Quarterlytics / Industrials / Marine Shipping / Performance Shipping Inc.

Performance Shipping Inc.

pshg · NASDAQ Industrials
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Ticker pshg
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Industrials
Industry Marine Shipping
Employees 51-200
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FY2017 Annual Report · Performance Shipping Inc.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2017

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P

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 1  

Diana Containerships inC.
2017 annual report

2 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 3  

This 2017 Annual Report of Diana Containerships Inc. (the “Company”) is substantially 
derived from the Company’s 2017 Annual Report filed on Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities 
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 16, 2018, which is available on the SEC’s 
website at www.sec.gov.  Additional information, including documents filed as exhibits to 
the Company’s Form 20-F, is also available on the SEC’s website. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 

4

PART I 

item 1. 

item 2. 

item 3. 

item 4. 

identity of Directors, senior Management and advisers ............................................ 5

offer statistics and expected timetable .................................................................. 5

Key information ...................................................................................................... 5

information on the Company ................................................................................. 40

item 4a. 

unresolved staff Comments ................................................................................. 63

item 5. 

item 6. 

item 7. 

item 8. 

item 9. 

operating and Financial review and prospects ...................................................... 63

Directors, senior Management and employees ...................................................... 83

Major shareholders and related party transactions ............................................... 89

Financial information ............................................................................................. 92

the offer and listing ............................................................................................ 93

item 10. 

additional information ........................................................................................... 94

item 11. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market risk ................................... 106

item 12. 

Description of securities other than equity securities ........................................... 107

PART II 

item 13. 

Defaults, Dividend arrearages and Delinquencies................................................. 108

item 14.  Material Modifications to the rights of security holders and use of proceeds ........ 108

Controls and procedures .................................................................................... 108
item 15. 
item 16a.  audit Committee Financial expert ........................................................................ 109

item 16B.  Code of ethics ................................................................................................... 109

item 16C.  principal accountant Fees and services .............................................................. 109

item 16D.  exemptions from the listing standards for audit Committees ............................... 110

item 16e.  purchases of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers ................... 110

item 16F.  Change in registrant’s Certifying accountant ....................................................... 111

item 16G.  Corporate Governance ....................................................................................... 111

item 16h.  Mine safety Disclosure ....................................................................................... 111

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

F-1

  
 
  
 
 
 
4 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Diana Containerships Inc., or the Company, desires 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 this safe harbor legislation.  This document and any other written 
or oral statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements, which 
reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance.  The words 
“believe”, “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “potential,” “will,” “may,” 
“should,” “expect” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Please note in this annual report, “we”, “us”, “our” and “the Company” all refer to Diana 

Containerships Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

The forward-looking statements in this document are based upon various assumptions, many 
of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, management’s 
examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available 
from third parties.  Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, 
because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies 
which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that 
we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these important factors and matters discussed elsewhere herein, including 
under the heading “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors,” important factors that, in our 
view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking 
statements include the strength of world economies, fluctuations in currencies and interest rates, 
general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes 
in demand in the container shipping industry, changes in the supply of vessels, changes in the 
Company’s operating expenses, including bunker prices, crew costs, drydocking and insurance 
costs, our future operating or financial results, changes to our financial condition and liquidity, 
including our ability to pay amounts that we owe and obtain additional financing to fund capital 
expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate activities, our ability to continue as a 
going concern, potential liability from pending or future litigation, changes in governmental rules 
and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, general domestic and international 
political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents, labor disputes or 
political events, and other important factors described from time to time in the reports filed by the 
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.

We caution readers of this annual report not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking 
statements, which speak only as of their dates. We undertake no obligation to update or revise 
any forward-looking statements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 5  

PART I

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not Applicable.

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not Applicable.

Item 3. Key Information

A. Selected Financial Data 

The following tables set forth our selected consolidated financial data and other operating data. 
The selected consolidated financial data in the tables as of and for the years ended December 31, 
2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements 
and  notes  thereto  which  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  U.S.  generally  accepted 
accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. The following data should be read in conjunction with “Item 
5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”, the consolidated financial statements, related 
notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this annual report.

All share and per share amounts disclosed in this annual report give retroactive effect to the six 
reverse stock splits of our common shares effected in 2016 and 2017, for all periods presented. 
See “Item 4. Information on the Company – A. History and Development of the Company.”

For the years ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for share and per share data)

Statement of Operations Data:

time charter revenues

$  23,806

$ 

36,992

$ 

70,746

$ 

65,678 $ 

74,337

prepaid charter revenue 
amortization

time charter revenues, net

Voyage expenses

Vessel operating expenses

Depreciation and amortization 
of deferred charges

Management fees

General and administrative 
expenses

impairment losses

(Gain) / loss on vessels’ sale

Foreign currency losses / 
(gains)

-

23,806

1,702

22,732

8,147

-

8,366

8,363

(945)

51

(3,798)

33,194

3,169

30,213

12,740

-

7,241

118,861

2,899

111

operating income / (loss)

(24,610)

(142,040)

(8,566)

62,180

2,619

35,847

(11,610)

54,068

332

26,559

13,140

10,309

-

6,194

6,607

8,300

(55)

(10,472)

-

6,306

-

695

17

9,850

(20,322)

54,015

705

30,870

11,070

305

5,059

42,323

16,481

66

(52,864)

 
 
 
6 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

For the years ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for share and per share data)

interest and finance costs

(13,843)

(7,094)

(7,166)

(6,746)

(4,554)

interest income

87

Gain from bank debt write off

42,185

120

-

107

-

134

-

72

-

net income / (loss)

$  3,819

$ 

(149,014)

$ (17,531)

$ 3,238 $ 

(57,346)

earnings / (loss) per common 
share, basic and diluted

earnings / (loss) per common 
share, diluted

Dividends declared and paid, 
per share

Weighted average number of 
common shares, basic

Weighted average number of 
common shares, diluted

$ 

$ 

$ 

8.94

$ (100,821.38)

$  (11,917.74)

$  2,205.72 $  (85,463.49)

8.94

$ (100,821.38)

$  (11,917.74)

$  2,205.72 $  (85,463.49)

-

$ 

246.96

$ 

493.92

$ 10,125.36

44,452.80

427,333

427,361

1,478

1,478

1,471

1,471

1,468

1,468

671

671

As of and for the years ended December 31,

2017 

2016

2015

2014

2013

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for fleet data and average daily results)

Balance Sheet Data:

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 

6,444

$ 

8,316

$ 

29,388

$ 

82,003

$ 

19,685

Vessels held for sale

total current assets

Vessels’ net book value

property and equipment, net

restricted cash

total assets

total current liabilities

Bank and other debt (net of 
unamortized deferred financing 
costs)

related party financing (net of 
unamortized deferred financing 
costs)

18,378

28,000

201,308

911

-

232,307

101,215

-

22,875

240,352

946

9,000

266,531

129,863

-

34,914

384,549

987

9,000

435,723

24,697

-

86,446

306,094

1,089

9,870

409,263

9,290

-

22,980

265,372

321

9,870

316,709

3,779

12,119

127,129

142,678

98,298

98,102

84,832

45,617

48,950

50,867

50,233

total stockholders’ equity

$  130,772

$ 

90,880

$ 

239,174

$  256,443

$  164,465

Cash Flow Data:

net cash provided by /  
(used in) operating activities

net cash provided by /  
used in) investing activities

net cash provided by /  
(used in) financing activities

Fleet Data:

$  (12,653)

$ 

(11,963)

$ 

17,445

$ 

25,487

$ 

31,740

6,665

10,574

(111,751)

(51,636)

(81,663)

4,116

(19,683)

41,691

88,467

38,082

average number of vessels (1)

11.4

number of vessels at end of 
period

ownership days (2)

11.0

4,178

13.1

12.0

4,780

12.6

14.0

4,600

8.8

11.0

3,198

9.6

9.0

3,516

 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 7  

As of and for the years ended December 31,

2017 

2016

2015

2014

2013

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for fleet data and average daily results)

4,155

3,152

75.9 %

4,735

3,304

69.8 %

4,515

4,155

92.0 %

3,198

3,189

99.7 %

3,516

3,442

97.9 %

$ 

5,320

$ 

6,341

$ 

13,192

$ 

16,803

$ 

15,162

5,441

6,321

7,793

8,305

8,780

available days (3)

operating days (4)

Fleet utilization (5)

Average Daily Results:

time charter equivalent (tCe) 
rate (6)

Daily vessel operating 
expenses (7)

(1) Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant 
period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was a part of our fleet during 
the period divided by the number of calendar days in the period.

(2) Ownership days are the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel 
in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over 
a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record 
during a period.

(3) Available days are the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days 
that our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades 
or special surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels. The 
shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which 
vessels should be capable of generating revenues

(4) Operating days are the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number 
of days that our vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including unforeseen circumstances. The 
shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during 
which vessels actually generate revenues.

 (5) We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period 
by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization 
to measure a company’s efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing 
the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or repairs 
under guarantee, vessel upgrades, special surveys or vessel positioning.

 (6) Time charter equivalent rates, or TCE rates, are defined as our time charter revenues, 
net, less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during 
the period, which is consistent with industry standards. Voyage expenses include port charges, 
bunker (fuel) expenses, canal charges and commissions. TCE rate is a non-GAAP measure, and 
management believes it is useful to provide to investors because it is a standard shipping industry 
performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time 
charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter hire rates 
for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts while charter hire 
rates for vessels on time charters are generally expressed in such amounts. The following table 
reflects the calculation of our TCE rates for the periods presented.

 
 
 
8 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

For the years ended December 31,

2017 

2016

2015

2014

2013

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for available days and TCE rate)

time charter revenues, net 
of prepaid charter revenue 
amortization

less: voyage expenses

time charter equivalent 
revenues

available days

time charter equivalent (tCe) 
rate

$  23,806

$ 

33,194

$ 

62,180

$ 

54,068

$ 

54,015

(1,702)

(3,169)

(2,619)

(332)

(705)

$  22,104

$ 

30,025

$ 

59,561

$ 

53,736

$ 

53,310

4,155

4,735

4,515

3,198

3,516

$ 

5,320

$ 

6,341

$ 

13,192

$ 

16,803

$ 

15,162

(7) Daily vessel operating expenses, which include crew wages and related costs, the cost of 
insurance and vessel registry, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares 
and consumable stores, lubricant costs, tonnage taxes, regulatory fees, environmental costs, 
lay-up expenses and other miscellaneous expenses, are calculated by dividing vessel operating 
expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not Applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not Applicable.

