56.0 million, an increase of $15.9 million from $40.1 million as at December 31, 2015, following payments made for vessels under construction. We believe that our working capital, together with expected cash flows from operations and availability under credit facilities, will be sufficient for our present requirements. Our short-term liquidity requirements include the payment of operating expenses, drydocking expenditures, debt servicing costs, dividends on our shares of common stock, scheduled repayments of long-term debt, as well as funding our other working capital requirements. Our short-term and spot charters, including participating in spot charter pooling arrangements, contribute to the volatility of our net operating cash flow, and thus our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our short-term liquidity needs. Historically, the tanker industry has been cyclical, experiencing volatility in profitability and asset values resulting from changes in the supply of, and demand for, vessel capacity. In addition, tanker spot markets historically have exhibited seasonal variations in charter rates. Tanker spot markets are typically stronger in the winter months as a result of increased oil consumption in the northern hemisphere and unpredictable weather patterns that tend to disrupt vessel scheduling. Time charters provide contracted revenue that reduces the volatility (as rates can fluctuate within months) and seasonality from revenue generated by vessels that operate in the spot market. Commercial pools reduce revenue volatility because they aggregate the revenues and expenses of all pool participants and distribute net earnings to the participants based on an agreed upon formula. Spot charters preserve flexibility to take advantage of increasing rate environments, but also expose the ship-owner to decreasing rate environments. Our long-term capital needs are primarily for capital expenditures and debt repayment. Generally, we expect that our long-term sources of funds will be cash balances, long-term bank borrowings and other debt or equity 55 financings. We expect that we will rely upon internal and external financing sources, including, cash balances, bank borrowings and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund acquisitions and expansion capital expenditures. Our credit facilities and capital leases are described in Notes 9 (‘‘Debt’’) and 10 (‘‘Capital leases’’) to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report. Our financing facilities contain covenants and other restrictions we believe are typical of debt financing collateralized by vessels, including those that restrict the relevant subsidiaries from incurring or guaranteeing additional indebtedness, granting certain liens, and selling, transferring, assigning or conveying assets. Our financing facilities do not impose a restriction on dividends, distributions, or returns of capital unless an event of default has occurred, is continuing or will result from such payment. Our financing facilities require us to maintain various financial covenants. Should we not meet these financial covenants or other covenants, the lenders may declare our obligations under the agreements immediately due and payable, and terminate any further loan commitments, which would significantly affect our short-term liquidity requirements. As at December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with all covenants relating to our financing facilities. Cash Flow Data for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 CASH FLOW DATA . . . . . . . . . . . Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net cash provided by financing activities Dec 31, 2016 $ 42,634,500 $(122,311,231) $ 95,520,221 For the years ended Dec 31, 2015 37,659,686 (232,849,734) 175,419,834 Dec 31, 2014 12,421,127 (209,741,529) 200,339,153 Cash provided by operating activities Changes in net cash flow from operating activities primarily reflect changes in fleet size, fluctuations in spot tanker rates, changes in interest rates, fluctuations in working capital balances, and the timing and the amount of drydocking expenditures, repairs and maintenance activities. Our exposure to the highly cyclical spot tanker market and the growth of our fleet have contributed significantly to historical fluctuations in operating cash flows. For the year ended December 31, 2016, cash flow provided by operating activities was $42.6 million. Net profit (after adding back depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items) was an inflow of $43.8 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in an inflow of $1.9 million and drydock payments were $3.1 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, cash flow provided by operating activities was $37.7 million. Net profit (after adding back depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items) was an inflow of $61.4 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in an outflow of $20.4 million and drydock payments were $3.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2014, cash flow provided by operating activities was $12.4 million. Net profit (after adding back depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items) resulted in a cash inflow of $20.8 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in an outflow of $3.5 million and drydock payments were $4.9 million. Cash used by investing activities For the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash used in investing activities was $122.3 million. Payments for vessel equipment and vessels acquired were $174.0 million for 2016. Proceeds from sale of vessels were $52.7 million. Payments for office equipment, and fixtures and fittings and leasehold improvements were $1.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash used in investing activities was $232.9 million. Payments for the completion of vessels under construction, along with vessel equipment, were $232.5 million for 2015. Payments for office equipment, and fixtures and fittings during the year were $0.4 million. For the year ended December 31, 2014, net cash used in investing activities was $209.7 million. Investment in second-hand vessels, the completion of vessels and vessel equipment was $152.2 million. Payments made 56 during the year for vessels still under construction at December 31, 2014 were $57.5 million. In addition to these outflows, we spent $0.06 million on other assets for the year ended December 31, 2014, which primarily relates to expenditure on IT infrastructure and further office fit out. Cash provided by financing activities For the year ended December 31, 2016, the net cash provided by financing activities was $95.6 million. Drawdowns of long-term debt amounted to $110.0 million and repayments of debt amounted to $42.2 million. Total principal repayments of the capital lease arrangement were $27.1 million and total proceeds from capital lease were $9.3 million. We also incurred payments of $6.0 million relating to deferred finance charges for loan facilities. Quarterly cash dividends paid for 2016 were $9.3 million and $3.0 million was used to repurchase common stock. In June 2016, we completed a public offering of 7,500,000 of our common shares for net proceeds of $63.9 million. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the net cash provided by financing activities was $175.4 million. Drawdowns of long-term debt amounted to $216.5 million and repayments of debt amounted to $24.8 million. Total principal repayments of the capital lease arrangement were $1.7 million. We also incurred payments of $1.6 million relating to deferred finance charges for loan facilities, and for commitment fees payable in respect of other financing committed for vessels which were under construction. Quarterly cash dividends paid were $13 million for 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the net cash provided by financing activities was $200.3 million. Drawdowns of senior debt totalled $128.6 million and repayments of senior debt totalled $12.8 million. Repayments of the capital lease arrangement amounted to $1.6 million in 2014. We also incurred $5.7 million of deferred finance charges for senior loan facilities, along with commitment fees payable in respect of financing committed for vessels under construction. Gross proceeds from our equity public offering in March 2014 were $108.7 million, which was partially offset by $6 million of offering related expenses. Quarterly dividends paid during 2014 were $9.6 million. Payments for repurchases of our common shares pursuant to our share repurchase plan were $1.3 million. Capital Expenditures Drydock Five of our vessels completed drydock surveys in 2016. The drydocking schedule for our vessels that were in operation as of December 31, 2016 is as follows: Number of vessels in drydock (excluding in-water surveys) . . . . . . . For the years ended December 31 2017 8 2018 7 2019 9 2020 11 We will continue to seek to stagger drydockings across the fleet. As our fleet matures and expands, our drydock expenses are likely to increase. Ongoing costs for compliance with environmental regulations and society classification surveys are a component of our vessel operating expenses. Newbuildings We currently have no newbuildings on order. However, our growth strategy contemplates expansion of our fleet through vessel acquisitions and newbuildings. Upgrades We intend to continue our investment program for vessel upgrades, primarily following acquisition of second-hand vessels, where feasible to maintain operational efficiency, optimum commercial performance and preservation of asset value. 57 Dividends On February 29, May 31 and August 31, 2016, we paid cash dividends on our common stock of $0.13, $0.16 and $0.11 per share, respectively. We did not pay a dividend for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016. On April 2, 2015, we introduced our Dividend Reinvestment Plan. The plan allows existing shareholders to purchase additional common shares by automatically reinvesting all or any portion of the cash dividends paid on common shares held by the plan participant. On September 8, 2015, we announced a change to our dividend policy to a constant payout ratio policy. Under the new policy we expect to pay out as dividends on a quarterly basis 60% of Earnings from Continuing Operations (which represents our earnings per share reported under U.S. GAAP as adjusted for unrealized and realized gains and losses and extraordinary items). Share Repurchase Plan In November 2014, we announced that our board of directors approved a share repurchase plan with authorization to buy up to $20 million of shares of the Company’s common stock for up to three years. In August 2016, we announced that our board of directors approved an increase in the size of our share repurchase plan increasing the amount of shares of our common stock that we are authorized to buy from up to a total of $20 million to up to a total of $25 million. As at February 28, 2017, we have $20.7 million remaining to repurchase shares under the share repurchase plan. We may repurchase these shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, at times and prices that are considered to be appropriate by us, but we are not obligated under the terms of the program to repurchase any shares, and at any time we may suspend, delay or discontinue the share repurchase plan. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we repurchased none of our shares of common stock. During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, we repurchased 366,347 shares under our repurchase plan, at a weighted-average price of $8.20 per share (including fees and commission of $0.03 per share) for a total of approximately $3 million. C. Research and Development, Patent and Licences, etc. Not applicable D. Trend Information Our results of operations depend primarily on the charter hire rates that we are able to realize for our vessels, which primarily depend on the demand and supply dynamics characterizing the tanker market at any given time. The oil tanker industry has been highly cyclical in recent years, experiencing volatility in charter hire rates and vessel values resulting from changes in the supply of and demand for crude oil and tanker capacity. For other trends affecting our business, please see the other discussions above in this Item 4 (‘‘Information on the Company — Business Overview — The International Product and Chemical Tanker Industry’’) and Item 5 (‘‘Operating and Financial Review and Prospects’’). E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources. 58 F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations The following table sets forth our obligations on vessel finance and certain other obligations as at December 31, 2016. As of that date, we had no such obligations or commitments due after the year ending December 31, 2023. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Debt Capital lease(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest expense(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Office space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FY 2017 $44,313,149 1,095,000 17,292,888 339,445 63,040,482 FY 2018 − 2020 $126,669,864 4,164,800 50,785,647 812,460 182,432,771 FY 2021 − 2023 $293,283,444 7,602,800 21,968,558 541,640 323,396,442 Total $464,266,457 12,862,600 90,047,093 1,693,545 568,869,695 (1) Capital lease relates to amounts payable under bareboat arrangements and includes interest expenses and lease amortization. (2) The interest expense on our loans is variable and based on LIBOR. The amounts in the above schedule were calculated using the average three month forward rate each year plus a margin of 2.59%, which is the weighted average margin on our senior loan facilities. Critical Accounting Estimates In the application of our accounting policies, which are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we are required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, and revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. The significant judgments and estimates are as follows: If a time charter agreement exists, the rate is fixed or determinable, service is Revenue recognition. provided and collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured, then we recognize revenues over the term of the time charter. We do not recognize revenue during days the vessel is offhire. Where the time charter contains a profit or loss sharing arrangement, the profit or loss is recognized based on amounts earned or incurred as of the reporting date. Revenues and voyage expenses of our vessels operating in commercial pooling arrangements are pooled with the revenues and voyage expenses of other pool participants. The resulting net pool revenues, calculated on the time charter equivalent basis, are allocated to the pool participants according to an agreed upon formula. The formulas used to allocate net pool revenues vary among different pools but generally allocate revenues to pool participants on the basis of the number of days a vessel operates in the pool with weighted adjustments made to reflect the vessels’ differing capacities and performance capabilities. We account for our vessels’ share of net pool revenue on the allocated time charter equivalent on a monthly basis. Net pool revenues due from the pool are included in trade receivables. Revenues from voyage charters on the spot market are recognized ratably on a discharge-to-discharge basis (i.e. from when cargo is discharged (unloaded) at the end of one voyage to when it is discharged after the next voyage), provided an agreed irrevocable charter between us and the charterer is in existence, the charter rate is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue under voyage charters is not recognized until a charter has been agreed, even if the vessel has discharged its previous cargo and is proceeding to an anticipated port of loading. Shares-Based Compensation. We grant share-based payment awards, such as restricted stock units, as incentive-based compensation to certain employees. We granted Stock Appreciation Rights (‘‘SARs’’) to certain employees and officers in August 2013, March 2014, June 2014, March 2015 and January 2016. We measure the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity 59 instruments at the date on which they are granted, which we calculate according to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘‘FASB’’) Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation. (‘‘ASC 718’’). Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determining the most appropriate valuation model, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determining the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model, including the expected life of the award, volatility and dividend yield, and making certain other assumptions about the award. Depreciation. Vessels are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful economic life from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. The useful life of our vessels is estimated at 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Depreciation is based on cost less estimated residual scrap value. Residual scrap value is estimated as the lightweight tonnage of each vessel multiplied by the estimated scrap value per ton. The estimated scrap value is reviewed each year. Vessel impairment. Vessels and equipment that are ‘‘held and used’’ are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. When such indicators are present, a vessel to be held and used is tested for recoverability by comparing the estimate of future undiscounted net operating cash flows expected to be generated by the use of the vessel over its remaining useful life and its eventual disposition to its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value is in excess of the estimated future undiscounted net operating cash flows. The impairment loss is measured based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair market value of the asset. Net operating cash flows are determined by applying various assumptions regarding future revenues net of commissions, operating expenses, scheduled drydockings, expected offhire and scrap values. These assumptions are based on historical trends as well as future expectations. Specifically, in estimating future charter rates, management takes into consideration rates currently in effect for existing time charters and estimated daily time charter equivalent rates for each vessel class for the unfixed days over the estimated remaining lives of each of the vessels. The estimated daily time charter equivalent rates used for unfixed days are based on a combination of internally forecasted rates that are consistent with forecasts provided to senior management and our board of directors, and the trailing 10-year historical average one-year time charter rates, based on average rates published by maritime researchers. Recognizing that rates tend to be cyclical, and subject to significant volatility based on factors beyond our control, and management believes the use of estimates based on the combination of internally forecasted rates and 10-year historical average rates calculated as of the reporting date to be reasonable. Estimated outflows for operating expenses and drydocking requirements are based on historical and budgeted costs and are adjusted for assumed inflation. Utilization is based on historical levels achieved and estimates of a residual value are consistent with scrap rates used in management’s evaluation of scrap value. Although management believes that the assumptions used to evaluate potential impairment are reasonable and appropriate at the time they were made, such assumptions are highly subjective and likely to change, possibly materially, in the future. There can be no assurance as to how long charter rates and vessel values will remain at their current levels or whether they will improve by a significant degree. If charter rates were to be at depressed levels, future assessments of vessel impairment would be adversely affected. In recent years, the market values of vessels have experienced particular volatility, with substantial declines in many of the charter-free market values, or basic market values, of various vessel classes. As a result, our vessels may have declined below those vessels’ carrying values, even though we did not impair those vessels’ carrying values under our impairment accounting policy. This is due to our belief that future undiscounted cash flows expected to be earned by such vessels over their operating lives would exceed such vessels’ carrying amounts. Our estimates of basic market value assume that our vessels are all in good and seaworthy condition without the need for repair and, if inspected, that they would be certified in class without notations of any kind. Our estimates are based on the estimated market values for our vessels that we have received from independent ship brokers, reports by industry analysts and data providers that focus on our industry and related dynamics 60 affecting vessel values, and news and industry reports of similar vessel sales. Vessel values are highly volatile and as such, our estimates may not be indicative of the current or future basic market value of our vessels or prices that we could achieve if we were to sell them. The table below indicates the carrying value of each of our owned vessels as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, at which time we were not holding any of the vessels listed in the table below as held for sale. We believe that the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be earned by those vessels of our fleet that have experienced a decline in charter-free market value below such vessels’ carrying value over their operating lives would exceed such vessels’ carrying values as of December 31, 2016, and, accordingly, have not recorded an impairment charge. Carrying value includes, as applicable, drydock, upgrades, capitalized interest, supervision fees and other newbuilding pre-delivery costs. Deposits paid, or costs incurred, in relation to the acquisition of second-hand vessels are not presented in the table below. Ardmore Seavaliant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seaventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seavantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seavanguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Sealion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seafox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seawolf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seahawk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Endeavour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Enterprise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Endurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Encounter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Exporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seafarer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seatrader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seamaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seamariner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Sealeader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Sealifter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Dauntless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Defender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Centurion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Cherokee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Cheyenne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Chinook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Chippewa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Calypso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Capella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Built 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2004 2002 2004 2006 2008 2008 2015 2015 2005 2015 2015 2015 2015 2010 2010 Carrying Value as at DWT 49,998 49,998 49,997 49,998 49,999 49,999 49,999 49,999 49,997 49,453 49,466 49,494 49,478 49,466 49,420 45,744 47,141 45,840 45,726 47,463 47,472 37,764 37,791 29,006 25,215 25,217 25,217 25,217 17,589 17,567 Dec 31, 2016 $ 34,262,668 34,966,913 36,061,469 36,182,350 33,830,879 33,866,043 34,312,408 34,735,082 32,816,175 27,779,368 27,556,773 29,072,282 29,215,366 29,163,447 29,121,802 18,354,589 16,885,419 18,495,912 20,432,294 21,906,224 21,070,011 34,428,995 34,540,079 — 29,481,020 29,719,569 30,010,758 30,425,813 — — $788,693,708 Dec 31, 2015 35,603,953 36,252,463 37,537,599 37,672,893 35,129,760 35,169,232 35,597,458 36,044,048 34,181,654 — — — — — — 19,931,834 18,570,440 20,210,571 20,776,068 22,368,373 21,816,947 35,805,905 35,913,200 19,345,625 30,678,967 30,916,192 31,203,225 31,632,901 18,783,238 18,300,747 699,443,292 We estimate that the aggregate carrying value of these vessels exceeded their aggregate basic market value by approximately $71.3 million as at December 31, 2016, $12.2 million as of December 31, 2015 and $16.4 million as at December 31, 2014. We believe that 19 of our vessels’ carrying value exceeded the basic market value as of December 31, 2016, and that eight of our vessels’ carrying values exceeded the basic 61 market value as of December 31, 2015 and that three of our vessels’ carrying value exceeded the basic market value as of December 31, 2014. We did not record an impairment of any vessels due to our impairment accounting policy, as future undiscounted cash flows expected to be earned by such vessels over their operating lives exceeded the vessels’ carrying amounts. In addition to carrying out our impairment analysis, we performed a sensitivity analysis for a 10% reduction in forecasted vessel utilization and a 10% reduction in time charter rates and, in each scenario, the future undiscounted cash flows significantly exceeded the carrying value of each of our vessels. Contingencies. Claims, suits and complaints arise in the ordinary course of our business. We provide for contingent liabilities when (i) it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Financial instruments. We believe that the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables reported in the consolidated balance sheet for those financial instruments are reasonable estimates of their fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair values of long-term debt approximate the recorded values due to the variable interest rates payable. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Please see Note 2.4 ‘‘Recent accounting pronouncements’’ to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report for a description of recently issued accounting pronouncements that may apply to us. G. Safe Harbor Forward-looking information discussed in this Item 5 includes assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events. These statements are intended as ‘‘forward-looking statements’’. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events may and often do vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Please see the section entitled ‘‘Forward-Looking Statements’’ at the beginning of this Annual Report. 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 currently consists of eight directors. Each director elected holds office for a three-year term or until his successor has been duly elected and qualified, except in the event of his death, resignation, removal or the earlier termination of his term of office. The term of office of each director is as follows: Class I directors serve for a term expiring at the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, Class II directors serve for a term expiring at the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders, and Class III directors serve for a term expiring at the 2019 annual meeting of the 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 for each director and executive officer is Cumberland House, 1 Victoria Street, 5th Floor, Hamilton HM11, Bermuda. Name Mr. Mark Cameron Mr. Brian Dunne Mr. Albert Enste Mr. Anthony Gurnee Mr. Thomas H. Hodgson Mr. Reginald Jones Mr. Niall McComiskey Mr. Alan Robert McIlwraith Age Class Position 50 50 57 57 56 57 36 61 N/A Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer III Director, Chairman of the Audit Committee, Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Director, Member of the Compensation Committee I II Chief Executive Officer, President and Director N/A Senior Vice President, Planning and Corporate Services III II II Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Chairman of the Compensation Committee Director, Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Member of the Audit Committee Director, Member of the Audit Committee 62 Name Age Class Position Mr. Curtis McWilliams Mr. Gernot Ruppelt Dr. Peter Swift Mr. Paul Tivnan 61 35 72 37 III Director, Member of the Audit Committee N/A Senior Vice President, Chartering and Business Development I Director, Member of the Compensation Committee N/A Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer Biographical information with respect to each of our directors and executive officers is set forth below. Mark Cameron is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Ardmore. Mr. Cameron joined Ardmore as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was appointed an alternate director in June 2010. From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Cameron served as Vice President, Strategy and Planning for Teekay Marine Services, Teekay Corporation’s internal ship management function. Mr. Cameron spent 11 years at sea rising to the rank of Chief Engineer with Safmarine and later AP Moller, including time served onboard bulk carriers, salvage tugs, tankers, general cargo, reefer and container ships. Mr. Cameron has held a number of senior management roles ashore specializing in integrating acquisitions covering all facets of ship management, as well as sale and purchase, newbuilding supervision, personnel management, procurement, fleet management and technical supervision. Brian Dunne is a director of the Company. Mr. Dunne is a director of a number of companies in the aviation, finance and insurance sectors, and has served as a director of Ardmore since June 2010. Mr. Dunne was the Chief Financial Officer of ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. (‘‘ACE’’) from 2005 until 2012 and was the President of the company in 2011 and 2012. ACE was the parent holding company of the reorganized Air Canada and a number of other entities including Aeroplan LP (now AIMIA Inc.) and Air Canada Jazz (now Chorus Aviation Inc.). Mr. Dunne was also a director of Air Canada from its initial public offering in 2006 until 2008. Prior to joining ACE, Mr. Dunne was Chief Financial Officer and a director of Aer Lingus Group plc. He started his career at Arthur Andersen in 1987 and became a partner in 1998. Mr. Dunne is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a post graduate diploma in Professional Accounting from the University College Dublin. Albert Enste has served as a director of Ardmore since its IPO in August 2013. Mr. Enste currently serves as an active partner and Managing Director of both Enste & American Investors Holding Gmbh and Federnfabrik Schmid AG. He also currently serves on the boards of People Guard USA and Federnfabrik Schmid AG Switzerland. Between 2006 and 2011, Mr. Enste served as the Vice President and General Manager of International Business at Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Enste headed worldwide locomotive sales as Vice President of Locomotives at DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems ADtranz and continued to hold this position, as well as that of Senior Director until 2006 with Bombardier Transportation after they acquired DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems ADtranz. Mr. Enste holds a Master of Engineering from the Technical University of Munich. Anthony Gurnee has been our President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Ardmore since 2010. Between 2006 and 2008, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Industrial Shipping Enterprises, Inc., a containership and chemical tanker company, and Chief Operating Officer of MTM Group, an operator of chemical tankers. From 1992 to 1997, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Teekay Corporation, where he led the company’s financial restructuring and initial public offering. Mr. Gurnee began his career as a financier with Citicorp, and he served for six years as a surface line officer in the US Navy, including a tour with naval intelligence. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and earned an MBA at Columbia Business School, is a CFA charter holder, and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. Thomas H. Hodgson joined Ardmore as Senior Vice President, Planning and Corporate Services in August 2016 with 10 years of experience in the commercial maritime industry following almost 23 years in the US Navy. Prior to joining Ardmore, Mr Hodgson served as Director, Maersk Broker America Inc and as Senior Financial Advisor, Corporate Finance at Maersk Broker from 2011 to 2016. Prior to Maersk Broker he was a member of the Projects team at tanker brokerage firm MJLF from 2006 through 2010. Mr. Hodgson’s career as a submarine officer in the US Navy included nearly 11 years at sea on four nuclear-powered submarines. Shore assignments included strategy development and evaluation at the US Naval War College; 63 and assignments at both the US Naval Academy and the US Merchant Marine Academy involving practical leadership and ethics instruction. He graduated with distinction from the US Naval Academy with a BS degree in Marine Engineering, holds a MS degree in National Security Affairs from the US Naval Postgraduate School and an MBA from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Reginald Jones is our Chairman and a director. Mr. Jones has been the Chairman and a director of Ardmore since 2010. Mr. Jones is a co-founder and Managing Partner of Greenbriar Equity Group LLC. Prior to founding Greenbriar in 1999, Mr. Jones spent 13 years at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he was a Managing Director and Group Head of global transportation investment banking. During his time there, Mr. Jones managed a number of the firm’s largest corporate clients and led the execution of significant transactions related to mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, and principal investments. Prior to Goldman Sachs, he worked as a consultant at Bain & Company. Mr. Jones earned a BA from Williams College and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Niall McComiskey has served as a director of Ardmore since March 2011. Mr. McComiskey is also a Managing Director at Greenbriar Equity Group LLC. Prior to joining Greenbriar, Mr. McComiskey was a Vice President at HSH Nordbank AG from 2004 to 2006, where he led many of the firm’s investment activities in the transportation sector. Previously, Mr. McComiskey worked in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group at Deutsche Bank AG. Mr. McComiskey holds a BA in economics from Yale University. He also serves as a director of Aergen Leasing and Ryan Herco Flow Solutions. Robert McIlwraith has served as a director of Ardmore since its IPO in August 2013. Mr. McIlwraith has been an owner of Redwood Management Consultants since April 2011 and has served as Chairman of the Exeter Initiative for Science and Technology (ExIST) since June 2011. He has also served as Chairman of the Trustees of AmSafe Bridport Pension Scheme since 2000, has been teaching Accounting and Finance and Management Studies at INTO University of Exeter since January 2011, became a chamber member at the Exeter Chamber of Commerce and Industry in April 2013, and has served as a Trustee of Sidmouth Hospiscare since 2011. He previously served as the President of Align Aerospace France from October 2011 to August 2012 and as a Managing Director and Executive Vice President for the global aerospace and defense business Amsafe from 1998 to 2011. Mr. McIlwraith earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cardiff University and is a Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Curtis McWilliams was appointed as a director by the board of directors in January 2016. Mr. McWilliams is a real estate industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in finance and real estate. He currently serves as a member of the Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc. Board of Directors. He retired from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer of CNL Real Estate Advisors, Inc. in 2010 after serving in the role since 2007. Mr. McWilliams was also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Trustreet Properties Inc. from 1997 to 2007, and a director of the company from 2005 to 2007. He served on the Board of Directors and as the Audit Committee Chairman of CNL Bank from 1999 to 2004 and has over 13 years of investment banking experience at Merrill Lynch & Co. Mr. McWilliams has a Master’s degree in Business, with a concentration in Finance, from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University. Gernot Ruppelt is our Senior Vice President, Chartering and Business Development. Mr. Ruppelt joined Ardmore as Director, Chartering and Business Development in 2013 and was appointed to his current position as Senior Vice President in December 2014. Mr. Ruppelt brought to Ardmore 12 years of commercial experience in the maritime business. From 2008 to 2013, he worked as a Tanker Broker at Poten & Partners, New York. During his time at Poten & Partners, Mr. Ruppelt brokered longer term deals for crude oil, product and chemical tankers working on behalf of ship-owners and operators, oil traders, refineries and oil companies. From 2001 to 2008 he worked for Maersk Broker and AP Moller — Maersk in Copenhagen, Singapore and Germany. As a broker at Maersk, Mr. Ruppelt concluded container ship contracts for third party business, and he also spent several years at Maersk’s liner organization, most recently as Trade Manager for their Pacific Eastbound trade. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers in London. He also completed the two-year ‘‘Maersk International Shipping Education’’ program and graduated from Hamburg Shipping School. 64 Peter Swift has served as a director of Ardmore since its IPO in August 2013. Dr. Swift has had a distinguished career spanning 45 years in the maritime industry, and is presently serving in non-profit and charitable directorships, including acting as the Chairman of the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme, as a Member for both the American Bureau of Shipping and the IMO Committee of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, and as a Director of the Maritime Industry Foundation. Dr. Swift was previously the Managing Director of INTERTANKO from 2000 to 2010 and a Director of Seascope Shipping Limited from 1999 to 2001. He was employed by Royal Dutch Shell from 1975 to 1999 in a range of commercial and technical roles. Dr. Swift holds a PhD in Transport Economics, an MS in Engineering degree from the University of Michigan, and a BS in Naval Architecture from the University of Durham. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. Paul Tivnan has been Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of Ardmore since June 2010. Mr. Tivnan joined Ardmore in June 2010 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in December 2012. From 2002 to 2010, he was employed at Ernst & Young, most recently, as a Senior Executive in the Financial Services Tax Advisory department specialising in international tax and corporate structuring. He was a participant in Ernst & Young’s Accelerated Leadership Program from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Tivnan holds a BA in Accounting and Finance and an MBS in Accounting each from Dublin City University. He is a graduate of the London Business School Executive Leadership program, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland, an Associate of the Irish Taxation Institute and a member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. B. Compensation of Directors and Senior Management We paid $3.24 million in aggregate compensation to members of our senior executive officers in 2016. In 2016, each of our non-employee directors annually receives cash compensation in the aggregate amount of $65,000, plus an additional fee of $20,000 for each committee for which a director serves as Chairman, $10,000 for each member of the audit committee and $5,000 for each member of other committees, plus reimbursements for actual expenses incurred while acting in their capacity as a director. Our Chairman receives an additional $65,000 per year. We paid $630,000 in aggregate compensation to our directors in 2016. Our officers and directors are eligible to receive awards under our equity incentive plan, which is described below under ‘‘— Equity Incentive Plan.’’ We do not have a retirement plan for our officers or directors. We believe that it is important to align the interests of our directors and management with those of our shareholders. In this regard, we have determined that it generally is beneficial to us and to our shareholders for our directors and management to have a stake in our long-term performance. We expect that a meaningful component of the compensation packages for our directors and management will consist of equity interests in our shares in order to provide them on an on-going basis with meaningful ownership in Ardmore. Equity Incentive Plan We currently have an equity incentive plan, the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the ‘‘plan’’), under which directors, officers, and employees (including any prospective officer or employee) of us and our subsidiaries and affiliates, and consultants and service providers to (including persons who are employed by or provide services to any entity that is itself a consultant or service provider to) us and our subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as entities wholly-owned or generally exclusively controlled by such persons, may be eligible to receive incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, unrestricted stock and other equity-based or equity-related awards that the plan administrator determines are consistent with the purposes of the plan and our interests. Subject to adjustment for changes in capitalization, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock with respect to which awards may at any time be granted under the plan will not exceed 8% of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock at the time of issuance of the award. The plan is administered by the compensation committee of our board of directors. 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 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 65 of a common share on the date of grant. Options and stock appreciation rights are 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. With respect to restricted stock units, the award recipient will be paid an amount equal to the number of vested restricted stock units multiplied by the fair market value of a common share on the date of vesting, which payment may be paid in the form of cash or common shares or a combination of both, as determined by the plan administrator. The plan administrator may grant dividend equivalents with respect to grants of restricted stock units. 