D. Risk Factors

Some of the following risks relate principally to the industry in which we operate and our 
business in general. Other risks relate principally to the securities market and ownership of our 
common stock. The occurrence of any of the events described in this section could significantly 
and negatively affect our business, financial condition or operating results or the trading price of 
our common stock.

Industry Specific Risk Factors

The containership sector is cyclical and volatile, with charter hire rates and profitability 
at reduced levels, and the recent global economic downturn has resulted in decreased 
demand for container shipping.

Our  growth  generally  depends  on  continued  growth  in  world  and  regional  demand  for 
containership services, and the global economic slowdown that commenced in 2008 and from 
which the global economy has not fully recovered resulted in decreased demand for containerships 
and a related decrease in charter rates that have not fully recovered.

The ocean-going containership sector is both cyclical and volatile in terms of charter hire rates 
and profitability. Containership charter rates peaked in 2005 and generally stayed strong until the 
middle of 2008, when the effects of the 2008 economic crisis began to affect global container 
trade. Containership charter rates subsequently improved and stabilized somewhat, although 

 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 9  

current rates remain below their long-term averages and may decline further. Fluctuations in 
charter rates result from changes in the supply of and demand for ship capacity and changes in 
the supply of and demand for the major products internationally transported by containerships. 
The factors affecting the supply of and demand for containerships and supply of and demand for 
products shipped in containers are outside of our control, and the nature, timing and degree of 
changes in industry conditions are unpredictable. We cannot assure you that we will be able to 
successfully charter our vessels in the future or renew existing charters upon their expiration or 
termination, most of which are scheduled to expire in the first half of 2018, assuming the earliest 
redelivery dates, at rates sufficient to allow us to meet our obligations or at all.

The factors that influence demand for containership capacity include:

  supply of and demand for products suitable for shipping in containers;

  changes in global production of products transported by containerships;

  the distance container cargo products are to be moved by sea;

  the globalization of manufacturing;

  global and regional economic and political conditions;

  developments in international trade;

  changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns, including changes in the distances over 

which container cargoes are transported;

  environmental and other regulatory developments;

  currency exchange rates;

  weather; and

  cost of bunkers.

The factors that influence the supply of containership capacity include:

  the number of newbuilding orders and deliveries;

  the extent of newbuilding vessel deferrals;

  the scrapping rate of older containerships;

  newbuilding prices and containership owner access to capital to finance the construction of 

newbuildings;

  charter rates and the price of steel and other raw materials;

  changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful life of containerships;

  the number of containerships that are sailing at reduced speed, or slow-steaming, to conserve 

fuel;

10 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

  the number of containerships that are out of service;

  port congestion and canal closures; and

  demand for fleet renewal.

Our ability to employ any containerships that we acquire in the future and recharter our 
containerships upon the expiration or termination of their current charters, and the charter rates 
payable under any charters or renewal options or replacement charters will depend upon, among 
other things, the prevailing state of the containership charter market, which can be affected by 
consumer demand for products shipped in containers. When our containerships’ charters expire, 
we may be forced to recharter our containerships at reduced or even unprofitable rates, or we may 
not be able to recharter our vessels at all, which may reduce or eliminate our earnings or make 
our earnings volatile. The same issues will exist if we acquire additional vessels and attempt to 
obtain multi-year time charter arrangements as part of our acquisition and financing plan, which 
may affect our ability to operate our vessels profitably. The containership market also affects the 
value of our vessels, which follow the trends of freight rates and containership rates.

Liner companies, which are the most significant charterers of containerships, have been 
placed under significant financial pressure, thereby increasing our charter counterparty 
risk.

The decline in global trade as a result of the lingering effects of the economic slowdown 
has resulted in a significant decline in demand for the seaborne transportation of products in 
containers, including for exports from China to Europe and the United States. Consequently, 
the cargo volumes and freight rates achieved by liner companies, which charter containerships 
from ship owners like us, declined sharply in the second half of 2011, and continued to be 
weak throughout 2012 to 2015, especially for medium to smaller size containerships. Although 
freight rates recovered somewhat throughout 2016 and 2017, rates remain below their historical 
averages, which has adversely affected their profitability. The financial challenges faced by liner 
companies, some of which announced efforts to obtain third party aid and restructure their 
obligations, have reduced demand for containership charters compared to historical averages. 
The combination of the current surplus of containership capacity and the expected increase in 
the size of the world containership fleet over the next several years may make it difficult to secure 
substitute employment for our containerships if our counterparties fail to perform their obligations 
under the currently arranged time charters, and any new charter arrangements we are able to 
secure may be at lower rates.

We are dependent upon a limited number of customers in a consolidating industry for a 
large part of our revenues. The loss of these customers could adversely affect our financial 
performance.

All of our vessels are currently employed on time charter, to an aggregate of 5 different charterers. 
Should charter rates for containerships improve, we may seek to charter a greater portion of our 
containerships pursuant to medium- and long-term fixed-rate time charters with leading liner 
companies, and we may remain dependent upon a limited number of liner operators. In addition, 
in recent years there have been significant examples of consolidation in the containership sector. 
Financial difficulties in the industry may accelerate the trend towards consolidation. The cessation 
of business with liner companies to which our vessels are chartered or their failure to fulfill their 
obligations under the charters for our containerships could have a material adverse effect on our 
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 11  

An over-supply of containership capacity may lead to a further reduction in charter rates, 
which may limit our ability to operate our vessels profitably or at all.

According to industry sources, as of January 1, 2018, newbuilding containerships with an 
aggregate capacity of 2.8 million TEUs, representing approximately 13% of the total worldwide 
containership fleet capacity as of that date, were on order. The size of the orderbook when compared 
to the fleet is small relative to historical levels and will result in the increase in the size of the world 
containership fleet over the next few years. However, the orderbook remains heavily skewed towards 
ships of at least 8,000 TEU in size. An over-supply of containership capacity, combined with a 
decline in the demand for containerships, may result in a further reduction of charter hire rates. If 
such a reduction continues in the future, we may only be able to charter our fleet for reduced rates 
or unprofitable rates or we may not be able to charter our containerships at all.

The reduction in charter rates may cause certain vessel owners or operators, including us, 
to elect to “lay up” one or more of its vessels for an extended period of time. The lay up of a 
vessel significantly reduces the vessel’s operating costs during the lay-up period, but the owners 
will continue to incur certain expenses relating to maintenance, insurance and debt service costs, 
among others. In addition, vessel owners will incur expenditures to re-commission a vessel and 
place it back into service, the amount of which cannot generally be determined at the time of lay up. 
These expenditures may be extensive, and may delay the eventual re-activation of the vessel until 
such time as the owner determines that there is a sustainable rebound in charter rates, which may 
result in lost earnings during the early stages of a recovery. As we have done in the past, there is a 
risk that we may elect to lay up one or more vessels in the future.

A decline in the state of global financial markets and economic conditions may adversely 
affect our earnings and financial condition and our ability to obtain financing on acceptable 
terms or at all, which may hinder or prevent us from expanding our business.

Negative trends in the global economy that emerged in 2008 continue to adversely affect 
global economic conditions. In addition, the world economy continues to face a number of new 
challenges, including continuing economic weakness in the European Union, or the EU. Weakness 
in the global economy has caused, and could in the future cause, a decrease in worldwide 
demand for certain goods and, thus, shipping. Moreover, we operate in a sector of the economy 
that is likely to be adversely impacted by the effects of political conflicts, including the current 
political instability in the Middle East and other geographic countries and areas, geopolitical events 
such as Brexit, terrorist or other attacks, and war (or threatened war) or international hostilities, 
such as those between the United States and North Korea.

The EU and other parts of the world have recently been or are currently in a recession and 
continue to exhibit weak economic trends. Moreover, concerns persist regarding the debt burden 
of certain Eurozone countries, such as Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, and their ability to meet 
future financial obligations and the overall stability of the euro. Partly as a result, the credit markets 
in the United States and Europe have experienced contraction, deleveraging and reduced liquidity, 
and the U.S. federal and state governments and European authorities have implemented a broad 
variety of governmental action and new regulation of the financial markets and may implement 
additional regulations in the future. As a result, global economic conditions and global financial 
markets have been, and continue to be, volatile. Further, credit markets and the debt and equity 
capital markets have been distressed and the uncertainty surrounding the future of the global 
credit markets has resulted in reduced access to credit worldwide.

12 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Recent volatility in global financial markets and economic conditions has negatively affected 
the general willingness of banks and other financial institutions to extend credit, particularly in the 
shipping industry, due to the historically volatile asset values of vessels. As the shipping industry 
is highly dependent on the availability of credit to finance and expand operations, it has been, and 
may continue to be negatively affected by a decline in lending. Furthermore, a decline in global 
financial markets and economic conditions may adversely impact our ability to issue additional 
equity at prices that are not dilutive to our existing shareholders or preclude us from issuing equity 
at all.

Also, as a result of any renewed concerns about the stability of financial markets generally and 
the solvency of counterparties specifically, the cost of obtaining money from the credit markets 
may increase as lenders may increase interest rates, enact tighter lending standards, refuse to 
refinance existing debt at all or on terms similar to current debt and reduce, and in some cases 
cease to provide funding to borrowers. Due to these factors, we cannot be certain that financing 
will be available if needed, and to the extent required, on acceptable terms or at all. If financing 
is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to 
enhance our existing business, or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities as they 
arise.

A decrease in the level of China’s export of goods or an increase in trade protectionism 
globally could have a material adverse impact on our charterers’ business and, in turn, 
could cause a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition 
and cash flows.