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. Our board of directors may amend or terminate the plan and the plan administrator 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 without the consent of the grantee. Shareholder approval of plan amendments may be required under certain circumstances. Unless terminated earlier by our board of directors, the plan will expire ten years from the date the plan is adopted. Stock Appreciation Rights As of December 31, 2016, ASC had granted 1,349,154 SARs (inclusive of 5,779 forfeited SARs) to certain of its officers and directors under its 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. Under a SAR award, the grantee is entitled to receive the appreciation of a share of our common stock following the grant of the award. Each SAR provides for a payment of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of a share of Ardmore’s common stock at the time of exercise of the SAR over the per share exercise price of the SAR, multiplied by the number of shares for which the SAR is then exercised. Payment under the SAR will be made in the form of shares of Ardmore’s common stock, based on the fair market value of a share of Ardmore’s common stock at the time of exercise of the SAR. The weighted average exercise price for the SARs outstanding as of December 31, 2016 was $13.16 (2015: $13.87). The SAR awards provide that in no event will the appreciation per share for any portion of the SAR award be deemed to exceed four times (i.e., 400%) the per share exercise price of the SAR. In other words, the fair market value of a share of our common stock for purposes of calculating the amount payable under the SARs not deemed to exceed five times (i.e., 500%) the per share exercise price of the SAR. Any appreciation in excess of four times the per share exercise price of the SAR will be disregarded for purposes of calculating the amount payable under the SAR. As at December 31, 2016 there had been five issuances of SARs: August 2013 (1,078,125 units), March 2014 (22,118 units), June 2014 (5,595 units), March 2015 (37,797 units), and January 2016 (205,519 units). The first SARs awards vest and become exercisable ratably over five years from the date of grant of the SAR award (i.e., 20% of the shares covered by the SAR award vest on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date), and the second, third, fourth and fifth SAR awards are scheduled to vest and become exercisable ratably over three years from the date of grant of the SAR award (i.e., 33% of the shares covered by the SAR award vest on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date), subject to, and conditioned upon, the grantee’s continued service as an employee, officer or director of us or one of our subsidiaries or affiliates. However, no portion of a SAR award will be exercisable prior to July 31, 2016 unless the fair market value of a share of our common stock is equal to more than two times the SAR’s per share exercise price and has remained above such amount for 30 consecutive days. The SAR awards may receive accelerated vesting in cases of termination of service due to death or disability or in connection with a change of control of the Company. The SAR awards have a term of seven years from the date of grant and in no event will the SAR be exercisable to any extent following the seventh anniversary of the grant date. The SAR awards are subject to adjustment in the event of certain changes in capitalization or other significant corporate events, as more 66 fully set forth in the equity incentive plan document. Please see Note 19 ‘‘Share based compensation’’ to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for additional information about the SAR awards. C. Board Practices Our board of directors currently consists of eight directors, five of whom, Brian Dunne, Peter Swift, Alan Robert McIlwraith, Albert Enste, and Curtis McWilliams have been determined by our board of directors to be independent under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Our Audit Committee consists of Brian Dunne, as Chairman, Alan Robert McIlwraith, Niall McComiskey and Curtis McWilliams. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Dunne qualifies as an ‘‘audit committee financial expert’’ as such term is defined under SEC rules. Mr. McComiskey, a non-independent member of our board of directors, is an observer and does not have voting rights on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, among other things, reviews our external financial reporting, engages our external auditors, and oversees our financial reporting procedures and the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Reginald Jones (a non-independent member of our board of directors) as Chairman, Niall McComiskey and Brian Dunne. 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. The Compensation Committee consists of Reginald Jones, as Chairman, Peter Swift and Albert Enste. The Compensation Committee oversees our equity incentive plan and recommends director and senior employee compensation. Our shareholders may also nominate directors in accordance with the procedures set forth in our bylaws. There are no service contracts between us and any of our directors providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service. D. Employees As of December 31, 2016, approximately 1,027 seagoing staff serve on the vessels that we manage and approximately 45 staff serve on shore. This compares with approximately 772 seafarers and approximately 30 staff on shore as of December 31, 2015 and reflects the growth in our fleet. Many of our seafarers employed by our ship managers are unionized under various jurisdictions and are employed under various collective bargaining agreements which does expose us to a risk of potential labor unrest at times when those collective bargaining agreements are being re-negotiated. We have entered into employment agreements with five of our executives: Mark Cameron, our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; Anthony Gurnee, our President and Chief Executive Officer; Thomas H. Hodgson, our Senior Vice President, Planning and Corporate Services; Gernot Ruppelt, our Senior Vice President of Chartering and Business Development; and Paul Tivnan, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Except for Thomas H. Hodgson whose employment agreement became effective as of August 29, 2016, these employment agreements became effective as of August 1, 2013 and terminate in accordance with the terms of such agreements. 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. The employment agreements also include one year non-solicitation and one year non-compete clauses following the cessation of the employee’s employment with us. The employment agreements require that we maintain director and officer insurance and that we indemnify and hold the employee harmless against all expenses, liability and loss (including reasonable and necessary attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) in connection with any threatened or pending action, suit or proceeding, to which the employee is a party or is threatened to be made a party as a result of the employee’s employment with us. The indemnification provisions exclude fraud, willful misconduct or criminal activity on the employee’s behalf. E. Share Ownership The total amount of common stock owned by all of our officers and directors as a group is set forth below in Item 7. (‘‘Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — A. Major Shareholders’’). 67 Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions A. Major Shareholders The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership, as of February 28, 2017 (except as otherwise noted), of our common stock by: • • each person or entity known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our common stock; and all our current directors and executive officers and senior management as a group. The information provided in the table is based on information filed with the SEC and information provided to us. The number of shares beneficially owned by each person, entity, director, executive officer or other member of senior management is determined under SEC rules and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under SEC rules, a person or entity beneficially owns any shares as to which the person or entity has or shares voting or investment power. In addition, a person or entity beneficially owns any shares that the person or entity has the right to acquire as of the date 60 days after February 28, 2017 through the exercise of any stock option or other right; however, any such share are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, each person or entity has sole voting and investment power (or shares such powers with his or her spouse) with respect to the shares set forth in the following table. Beneficial Ownership Table Identity of person or group GA Holdings LLC(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donald Smith & Co., Inc.(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FMR LLC(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BlackRock Inc(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All directors and executive officers as a group(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Number 5,787,942 3,362,272 2,898,377 1,868,166 * Percentage(1) 17.24% 10.01% 8.63% 5.56% * Shares Beneficially Owned (1) Based on 33,575,610 shares of common stock outstanding on February 28, 2017. (2) This information is based on the Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on June 21, 2017. Approximately 98.6% of the limited company interests in GA Holdings LLC are owned by private investment funds managed by affiliates of Greenbriar Equity Group, LLC. Such entities and their control persons, Joel S. Beckman, Reginald L. Jones III (an Ardmore director) and Gerald Greenwald, have shared voting and investment power with respect to shares of the company held by GA Holdings LLC. (3) This information is based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 9, 2017. (4) This information is based on the Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2017. The power to dispose of or direct the disposition of these shares is shared with Abigail P. Johnson. (5) This information is based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on January 30, 2017. (6) Excludes shares owned by GA Holdings LLC and which may be deemed beneficially owned by our director Reginald Jones as described in footnote (2) above. Less than 1% of outstanding shares of our common stock. * As of February 28, 2017, we had two shareholders of record located in the United States, one of which is CEDE & CO., a nominee of The Depository Trust Company, which held an aggregate of 27,787,668 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 82.76% of our outstanding shares of common stock. We believe that the shares held by CEDE & CO. include shares of common stock beneficially owned by both 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. 68 B. Related Party Transactions Two members of our board of directors, Reginald Jones and Niall McComiskey, are affiliated with our largest shareholder, GA Holdings LLC. Anthony Gurnee, our chief executive officer and a member of our board of directors, is the beneficial owner of 1.88% of the outstanding equity interests of GA Holdings LLC. Any transaction involving the payment of compensation to a director or officer in connection with their duties to Ardmore are not related party transactions. Please see Item 6.A ‘‘Directors, Senior Management and Employees-Directors and Senior Management’’. Ardmore Shipping Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in May 2013. We commenced business operations through our predecessor company, Ardmore Shipping LLC, in April 2010. In August 2013, we completed our IPO of shares of our common stock. Prior to our IPO, GA Holdings LLC, who was our sole shareholder, exchanged its 100% interest in Ardmore Shipping LLC for 8,049,500 shares of Ardmore Shipping Corporation, and Ardmore Shipping LLC became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ardmore Shipping Corporation. In November 2015, GA Holdings LLC sold 4,000,000 of its shares of our common stock in an underwritten public offering. In June 2016, we completed a public offering of 7,500,000 common shares, of which GA Holdings LLC purchased 1,277,250 shares. As of December 31, 2016, GA Holdings LLC held 5,787,942 shares of our common stock, or approximately 17.24% of our outstanding common stock. C. Interest of Experts and Council Not applicable. 69 Item 8. Financial Information A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information See Item 18. Legal Proceedings Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we are not at present party to any legal proceedings or aware of any proceedings against us, or contemplated to be brought against us, that would have a material effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We maintain insurance policies with insurers in amounts and with coverage and deductibles as our board of directors believes are reasonable and prudent. We expect that these claims would be covered by insurance, subject to customary deductibles. Those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. Dividend Policy Under our dividend policy established in September 2015, we expect to pay our shareholders quarterly dividends of 60% of our Earnings from Continuing Operations, which represents our earnings per share reported under U.S. GAAP as adjusted for unrealized and realized gains and losses and extraordinary items. Our board of directors may review and amend our dividend policy from time to time in light of our plans for future growth and other factors. In addition, our ability to pay dividends will be subject to the amount of cash reserves established by our board of directors for the conduct of our business, restrictions in our credit facilities and the provisions of the laws of the Marshall Islands, as well as the other limitations set forth in the section of this Annual Report entitled ‘‘Risk Factors’’. B. Significant Changes Not Applicable. Item 9. The Offer and Listing A. Offer and Listing Details Shares of our common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘‘ASC’’. The high and low prices of our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange are presented for the periods listed below. FOR THE YEAR ENDED December 31, 2013(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 31, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR THE QUARTER ENDED March 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 30, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 30, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 31, 2017(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HIGH $15.84 15.41 15.07 12.69 HIGH 12.42 13.30 15.07 15.03 12.69 9.96 8.37 7.58 8.00 LOW $11.32 8.25 9.55 5.00 LOW 9.55 10.03 9.65 11.13 7.11 6.46 6.52 5.00 6.60 70 FOR THE MONTHS ENDED September 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 30, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February, 28 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 31, 2017(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HIGH $7.52 7.32 7.30 7.58 8.00 7.75 7.30 LOW $6.85 5.85 5.00 6.60 7.11 6.60 6.75 (1) Commencing with the date of our IPO on August 1, 2013 (2) For the period through March 10, 2017 B. Plan of Distribution Not applicable. C. Markets Shares of our common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘‘ASC’’. 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 Amended and Restated Bylaws have been filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to Form F-1/A (Registration Number 333-189714), declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2013. The information contained in these exhibits is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report. The rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to our shares of common stock are described in the section entitled ‘‘Description of Capital Stock’’ of our Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-213343), filed with the SEC on August 26, 2016, and hereby incorporated by reference into this Annual Report. There are no limitations on the rights to own our securities, including the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on the securities, imposed by the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands or by our Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws. C. Material Contracts Attached or incorporated by reference as exhibits to this Annual Report are the contracts we consider to be both material and not entered into in the ordinary course of business. Descriptions are included in Note 9 (‘‘Debt’’) to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report with respect to our credit facilities. Other than these contracts, we have not entered into any other material contracts in the two years immediately preceding the date of this Annual Report, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business. 71 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 of Holders The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to us and our shareholders. This discussion does not purport to deal with the tax consequences of owning common stock 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 the alternative minimum tax, persons who hold common stock as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or integrated investment, U.S. Holders whose functional currency is not the United States dollar and investors that own, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, 10% or more of the Company’s common stock, may be subject to special rules. This discussion deals only with holders who hold the common stock 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 common stock. Marshall Islands Tax Considerations 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 The following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to (a) us and (b) U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders, each as defined below, of the common shares. 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 United States Department of the Treasury (‘‘Treasury Regulations’’), all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion below is based, in part, on the description of our business as described in this annual report and assumes that we conduct our business as described herein. References in the following discussion to the ‘‘Company’’, ‘‘we’’, ‘‘our’’ and ‘‘us’’ are to Ardmore Shipping Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Operating Income: In General We anticipate that we will earn substantially all our income from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use on a time charter basis, from participation in a pool or from the performance of services directly related to those uses, all of which we refer to as ‘‘shipping income’’. Unless we qualify from an exemption from U.S. federal income taxation under either an applicable tax treaty or the rules of Section 883 of the Code (‘‘Section 883’’), as discussed below, a foreign corporation such as the Company will be subject to United States federal income taxation on its ‘‘shipping income’’ that is treated as derived from sources within the United States (‘‘U.S. source shipping income’’). For U.S. federal income tax purposes, ‘‘U.S. source shipping income’’ includes 50% of shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States. Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources entirely outside the United States. Shipping income derived from sources outside the United States will not be subject to any U.S. federal income tax. Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between U.S. ports is considered to be 100% derived from U.S. sources. However, we are not permitted by United States law to engage in the transportation of cargoes that produces 100% U.S. source shipping income. 72 Exemption of Operating Income from U.S. Federal Income Taxation Under Section 883 and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, a foreign corporation will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation of its U.S. source shipping income if: (1) it is organized in a ‘‘qualified foreign country’’ which is one that grants an ‘‘equivalent exemption’’ from tax to corporations organized in the United States in respect of each category of shipping income for which exemption is being claimed under Section 883; and (2) one of the following tests is met: (A) more than 50% of the value of its shares is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by ‘‘qualified shareholders’’, which as defined includes individuals who are ‘‘residents’’ of a qualified foreign country, to which we refer as the ‘‘50% Ownership Test’’; or (B) its shares are ‘‘primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market’’ in a qualified foreign country or in the United States, to which we refer as the ‘‘Publicly-Traded Test’’. The Marshall Islands, the jurisdiction where we and our ship-owning subsidiaries are incorporated, has been officially recognized by the IRS, as a qualified foreign country that grants the requisite ‘‘equivalent exemption’’ from tax in respect of each category of shipping income we earn and currently expect to earn in the future. Therefore, we will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation with respect to our U.S. source shipping income if we satisfy either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test. We believe that we satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test for our 2016 taxable year and therefore qualify for an exemption from tax under Section 883. We anticipate that we will continue to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test but, as discussed below, this is a factual determination made on an annual basis. We do not currently anticipate circumstances under which we would not be able to satisfy the 50% Ownership Test. Publicly-Traded Test The Treasury Regulations under Section 883 provide, in pertinent part, that shares of a foreign corporation will be considered to be ‘‘primarily traded’’ on an established securities market in a country if the number of shares of each class of stock that are traded during any taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such class that are traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country. The Company’s common shares, which constitute its sole class of issued and outstanding stock are ‘‘primarily traded’’ on the New York Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’). Under the Treasury Regulations, our common shares will be considered to be ‘‘regularly traded’’ on an established securities market if one or more classes of our shares representing more than 50% of our outstanding stock, by both total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and total value, are listed on such market, (the ‘‘listing threshold’’). Since all our common shares are listed on the NYSE, we satisfy the listing threshold. The Treasury Regulations also require that with respect to each class of stock relied upon to meet the listing threshold, (i) such class of stock traded on the market, other than in minimal quantities, on at least 60 days during the taxable year or one-sixth of the days in a short taxable year (‘‘trading frequency test’’); and (ii) the aggregate number of shares of such class of stock traded on such market during the taxable year must be at least 10% of the average number of shares of such class of stock outstanding during such year or as appropriately adjusted in the case of a short taxable year (the ‘‘trading volume test’’). We believe that we satisfy the trading frequency and trading volume tests with respect to the 2016 taxable year. Even if this were not the case, the Treasury Regulations provide that the trading frequency and trading volume tests will be deemed satisfied if, as is the case with our common shares, such class of stock is traded on an established securities market in the United States and such shares are regularly quoted by dealers making a market in such shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Treasury Regulations provide, in pertinent part, that a class of shares will not be considered to be ‘‘regularly traded’’ on an established securities market for any taxable year in which 50% or more of the vote and value of the outstanding shares of such class are owned, actually or 73 constructively under specified share attribution rules, on more than half the days during the taxable year by persons who each own 5% or more of the vote and value of such class of outstanding stock (‘‘5% Override Rule’’). For purposes of being able to determine the persons who actually or constructively own 5% or more of the vote and value of our common shares (‘‘5% Shareholders’’) the Treasury Regulations permit us to rely on those persons that are identified on Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as owning 5% or more of our common shares. The Treasury Regulations further provide that an investment company which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, will not be treated as a 5% Shareholder for such purposes. In the event the 5% Override Rule is triggered, the Treasury Regulations provide that the 5% Override Rule will nevertheless not apply if we can establish that within the group of 5% Shareholders, qualified shareholders (as defined for purposes of Section 883) own sufficient number of shares to preclude non-qualified shareholders in such group from owning 50% or more of our common shares for more than half the number of days during the taxable year. We believe that we satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test for the 2016 taxable year and were not subject to the 5% Override Rule, and we intend to take that position on our 2016 U.S. federal income tax returns. However, there are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of the Section 883 exemption for any future taxable year. For example, there is a risk that we could no longer qualify for Section 883 exemption for a particular taxable year if one or more 5% Shareholders were to own 50% or more of our outstanding common shares on more than half the days of the taxable year. Under these circumstances, we would be subject to the 5% Override Rule and we would not qualify for the Section 883 exemption unless we could establish that our shareholding during the taxable year was such that non-qualified 5% Shareholders did not own 50% or more of our common shares on more than half the days of the taxable year. Under the Treasury Regulations, we would have to satisfy certain substantiation requirements regarding the identity of our shareholders. These requirements are onerous and there is no assurance that we would be able to satisfy them. Given the factual nature of the issues involved, we can give no assurances in regards to our or our subsidiaries’ qualification for the Section 883 exemption. Taxation in Absence of Section 883 Exemption If the benefits of Section 883 are unavailable, our U.S. source shipping income would be subject to a 4% tax imposed by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without the benefit of deductions, or the ‘‘4% gross basis tax regime’’, to the extent that such income is not considered to be ‘‘effectively connected’’ with the conduct of a United States trade or business, as described below. Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more than 50% of our shipping income would be treated as being U.S. source shipping income, the maximum effective rate of U.S. federal income tax on our shipping income would never exceed 2% under the 4% gross basis tax regime. To the extent our U.S. source shipping income is considered to be ‘‘effectively connected’’ with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, as described below, any such ‘‘effectively connected’’ U.S. source shipping income, net of applicable deductions, would be subject to U.S. federal income tax, currently imposed at rates of up to 35%. 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. Our United States source shipping income would be considered ‘‘effectively connected’’ with the conduct of a United States trade or business only if: • • we have, or are considered to have, a fixed place of business in the United States involved in the earning of U.S. source shipping income; and substantially all of our U.S. source shipping income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation, such as the operation of a vessel that follows a published schedule with repeated sailings at regular intervals between the same points for voyages that begin or end in the United States. 74 We do not intend to have, or permit circumstances that would result in having, any vessel sailing to or from the United States on a regularly scheduled basis. Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of our shipping operations and other activities, it is anticipated that none of our U.S. source shipping income will be ‘‘effectively connected’’ with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. United States Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels Regardless of whether we qualify for an exemption under Section 883, 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 United States 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 our 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 non-taxable 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 will not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us. Dividends paid with respect to our common 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. Subject to applicable limitations, including a holding period requirement, 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 U.S. (such as the NYSE, on which our common shares are traded); and (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 (which, as discussed below, we do not believe that we are or will be for any future taxable years). 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, although, as described above, we expect such dividends to be so eligible provided an eligible non-corporate U.S. Holder meets all applicable requirements. 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. 75 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. 3.8% Tax on Net Investment Income For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or, in certain cases, a trust, will generally be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the U.S. Holder’s net investment income for the taxable year and (2) the excess of the U.S. Holder’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000). A U.S. Holder’s net investment income will generally include distributions we make on the common stock which are treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes and capital gains from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common stock. This tax is in addition to any income taxes due on such investment income. 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 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: • • 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); or at least 50% of the average value of our assets during such taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income. For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, cash held by us will be treated as passive assets. 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. Based on our current and anticipated operations, we do not believe that we are currently a PFIC or will be treated as a PFIC for any future taxable year. Our belief is based principally on the position that the gross income we derive from our time chartering activities should constitute services income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, such income should not constitute passive income, and the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular, the vessels, should not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. There is substantial legal authority supporting this position consisting of case law and IRS pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court of law will accept this position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC. In addition, 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 United States Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the United States Holder makes an 76 election to treat us as a ‘‘Qualified Electing Fund’’ (‘‘QEF election’’). As an alternative to making a QEF election, a United States Holder should be able to make a ‘‘mark-to-market’’ election with respect to our common shares, as discussed below. A United States holder of shares in a PFIC will be required to file an annual information return on IRS Form 8621 containing information regarding the PFIC as required by applicable Treasury Regulations. Taxation of United States Holders Making a Timely QEF Election If a United States Holder makes a timely QEF election, which United States Holder we refer to as an ‘‘Electing Holder’’, the Electing Holder must report for United States 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 United States Holders would 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 one copy of IRS Form 8621 with its United States federal income tax return for the first year in which it held such shares when we were a PFIC. If we determine that we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we would provide each United States Holder with all necessary information in order to make the QEF election described above. Taxation of United States Holders Making a Mark-to-Market Election Alternatively, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we anticipate will be the case, our shares are treated as ‘‘marketable stock’’, a United States Holder would be allowed to make a ‘‘mark-to-market’’ election with respect to our common shares, provided the United States Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and related Treasury Regulations. If that election is made, the United States 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 its common shares would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount recognized. In a year when we are a PFIC, 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, whom we refer to as a ‘‘Non-Electing Holder’’, would be subject to special rules with respect to (i) 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 (ii) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common shares. Under these special rules: • • the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holder’s aggregate holding period for the common shares; 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 77 • 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) that 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 advisor. 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. 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: • • the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S.; or the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of disposition and other conditions are met. 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 gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the shares, that is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if required by an applicable 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 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 the gross proceeds on a sale of our common shares, made within the U.S. 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: • • • fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on its federal income tax returns; or in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding with respect to dividends payments or other taxable distribution 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 U.S., then information 78 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 U.S., 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 U.S. 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 wilful 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. Statements by Experts Not applicable. H. Documents on Display Documents concerning us that are referred to herein may be inspected at our principal executive offices at Cumberland House, 1 Victoria Street, 5th Floor, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda. We file reports and other information with the SEC. These materials, including this Annual Report and the accompanying exhibits, may be inspected and copied at the public facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, or from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1 (800) SEC-0330 and you may obtain copies at prescribed rates. I. Subsidiary Information Not applicable. Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks Please see Note 12 ‘‘Risk management’’ to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for a description of risk management that may apply to us. Inflation We do not expect inflation to be a significant risk to direct expenses in the current and foreseeable economic environment. 79 Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities Not applicable. Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies None. PART II Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Shareholders and Use of Proceeds None. Item 15. Controls and Procedures A. Disclosure Controls and Procedures We evaluated pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2016. Based on that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. B. Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over our financial reporting. Our internal controls were designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal controls over financial reporting include those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made in accordance with authorizations of management and our directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 using the framework set forth in the 2013 report of the Treadway Commission’s Committee of Sponsoring Organizations. Management’s evaluation as of December 31, 2016 included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements even when determined to be effective and can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate. Based on the evaluation, management determined that internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2016. C. Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm This Annual Report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for ‘‘emerging growth companies’’. 80 D. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Annual Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Item 16 Reserved Item 16.A Audit Committee Financial Expert Our audit committee consists of Mr. Brian Dunne, Mr. Alan Robert McIlwraith, Mr. Curtis McWilliams, and Mr. Niall McComiskey, who is an observer. Each member of our audit committee is financially literate under the current listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the SEC, and our board of directors has determined that Mr. Brian Dunne qualifies as an ‘‘audit committee financial expert’’, as such term is defined by the SEC. Item 16.B Code of Ethics We have adopted a code of conduct and ethics applicable to our directors, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer and other key management personnel. The code is available for review on our website at www.ardmoreshipping.com. Item 16.C Principal Accountant Fees and Services Audit Fees Our principal accountants for the fiscal years 2016 and 2015 were Ernst & Young. The audit fees for the audit of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $0.4 million for each such period. Audit-Related Fees The audit-related fees billed by our principal accountants in 2016 and 2015 were $60,000 and $45,000. Tax Fees There were no tax fees billed by our principal accountants in 2016 or 2015. All Other Fees There were no other fees billed by our principal accountants in 2016 or 2015. Audit Committee The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, replacement, compensation, evaluation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors. As part of this responsibility, the audit committee pre-approves the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditors in order to assure that they do not impair the auditors’ independence. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent auditors may be pre-approved. The Audit Committee separately pre-approved all engagements and fees paid to our principal accountants in 2016 and 2015. Item 16.D Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees Mr. Niall McComiskey, who serves on the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors as an observer, is affiliated with GA Holdings LLC, our largest shareholder. As an observer, Mr. McComiskey does not have voting rights on the Audit Committee. He is neither the chair of the Audit Committee nor an executive officer of Ardmore. Accordingly, we rely on the exemption provided in Rule 10A-3(b)(1)(iv)(D) of the Exchange Act for Mr. McComiskey’s service on the Audit Committee. We do not believe that Mr. McComiskey’s affiliation with GA Holdings LLC materially adversely affects the ability of the Audit Committee to act independently or to satisfy the other requirements relating to audit committees contained in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. 81 Item 16.E Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers On November 4, 2014, we announced that our board of directors approved a share repurchase plan with authorization to buy up to $20 million of shares of the Company’s common stock for up to three years from November 12, 2014. In August 2016, we announced that our board of directors approved an increase in the size of the Company’s share repurchase plan, increasing the amount of shares of the Company’s common stock that the Company is authorized to buy from up to a total of $20 million to up to a total of $25 million. We may repurchase these shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, at times and prices that are considered to be appropriate by us, but we are not obligated under the terms of the program to repurchase any shares, and at any time we may suspend, delay or discontinue the share repurchase plan. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we repurchased no shares of our common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we repurchased 366,347 shares under our repurchase plan, at a weighted-average price of $8.20 per share (including fees and commission of $0.03 per share) for a total of $3,004,921. Common Shares Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program 246,647 119,700 Maximum Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program $21,742,000 $20,728,000 Period February 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total Number of Shares Purchased(1) 246,647 119,700 Average Price Paid Per Share(2) $8.06 $8.50 (1) The total number of shares purchased is based on the settlement date. (2) Price includes fees and commission of $0.03 per share. Item 16.F Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant Not applicable. Item 16.G Corporate Governance Pursuant to an exception for foreign private issuers, we, as a foreign private issuer, are not required to comply with certain corporate governance practices followed by U.S. companies under the New York Stock Exchange (‘‘NYSE’’) listing standards. We believe that our established practices in the area of corporate governance provide adequate protection to our shareholders. In this respect, we have voluntarily adopted a number of NYSE required practices, such as having a majority of independent directors and establishing a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. The following are the significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those followed by U.S. domestic companies listed on the NYSE, and which differences are permitted by NYSE rules for ‘‘foreign private issuers’’ such as Ardmore Shipping Corporation: • The NYSE requires that U.S. issuers have an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee, each comprised entirely of independent directors. Our audit committee currently consists of three independent directors and one non-independent director, who only has observer status and is a non-voting member of the committee. Our compensation committee currently consists of two independent directors and one non-independent director. Our nominating and corporate governance committee currently consists of one independent director and two non-independent directors. 