China exports considerably more goods than it imports. Our containerships may be deployed on 
routes involving containerized trade in and out of emerging markets, and our charterers’ container 
shipping and business revenue may be derived from the shipment of goods from the Asia Pacific 
region to various overseas export markets including the United States and Europe. Any reduction 
in or hindrance to the output of China-based exporters could have a material adverse effect on the 
growth rate of China’s exports and on our charterers’ business. For instance, the government of 
China has implemented economic policies aimed at increasing domestic consumption of Chinese-
made goods and restricting currency exchanges within China. This may have the effect of reducing 
the supply of goods available for export from China and may, in turn, result in a decrease of demand 
for container shipping. Additionally, though in China there is an increasing level of autonomy and 
a gradual shift in emphasis to a “market economy” and enterprise reform, many of the reforms, 
particularly some limited price reforms that result in the prices for certain commodities being 
principally determined by market forces, are unprecedented or experimental and may be subject 
to revision, change or abolition. The level of imports to and exports from China could be adversely 
affected by changes to these economic reforms by the Chinese government, as well as by changes 
in political, economic and social conditions or other relevant policies of the Chinese government. 
Changes in laws and regulations, including with regards to tax matters, and their implementation 
by local authorities could affect our charterers’ business and have a material adverse impact on 
our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, leaders in the United States have indicated the United States may seek to implement 
more protective trade measures. The current U.S. president was elected on a platform promoting 
trade protectionism and his election has created uncertainty about the future relationship between 
the United States and China and other exporting countries, including with respect to trade policies, 
treaties, government regulations and tariffs. On January 23, 2017, the U.S. President signed an 
executive order withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a global trade 
agreement intended to include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru and a number of Asian 
countries.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 13  

Our operations expose us to the risk that increased trade protectionism from China or other 
nations will adversely affect our business. If the global recovery is undermined by downside risks 
and the recent economic downturn returns, governments may turn to trade barriers to protect 
their domestic industries against foreign imports, thereby depressing the demand for shipping. 
Specifically, increasing trade protectionism in the markets that our charterers serve has caused 
and may continue to cause an increase in: (i) the cost of goods exported from China, (ii) the length 
of time required to deliver goods from China and (iii) the risks associated with exporting goods 
from China, as well as a decrease in the quantity of goods to be shipped.

Any increased trade barriers or restrictions on trade, especially trade with China, would have 
an adverse impact on our charterers’ business, operating results and financial condition and 
could thereby affect their ability to make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and 
increase the number of their time charters with us. This could have a material adverse effect on 
our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends to our 
shareholders.

Vessel values may fluctuate, which may adversely affect our financial condition, or result 
in the incurrence of a loss upon disposal of a vessel, impairment losses or increases in the 
cost of acquiring additional vessels.

Vessel values may fluctuate due to a number of different factors, including: general economic 
and market conditions affecting the shipping industry; competition from other shipping companies; 
the types and sizes of available vessels; the availability of other modes of transportation; increases 
in the supply of vessel capacity; the cost of newbuildings; governmental or other regulations; 
and the need to upgrade secondhand and previously owned vessels as a result of charterer 
requirements, technological advances in vessel design or equipment or otherwise. In addition, as 
vessels grow older, they generally decline in value. Due to the cyclical nature of the containership 
market, if we sell any of our owned vessels at a time when prices are depressed, we could incur a 
loss and our business, results of operations, cash flow and financial condition could be adversely 
affected. Moreover, if the book value of a vessel is impaired due to unfavorable market conditions 
we may incur a loss that could adversely affect our operating results. In 2017 and 2016, we 
recognized $8.4 million and $118.9 million of impairment charges, respectively, for two and seven 
of our vessels, respectively.

Conversely, if vessel values are elevated at a time when we wish to acquire additional vessels, 
the cost of acquisition may increase and this could adversely affect our business, results of 
operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.

The  containership  sector  is  highly  competitive,  and  we  may  be  unable  to  compete 
successfully for charters with established companies or new entrants that may have greater 
resources and access to capital, which may have a material adverse effect on us.

The containership sector is a highly competitive industry that is capital intensive and highly 
fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of whom may have 
greater resources and access to capital than we have. Competition among vessel owners for the 
seaborne transportation of semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products can be 
intense and depends on the charter rate, location, size, age, condition and the acceptability of 
the vessel and its operators to charterers. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, many of 
our competitors with greater resources and access to capital than we have could operate larger 
fleets than we may operate and thus be able to offer lower charter rates or higher quality vessels 
than we are able to offer. If this were to occur, we may be unable to retain our current charterers 
or attract new charterers on attractive terms or at all, which may have a material adverse effect on 

14 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

our business, prospects, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

An increase in operating costs could adversely affect our cash flows and financial condition.

Vessel operating expenses include the costs of crew, provisions, deck and engine stores, 
lube oil, bunkers, insurance and maintenance and repairs, which depend on a variety of factors, 
many of which are beyond our control. Some of these costs, primarily relating to insurance and 
enhanced security measures implemented after September 11, 2001 and as a result of increases 
in the frequency of acts of piracy, have been increasing. If our vessels suffer damage, they may 
need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and 
can be substantial. See “Our vessels may suffer damage due to the inherent operational risks of 
the seaborne transportation industry and we may experience unexpected drydocking costs or 
delays, which may adversely affect our business and financial condition.” Increases in any of these 
costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, 
financial condition and ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.

An increase in the price of fuel, or bunkers, may adversely affect profits.

While we generally do not bear the cost of fuel, or bunkers, for vessels operating on time 
charters, fuel is a significant factor in negotiating charter rates. As a result, an increase in the 
price of fuel beyond our expectations may adversely affect our profitability at the time of charter 
negotiation. The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside 
our control, including geopolitical developments, supply of and demand for oil and gas, actions 
by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil and gas producers, war and 
unrest in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and environmental 
concerns and regulations. Fuel may become much more expensive in the future, including as a 
result of the imposition of sulfur oxide emissions limits in 2020 under new regulations adopted 
by the International Maritime Organization, or the IMO, which may reduce the profitability and 
competitiveness of our business versus other forms of transportation, such as truck or rail.

Increased inspection procedures, tighter import and export controls and new security 
regulations could increase costs and adversely affect our business.

The international containership sector is subject to additional security and customs inspection 
and related procedures in countries of origin, destination and trans-shipment points. These 
security procedures can result in cargo seizure, delays in the loading, offloading, trans-shipment, 
or delivery of containers and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against 
exporters or importers and, in some cases, carriers.

It is possible that changes to existing inspection procedures will be proposed or implemented. 
Any such changes may affect the containership sector and have the potential to impose additional 
financial and legal obligations on carriers and, in certain cases, to render the shipment of certain 
types of goods by container uneconomical or impractical. These additional costs could reduce 
the volume of goods shipped in containers, resulting in a decreased demand for containerships. 
In  addition,  it  is  unclear  what  financial  costs  any  new  security  procedures  might  create  for 
containership owners and operators. Any additional costs or a decrease in container volumes 
could have an adverse impact on our ability to attract customers and therefore have an adverse 
impact on our ability to operate our vessels profitably.

Recent action by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and U.S. agencies indicate that 
cybersecurity regulations for the maritime industry are likely to be further developed in the near 
future in an attempt to combat cybersecurity threats. This might cause companies to cultivate 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 15  

additional procedures for monitoring cybersecurity, which could require additional expenses 
and/or capital expenditures. However, the impact of such regulations is hard to predict at this 
time.

Compliance with safety and other vessel requirements imposed by classification societies 
may be very costly and may adversely affect our business.

The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society 
authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and 
seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the 
vessel and the IMO’s International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, or SOLAS.

A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys and special surveys. In lieu of 
a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle under which the 
machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. If any vessel does not maintain 
its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey or special survey, the vessel will be 
unable to trade between ports and will be unemployable. If this were to happen to one or more of 
our vessels, it could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to regulation and liability under environmental laws that could require 
significant expenditures and affect our cash flows and net income.

Our business and the operations of our containerships are materially affected by environmental 
regulation in the form of international conventions, national, state and local laws and regulations 
in force in the jurisdictions in which our containerships operate, as well as in the country or 
countries  of  their  registration,  including  those  governing  the  management  and  disposal  of 
hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of oil spills and other contamination, air emissions 
(including greenhouse gases), water discharges and ballast water management. These regulations 
include, but are not limited to, European Union regulations, the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 
requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. 
Clean Air Act of 1970 (including its amendments of 1977 and 1990), the U.S. Clean Water Act, 
and the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, and regulations of the IMO, including 
the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, the International 
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978, 
collectively referred to as MARPOL 73/78 or MARPOL, including designations of Emission Control 
Areas, thereunder, SOLAS, the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, the International 
Convention of Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, and the ISM Code. Because such 
conventions, laws, and regulations are often revised, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of 
complying with such requirements or the impact thereof on the re-sale price or useful life of any 
containership that we own or will acquire. Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be 
adopted that could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business 
and which may materially adversely affect our operations. Government regulation of vessels, 
particularly in the areas of safety and environmental requirements, continue to change, requiring 
us to incur significant capital expenditures on our vessels to keep them in compliance, or even to 
scrap or sell certain vessels altogether. In addition, we may incur significant costs in meeting new 
maintenance and inspection requirements, in developing contingency arrangements for potential 
environmental violations and in obtaining insurance coverage.

In addition, we are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to 
obtain certain permits, licenses, certificates, approvals and financial assurances with respect 
to our operations. Our failure to maintain necessary permits, licenses, certificates, approvals or 
financial assurances could require us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend operation 

16 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

of one or more of the vessels in our fleet, or lead to the invalidation or reduction of our insurance 
coverage.

Environmental requirements can also affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels, 
require a reduction in cargo capacity, ship modifications or operational changes or restrictions, 
lead to decreased availability of insurance coverage for environmental matters or result in the 
denial of access to certain jurisdictional waters or ports, or detention in certain ports. Under local, 
national and foreign laws, as well as international treaties and conventions, we could incur material 
liabilities, including for cleanup obligations and natural resource damages, in the event that there 
is a release of petroleum or hazardous substances from our vessels or otherwise in connection 
with our operations. We could also become subject to personal injury or property damage claims 
relating to the release of hazardous substances associated with our existing or historic operations. 
Violations of, or liabilities under, environmental requirements can result in substantial penalties, 
fines and other sanctions, including in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels.

We may be unable to attract and retain qualified, skilled employees or crew necessary to 
operate our business.

Our success will depend in large part on our ability and the ability of Unitized Ocean Transport 
Limited, which we refer to as UOT or our Manager, our wholly-owned subsidiary, to attract and 
retain highly skilled and qualified personnel. In crewing our vessels, we require technically skilled 
employees with specialized training who can perform physically demanding work. Competition 
to attract and retain qualified crew members is intense. If we are not able to increase our rates to 
compensate for any crew cost increases, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
results  of  operations,  cash  flows  and  financial  condition.  Any  inability  we,  or  our  Manager, 
experience in the future to hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees could 
impair our ability to manage, maintain and grow our business, which could have a material adverse 
effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Labor interruptions could disrupt our business.