82 • • The NYSE requires that U.S. issuers obtain shareholder approval prior to the adoption of equity compensation plans. Our board of directors approves such adoption in lieu of such shareholder approval. The NYSE requires companies to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines. The guidelines must address, among other things: director qualification standards, director responsibilities, director access to management and independent advisers, director compensation, director orientation and continuing education, management succession and an annual performance evaluation. We are not required to adopt such guidelines under Marshall Islands law and we have not adopted such guidelines. Item 16.H Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. Item 17. Financial Statements Not applicable. Item 18. Financial Statements See index to Financial Statements on page F-1. 83 Item 19. Exhibits The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report: Exhibit Number 1.1 1.2 2.1 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 8.1 12.1 12.2 13.1 13.2 15.1 101 Description Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1/A (Registration Number 333-189714), filed with the SEC on July 22, 2013). Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1/A (Registration Number 333-189714), filed with the SEC on July 22, 2013). Form of Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1/A (Registration Number 333-189714), filed with the SEC on July 22, 2013). Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1/A (Registration Number 333-189714), filed with the SEC on July 22, 2013). Term Loan Facility, dated January 13, 2016, by and among Bailey Shipco LLC, Dover Shipco LLC, Fair Isle Shipco LLC, Fastnet Shipco LLC, Fitzroy Shipco LLC, Forth Shipco LLC, Rockall Shipco LLC, Shannon Shipco LLC, Sole Shipco LLC, Trafalgar Shipco LLC, Viking Shipco LLC, Hebrides Shipco LLC, Ardmore Shipping LLC, the Company, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and DVB Bank America N.V. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 6, 2016). Term Loan Facility, date January 13, 2016, by and among Faroe Shipco LLC, Plymouth Shipco LLC, Portland Shipco LLC, Wight Shipco LLC, Lundy Shipco LLC, Fisher Shipco LLC, Humber Shipco LLC, Ardmore Shipping LLC, the Company, Nordea Bank AB, London Branch, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (PUBL) and Nordea Bank Finland Plc (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 6, 2016). Amendment No. 1 to Term Loan Facility, dated August 4, 2016, by and among Bailey Shipco LLC, Dover Shipco LLC, Fair Isle Shipco LLC, Fastnet Shipco LLC, Fitzroy Shipco LLC, Forth Shipco LLC, Rockall Shipco LLC, Shannon Shipco LLC, Sole Shipco LLC, Trafalgar Shipco LLC, Viking Shipco LLC, Hebrides Shipco LLC, Ardmore Shipping LLC, the Company, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and DVB Bank America N.V., and the other financial institutions party thereto. Term Loan Facility, dated July 29, 2016, Saltee Shipco LLC, Blasket Shipco LLC, Ballycotton Shipco LLC, Killary Shipco LLC, Ardmore Shipping LLC, the Company, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., and the other financial institutions party thereto. Subsidiaries of the Company Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Consent of Ernst & Young The following materials from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2016; 84 Exhibit Number Description (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 85 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf. SIGNATURE ARDMORE SHIPPING CORPORATION By: /s/ Anthony Gurnee Anthony Gurnee Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Date: March 13, 2017 86 INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ARDMORE SHIPPING CORPORATION Index to Audited Financial Statements of Ardmore Shipping Corporation Report of independent registered public accounting firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-2 Audited consolidated financial statements Consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 . . . Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 . . . Notes to consolidated financial statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-3 F-4 F-5 F-6 F-7 F-1 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ardmore Shipping Corporation We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ardmore Shipping Corporation as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Ardmore Shipping Corporation at December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ Ernst & Young Dublin, Ireland March 13, 2017 F-2 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheet (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) ASSETS Current assets Vessels held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Receivables, trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Working capital advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prepayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advances and deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other receivables Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Non-current assets Vessels and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $76.2 million (2015: $59.7 million) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred dry dock expenditure, net of accumulated amortization of $7.8 million (2015: $6.0 million) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation of $42k) . . . Other non-current assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $0.4 million (2015: $0.2 million) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOTAL ASSETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities Payables, trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charter revenue received in advance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued interest on loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current portion of long-term debt Current portion of capital lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Non-current portion of long-term debt Non-current portion of capital lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total non-current liabilities Equity Share capital ($0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 33,575,611 issued and 33,089,864 outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 26,329,711 issued and 26,210,311 outstanding at December 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Additional paid in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasury stock (485,747 shares at December 31, 2016 and 119,400 shares at December 31, 2015) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accumulated surplus/(deficit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . As at Notes Dec 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 10 5 6 7 8 8 8 8 9 10 9 10 — 37,083,985 40,109,382 26,189,316 3,475,000 1,042,359 3,511,872 23,953 3,969,483 115,405,350 55,952,873 23,148,782 3,300,000 803,003 3,136,362 82,636 7,339,252 93,762,908 785,461,415 658,928,933 3,232,293 488,561 3,730,374 — 697,546 789,879,815 883,642,723 432,951 662,792,258 778,197,608 14,448,043 507,780 5,354 2,067,991 41,827,480 159,028 59,015,676 12,482,540 1,192,317 144,932 1,752,226 27,014,500 26,771,911 69,358,426 411,385,626 8,971,622 420,357,248 361,227,904 — 361,227,904 340,613 405,279,257 263,297 338,226,370 (4,272,477) 2,922,406 404,269,799 883,642,723 (1,278,546) 10,400,157 347,611,278 778,197,608 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements F-3 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Consolidated Statement of Operations (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) REVENUE Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OPERATING EXPENSES Commissions and voyage related costs . . . . . . . . . . Vessel operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of deferred dry dock expenditure . . . . General and administrative expenses . . . . . . . . . . . Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Profit from operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest expense and finance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loss on disposal of vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Profit/(loss) before taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net earnings/(loss) per share, basic and diluted . . . . Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Notes Dec 31, 2016 For the years ended Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2014 164,403,938 157,882,259 67,326,634 37,121,398 56,399,979 30,091,237 2,715,109 14,077,212 140,404,935 23,999,003 (17,754,118) 164,629 (2,601,148) 3,808,366 (60,434) 3,747,932 0.12 30,137,173 46,416,510 24,157,022 2,120,974 10,748,622 113,580,301 44,301,958 (12,282,704) 15,571 — 32,034,825 (79,860) 31,954,965 1.23 7,004,045 29,447,876 14,854,885 2,031,100 8,178,666 61,516,572 5,810,062 (4,119,283) 16,444 — 1,707,223 (46,749) 1,660,474 0.07 30,141,891 26,059,122 24,547,661 13 14 15 11 16 17 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements F-4 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) Number of Share outstanding Share Capital Additional paid-in capital Treasury stock Accumulated (deficit)/surplus TOTAL — (119,400) 8,050,000 — Balance as at January 1, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,050,000 Net proceeds from equity offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Share based compensation . . Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dividend payments . . . . . . Profit for year . . . . . . . . . . Balance as at December 31, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,980,600 — Share based compensation . . 229,711 Dividend payments . . . . . . — Profit for year . . . . . . . . . . Balance as at December 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,210,311 Net proceeds from equity offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Share based compensation . . Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dividend payments . . . . . . Profit for year . . . . . . . . . . Balance as at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33,575,610 7,500,000 — (366,347) 231,646 — 180,500 244,702,577 — (12,524,966) 232,358,111 80,500 102,631,433 — 1,383,121 — — — 102,711,933 1,383,121 — — — — (1,278,546) (9,635,000) — — 1,660,474 (1,278,546) (9,635,000) 1,660,474 261,000 339,082,131 — 1,436,505 (2,292,266) — 2,297 — (1,278,546) — — — (10,690,316) — 31,954,965 (10,864,492) 327,200,093 1,436,505 (12,980,285) 31,954,965 263,297 338,226,370 (1,278,546) 10,400,157 347,611,278 75,000 63,852,414 — 1,304,325 — — — 63,927,414 1,304,325 — — 2,316 — 1,896,148 — — (2,993,931) — (11,225,683) 3,747,932 — — (2,993,931) (9,327,219) 3,747,932 340,613 405,279,257 (4,272,477) 2,922,406 404,269,799 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements F-5 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) Notes Dec 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2014 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net profit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,747,932 31,954,965 1,660,474 Non-cash items: Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of deferred dry dock expenditure . . . . . . Share based compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loss on disposal of vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of deferred finance charges . . . . . . . . . . 14 30,091,237 2,715,109 1,304,325 2,601,148 3,415,452 24,157,022 2,120,974 1,436,505 — 1,711,481 14,854,885 2,031,100 1,383,121 — 917,675 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables, trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Working capital advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prepayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advances and deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payables, trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charter revenue received in advance . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accrued interest on loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred drydock expenditure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments for acquisition of vessels and equipment . . . . . Payments for vessels under construction . . . . . . . . . . . . Net proceeds from sale of vessels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payments for leasehold improvements . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payments for other non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net cash used in investing activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repayments of long term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Proceeds from capital leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repayments of capital leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payments for deferred finance charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net proceeds from equity offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repurchase of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Payment of dividend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net cash provided by financing activities . . . . . . . . . . Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents . . Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year . . Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year . . . . Cash paid during the year for: Interest payments, net of capitalized interest . . . . . . . . . Taxation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,040,535 175,000 239,356 375,510 (58,683) (3,369,769) 1,965,503 (684,537) (139,578) 315,765 (3,099,805) 42,634,500 (21,203,416) (2,975,000) (358,597) (458,880) 612,511 (1,483,143) 5,443,919 (350,546) (503,173) 869,632 (3,314,568) 37,659,686 (4,242,494) 34,571 (212,199) (1,158,675) (314,654) (1,354,874) 3,039,310 (263,737) 642,669 325,434 (4,921,479) 12,421,127 (174,012,168) (232,497,213) (152,222,866) — (57,463,397) — — — — (55,266) (352,251) (122,311,231) (232,849,734) (209,741,529) — 52,656,414 (530,717) (424,760) 110,010,000 (42,208,171) 9,245,749 (27,097,348) (6,036,243) 63,927,416 (2,993,931) (9,327,251) 95,520,221 15,843,491 40,109,382 55,952,873 216,490,000 (24,753,641) — (1,702,981) (1,633,259) (12,980,285) 175,419,834 (19,770,214) 59,879,596 40,109,382 128,625,000 (12,756,732) — (1,578,686) (5,748,816) — 102,711,933 — (1,278,546) (9,635,000) 200,339,153 3,018,751 56,860,845 59,879,596 13,382,484 122,624 11,305,199 40,050 6,813,016 5,736 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements F-6 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 1. Overview 1.1. Background Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE: ASC) (‘‘ASC’’) and subsidiaries (collectively ‘‘Ardmore’’ or ‘‘the Company’’) provides seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies, with its modern, fuel-efficient fleet of mid-size product and chemical tankers. As at December 31, 2016 Ardmore had 27 vessels in operation. The average age of Ardmore’s operating fleet at December 31, 2016 was 4.3 years. 1.2. Management and organizational structure ASC was incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on May 14, 2013. ASC commenced business operations through its predecessor company, Ardmore Shipping LLC, on April 15, 2010. On August 6, 2013, ASC completed its initial public offering (the ‘‘IPO’’) of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock. Prior to the IPO, GA Holdings LLC, who was then ASC’s sole shareholder, exchanged its 100% interest in Ardmore Shipping LLC (‘‘ASLLC’’) for 8,049,500 shares of ASC, and ASLLC became a wholly owned subsidiary of ASC. Immediately following the IPO, GA Holdings LLC held 44.6% of the outstanding common stock of ASC, with the remaining 55.4% held by public investors. In March 2014, ASC completed a follow-on public offering of 8,050,000 shares of its common stock. In November 2015, GA Holdings LLC sold 4,000,000 of its shares of ASC common stock in an underwritten public offering. In June 2016, Ardmore completed a public offering of 7,500,000 shares of its common stock, of which GA Holdings LLC purchased 1,277,250 shares. As of December 31, 2016, GA Holdings LLC held 5,787,942 common shares, or 17.24% of the outstanding common stock of ASC, with the remaining 82.76% held by public investors. As at December 31, 2016, ASC has 46 wholly owned subsidiaries, the majority of which represent single ship-owning companies for ASC’s fleet. Ardmore Shipping (Bermuda) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in Bermuda, carries out the Company’s management services and associated functions. Ardmore Shipping Services (Ireland) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in Ireland, provides the Company’s corporate, accounting, fleet administration and operations services. Each of Ardmore Shipping (Asia) Pte. Limited and Ardmore Shipping (Americas) LLC, wholly owned subsidiaries incorporated in Singapore and Delaware, respectively, performs commercial management and chartering services for the Company. 1.3. Vessels 2016 Deliveries In June 2016, the Company agreed to acquire six vessels. All six vessels are 49,500 Dwt Eco-Design IMO 2/3 vessels constructed by STX Offshore and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in Korea. The vessels delivered to Ardmore on the following dates: Ardmore Endurance Ardmore Explorer Ardmore Engineer Ardmore Encounter Ardmore Exporter Ardmore Enterprise August 31, 2016 September 7, 2016 September 12, 2016 September 29, 2016 September 30, 2016 November 2, 2016 All vessels commenced employment in the spot market following delivery to Ardmore. F-7 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 1. Overview − (continued) Ardmore’s fleet as of December 31, 2016, comprises the following: Vessel Name Ardmore Sevaliant . . . . Ardmore Seaventure . . Ardmore Seavantage . . Ardmore Seavanguard. . Ardmore Sealion . . . . . Ardmore Seafox . . . . . Ardmore Seawolf . . . . . Ardmore Seahawk . . . . Ardmore Endeavour . . . Ardmore Enterprise . . . Ardmore Endurance . . . Ardmore Encounter . . . Ardmore Explorer . . . . Ardmore Exporter . . . . Ardmore Engineer . . . . Ardmore Seafarer . . . . Ardmore Seatrader . . . Ardmore Seamaster . . . Ardmore Seamariner . . Ardmore Sealeader . . . Ardmore Sealifter . . . . Ardmore Dauntless . . . Ardmore Defender . . . . Ardmore Cherokee . . . . Ardmore Cheyenne . . . Ardmore Chinook . . . . Ardmore Chippewa . . . Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . Type Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product Product Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical Product/Chemical 27 Dwt IMO Tonnes 2/3 49,998 2/3 49,998 2/3 49,997 2/3 49,998 2/3 49,999 2/3 49,999 2/3 49,999 2/3 49,999 2/3 49,997 2/3 49,453 2/3 49,466 2/3 49,478 2/3 49,494 2/3 49,466 2/3 49,420 45,744 3 47,141 — 3 45,840 45,726 3 47,463 — 47,472 — 2 37,764 2 37,791 2 25,215 2 25,217 2 25,217 25,217 2 1,202,568 2. Significant accounting policies 2.1. Basis of preparation Built Feb-13 Jun-13 Jan-14 Feb-14 May-15 Jun-15 Aug-15 Nov-15 Jul-13 Sep-13 Dec-13 Jan-14 Jan-14 Feb-14 Mar-14 Aug-04 Dec-02 Sep-04 Oct-06 Aug-08 Jul-08 Feb-15 Feb-15 Jan-15 Mar-15 Jul-15 Nov-15 Country Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Korea Japan Japan Japan Japan Japan Japan Korea Korea Japan Japan Japan Japan Flag MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI MI Specification Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-mod Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design Eco-design The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (‘‘U.S. GAAP’’). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ASC and its subsidiaries. All subsidiaries are 100% directly or indirectly owned by ASC. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. 2.2. Uses of estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. On an on-going basis, management evaluates the estimates and judgments, including those related to uncompleted voyages, future drydock dates, the selection of useful lives for tangible assets, expected future cash flows from long-lived assets to support impairment tests, provisions necessary for accounts receivables, the selection of inputs used in the valuation model for share based payment awards, F-8 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 2. Significant accounting policies − (continued) provisions for legal disputes and contingencies. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 2.3. Reporting currency The consolidated financial statements are stated in U.S. Dollars. The functional currency of Ardmore is U.S. Dollars because Ardmore operates in international shipping markets which typically utilize the U.S. Dollar as the functional currency. Transactions involving other currencies during the year are converted into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than U.S. Dollar are translated to reflect the year end exchange rates. Resulting gains and losses are included in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. 2.4. Recent accounting pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘‘FASB’’) issued Accounting Standards Update (‘‘ASU’’) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2014-09, a standard that will supersede virtually all of the existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The standard establishes a five-step model that will apply to revenue earned from a contract with a customer. The standard’s requirements will also apply to the sale of some non-financial assets that are not part of the entity’s ordinary activities (e.g., sales of property or plant and equipment). Extensive disclosures will be required, including disaggregation of total revenue, information about performance obligations, changes in contract asset and liability account balances between periods and key judgments and estimates. The FASB has recently issued several amendments to the standard, including clarification on accounting for licenses of intellectual property and identifying performance obligations. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the cumulative catch-up transition method). We currently anticipate adopting the standard using the full retrospective method to restate each prior reporting period presented. The new standard will be effective for us beginning January 1, 2018. We are undertaking a comprehensive approach to assess the impact of the guidance on our business by reviewing our current accounting policies and practices to identify any potential differences that may result from applying the new requirements to our consolidated financial statements. We do not anticipate that this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We are liaising with other shipping companies on business assumptions, processes, systems and controls to fully determine revenue recognition and disclosure under the new standard. We continue to make significant progress on our review of the standard and at present are considering identification of certain performance obligations and the timing of related revenue recognition on our charter arrangements. Our initial assessment may change as we continue to refine these assumptions. In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date that the financial statements are issued or available to be issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. Ardmore adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2017 and the Company does not currently expect the adoption to have an impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases, a standard which will replace previous topics on lease accounting. The revised guidance will require lessees to recognize on their balance sheet a right of F-9 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 2. Significant accounting policies − (continued) use asset and corresponding liability in respect of all material lease contracts. Ardmore currently recognizes on its balance sheet those leases classified as capital leases. Those leases that are currently accounted for as operating leases will have to be reviewed and potentially included on Ardmore’s balance sheet in accordance with the new guidance. This guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, and a modified retrospective approach is required for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. Management is in the process of assessing the full effect of this new standard. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718). The new update will require all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. The update will also allow an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than it can today for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017. Early application is permitted in any annual or interim period for which financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period. Management is in the process of assessing the effect of this new standard. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments based on a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF), to address the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance also clarifies how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The standard will be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. Entities are required to apply the guidance retrospectively. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this standard update on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, to address classification of activity related to restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the cash flows. The standard eliminates the presentation of transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, a reconciliation of the totals in the cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet are required, either on the face of the cash flow or in the notes to the financial statements. Additional disclosures are required for the nature of the restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after 15 December 2017, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this standard update on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 2.5. Cash and cash equivalents Ardmore classifies investments with an original maturity date of three months or less as cash and cash equivalents. 2.6. Receivables, trade Receivables, trade include amounts due from charterers for hire and other recoverable expenses due to Ardmore. At the balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for the purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. 2.7. Working capital advances Working capital advances relate to capital advanced directly to ship pools in which Ardmore’s vessels operate. All working capital amounts are classified as current assets where it is expected that the amounts advanced will be realized within one year. F-10 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 2. Significant accounting policies − (continued) 2.8. Prepayments Prepayments consist of payments in advance for insurance or other ad hoc prepaid purchases. 2.9. Advances and deposits Advances and deposits primarily include amounts advanced to third-party technical managers for expenses incurred by them in operating the vessels, together with other necessary deposits paid during the course of business. 2.10. Other receivables Other receivables primarily relate to insurance claims outstanding, and certain assets held by vessel managers. Insurance claims are recorded, net of any deductible amounts, at the time Ardmore realizes insured damages, where recovery is highly likely under the related insurance policies and where Ardmore can make an estimate of the amount to be reimbursed following the insurance claim. At the balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for the purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. 2.11. Inventories Inventories consist of bunkers, lubricating oils and other consumables on board the Company’s vessels. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value on a first-in first-out basis. Cost is based on the normal levels of cost and comprises the cost of purchase, being the suppliers’ invoice price with the addition of charges such as freight or duty where appropriate. 2.12. Vessels Vessels are recorded at their cost less accumulated depreciation. Vessel cost comprises acquisition costs directly attributable to the vessel and the expenditures made to prepare the vessel for its initial voyage. Vessels are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful economic life from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. The useful life of Ardmore’s vessels is estimated at 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Depreciation is based on cost less estimated residual scrap value. Residual scrap value is estimated as the lightweight tonnage of each vessel multiplied by the estimated scrap value per ton. Ardmore capitalizes and depreciates the costs of significant replacements, renewals and upgrades to its vessels over the shorter of the vessel’s remaining useful life or the life of the renewal or upgrade. The amount capitalized is based on management’s judgment as to expenditures that extend a vessel’s useful life or increase the operational efficiency of a vessel. Costs that are not capitalized are recorded as a component of direct vessel operating expenses during the period incurred. Expenses for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. 2.13. Impairment Vessels and equipment that are ‘‘held and used’’ are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. When such indicators are present, a vessel to be held and used is tested for recoverability by comparing the estimate of future undiscounted net operating cash flows expected to be generated by the use of the vessel over its remaining useful life and its eventual disposition to its carrying amount. Net operating cash flows are determined by applying various assumptions regarding future revenues net of commissions, operating expenses, scheduled dry-dockings, expected offhire and scrap values, and taking into account historical revenue data and published forecasts on future world economic growth and inflation. An impairment charge is recognized if the carrying value is in excess of the estimated future undiscounted net operating cash flows. The impairment loss is measured based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair market value of the asset. F-11 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 2. Significant accounting policies − (continued) 2.14. Drydock expenditure Vessels are typically drydocked every three to five years. Expenditures incurred in drydocking are deferred and amortized until the next scheduled drydocking. Ardmore only includes in deferred drydocking costs those direct costs that are incurred as part of the drydocking to meet regulatory requirements, expenditures that add economic life to the vessel, and expenditures that increase the vessels earnings capacity or improve the vessels operating efficiency. Expenses for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. 2.15. Vessels under construction The carrying value of the vessels under construction represents the accumulated costs to the consolidated balance sheet date which Ardmore has had to pay by way of purchase instalments and other capital expenditures, together with capitalized interest and other pre-delivery costs. The amount of interest expense capitalized in an accounting period is determined by applying an interest rate (‘‘the capitalization rate’’) to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the asset during the period. The capitalization rates used in an accounting period are based on the rates applicable to borrowings outstanding during the period. If Ardmore’s borrowings are directly attributable to the vessels under construction, Ardmore uses the rate on that borrowing as the capitalization rate. If average accumulated expenditures for the asset exceed the amounts of specific borrowings associated with the asset, the capitalization rate applied to such excess is a weighted average of the rates applicable to other borrowings of Ardmore. Ardmore does not capitalize amounts in excess of actual interest expense incurred in the period. No charge for depreciation is made until the vessel is available for use. 2.16. Vessels held for sale Assets are classified as held for sale when management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset, the sale is probable within one year, and the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition. Consideration is given to whether an active program to locate a buyer has been initiated, whether the asset is marketed actively for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value, and whether actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. When assets are classified as held for sale, they are tested for impairment. An impairment charge is recognized when the carrying value of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value, less transaction costs. Assets classified as held for sale are no longer depreciated. 2.17. Leasehold Improvements Leasehold improvements relate to fit-out costs for work completed on Ardmore’s offices at One Albert Quay, Cork, Ireland. These are recorded at their cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated over the life of the lease of ten years. 2.18. Other non-current assets Other assets relate to office equipment, fixtures and fittings. These are recorded at their cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated based on an estimated useful life of five years. 2.19. Deferred finance charges Deferred financing charges include fees, commissions and legal expenses associated with securing loan facilities. These costs are amortized to interest expense and finance costs in the consolidated statement of operations using the effective interest method over the life of the related debt. These costs are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability. 2.20. Payables, trade Payables, trade include all accounts payable and accrued liabilities in relation to the operating and running of the vessels, along with amounts due for general and administrative expenses. F-12 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 2. Significant accounting policies − (continued) 2.21. Other payables Other payables primarily consist of commitment fee accruals for debt which is arranged and agreed but not drawn down, along with amounts due for other minor ad hoc payables. 2.22. Capital leases Capital leases relate to financing arrangements for vessels in operation. Interest costs are expensed to interest expense and finance costs in the consolidated statement of operations using the effective interest method over the life of the lease. 2.23. Contingencies Claims, suits and contingencies arise in the ordinary course of Ardmore’s business. Ardmore provides for these contingencies when (i) it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Disclosure in the notes to the financial statements is required for contingencies that do not meet both these conditions if there is a reasonable possibility that a liability may have been incurred at the balance sheet date. Any such matters that should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, are discussed in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements. 2.24. Distributions to shareholders Distributions to shareholders are applied first to retained earnings. When retained earnings are not sufficient, distributions are applied to the additional paid in capital account. Ardmore operates a policy of paying out distributions equal to 60% of Earnings from Continuing Operations. 2.25. Equity issuance costs Incremental costs incurred that are directly attributable to a proposed or actual offering of equity securities are deferred and deducted from the related proceeds of the offering, and the net amount is recorded as contributed shareholders’ equity in the period when such shares are issued. Other costs incurred that are not directly attributable, but are related, to a proposed or actual offering are expensed as incurred. 2.26. Share based compensation Ardmore may grant share-based payment awards, such as restricted stock units, as incentive-based compensation to certain employees. Ardmore measures the cost of such awards using the grant date fair value of the award and recognizes that cost, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period, which generally equals the vesting period. If the award contains a market condition, such conditions are included in the determination of the fair value of the stock unit. Once the fair value has been determined, the associated expense is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations over the requisite service period. 2.27. Treasury stock When shares are acquired for a reason other than formal or constructive retirement, the shares are presented separately as a deduction from equity. If the shares are retired or subsequently sold, any gain would be allocated as a reduction in additional paid in capital and any loss as a reduction in retained earnings. 2.28. Dividend Reinvestment Plan In April 2015, Ardmore established a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (‘‘DRIP’’) to enable shareholders to reinvest their quarterly dividend in common shares of the company. The Form F-3D registration statement detailing these shares is available from the SEC website. The DRIP allows for the purchase of additional common shares by either full dividend reinvestment or partial dividend reinvestment. F-13 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 2. Significant accounting policies − (continued) When a shareholder signs up to the plan there are two options available to Ardmore when sourcing the shares for settlement under the DRIP. 1. Open Market (‘‘OM’’): Ardmore issues shares already available in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. 2. Original Issue (‘‘OI’’): Ardmore registers and issues additional new shares. The purchase price for shareholders of common shares under the DRIP depends on which option Ardmore chooses. For OM shares the price is the weighted average of the actual price paid for all shares purchased by the Transfer Agent on behalf of the participants of the DRIP. For OI shares the price is the daily high and the daily low average share price for the five business days immediately preceding the dividend payment date. In instances where Ardmore chooses OM settlement, the accounting treatment is the same as when a regular dividend is paid and not reinvested by shareholders, since Ardmore makes a cash payment equal to the amount of the dividend. In instances where Ardmore chooses OI settlement, we record an increase in Share Capital for the par value of the shares, and record any excess of market value over par within Additional Paid in Capital. The dividend is distributed first from Retained Earnings, but Additional Paid in Capital if Ardmore has no Retained Earnings i.e. is in a Retained Deficit position. In instances where Ardmore utilizes existing treasury shares (which can only occur under an OI transaction), we reduce Treasury Shares and increase Share Capital for the par value of the shares to be issued. Any excess of market value over cost is recorded in Additional Paid in Capital. If a gain arises on utilizing Treasury Stock for the dividend reinvestment, we recognize the gain within Additional Paid in Capital. If a loss arises, we record the loss within Retained Earnings. 2.29. Financial instruments The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable reported in the consolidated balance sheet are reasonable estimates of their fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair values of long-term debt approximate the recorded values due to the variable interest rates payable. 2.30. Revenues and expenses 2.30.1. Time charter revenues If a time charter agreement exists, the rate is fixed or determinable, service is provided and collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured, Ardmore recognizes revenues over the term of the time charter. Ardmore does not recognize revenue during days the vessel is offhire. Where the time charter contains a profit or loss sharing arrangement, the profit or loss is recognized based on amounts earned or incurred as of the reporting date. 2.30.2. Pool revenues Revenues and voyage expenses of Ardmore’s vessels operating in commercial pooling arrangements are pooled with the revenues and voyage expenses of other pool participants. The resulting net pool revenues, calculated on a time charter equivalent basis, are allocated to the pool participants according to an agreed formula. The formulas used to allocate net pool revenues vary among different pools but generally allocates revenues to pool participants on the basis of the number of days a vessel operates in the pool with weighted adjustments made to reflect the vessels’ differing capacities and performance capabilities. Ardmore accounts for its vessels’ share of net pool revenue on the allocated time charter equivalent on a monthly basis. Net pool revenues due from the pool are included in receivables, trade. F-14 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 2. Significant accounting policies − (continued) 2.30.3. Voyage revenues Revenues from voyage charters on the spot market are recognized ratably on a discharge-to-discharge basis (i.e. from when cargo is discharged (unloaded) at the end of one voyage to when it is discharged after the next voyage), provided an agreed non-cancelable charter between Ardmore and the charterer is in existence, the charter rate is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue under voyage charters will not be recognized until a charter has been agreed even if the vessel has discharged its previous cargo and is proceeding to an anticipated port of loading. Demurrage revenue, which is included in voyage revenues, represents payments by the charterer to Ardmore when the loading or discharging time exceeds the stipulated time in the voyage charter, and is recognized ratably on a discharge-to-discharge basis (i.e. from when cargo is discharged (unloaded) at the end of one voyage to when it is discharged after the next voyage), the amount is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. 2.30.4. Expenses All voyage expenses are expensed as incurred. Under time charters or pool employment, expenses such as bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls and agency fees are paid by the charterers. Under voyage charters, these expenses are borne by Ardmore and expensed as incurred. All commissions and administration fees are expensed as incurred which is over the term of the employment of the vessel. Vessel operating expenses are costs that are directly attributable to the operation of the vessels such as costs of crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils, communication expenses, and technical management fees. Vessel operating expenses are expensed as incurred. 2.30.5. Charter hire costs Charter hire costs relate to amounts paid for chartering in vessels. Charter hire costs are expensed to the statement of operations as incurred. 