Our vessels are manned by masters, officers and crews that are employed by our vessel-
owning subsidiaries. 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 normally and could 
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our vessels may suffer damage due to the inherent operational risks of the seaborne 
transportation industry and we may experience unexpected drydocking costs or delays, 
which may adversely affect our business and financial condition.

Our vessels and their cargoes may be at risk of being damaged or lost because of events 

such as:

  marine disasters;

  bad weather;

  business interruptions caused by mechanical failures;

  grounding, fire, explosions and collisions; and

  human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 17  

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, delay 
or rerouting. 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 that our insurance does not cover in full. The loss of earnings while these vessels 
are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease 
our earnings. 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 
relative to our vessels’ positions. The loss of earnings while these vessels are forced to wait 
for space or to steam to more distant drydocking facilities would decrease our earnings. The 
involvement of our vessels in an environmental disaster may also harm our reputation as a safe 
and reliable vessel owner and operator.

World events could affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Continuing conflicts and recent developments in the Middle East, Ukraine and other geographic 
countries and areas, geopolitical events such as Brexit, terrorist or other attacks, and war (or 
threatened war) or international hostilities, such as those between the United States and North 
Korea, may lead to armed conflict or acts of terrorism around the world, which may contribute 
to further economic instability in the global financial markets. These uncertainties could also 
adversely affect our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. In the 
past, political conflicts have 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 South China Sea, the Gulf 
of Guinea and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Any of these occurrences could have a 
material adverse impact on our operating results.

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 and in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Although the frequency of 
sea piracy worldwide has generally decreased since 2013, sea piracy incidents continue to occur. 
Acts of piracy could result in harm or danger to the crews that man our vessels. In addition, if these 
piracy attacks result in regions in which our vessels are deployed being characterized by insurers 
as “war risk” zones, or Joint War Committee “war and strikes” listed areas, premiums payable for 
such coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to 
obtain. In addition, crew costs, due to employing 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 hijacking, involving the hostile 
detention of a vessel, 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, 
financial condition, results of operations.

Our vessels may call on ports located in countries that are subject to restrictions imposed 
by the U.S. or other governments, which could adversely affect our reputation and the 
market for our common stock.

While none of our vessels called on ports located in countries subject to countrywide U.S. 
sanctions during 2017, and we intend to comply with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws 
and regulations, there can be no assurance that we will maintain such compliance, particularly 
as the scope of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations. 

18 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

The U.S. 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. With effect from July 
1, 2010, the U.S. enacted the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act, 
or CISADA, which expanded the scope of the Iran Sanctions Act. Among other things, CISADA 
expands the application of the prohibitions to companies such as ours and introduces limits on 
the ability of companies and persons to do business or trade with Iran when such activities relate 
to the investment, supply or export of refined petroleum or petroleum products. In addition, on 
May 1, 2012, President Obama signed Executive Order 13608 which prohibits foreign persons 
from violating or attempting to violate, or causing a violation of any sanctions in effect against Iran 
or facilitating any deceptive transactions for or on behalf of any person subject to U.S. sanctions. 
Any persons found to be in violation of Executive Order 13608 will be deemed a foreign sanctions 
evader, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from all transactions or dealings with such 
persons, whether direct or indirect. Among other things, foreign sanctions evaders are unable to 
transact in U.S. dollars.

Also in 2012, President Obama signed into law the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human 
Rights  Act  of  2012,  or  the  Iran  Threat  Reduction  Act,  which  created  new  sanctions  and 
strengthened existing sanctions. Among other things, the Iran Threat Reduction Act intensifies 
existing sanctions regarding the provision of goods, services, infrastructure or technology to 
Iran’s petroleum or petrochemical sector. The Iran Threat Reduction Act also includes a provision 
requiring the President of the United States to impose five or more sanctions from Section 6(a) 
of the Iran Sanctions Act, as amended, on a person the President determines is a controlling 
beneficial owner of, or otherwise owns, operates, or controls or insures a vessel that was used 
to transport crude oil from Iran to another country and (1) if the person is a controlling beneficial 
owner of the vessel, the person had actual knowledge the vessel was so used or (2) if the 
person otherwise owns, operates, or controls, or insures the vessel, the person knew or should 
have known the vessel was so used. Such a person could be subject to a variety of sanctions, 
including exclusion from U.S. capital markets, exclusion from financial transactions subject to U.S. 
jurisdiction, and exclusion of that person’s vessels from U.S. ports for up to two years.

On November 24, 2013, the P5+1 (the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, 
Russia and China) entered into an interim agreement with Iran entitled the Joint Plan of Action, or 
JPOA. Under the JPOA it was agreed that, in exchange for Iran taking certain voluntary measures 
to ensure that its nuclear program is used only for peaceful purposes, the United States and EU 
would voluntarily suspend certain sanctions for a period of six months. On January 20, 2014, the 
United States and EU indicated that they would begin implementing the temporary relief measures 
provided for under the JPOA. These measures included, among other things, the suspension of 
certain sanctions on the Iranian petrochemicals, precious metals, and automotive industries from 
January 20, 2014 until July 20, 2014. The JPOA was subsequently extended twice.

On July 14, 2015, the P5+1 and the EU announced that they reached a landmark agreement 
with Iran titled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s 
Nuclear Program, or the JCPOA, which is intended to significantly restrict Iran’s ability to develop 
and produce nuclear weapons for 10 years while simultaneously easing sanctions directed toward 
non-U.S. persons for conduct involving Iran, but taking place outside of U.S. jurisdiction and does 
not involve U.S. persons. On January 16, 2016, or Implementation Day, the United States joined 
the EU and the United Nations in lifting a significant number of their nuclear-related sanctions on 
Iran following an announcement by the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, that Iran had 
satisfied its respective obligations under the JCPOA.

U.S. sanctions prohibiting certain conduct that is now permitted under the JCPOA have not 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 19  

actually been repealed or permanently terminated at this time. Rather, the U.S. government 
has implemented changes to the sanctions regime by: (1) issuing waivers of certain statutory 
sanctions provisions; (2) committing to refrain from exercising certain discretionary sanctions 
authorities; (3) removing certain individuals and entities from OFAC’s sanctions lists; and (4) 
revoking certain Executive Orders and specified sections of Executive Orders. These sanctions 
will not be permanently “lifted” until the earlier of “Transition Day,” set to occur on October 20, 
2023, or upon a report from the IAEA stating that all nuclear material in Iran is being used for 
peaceful activities. On October 13, 2017, the U.S. President announced that he would not certify 
Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA. This did not withdraw the U.S. from the JCPOA or reinstate 
any sanctions. However, the U.S. President must periodically renew sanctions waivers and his 
refusal to do so could result in the reinstatement of certain sanctions currently suspended under 
the JCPOA. Although it is our intention to comply with the provisions of the JCPOA, there can be 
no assurance that we will be in compliance in the future as such regulations and U.S. sanctions 
may be amended over time, and the U.S. retains the authority to revoke the aforementioned relief 
if Iran fails to meet its commitments under the JCPOA, as noted above.

Current or future counterparties of ours may be affiliated with persons or entities that are or 
may be in the future the subject of sanctions imposed by the Obama administration, the EU and/
or other international bodies as a result of the annexation of Crimea by Russia in March 2014. If 
we determine that such sanctions require us to terminate existing or future contracts to which we 
or our subsidiaries are party or if we are found to be in violation of such applicable sanctions, our 
results of operations may be adversely affected or we may suffer reputational harm. Currently, we 
do not believe that any of our existing counterparties are affiliated with persons or entities that are 
subject to such sanctions.

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 our ability to access U.S. capital markets and conduct our 
business, and could result in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, 
or not to invest, in us. In addition, certain institutional investors may have investment policies 
or restrictions that prevent them from holding securities of companies that have contracts with 
countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. The determination by 
these investors not to invest in, or to divest from, our common stock may adversely affect the price 
at which our common stock trades. Moreover, 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. In addition, our reputation and 
the market for our securities may be adversely affected if we engage in certain other activities, 
such as entering into charters with individuals or entities in countries subject to U.S. sanctions 
and embargo laws that are not controlled by the governments of those countries, or engaging 
in operations associated with those countries pursuant to contracts with third parties that are 
unrelated to those countries or entities controlled by their governments. Investor perception of the 
value of our common stock may be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects of 
terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in these and surrounding countries.

We conduct business in China, where the legal system is not fully developed and has 
inherent uncertainties that could limit the legal protections available to us.

Some of our vessels may be chartered to Chinese customers and from time to time on our 
charterers’ instructions, our vessels may call on Chinese ports. Such charters and voyages may 
be subject to regulations in China that may require us to incur new or additional compliance or 

20 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

other administrative costs and may require that we pay to the Chinese government new taxes or 
other fees. Applicable laws and regulations in China may not be well publicized and may not be 
known to us or to our charterers in advance of us or our charterers becoming subject to them, 
and the implementation of such laws and regulations may be inconsistent. Changes in Chinese 
laws and regulations, including with regards to tax matters, or changes in their implementation by 
local authorities could affect our vessels if chartered to Chinese customers as well as our vessels 
calling to Chinese ports and could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial 
condition and results of operations.

Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, resulting 
in loss of earnings.

A government of a vessel’s registry could requisition for title or seize one or more of our 
vessels. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes 
the owner. A government could also requisition one or more of 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. Even if 
we would be entitled to compensation in the event of a requisition of one or more of our vessels, 
the amount and timing of the payment would be uncertain. Government requisition of one or more 
of our vessels could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash 
flows and financial condition.

Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, or the FCPA, could 
result in fines, criminal penalties and an adverse effect on our business.

We may operate in a number of countries throughout the world, including countries known 
to have a reputation for corruption. We are committed to doing business in accordance with 
applicable anti-corruption laws and have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics which 
is consistent and in full compliance with the FCPA. We are subject, however, to the risk that we, 
our affiliated entities or our or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents may take 
actions determined to be in violation of such anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA. Any such 
violation could result in substantial fines, sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties, curtailment of 
operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, earnings or financial 
condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to 
do business. Furthermore, detecting, investigating, and resolving actual or alleged violations is 
expensive and can consume significant time and attention of our senior management.

The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental 
claims against us.

We expect that our vessels will call in ports in areas where smugglers 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, cash 
flows and financial condition.

Maritime claimants could arrest or attach our vessels, which would interrupt our business 
or have a negative effect on our cash flows.

Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo, lenders, and 
other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against that vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 21  

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 large sums of funds to have the arrest 
or attachment lifted, which would have a negative effect on our cash flows.

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 ships.

Changing laws and evolving reporting requirements could have an adverse effect on our 
business.

Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to reporting requirements, including the EU 
General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, may create additional compliance requirements 
for us.

GDPR broadens the scope of personal privacy laws to protect the rights of EU citizens and 
requires organizations to report on data breaches within 72 hours and be bound by more stringent 
rules for obtaining the consent of individuals on how their data can be used. GDPR will become 
enforceable on May 25, 2018 and non-compliance may expose entities to significant fines or 
other regulatory claims which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, 
and operations.

Company Specific Risk Factors

The market values of our vessels are highly volatile and have declined in recent years and 
may further decline, which could limit the amount of funds that we can borrow and trigger 
breaches of certain financial covenants under our existing or future loan facilities.

The market values of our vessels are related to prevailing freight charter rates. While the 
market values of vessels and the freight charter market have a very close relationship as the 
charter market moves from trough to peak, the time lag between the effect of charter rates on 
market values of ships can vary. The market values of our vessels have generally experienced 
high volatility, and you should expect the market value of our vessels to fluctuate depending on 
a number of factors including:

  the prevailing level of charter hire rates;

  general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry;

  competition from other shipping companies and other modes of transportation;

  the types, sizes and ages of vessels;

  the supply of and demand for vessels;

  applicable governmental or other regulations;

  technological advances; and

22 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

  the cost of newbuildings.

The market values of our vessels are at low levels compared to historical averages. At times 
when we have loans outstanding with covenants based on vessels’ market values, if the market 
values  of  our  vessels  decline  further,  we  may  not  be  in  compliance  with  certain  covenants 
contained in such loan facilities and we may not be able to refinance our debt or obtain additional 
financing or incur debt on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. As at December 31, 2017, we 
were in compliance with all of the covenants in our loan facilities. If we are not in compliance with 
the covenants in our loan facilities or are unable to obtain waivers or amendments or otherwise 
remedy the relevant breaches, our lenders under the facility could accelerate our debt and 
foreclose on our fleet. We may not be successful in obtaining any such waiver or amendment, 
and we may not be able to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing. Moreover, our loan 
facilities as amended or pursuant to any waiver, and any refinancing or additional financing, may 
be more expensive and carry more onerous terms than those in our existing debt agreements.

In addition, if the book value of a vessel is impaired due to unfavorable market conditions or 
a vessel is sold at a price below its book value, we would incur a loss that could adversely affect 
our operating results.

Restrictive covenants in our credit facilities and the Statements of Designations of our 
Series B-1 and Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock may impose financial and other 
restrictions on us.

We are party to a secured loan facility with Diana Shipping in the amount of $82.6 million and a 
secured loan facility with Addiewell Ltd., an unaffiliated third party, in the amount of $35.0 million. 
Additionally, in March 2017, we issued newly-designated Series B-1 and Series B-2 convertible 
preferred stock.

Pursuant to the Statements of Designations of our Series B-1 and Series B-2 convertible 
preferred  stock,  we  cannot  incur  or  guarantee  indebtedness,  other  than  certain  Permitted 
Indebtedness (as defined in the Statements of Designations) or other than in the ordinary course 
of business and to an extent consistent with past practice and necessary and desirable for the 
prudent operation of our business.

Our loan facilities also impose operating and financial restrictions on us. Unless we obtain the 

lenders’ consent, these restrictions may limit our ability to, among other things:

  pay dividends or make other distributions, in cash or in kind, of our share capital;

  incur additional indebtedness;

  issue equity, unless the net proceeds of such sale are used to repay our existing indebtedness;

  change the flag, class or management of our vessels;

  create liens on our assets;

  sell our vessels;

  acquire vessels;

  enter into a time charter or consecutive voyage charters that have a term that exceeds, or which 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 23  

by virtue of any optional extensions may exceed a certain period;

  enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction; and

  change the general nature of the business.

Therefore, we may need to seek permission from our lenders and the holders of our Series 
B-1 and Series B-2 convertible preferred stock in order to engage in certain corporate actions. 
Our lenders’ and preferred shareholders’ interests may be different from ours and we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to obtain our lenders’ or preferred shareholders’ permission when 
needed. This may limit our ability to pay any dividends to you, finance our future operations, make 
acquisitions or pursue business opportunities.

Our independent auditors have expressed doubt about our ability to continue as a going 
concern. The existence of such report may adversely affect our stock price, our business 
relationships and our ability to raise capital. There is no assurance that we will not receive 
a similar report for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Our financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going 
concern and do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue 
as a going concern. Accordingly, the financial statements did not include any adjustments relating 
to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, the amounts and classification 
of liabilities, or any other adjustments that might result in the event we are unable to continue 
as a going concern, except for the current classification of debt. However, there are material 
uncertainties related to events or conditions which raise substantial doubt on our ability to continue 
as a going concern and, therefore, we may be unable to realize our assets and discharge our 
liabilities in the normal course of business.

Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued their opinion with an explanatory 
paragraph in connection with our audited financial statements included in this annual report that 
expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Given the prolonged 
market downturn in the containerships segment and the continued depressed outlook on charter 
rates and vessels’ market values, we expect that cash on hand and cash provided by operating 
activities might not be sufficient to cover our liquidity needs that become due within one year 
after the date that the financial statements are issued. In addition, we are also exploring several 
alternatives aiming to manage our working capital requirements, including potential sales of 
additional vessels, seeking for more favorable chartering opportunities, or a combination thereof. 
However, there can be no assurance that such efforts will be successful, and accordingly, that 
our independent registered public accounting firm’s report on our future financial statements for 
any future period will not include a similar explanatory paragraph. Our independent registered 
public accounting firm’s expression of such doubt or our inability to overcome the factors leading 
to such doubt could have a material adverse effect on our stock price, our business relationships 
and ability to raise capital and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business and 
financial prospects.

We are currently subject to litigation and we may be subject to similar or other litigation 
in the future.

We and certain of our current executive officers are defendants in a purported class action 
lawsuits pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges 
violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

24 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

While  we  believe  these  claims  to  be  without  merit  and  intend  to  defend  these  lawsuits 
vigorously, we cannot predict their outcome. Furthermore, we may, from time to time, be a 
party to other litigation in the normal course of business. Monitoring and defending against legal 
actions, whether or not meritorious, is time-consuming for our management and detracts from 
our ability to fully focus our internal resources on our business activities. In addition, legal fees and 
costs incurred in connection with such activities may be significant and we could, in the future, 
be subject to judgments or enter into settlements of claims for significant monetary damages. A 
decision adverse to our interests could result in the payment of substantial damages and could 
have a material adverse effect on our cash flow, results of operations and financial position.

With respect to any litigation, our insurance may not reimburse us or may not be sufficient to 
reimburse us for the expenses or losses we may suffer in contesting and concluding such lawsuit. 
Substantial litigation costs, including the substantial self-insured retention that we are required 
to satisfy before any insurance is applied to the claim, or an adverse result in any litigation may 
adversely impact our business, operating results or financial condition.

Our future growth will depend on our ability to successfully charter our vessels, for which 
we will face substantial competition.

The process of obtaining new long-term time charters is highly competitive and generally 
involves an intensive screening process and competitive bids, and often extends for several 
months. Containership charters are awarded based upon a variety of factors relating to the vessel 
operator, including:

  shipping industry relationships and reputation for customer service and safety;

  containership experience and quality of ship operations, including cost effectiveness;

  quality and experience of seafaring crew;

  the ability to finance containerships at competitive rates and financial stability generally;

  relationships with shipyards and the ability to get suitable berths;

  construction management experience, including the ability to obtain on-time delivery of new 

ships according to customer specifications;

  willingness to accept operational risks pursuant to the charter, such as allowing termination of 

the charter for force majeure events; and

  competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price.

We expect substantial competition for providing new containership service from a number of 
experienced companies, including state-sponsored entities and major shipping companies. Many 
of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we do, and can therefore 
operate larger fleets and may be able to offer better charter rates. See “The containership sector 
is highly competitive, and we may be unable to compete successfully for charters with established 
companies or new entrants that may have greater resources and access to capital, which may 
have a material adverse effect on us.” As a result of these factors, we may be unable to obtain new 
customers on a profitable basis, if at all, which will impede our ability to establish our operations 
and implement any future growth successfully.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 25  

Furthermore, if our vessels become available for employment under new time charters during 
periods when charter rates are at depressed levels, we may have to employ our containerships at 
depressed charter rates, if we are able to secure employment for our vessels at all, which would 
lead to reduced or volatile earnings. Future charter rates may not be at a level that will enable us 
to operate our containerships profitably.

The failure of our counterparties to meet their obligations to us under any vessel purchase 
agreements or time charter agreements could cause us to suffer losses or otherwise 
adversely affect our business.

Currently, we have secured time charters for our operating vessels with minimum remaining 
durations up to 2 months. Generally, we intend to selectively employ our vessels under short-, 
medium- or long-term time charters, which exposes us to counterparty risks. The ability and 
willingness of each of our counterparties to perform its obligations under a vessel purchase 
agreement or 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 containership market and the overall financial condition of the counterparty. From time to 
time, we may enter into agreements to acquire vessels, and if the seller of a vessel fails to deliver 
a vessel to us as agreed, or if we cancel a purchase agreement because a seller has not met its 
obligations, this may have a material adverse effect on our business.

In addition, in depressed market conditions, there have been reports of charterers renegotiating 
their charters or defaulting on their obligations under charters and our future customers may fail 
to pay charterhire or attempt to renegotiate charter rates. If our future charterers fail to meet their 
obligations to us or attempt to renegotiate our future charter agreements, it may be difficult to 
secure substitute employment for such vessels, and any new charter arrangements we secure 
may be at lower rates. As a result, we could sustain significant losses which could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may be unable to locate suitable vessels or dispose of vessels at reasonable prices, 
which would adversely affect our ability to operate our business.

There are periods when we may be interested in further growing our fleet through selective 
acquisitions. Our business strategy is dependent on identifying and purchasing suitable vessels. 
Changing market and regulatory conditions may limit the availability of suitable vessels because 
of customer preferences or because they are not or will not be compliant with existing or future 
rules, regulations and conventions. Additional vessels of the age and quality we desire may not 
be available for purchase at prices we are prepared to pay or at delivery times acceptable to us, 
and we may not be able to dispose of vessels at reasonable prices, if at all. If we are unable to 
purchase and dispose of vessels at reasonable prices in accordance with our business strategy 
or in response to changing market and regulatory conditions, our business would be adversely 
affected.