2.31. Income taxes Republic of Marshall Islands Ardmore Shipping Corporation, Ardmore Shipping LLC, Ardmore Maritime Services LLC, and all vessel owning subsidiaries are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Ardmore Shipping Corporation believes that neither it, nor its subsidiaries, are subject to taxation under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and that distributions by its subsidiaries to Ardmore Shipping Corporation will not be subject to any taxes under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Bermuda Ardmore Shipping (Bermuda) Limited is incorporated in Bermuda. Ardmore Shipping Corporation, Ardmore Shipping LLC and Ardmore Shipping (Bermuda) Limited are tax residents of Bermuda. Ardmore Shipping Corporation believes that neither it, nor its subsidiaries, are subject to taxation under the laws of Bermuda and that distributions by its subsidiaries to Ardmore Shipping Corporation will not be subject to any taxes under the laws of Bermuda Ireland Ardmore Shipholding Limited and Ardmore Shipping Services (Ireland) Limited are incorporated in Ireland. Ardmore Shipholding Limited no longer actively operates as a company and, as such, is not anticipated to generate trading income subject to corporation tax in Ireland. Ardmore Shipping Services (Ireland) Limited’s trading profits are taxable at the standard corporation tax rate which is currently 12.5% based on generally accepted accounting principles in Ireland. Any non-trading/passive income is taxed at the higher corporation tax rate which is currently 25%. F-15 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 2. Significant accounting policies − (continued) United States of America Ardmore Shipping (Americas) LLC (‘‘ASUS’’) is incorporated in Delaware and treated as a corporation for U.S. tax purposes. ASUS is subject to U.S. tax on its worldwide net income. Singapore Ardmore Shipping (Asia) Pte. Limited is incorporated in Singapore. The company qualified as an ‘‘Approved International Shipping Enterprise’’ by the Singapore authorities with effect from August 1, 2015. This entitles the company to tax exemption on profits derived from ship operations for any ships which are owned or chartered in by Ardmore Shipping (Asia) Pte. Limited. Deferred taxation Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributed to differences between the financial statements and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities using enacted rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Deferred income tax balances included on the consolidated balance sheet reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. Deferred income tax assets represent amounts available to reduce income taxes payable on taxable income in future years. The recoverability of these future tax deductions is evaluated by assessing the adequacy of future taxable income, including the reversal of temporary differences and forecasted operating earnings. If it is deemed more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized Ardmore provides for a valuation allowance. Income taxes have been provided for all items included in the consolidated statement of operations regardless of when such items were reported for tax purposes or when the taxes were actually paid or refunded. Deferred tax in the year ended December 31, 2016 amounted to $0 (2015:$0). Uncertainties related to income taxes The FASB issued guidance clarifying the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements. The guidance requires companies to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not threshold it is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. Uncertainties related to income taxes recognized in year ended December 31, 2016 amounted to $0 (2015: $0). 3. Business and segmental reporting Ardmore is primarily engaged in the ocean transportation of petroleum and chemical products in international trade through the ownership and operation of a fleet of tankers. Tankers are not bound to specific ports or schedules and therefore can respond to market opportunities by moving between trades and geographical areas. Ardmore charters its vessels to commercial shippers through a combination of time-charter, pool and spot arrangements. The chief operating decision maker (‘‘CODM’’) does not use discrete financial information to evaluate the operating results for each such type of charter. Although revenue can be identified for these types of vessel employment, management cannot and does not identify expenses, profitability or other financial information for these charters or other forms of employment. As a result, the CODM reviews operating results solely by revenue per day and operating results of the fleet. Furthermore, when Ardmore charters a vessel to a charterer, the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide (subject to certain sanctions-related restrictions) and, as a result, the disclosure of geographic information is impracticable. In this respect, Ardmore has determined that it operates under one reportable segment, relating to its operations of its vessels. F-16 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 3. Business and segmental reporting − (continued) The following table presents consolidated revenues for customers that accounted for more than 10% of Ardmore’s consolidated revenues during the periods presented: Navig8 Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cargill International SA, Geneva . . . . . . . . . . . . Womar Logistic Pte., Ltd (pool arrangement) . . . . Vitol Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Koch Shipping Inc. Trafigura Pte Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec 31, 2016 19,158,623 <10% <10% 43,960,560 <10% 17,498,550 4. Contractual charter revenue For the year ended Dec 31, 2015 17,940,808 Dec 31, 2014 <10% 20,232,481 <10% <10% 8,868,074 7,072,663 10,370,479 <10% 13,367,970 <10% <10% The minimum future revenues to be received from time charters in place and signed as of December 31, 2016, which are accounted for as operating leases is as follows: 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore’s 27 vessels were employed as follows as at December 31, 2016: Vessel Ardmore Seavanguard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Cheyenne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seavaliant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seaventure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seavantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Endeavour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Enterprise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Endurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Encounter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Exporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Engineer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seafarer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seatrader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seamaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seamariner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Sealeader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Sealifter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Chippewa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Sealion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seafox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seawolf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Seahawk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Dauntless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Defender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Cherokee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ardmore Chinook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Employment Time Charter Time Charter Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Spot Pool Pool Pool Pool Pool Pool Pool Pool F-17 As at Dec 31, 2016 1,270,550 Minimum Expiry Jan-17 Mar-17 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 5. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . As at Dec 31, 2016 55,952,873 Dec 31, 2015 40,109,382 Ardmore is required to maintain a minimum cash balance in accordance with its long-term debt facility agreements (see Note 9). 6. Receivables, trade There was a provision for doubtful accounts of $58,430 as at December 31, 2016 (2015: $58,430). The maximum amount of loss due to the credit risk is the full amount of trade receivables. All trade receivables are current. The carrying value of receivables approximates their fair value. 7. Working capital advances At the balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible working capital advances are assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. There was no provision for doubtful advances at December 31, 2016 (2015: $0). 8. Non-current assets The scrap value of the vessels is estimated at $300 (2015: $300) per lightweight ton. Interest capitalized in relation to vessels under construction during the year ended December 31, 2016 was nil (2015: $2,423,717). Vessels, which are owned and operated by Ardmore, have been provided as collateral under certain loan agreements entered into by Ardmore (see Note 9). Leasehold improvements consist of fit-out costs in relation to work completed on Ardmore’s offices at One Albert Quay, Cork, Ireland. Other non-current assets consist of office equipment, fixtures and fittings. No impairment has been recognized as at the balance sheet date. F-18 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 9. Debt As at December 31, 2016 Ardmore had five loan facilities, which it has used primarily to finance vessel acquisitions or vessels under construction. ASC’s applicable ship-owning subsidiaries have granted first priority mortgages against the relevant vessels in favor of the lenders as security for Ardmore’s obligations under the loan facilities, which totaled 26 vessels as at December 31, 2016. ASC and its subsidiary ASLLC have provided guarantees in respect of the loan facilities. These guarantees can be called upon following a payment default. The outstanding principal balance on each loan facility at the balance sheet date is as follows: As at Facility I (‘‘First ABN AMRO Facility’’) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facility II (‘‘Second ABN AMRO Facility’’) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facility III (‘‘DVB Facility’’) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facility IV (‘‘Joint Bank Facility’’) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facility V (‘‘NIBC Bank Facility’’) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facility VI (‘‘CACIB Bank Facility’’) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facility VII (‘‘ABN/DVB/NIBC Joint Bank Facility’’) . . . . . . . Facility VIII (‘‘Nordea/SEB Joint Bank Facility’’) . . . . . . . . . . Facility IX (‘‘Third ABN AMRO Facility’’) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deferred Finance Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net Total Debt Current portion of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current portion of deferred finance fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total current portion of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Non-current portion of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec 31, 2016 — — — — 10,305,000 36,900,000 204,090,550 142,688,402 70,282,505 464,266,457 (11,053,351) 453,213,106 44,313,149 (2,485,669) 41,827,480 411,385,626 Dec 31, 2015 5,000,000 50,270,000 80,462,000 212,282,628 11,725,000 36,725,000 — — — 396,464,628 (8,222,224) 388,242,404 29,137,825 (2,123,325) 27,014,500 361,227,904 Future minimum scheduled repayments under Ardmore’s loan facilities for each year are as follows: 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2023 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . As at Dec 31, 2016 44,313,149 42,556,624 42,056,620 42,056,620 44,359,890 194,934,920 53,988,634 464,266,457 First ABN AMRO Bank Facility On March 16, 2011, three of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $40.5 million long-term loan facility agreement with ABN Amro Bank (‘‘ABN’’) for vessel acquisitions. A total of $32 million was drawn down on this facility and the remaining $8.5 million is no longer available for borrowing. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 3.25%. On March 28, 2013, two of the subsidiaries party to this loan entered into a capital lease arrangement (see Note 10). As part of this arrangement the senior debt outstanding on the two vessels of $17.9 million was repaid in full on April 2, 2013. On December 22, 2016, the remaining subsidiary party to this loan entered into a capital lease arrangement (see Note 10). As part of this arrangement the senior debt outstanding on the vessel of $3.0 million was repaid in full on December 20, 2016. As such the loan facility has been repaid in full. F-19 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 9. Debt − (continued) Second ABN AMRO Bank Facility On August 24, 2011, two of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a long-term $48.9 million loan facility agreement with ABN to finance two vessels under construction. This loan was drawn down fully. Interest on the loan was calculated at LIBOR plus 3.20%. On April 29, 2015, the two applicable subsidiaries entered into a $10.0 million term loan facility for an additional tranche for the two vessels in operation. The full amount of the additional tranche was drawn down in May 2015 and bore interest commencing at LIBOR plus 4.50%. This loan facility was repaid in full in January 2016. DVB Facility On September 28, 2012, five of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $81.85 million long-term loan facility agreement with DVB Bank (‘‘DVB’’) both to refinance existing financed vessels and to finance two vessels under construction. The first tranche was drawn down in October 2012 and bore interest at LIBOR plus 3.75%. The second and third tranches were drawn down in January 2014 and February 2014, and bore interest at LIBOR plus 2.45%. On April 29, 2015, the five subsidiaries entered into a $15.0 million term loan facility for an additional tranche for the five vessels in operation. The full amount of the loan was drawn down in May, 2015 and bore interest at LIBOR plus 4.50%. This loan facility was repaid in full in January 2016. Joint Bank Facility On March 19, 2014, eight of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $172.0 million long-term loan facility with ABN, Nordea Bank Finland Plc (‘‘Nordea’’) and Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (‘‘SEB’’) to finance eight vessels under construction. On July 24, 2014, the Company increased the aggregate principal amount available under this facility by up to $53.3 million to $225.3 million, in order to finance three secondhand vessels, which the Company acquired in 2014. The first and second tranches of the increased facility were drawn down in August 2014. The third tranche was drawn down in June 2014. Interest was calculated on each of these tranches at LIBOR plus 2.95%. There were eight further tranches drawn down under the loan facility between February and November 2015. Interest was calculated on each of those tranches at LIBOR plus 3.15%. This loan facility was repaid in full in January 2016. NIBC Bank Facility On September 12, 2014, one of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $13.5 million long-term loan facility with NIBC Bank N.V. to finance a secondhand vessel acquisition which delivered to Ardmore in 2014. The facility was drawn down in September 2014 and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.90%. Principal repayments on loans are made on a quarterly basis, with a balloon payment paid with the final instalment. The loan facility matures in September 2021. CACIB Bank Facility On May 22, 2014, two of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $39.0 million long-term loan facility with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank to finance two vessels under construction. On March 10, 2016, this facility was refinanced, the lenders provided an additional $25 million commitment for additional financing and an additional tranche of $2.3 million was drawn down. The $25 million of additional financing was drawn and repaid in full during the three-month period ended September 30, 2016. Interest is calculated on each tranche at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.50%. Principal repayments on loans are made on a quarterly basis, with a balloon payment payable with the final instalment. The full facility matures in 2022. ABN/DVB/NIBC Joint Bank Facility On January 13, 2016, 11 of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $213 million long-term loan facility (including an incremental commitment of $20 million to fund future acquisitions) with ABN and DVB to refinance existing facilities. The loan, other than the $20 million commitment, was fully drawn down on January 22, F-20 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 9. Debt − (continued) 2016. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.55%. The loan matures in 2022. On August 4, 2016, an incremental term loan of $36.6 million was made under the facility in order to fund two vessel acquisitions, and NIBC Bank joined as an additional lender under the facility. The incremental term loan consists of two tranches, and interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%. The additional tranches mature in 2023. Principal repayments on loans are made on a quarterly basis, with a balloon payment payable with the final instalment. Nordea/SEB Joint Bank Facility On January 13, 2016, seven of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $151 million long-term loan facility with Nordea and SEB to refinance existing facilities. The loan was fully drawn down on January 22, 2016. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.50%. Principal repayments on loans are made on a quarterly basis, with a balloon payment payable with the final instalment. The loan matures in 2022. Third ABN AMRO Facility On July 29, 2016, four of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into a $71.3 million long-term loan facility with ABN for vessel acquisitions. Three of the four tranches were drawn down during the third quarter of 2016. The fourth tranche was drawn down in the fourth quarter of 2016. Interest is calculated at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%. Principal repayments on loans are made on a quarterly basis, with a balloon payment payable with the final instalment. The loan matures in 2023. Long-term debt financial covenants Ardmore’s long-term debt facilities described above include certain covenants. The financial covenants require that ASC: • • • • • • • maintain minimum solvency of not less than 30%; maintain corporate leverage of less than 75%; maintain minimum cash and cash equivalents based on the number of vessels owned and chartered-in and 5% of outstanding debt. The required minimum cash balance as of December 31, 2016, was $23.7 million; ensure that the aggregate fair market value of the applicable vessels plus any additional collateral is, depending on the facility, no less than 130% of the debt outstanding for the facility; maintain a corporate net worth of not less than $150 million; maintain positive working capital, excluding balloon maturities; and maintain at all times a ratio of EBITDA plus a portion of cash in excess of Ardmore’s minimum liquidity to total interest expense of at least 2.25:1. Ardmore is in full compliance with all of its loan covenants as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. 10. Capital leases On March 28, 2013, two of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into an agreement, which took effect on April 2, 2013, for the sale and leaseback (under a capital lease arrangement) of the Ardmore Calypso and Ardmore Capella. This transaction was treated as a financing transaction. As part of this arrangement, the senior debt outstanding on the vessels of $17.9 million was repaid in full on April 2, 2013. The capital leases were scheduled to expire in 2018 and included a mandatory purchase obligation for the lessee to repurchase the vessels, as well as a purchase option exercisable by Ardmore, which Ardmore could elect to exercise at an earlier date. In October 2015, Ardmore agreed to terms for the sale of the Ardmore Calypso and Ardmore Capella. Effective November 2015, Ardmore reclassified these vessels as held for sale and ceased to depreciate the F-21 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 10. Capital leases − (continued) vessels. Ardmore exercised the purchase option for the two vessels during the second quarter of 2016 and repaid all amounts outstanding under the capital lease (see Note 11). On December 22, 2016 one of ASC’s subsidiaries entered into an agreement for the sale and leaseback (under a capital lease arrangement) of the Ardmore Seatrader. This transaction was treated as a financing transaction. As part of this arrangement, the senior debt outstanding on the vessel of $3.0 million was repaid in full on December 20, 2016. The capital lease is scheduled to expire in 2021 and includes a mandatory purchase obligation for the lessee to repurchase the vessel, as well as a purchase option, which Ardmore could elect to exercise at an earlier date. This capital lease arrangement includes all of the financial covenants of the long- term debt facilities referred to in Note 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current portion of capital lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Current portion of deferred finance fees Non-current portion of capital lease obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Non-current portion of deferred finance fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total capital lease obligations As at Dec 31, 2016 181,047 (22,019) 9,064,702 (93,080) 9,130,650 Dec 31, 2015 27,097,348 (325,437) — — 26,771,911 The future minimum lease payments required under the capital leases at December 31, 2016 are as follows: 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total minimum lease payments Less amounts representing interest and deferred finance fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net minimum lease payments Assets recorded under capital leases consist of the following: As at Dec 31, 2016 1,095,000 1,387,000 1,387,000 1,390,800 7,602,800 12,862,600 (3,731,950) 9,130,650 Vessels held for sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vessels, Equipment & Deferred Drydock Expenditure . . . . . . . . . Accumulated Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . As at Dec 31, 2016 — 26,125,274 (9,239,855) 16,885,419 Dec 31, 2015 37,083,985 — — 37,083,985 The amortization of vessels accounted for as capital leases is included within the depreciation change in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. 11. Sale of vessels In October 2015, Ardmore agreed to terms for the sale of the Ardmore Calypso and Ardmore Capella. Effective November 2015, Ardmore reclassified these vessels as held for sale and ceased to depreciate the vessels. Ardmore exercised the purchase option for the two vessels during the second quarter of 2016 and repaid all amounts outstanding under the capital lease. The sale price for the two vessels was $38.5 million, resulting in an overall net gain of $0.5 million when Ardmore delivered the vessels to the buyers during April and May of 2016. F-22 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 11. Sale of vessels − (continued) In September 2016, Ardmore agreed to terms for the sale of the Ardmore Centurion. Effective September 9, 2016 Ardmore reclassified the vessel as held for sale and ceased to depreciate the vessel. The sale price for the vessel was $15.7 million, resulting in a net loss of $3.1 million when the vessel delivered to the buyers on October 4, 2016. The net loss on disposal of the vessels for the year ended December 31, 2016 is calculated as follows: Sales Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net book value of vessels . . . . . . . Sales related costs . . . . . . . . . . . . Lease termination costs and related finance fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net (Loss)/Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . Centurion 15,700,000 (18,222,109) (531,001) Calypso 19,150,000 (18,783,238) (273,458) Capella 19,350,000 (18,253,669) (228,210) Total 54,200,000 (55,259,016) (1,032,669) — (3,053,110) (254,731) (161,427) (254,732) 613,389 (509,463) (2,601,148) 12. Risk Management 12.1. Operational risk Ardmore is exposed to operating costs risk arising from various vessel operations. Key areas of operating risk include drydock, repair costs, insurance, piracy and fuel prices. Ardmore’s risk management includes various strategies for technical management of drydock and repairs coordinated with a focus on measuring cost and quality. Ardmore’s relatively young fleet helps to minimize the risk. Given the potential for accidents and other incidents that may occur in vessel operations, the fleet is insured against various types of risk. Ardmore has established a set of countermeasures in order to minimize the risk of piracy attacks during voyages, particularly through regions which the Joint War Committee or our insurers consider high risk, or which they recommend monitoring including the South China Sea, the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Guinea, Venezuela, and in certain areas of the Middle East, and increasingly the Sulu Archipelago and Indonesia in the South China Sea, to make the navigation safer for sea staff and to protect Ardmore’s assets The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and can fluctuate from time to time. Ardmore periodically considers and monitors the need for fuel hedging to manage this risk. 12.2. Foreign exchange risk The majority of Ardmore’s transactions, assets and liabilities are denominated in U.S. Dollars, the functional currency of Ardmore. Ardmore incurs certain general and operating expenses in other currencies (primarily the Euro, Singapore Dollar and Pounds Sterling) and as a result there is a transactional risk to Ardmore that currency fluctuations will have a negative effect on the value of Ardmore’s cash flows. Such risk may have an adverse effect on Ardmore’s financial condition and results of operations. Ardmore believes these adverse effects to be immaterial and has not entered into any derivative contracts for either transaction or translation risk during the year. 12.3. Interest rate risk The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes primarily through borrowings that require the Company to make interest payments based on LIBOR. Significant increases in interest rates could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and its ability to repay debt. The Company monitors interest rate exposure and may enter into swap arrangements to hedge exposure where it is considered economically advantageous to do so. The disclosure in the immediately following paragraph about the potential effects of changes in interest rates are based on a sensitivity analysis, which models the effects of hypothetical interest rate shifts. A sensitivity analysis is constrained by several factors, including the necessity to conduct the analysis based on a single F-23 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 12. Risk Management − (continued) point in time and by the inability to include the extraordinarily complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts. Although the following results of a sensitivity analysis for changes in interest rates may have some limited use as a benchmark, they should not be viewed as a forecast. This forward-looking disclosure also is selective in nature and addresses only the potential impacts on the Company’s borrowings. Assuming the Company does not hedge its exposure to interest rate fluctuations, a hypothetical 100 basis-point increase or decrease in the Company’s variable interest rates would have increased or decreased the Company’s interest expense for the year period ended December 31, 2016 by $4.2 million (2015: $3.5 million) using the average long-term debt balance and actual interest incurred in each period. 12.4. Credit risk There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents to the extent that substantially all of the amounts are held in Nordea Bank, and in short-term funds managed by Blackrock and State Street Global Advisors. While Ardmore believes this risk of loss is low, it will keep this under review and will revise its policy for managing cash and cash equivalents if considered advantageous and prudent to do so. Ardmore limits its credit risk with trade accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition. It generally does not require collateral for its trade accounts receivable. Ardmore may have a credit risk in relation to vessel employment and at times may have multiple vessels employed by one charterer. Ardmore considers and evaluates concentration of credit risk regularly and performs on-going evaluations of these charterers for credit risk. As at December 31, 2016 Ardmore’s 27 vessels in operation were employed with 13 different charterers and the Company continuously monitors credit concentration risk. 12.5. Liquidity risk Ardmore’s principal objective in relation to liquidity is to ensure that it has access, at minimum cost, to sufficient liquidity to enable it to meet its obligations as they fall due and to provide adequately for contingencies. Ardmore’s policy is to manage its liquidity by strict forecasting of cash flows arising from or expense relating to time charter revenue, pool revenue, vessel operating expenses, general and administrative overhead and servicing of debt. 13. General and administrative expenses Staff salaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Share based compensation (non-cash) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Office administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bank charges and foreign exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Auditors’ remuneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other professional fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other administration costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec 31, 2016 6,749,088 1,304,325 2,767,523 140,942 513,429 2,236,302 365,603 14,077,212 For the year ended Dec 31, 2015 4,910,488 1,436,505 2,078,627 151,840 481,492 1,377,716 311,954 10,748,622 Dec 31, 2014 3,508,694 1,383,121 764,460 104,250 491,542 1,062,303 864,296 8,178,666 Audit remuneration for the year arises solely on fees incurred for independent audit services. F-24 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 14. Interest expense and finance costs Interest incurred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Capitalized interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amortization of deferred financing charges . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec 31, 2016 14,338,666 — 3,415,452 17,754,118 For the year ended Dec 31, 2015 12,994,911 (2,423,688) 1,711,481 12,282,704 Dec 31, 2014 7,138,451 (3,936,843) 917,675 4,119,283 15. Interest income Interest income relates to bank interest received on Ardmore’s cash and cash equivalents balances. 16. Income taxes Profit/(loss) before taxes was derived from the following sources: Domestic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec 31, 2016 3,808,366 — 3,808,366 For the year ended Dec 31, 2015 32,034,825 — 32,034,825 Dec 31, 2014 1,707,223 — 1,707,223 The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows: Dec 31, 2016 For the year ended Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2014 Domestic Current tax expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Income tax expense for year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (60,434) (60,434) (79,860) (79,860) (46,749) (46,749) All domestic tax for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 arose the Irish/U.S. tax jurisdiction. 17. Net earnings per share Basic and diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net profit available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the net profit available to common shareholders and the weighted average number of common shares used for calculating basic earnings per share for the effects of all potentially dilutive shares. Such dilutive common shares are excluded when the effect would be to increase earnings per share or reduce a loss per share. Numerator: Net profit available to common shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . Denominator: Weighted average number of shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . Earnings per share, basic and diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dec 31, 2016 For the year ended Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2014 3,747,932 31,954,965 1,660,474 30,141,891 0.12 26,059,122 1.23 24,547,661 0.07 For the period ended December 31, 2016, SARs granting the right to acquire 1,349,154 shares (2015: 1,142,056; 2014: 1,105,838) were outstanding. The SARs have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as they are anti-dilutive. F-25 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 18. Related party transactions There were no related party transactions during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016. 19. Share based compensation As at December 31, 2016, ASC had granted 1,349,154 SARs (inclusive of 5,779 forfeited SARs) to certain of its officers, directors, and employees under its 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. Under a SAR award, the grantee is entitled to receive the appreciation of a share of ASC’s common stock following the grant of the award. Each SAR provides for a payment of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of a share of ASC’s common stock at the time of exercise of the SAR over the per share exercise price of the SAR, multiplied by the number of shares for which the SAR is then exercised. Payment under the SAR will be made in the form of shares of ASC’s common stock, based on the fair market value of a share of ASC’s common stock at the time of exercise of the SAR. The SAR awards provide that in no event will the appreciation per share for any portion of the SAR award be deemed to exceed four times (i.e. 400%) the per share exercise price of the SAR. In other words, the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock for purposes of calculating the amount payable under the SAR is not deemed to exceed five times (i.e. 500%) the per share exercise price of the SAR. Any appreciation in excess of four times the per share exercise price of the SAR will be disregarded for purposes of calculating the amount payable under the SAR. Vesting on all awards up to July 31, 2016 was subject to certain market conditions being met. On that date the vesting reverted to being solely dependent on time of service. The grant date fair value was calculated by applying a model based on the Monte Carlo simulation. The model inputs were the grant price, dividend yield based on the initial intended dividend set out by the Company, a risk-free rate of return equal to the zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bill commensurate with the contractual terms of the units and expected volatility based on the average of the most recent historical volatilities in the Company’s peer group. A summary of awards, simulation inputs and outputs is as follows: Monte Carlo Simulation Inputs Period SARs Date Awarded 01-Aug-13 . . . . . 1,078,125 22,118 12-Mar-14 . . . . . 5,595 01-Sept-14 . . . . . 37,797 06-Mar-15 . . . . . 205,519 15-Jan-16 . . . . . . Exercise Price $14.00 $13.66 $13.91 $10.25 $ 9.20 Vesting 5 yrs 3 yrs 3 yrs 3 yrs 3 yrs Grant Price $14.00 $13.66 $13.91 $10.25 $ 9.20 Dividend Yield 2.87% 2.93% 2.88% 3.90% 6.63% Risk-free rate of Return 2.15% 2.06% 2.20% 1.90% 1.79% Expected Volatility 54.89% 56.31% 53.60% 61.38% 58.09% Weighted Average Fair Value @grant date $4.28 $4.17 $4.20 $2.98 $2.20 Average Expected Exercise Life 4.9 − 6.0 yrs 4.6 − 5.0 yrs 4.5 − 5.0 yrs 4.2 − 5.0 yrs 4.0 − 5.0 yrs The cost of each tranche is being recognized by the Company on a straight-line basis. The recognition of share-based compensation costs related to the tranches that vest before July 31, 2016 would have been accelerated if the market condition had been met and the requisite service period had been completed. The Company’s policy for issuing shares, if exercised, is to register and issue new common shares to the beneficiary. The movement for the period ended December 31, 2016 is set forth below: Balance as at January 1, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SARs granted during the year ending December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . SARs exercised/converted/expired during the year ending December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SARs forfeited during the year ending December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . Balance as at December 31, 2016 (none of which are exercisable or convertible) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. of Units 1,142,056 205,519 Weighted average exercise price $13.87 $ 9.20 — (4,200) — — 1,343,375 $13.16 F-26 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 19. Share based compensation − (continued) The total cost related to non-vested awards expected to be recognized through 2018 is set forth below: Period 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TOTAL 455,740 154,905 610,645 20. Repurchase of common stock On October 30, 2014, the Board of Directors of Ardmore approved a share repurchase plan with authorization to buy up to $20 million of shares of the Company’s common stock for up to three years. In August 2016, the Board of Directors of Ardmore approved an increase in the size of the Company’s share repurchase plan with authorization to buy up to $25 million of shares of the Company’s common stock, increasing the number of shares of its common stock that the Company was authorized to buy from up to a total of $20 million to up to a total of $25 million. As at December 31, 2016 Ardmore had repurchased 485,747 shares for a weighted average price of $8.82 per share, amounting to $4.3 million. As at December 31, 2015 Ardmore had repurchased 119,400 shares for a weighted average price of $10.71 per share amounting to $1.3 million. 21. Commitments and contingencies As at December 31, 2016 Ardmore has the following commitments due within the next five years: Office space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2017 339,445 339,445 2018 270,820 270,820 2019 − 2021 812,460 812,460 22. Subsequent events The Company has evaluated the period after the reporting date and determined that there were no subsequent events or transactions that required recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. 23. Subsidiaries The following is a list of ASC’s direct and indirect subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016: Country of Name of Company Incorporation Ardmore Shipping LLC . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Ardmore Maritime Services LLC . . . . . Marshall Islands Ardmore Shipholding Limited . . . . . . . Ardmore Shipping (Bermuda) Limited. . Bermuda Ardmore Shipping (Asia) Pte Limited . . Singapore Ireland Ardmore Shipping (Americas) LLC . . . United States Ardmore Shipping (UK) Limited . . . . . United Kingdom Ardmore Shipping Services (Ireland) Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ireland Ardmore Chartering LLC . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Bailey Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Ballycotton Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Principal Activities Holding company Holding company Holding company Commercial management Commercial management and chartering services Chartering services Chartering services Corporate, fleet administration, and chartering services Commercial management and chartering services Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ownership (%) 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% F-27 Ardmore Shipping Corporation Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) 23. Subsidiaries − (continued) Country of Incorporation Name of Company Biscay Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Blasket Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Brandon Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Cromarty Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Dogger Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Dover Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Fair Isle Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Faroe Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Fastnet Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Fisher Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Fitzroy Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Forth Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Forties Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Hebrides Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Humber Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Kilkee Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Killary Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Kilmore Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Lundy Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Magee Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Malin Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Plymouth Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Portland Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Rockall Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Saltee Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Shannon Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Skellig Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Sole Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Thames Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Trafalgar Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Tramore Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Tyne Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Valentia Shipholding LLC . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Viking Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Wight Shipco LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshall Islands Principal Activities Dormant Ship ownership and operations Dormant Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Dormant Ship ownership and operations Dormant Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Dormant Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Dormant Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Dormant Ship ownership and operations Ship ownership and operations Ownership (%) 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% F-28 Contents Our Company and Strategy Letter from the Chairman Letter from the CEO Directors & Senior Management Our Fleet Form 20F 02 03 05 09 13 14 Ardmore ShippiNg CorporAtioN ANNUAl report 2016 Ardmore Shipping CorporAtion Cumberland House, 1 Victoria Street, 5th Floor, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda +1 441 405 7800 info@ardmoreshipping.com www.ardmoreshipping.com Stock Listing Ardmore Shipping Corporation’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “ASC”. transfer Agent Computershare Inc, P.O. Box 30170, College Station, Texas, TX 77842-3170, USA Tel: +1 877 373 6374 investor relations Investor Relations, Ardmore Shipping Corporation, Cumberland House, 1 Victoria Street, 5th Floor, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda +1 441 405 7800 info@ardmoreshipping.com Mr. Leon Berman, The IGB Group, 45 Broadway, Suite 1150, New York, NY 10006, USA Tel: +1 212 477 8438 lberman@igbir.com Auditors Ernst & Young, Ernst & Young Building, Harcourt Centre, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, Ireland Tel: +353 1 475 0555 Ardmore Shipping CorporAtion ANNUAl report 2016