Our purchasing and operating secondhand vessels and the aging of our fleet may result in 
increased operating costs and vessels off-hire, which could adversely affect our earnings.

While we will typically inspect secondhand vessels before 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. Accordingly, we may not discover defects 
or other problems with such vessels before purchase. Any such hidden defects or problems, 
when detected, may be expensive to repair, and if not detected, may result in accidents or 
other incidents for which we may become liable to third parties. In addition, when purchasing 

26 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

secondhand vessels, we do not receive the benefit of any builder warranties if the vessels we buy 
are older than one year.

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. Potential charterers may also choose not to charter 
older vessels. Governmental regulations, safety and other equipment standards related to the age 
of vessels may require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment to some of 
our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which these vessels may engage. We cannot 
assure you that, as our vessels age, market conditions will justify those expenditures or enable us 
to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives. As a result, regulations 
and standards could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results 
of operations and cash flows.

There  is  a  lack  of  historical  operating  history  provided  with  our  secondhand  vessel 
acquisitions and profitable operation of the vessels will depend on our skill and expertise.

Consistent with shipping industry practice, other than inspection of the physical condition of the 
vessels and examinations of classification society records, neither we nor our Manager will conduct 
any historical financial due diligence process at times when we acquire vessels. Accordingly, 
neither we nor our Manager will obtain the historical operating data for any secondhand vessels we 
may acquire in the future from the sellers because that information is not material to our decision 
to make acquisitions, nor do we believe it would be helpful to potential investors in assessing our 
business or profitability. Most vessels are sold under a standardized agreement, which, among 
other things, provides the buyer with the right to inspect the vessel and the vessel’s classification 
society records. The standard agreement does not give the buyer the right to inspect, or receive 
copies of, the historical operating data of the vessel. Prior to the delivery of a purchased vessel, the 
seller typically removes from the vessel all records, including past financial records and accounts 
related to the vessel. In addition, the technical management agreement between the seller’s 
technical manager and the seller is automatically terminated and the vessel’s trading certificates 
are revoked by its flag state following a change in ownership.

Consistent with shipping industry practice, we treat the acquisition of a vessel (whether 
acquired with or without charter) as the acquisition of an asset rather than a business. Although 
vessels are generally acquired free of charter, we have acquired and may also in the future acquire 
some vessels with time charters. Where a vessel has been under a voyage charter, the vessel is 
delivered to the buyer free of charter, and it is rare in the shipping industry for the last charterer of 
the vessel in the hands of the seller to continue as the first charterer of the vessel in the hands of 
the buyer. In most cases, when a vessel is under time charter and the buyer wishes to assume that 
charter, the vessel cannot be acquired without the charterer’s consent and the buyer’s entering 
into a separate direct agreement with the charterer to assume the charter. The purchase of a 
vessel itself does not transfer the charter, because it is a separate service agreement between 
the vessel owner and the charterer.

Due to the differences between the prior owners of these vessels and the Company with 
respect to the routes we expect to operate, our future customers, the cargoes we expect to carry, 
the freight rates and charter hire rates we will charge in the future and the costs we expect to incur 
in operating our vessels, we believe that our operating results will be significantly different from 
the operating results of the vessels while owned by the prior owners. Profitable operation of the 
vessels will depend on our skill and expertise. If we are unable to operate the vessels profitably, 
it may have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 27  

We may not be able to implement our growth successfully.

From time to time, our business plan is to identify and acquire suitable vessels at favorable 
prices and trade our vessels on short-, medium- or long-term time charters. Our business plan 
will therefore depend upon our ability to identify and acquire suitable vessels to grow our fleet in 
the future and successfully employ our vessels.

Growing any business by acquisition presents numerous risks, including undisclosed liabilities 
and obligations, difficulty obtaining additional qualified personnel and managing relationships with 
customers and suppliers. In addition, competition from other companies, many of which may 
have significantly greater financial resources than us, may reduce our acquisition opportunities 
or cause us to pay higher prices. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in executing 
our plans to establish and grow our business or that we will not incur significant expenses and 
losses in connection with these plans. Our failure to effectively identify, purchase, develop and 
integrate any vessels could impede our ability to establish our operations or implement our growth 
successfully. Our acquisition growth strategy exposes us to risks that may harm our business, 
financial condition and operating results, including risks that we may:

  fail to realize anticipated benefits, such as cost savings or cash flow enhancements;

  incur  or  assume  unanticipated  liabilities,  losses  or  costs  associated  with  any  vessels  or 
businesses acquired, particularly if any vessel we acquire proves not to be in good condition;

  be unable to hire, train or retain qualified shore and seafaring personnel to manage and operate 

our growing business and fleet;

  decrease our liquidity by using a significant portion of available cash or borrowing capacity to 

finance acquisitions;

  significantly increase our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur debt to finance 

acquisitions; or

  incur other significant charges, such as impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, asset 

devaluation or restructuring charges.

We have acquired re-sale newbuilding vessels in the past and we may in the future agree 
to acquire additional newbuilding vessels, and any delay in the delivery of vessels under 
contract could have a material adverse effect on us.

We  have  acquired  re-sale  newbuilding  vessels  in  the  past  and  may  acquire  additional 
newbuildings in the future. The completion and delivery of newbuildings could be delayed because 
of, among other things:

  quality or engineering problems;

  changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory organization standards;

  work stoppages or other labor disturbances at the shipyard;

  bankruptcy of or other financial crisis involving the shipyard;

  a backlog of orders at the shipyard;

28 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

  political, social or economic disturbances;

  weather interference or a catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake or fire;

  requests for changes to the original vessel specifications;

  shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials, such as steel;

  an inability to finance the constructions of the vessels; or

  an inability to obtain requisite permits or approvals.

If the seller of any newbuilding vessel we have contracted to purchase is not able to deliver 
the vessel to us as agreed, or if we cancel a purchase agreement because a seller has not met 
his obligations, it may result in a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial 
condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Increased competition in technological innovation could reduce the demand for our vessels 
and our ability to successfully implement our business strategy.

The charter hire 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 harbors, 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 containerships are built that are more efficient or 
flexible or have longer physical lives than our vessels, competition from these more technologically 
advanced containerships could adversely affect the amount of charter hire payments we receive 
for our vessels or our ability to charter our vessels at all.

Our executive officers and directors do not devote all of their time to our business, which 
may hinder our ability to operate successfully.

Our executive officers and directors are involved in other business activities, such as the 
operation of Diana Shipping Inc., which we refer to as Diana Shipping or DSI, and are not required 
to work full-time on our affairs. This may result in such executive officers and directors spending 
less time than is necessary to manage our business successfully, which could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Diana  Shipping  is  able  to  exert  considerable  influence  over  matters  on  which  our 
shareholders are entitled to vote, which may limit your ability to influence our actions.

Diana Shipping currently owns 100% of our Series C preferred voting stock. The Series C 
preferred shares vote with our common shares. Each share of Series C preferred stock entitles 
the holder thereof to up to 250,000 votes, subject to a cap such that the aggregate voting power 
of any holder of Series C preferred stock together with its affiliates does not exceed 49.0% of the 
total number of votes eligible to be cast on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders.

While Diana Shipping has no agreement, arrangement or understanding relating to the voting 
of its shares of Series C preferred stock, it is able to exert considerable influence over the outcome 
of matters on which our shareholders are entitled to vote, including the election of directors, the 
adoption or amendment of provisions in our articles of incorporation and possible mergers or 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 29  

other significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of 
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other 
business combination. This concentration of ownership could also discourage a potential acquirer 
from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which could in turn 
have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares. So long as Diana Shipping continues 
to own a significant amount of our equity, even though the amount held by it represents less than 
50% of our voting power, it will continue to be able to exercise considerable influence over our 
decisions. The interests of Diana Shipping may be different from your interests.

Diana Shipping will not provide any guarantee of the performance of our obligations nor 
will you have any recourse against Diana Shipping should you seek to enforce a claim 
against us.

Although Diana Shipping currently owns 100% of our Series C preferred voting stock, it will not 
provide any guarantee of the performance of our obligations. Further, you will have no recourse 
against Diana Shipping should you seek to enforce a claim against us.

The fiduciary duties of our officers and directors may conflict with those of the officers and 
directors of Diana Shipping and/or its affiliates.

Our officers and directors have fiduciary duties to manage our business in a manner beneficial 
to us and our shareholders. However, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, our 
President, our Chief Operating Officer and Secretary, and our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 
also serve as executive officers and/or directors of Diana Shipping. As a result, these individuals 
have fiduciary duties to manage the business of Diana Shipping and its affiliates in a manner 
beneficial to such entities and their shareholders. Consequently, these officers and directors may 
encounter situations in which their fiduciary obligations to Diana Shipping and us are in conflict. 
Although Diana Shipping is contractually restricted from competing with us in the containership 
sector, there may be other business opportunities for which Diana Shipping may compete with 
us such as hiring employees, acquiring other businesses, or entering into joint ventures, which 
could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, we are contractually restricted 
from competing with Diana Shipping in the drybulk carrier sector, which limits our ability to expand 
our operations.

The  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  inspection  of  our  independent 
accounting firm, could lead to findings in our auditors’ reports and challenge the accuracy 
of our published audited consolidated financial statements.

Auditors of U.S. public companies are required by law to undergo periodic Public Company 
Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, inspections that assess their compliance with U.S. law 
and professional standards in connection with performance of audits of financial statements filed 
with the SEC. For several years certain European Union countries, including Greece, did not permit 
the PCAOB to conduct inspections of accounting firms established and operating in such European 
Union countries, even if they were part of major international firms. Accordingly, unlike for most 
U.S. public companies, the PCAOB was prevented from evaluating our auditor’s performance of 
audits and its quality control procedures, and, unlike stockholders of most U.S. public companies, 
we and our stockholders were deprived of the possible benefits of such inspections. During 
2015, Greece agreed to allow the PCAOB to conduct inspections of accounting firms operating 
in Greece. In the future, such PCAOB inspections could result in findings in our auditors’ quality 
control procedures, question the validity of the auditor’s reports on our published consolidated 
financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and cast 
doubt upon the accuracy of our published audited financial statements.

30 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Our ability to obtain debt financing in the future 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 in the future or may significantly increase our costs of obtaining such capital. 
Our inability to obtain financing at all or at a higher than anticipated cost may materially affect our 
results of operation and our ability to implement our business strategy.

We may be unable to attract and retain key management personnel and other employees in 
the shipping industry, which may negatively impact the effectiveness of our management 
and results of operations.

Our success depends to a significant extent upon the abilities and efforts of our management 
team, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Symeon Palios; our President, 
Mr. Anastasios Margaronis; our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Mr. Andreas Michalopoulos; 
and our Chief Operating Officer and Secretary, Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis. Our success will depend 
upon our ability to retain key members of our management team and to hire new members 
as may be necessary. The loss of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business 
prospects and financial condition. Difficulty in hiring and retaining replacement personnel could 
adversely affect our business, results of operations and ability to pay dividends. We do not 
intend to maintain “key man” life insurance on any of our officers or other members of our 
management team.

If our insurance is insufficient to cover losses that may occur to our vessels or result 
from our operations due to the inherent operational risks of the shipping industry, it could 
adversely affect our financial condition.

The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks, any of which could increase our 

costs or lower our revenues. These risks include the possibility of:

  marine disaster;

  environmental accidents;

  cargo and property losses or damage;

  business interruptions caused by mechanical failure, human error, political action in various 

countries, war, labor strikes, or adverse weather conditions; and

  loss of revenue during vessel off-hire periods.

Under our vessel management agreements with UOT, our Manager is responsible for procuring 
and paying for insurance for our vessels. Our insurance policies contain standard limitations, 
exclusions and deductibles. The policies insure against those risks that the shipping industry 
commonly insures against, which are hull and machinery, protection and indemnity and war risk. 
The Manager currently maintains hull and machinery coverage in an amount at least equal to the 
vessels’ market value. The Manager maintains an amount of protection and indemnity insurance 
that is at least equal to the standard industry level of coverage. We cannot assure you that the 
Manager will be able to procure adequate insurance coverage for our fleet in the future or that our 
insurers will pay any particular claim.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 31  

We expect to continue to operate substantially outside the United States, which will expose 
us to political and governmental instability, which could harm our operations.

We expect that our operations will continue to be primarily conducted outside the United States 
and may be adversely affected by changing or adverse political and governmental conditions in 
the countries where our vessels are flagged or registered and in the regions where we otherwise 
engage in business. Any disruption caused by these factors may interfere with the operation of 
our vessels, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Past 
political efforts to disrupt shipping in these regions, particularly in the Arabian Gulf, have included 
attacks on ships and mining of waterways. In addition, terrorist attacks outside this region and 
continuing hostilities in the Middle East and the world may lead to additional armed conflicts or to 
further acts of terrorism and civil disturbance in the United States and elsewhere. Any such attacks 
or disturbances may disrupt our business, increase vessel operating costs, including insurance 
costs, and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Our operations may 
also be adversely affected by expropriation of vessels, taxes, regulation, tariffs, trade embargoes, 
economic sanctions or a disruption of or limit to trading activities or other adverse events or 
circumstances in or affecting the countries and regions where we operate or where we may 
operate in the future.

We generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars and incur a portion of our expenses in other 
currencies, and therefore exchange rate fluctuations could have an adverse impact on our 
results of operations.

We generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars and incur a portion of our expenses in currencies 
other than the dollar. This difference could lead to fluctuations in net income due to changes in the 
value of the U.S. dollar relative to the other currencies, in particular the Euro. Expenses incurred 
in foreign currencies against which the U.S. dollar falls in value can increase, decreasing our 
revenues. Further declines in the value of the dollar could lead to higher expenses payable by us.

While we historically have not mitigated the risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations 
through the use of financial derivatives, we may employ such instruments from time to time in the 
future in order to minimize this risk. Our use of financial derivatives would involve certain risks, 
including the risk that losses on a hedged position could exceed the nominal amount invested in 
the instrument and the risk that the counterparty to the derivative transaction may be unable or 
unwilling to satisfy its contractual obligations, which could have an adverse effect on our results.

Volatility in the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, could affect our profitability, 
earnings and cash flow.

LIBOR may be volatile, with the spread between LIBOR and the prime lending rate widening 
significantly at times. These conditions are the result of disruptions in the international markets. 
At times when we have loans outstanding which are based on LIBOR, the interest rates borne by 
such loan facilities fluctuate with changes in LIBOR, and this would affect the amount of interest 
payable on our debt, which, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our profitability, earnings 
and cash flow.

We may have to pay tax on United States source income, which would reduce our earnings.

Under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code, 50% of the gross 
shipping income of a vessel owning or chartering corporation, such as us and our subsidiaries, 
that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, 
in the United States may be subject to a 4% United States federal income tax without allowance 

32 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the 
Code, or Section 883, and the applicable Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

We intend to take the position that we qualified for this statutory tax exemption for U.S. federal 
income tax return reporting purposes for our 2017 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 for any future taxable year and thereby become 
subject to U.S. federal income tax on our U.S.-source shipping income. For example, in certain 
circumstances we may no longer qualify for exemption under Code Section 883 for a particular 
taxable year if shareholders, other than “qualified shareholders”, with a five percent or greater 
interest in our common shares owned, in the aggregate, 50% or more of our outstanding common 
shares for more than half the days during the taxable year. Due to the factual nature of the issues 
involved, there can be no assurances on our tax-exempt status.

If we are not entitled to exemption under Section 883 for any taxable year, we would be subject 
for those years to an effective 2% United States federal income tax on the shipping income we 
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 result in 
decreased earnings available for distribution to our shareholders.

We may be treated as a “passive foreign investment company,” which could have certain 
adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders.

A foreign corporation will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for 
U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable 
year consists of certain types of “passive income” or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the 
corporation’s assets produce or are held for the production of those types of “passive income.” 
For purposes of these tests, cash will be treated as an asset 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 those 
received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For 
purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute 
“passive income.” U.S. holders of stock in a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal 
income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive 
from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their stock in 
the PFIC.

Whether we will be treated as a PFIC will depend upon our method of operation. In this regard, 
we intend to treat the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from time or voyage 
chartering activities as services income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, we believe that 
any income from time or voyage chartering activities will not constitute “passive income,” and any 
assets that we may own and operate in connection with the production of that income will not 
constitute passive assets. However, any gross income that we may be deemed to have derived 
from bareboat chartering activities will be treated as rental income and thus will constitute “passive 
income,” and any assets that we may own and operate in connection with the production of that 
income will constitute passive assets. There is substantial legal authority supporting this position 
consisting of case law and Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, pronouncements concerning the 
characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for 
other tax purposes. However, it should be noted that 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 our position with 
regard to our status from time to time as a PFIC, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 33  

could determine that we are or have been a PFIC for a particular taxable year.

If we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, U.S. holders of our common stock will face 
certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences and information reporting obligations. 
Under the PFIC rules, unless such U.S. holders make certain elections available under the Code 
(which elections could themselves have certain adverse consequences for such U.S. holders), 
such U.S. holders would be liable to pay U.S. federal income tax at the then prevailing income 
tax rates on ordinary income plus interest upon excess distributions and upon any gain from 
the disposition of our common stock, as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized 
ratably over such U.S. holder’s holding period for such common stock. See “Item 10. Additional 
Information—E. Taxation—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—United States 
Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders—PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences” for a 
more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of 
our common stock if we are or were to be treated as a PFIC.

We may be subject to increased premium payments, or calls, because we obtain some of 
our insurance through protection and indemnity associations.

We may be subject to increased premium payments, or calls, in amounts based on our 
claim records as well as the claim records of other members of the protection and indemnity 
associations in the International Group, which is comprised of 13 mutual protection and indemnity 
associations and insures approximately 90% of the world’s commercial tonnage and through 
which we receive insurance coverage for tort liability, including pollution-related liability, as well 
as actual claims. Amounts we may be required to pay as a result of such calls will be unavailable 
for other purposes.

The international nature of our operations may make the outcome of any bankruptcy 
proceedings difficult to predict.

We are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and we conduct 
operations in countries around the world. Consequently, in the event of any bankruptcy, insolvency, 
liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding involving us or any of our subsidiaries, 
bankruptcy laws other than those of the United States could apply. If we become a debtor under 
U.S. bankruptcy law, bankruptcy courts in the United States may seek to assert jurisdiction over 
all of our assets, wherever located, including property situated in other countries. There can be 
no assurance, however, that we would become a debtor in the United States, or that a U.S. 
bankruptcy court would be entitled to, or accept, jurisdiction over such a bankruptcy case, or that 
courts in other countries that have jurisdiction over us and our operations would recognize a U.S. 
bankruptcy court’s jurisdiction if any other bankruptcy court would determine it had jurisdiction.

The effects of the recent Greek crisis could adversely affect the operations of our fleet 
manager, which has offices in Greece.

As a result of the recent economic slump in Greece and the capital controls imposed by the 
Greek government in June 2015, our fleet manager, UOT, which has offices in Greece, may be 
subjected to new regulations that may require us to incur new or additional compliance or other 
administrative costs and may require that we pay to the Greek government new taxes or other 
fees. Although the Greek economy showed signs of improvement in 2017, conditions may worsen 
in the future, which may adversely affect the operations of our manager located in Greece. We 
also face the risk that enhanced capital controls, strikes, work stoppages, civil unrest and violence 
within Greece may disrupt the operations of our manager located in Greece.

34 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

A cyber-attack could materially disrupt our business.

We rely on information technology systems and networks in our operations and administration 
of our business. Our business operations could be targeted by individuals or groups seeking 
to sabotage or disrupt our information technology systems and networks, or to steal data. A 
successful  cyber-attack  could  materially  disrupt  our  operations,  including  the  safety  of  our 
operations, or lead to unauthorized release of information or alteration of information in our 
systems. Any such attack or other breach of our information technology systems could have a 
material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Risks Relating to our Common Shares

The provisions of our Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Shares may require us to issue a 
large number of common shares upon conversion, which may significantly depress the 
trading price of our common shares and significantly dilute existing shareholders.

The conversion price that is used to determine the number of common shares issued to 
holders of our Series B-2 convertible preferred shares upon conversion is subject to anti-dilution 
adjustments and adjustments based upon the trading price of our common shares. Our Series B-2 
convertible preferred shares are convertible at the option of the holder into share of our common 
stock at a fixed conversion price of $7.00 per common share, subject to certain adjustments, and 
provided that on the date of conversion the trading volume of our common shares on The Nasdaq 
Global Select Market is not less than 15,000,000 shares. Alternatively, at the option of the holder, 
the Series B-2 convertible preferred shares may be converted at a price equal to the higher of (i) 
92.25% of the lowest volume-weighted average price of our common shares on any trading day 
during the five consecutive trading day period ending and including the trading day immediately 
prior to the date of the applicable conversion date, and (ii) $0.50. Under certain circumstances, 
the aforementioned adjustments may result in us issuing a large number of common shares upon 
conversion of the Series B-2 convertible preferred shares, which in turn could significantly depress 
the trading price of our common shares and significantly dilute existing shareholders.

The market price of our common shares is subject to significant fluctuations. Further, there 
is no guarantee of a continuing public market for you to resell our common shares.

Our common shares commenced trading on The Nasdaq Global Market on January 19, 
2011. Since January 2, 2013, our common shares have traded on The Nasdaq Global Select 
Market. We cannot assure you that an active and liquid public market for our common shares will 
continue. The Nasdaq Global Select Market and each national securities exchange have certain 
corporate governance requirements that must be met in order for us to maintain our listing. If we 
fail to maintain the relevant corporate governance requirements, our common shares could be 
delisted, which would make it harder for you to monetize your investment in our common shares 
and would cause the value of your investment to decline.

Since June 2016, we have effected six reverse stock splits of our common shares, each which 
was approved by our board of directors and by our shareholders at an annual or special meeting 
of such shareholders. There were no changes to the trading symbol, number of authorized shares, 
or par value of our common stock in connection with any of the reverse stock splits. See “Item 4. 
Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.”

The market price of our common shares has been and may in the future be subject to 
significant fluctuations as a result of many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Among 
the factors that have in the past and could in the future affect our stock price are:

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 35  

  the failure of securities analysts to publish research about us, or analysts making changes in 

their financial estimates;

  announcements  by  us  or  our  competitors  of  significant  contracts,  acquisitions  or  capital 

commitments;

  variations in quarterly operating results;

  general economic conditions;

  terrorist or piracy acts;

  future sales of our common shares or other securities; and

  investors’ perception of us and the international containership sector.

These broad market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of our 

common shares, regardless of our operating performance.

The shipping industry has been highly unpredictable and volatile. The market for common 
shares in this industry may be equally volatile. Therefore, we cannot assure you that you will be 
able to sell any of our common shares you may have purchased at a price greater than or equal 
to its original purchase price, or that you will be able to sell them at all.

The  market  price  of  our  common  shares  has  recently  declined  significantly,  and  our 
common shares could be delisted from the Nasdaq Global Select Market or trading could 
be suspended.

On May 22, 2017, we received a notification of deficiency from The Nasdaq Stock Market, 
or Nasdaq, stating that because the closing bid price of our common stock for the prior 30 
consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, we no longer met the minimum bid price 
requirement for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Additionally, on July 31, 2017, we 
received a second notification of deficiency from Nasdaq stating that the market value of our 
publicly held shares fell below the $5,000,000 minimum requirement for listing on the Nasdaq 
Global Select Market for 30 consecutive business days. We regained compliance with both 
deficiencies within the prescribed grace period for each of 180 calendar days by effecting reverse 
stock splits of our common shares. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—A. History and 
Development of the Company.”

A decline in the closing price of our common shares could result in a breach of the requirements 
for listing on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Although we would have an opportunity to take 
action to cure such a breach, if we do not succeed, Nasdaq could commence suspension or 
delisting procedures in respect of our common shares. The commencement of suspension or 
delisting procedures by an exchange remains, at all times, at the discretion of such exchange 
and would be publicly announced by the exchange. If a suspension or delisting were to occur, 
there would be significantly less liquidity in the suspended or delisted securities. In addition, our 
ability to raise additional necessary capital through equity or debt financing would be greatly 
impaired. Furthermore, with respect to any suspended or delisted common shares, we would 
expect decreases in institutional and other investor demand, analyst coverage, market making 
activity and information available concerning trading prices and volume, and fewer broker-dealers 
would be willing to execute trades with respect to such common shares. A suspension or delisting 
would likely decrease the attractiveness of our common shares to investors, may constitute a 

36 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

breach under certain of our credit facilities, constitute an event of default under certain classes of 
our preferred stock and cause the trading volume of our common shares to decline, which could 
result in a further decline in the market price of our common shares.

Our board of directors has suspended the payment of cash dividends on our common 
stock. We cannot assure you that our board of directors will reinstate dividend payments 
in the future, or when such reinstatement might occur.

Effective with the quarter ended June 30, 2016, our board of directors decided to suspend the 
quarterly cash dividend on our common shares. The decision to suspend the dividend reflected 
our board of director’s determination that it was in the best long-term interest of the Company 
and its shareholders to aggressively preserve liquidity to manage market conditions and be in a 
position to benefit from an eventual sector recovery. Our dividend policy will be assessed by our 
board of directors from time to time.

Our policy, historically, was to declare a variable quarterly dividend each February, May, August 
and November equal to available cash from operations during the previous quarter after the 
payment of cash expenses and reserves for scheduled drydockings, intermediate and special 
surveys and other purposes as our board of directors may from time to time determine are 
required, after taking into account contingent liabilities, the terms of any credit facility, our growth 
strategy and other cash needs and the requirements of Marshall Islands law.

The declaration and payment of dividends, at times when we have sufficient funds and we are 
not restricted from our lenders or from any other party, will always be subject to the discretion of 
our board of directors. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among 
other things, our earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and availability, our ability 
to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by our growth strategy 
and provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends. The international 
containership sector is highly volatile, and we cannot predict with certainty the amount of cash, 
if any, that will be available for distribution as dividends in any period. Also, there may be a high 
degree of variability from period to period in the amount of cash that is available for the payment 
of dividends.

We may incur expenses or liabilities or be subject to other circumstances in the future that 
reduce or eliminate the amount of cash that we have available for distribution as dividends, 
including as a result of the risks described in this section of the annual report. Our growth strategy 
contemplates that we will finance the acquisition of additional vessels through a combination 
of debt and equity financing on terms acceptable to us. If financing is not available to us on 
acceptable terms, our board of directors may determine to finance or refinance acquisitions with 
cash from operations, which would reduce or even eliminate the amount of cash available for the 
payment of dividends.

Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus 
(retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above the 
par value of the shares) or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the 
payment of such a dividend. In addition, any credit facilities that we may enter into in the future 
may include restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.

Future offerings of debt securities and amounts outstanding under current and future 
credit facilities or other borrowings, which would rank senior to our common stock upon 
our liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities, which would dilute our existing 
stockholders, may adversely affect the market value of our common stock.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 37  

We are party to a secured loan facility with Diana Shipping in the amount of $82.6 million and a 
secured loan facility with Addiewell Ltd., an unaffiliated third party, in the amount of $35.0 million. 
In addition, we have an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3, declared effective by 
the SEC on March 7, 2017, which gives us the ability to offer and sell, within a three year period, 
up to $250.0 million of our securities. In March 2017, we completed a registered direct offering 
of 3,000 Series B-1 convertible preferred shares and warrants to purchase 6,500 of Series B-1 
convertible preferred shares. Concurrently with the registered direct offering, we completed an 
offering of warrants to purchase 140,500 Series B-2 convertible preferred shares in a private 
placement pursuant to Regulation S.

In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources with further borrowing under credit 
facilities, making offerings of debt or additional offerings of equity securities, including commercial 
paper, medium-term notes, senior or subordinated notes and classes of preferred stock. Upon 
liquidation, holders of our debt securities and certain series of our preferred stock, including our 
Series B-1 and Series B-2 convertible preferred stock, and lenders with respect to our credit facilities 
and other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our 
common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or 
reduce the market value of our common stock, or both. Any additional preferred stock, if issued, 
could have a preference on liquidating distributions or a preference on dividend payments similar to 
that of our Series B-1 and Series B-2 convertible preferred stock, that would limit amounts available 
for distribution to holders of our common stock. Because our decision to borrow additional amounts 
under credit facilities or issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and 
other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our 
future indebtedness or offering of securities. Therefore, holders of our common stock bear the risk of 
our future offerings reducing the market value of our common stock and diluting their shareholdings 
in us or that in the event of bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, all or 
substantially all of our assets will be distributed to holders of our debt securities or preferred stock 
or lenders with respect to our credit facilities and other borrowings.

We  are  a  holding  company,  and  we  depend  on  the  ability  of  our  current  and  future 
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 directly or indirectly wholly-owned 
by us, conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We have no significant 
assets other than the equity interests in our wholly-owned subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to 
satisfy our financial obligations and to pay dividends, if any, to our shareholders will depend on the 
ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us. In turn, the ability of our subsidiaries to make 
dividend payments to us will depend on them having profits available for distribution and, to the 
extent that we are unable to obtain dividends from our subsidiaries, this will limit the discretion of 
our board of directors to pay or recommend the payment of dividends. Also, our subsidiaries are 
limited by Marshall Islands law which generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from 
surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above 
the par value of the shares) or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the 
payment of such a dividend.

Because we are a foreign corporation, you may not have the same rights or protections 
that a shareholder in a U.S. corporation may have.

We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-
developed body of corporate law and may make it more difficult for our shareholders to protect 
their interests. Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated articles of 

38 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

incorporation and bylaws and the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or BCA. The 
provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the 
United States. 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 and there have been few 
judicial cases in the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. 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 public 
shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by the 
management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation 
incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction. Therefore, you may have more difficulty in protecting your 
interests as a shareholder in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling 
stockholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction.

Future sales of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to 
decline.

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to 500,000,000 
shares of common stock, of which 4,051,266 shares were issued and outstanding as of December 
31, 2017. We have an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3, which gives us the 
ability to offer and sell, within a three year period, up to $250.0 million of our securities consisting 
of common shares, including related preferred stock purchase rights, preferred shares, debt 
securities, warrants, purchase contracts, rights and units.

We may offer and sell our common stock or securities convertible into our common stock 
from time to time, whether pursuant to our effective shelf registration statement or otherwise, and 
through one or more methods of distribution, subject to market conditions and our capital needs. 
The market price of our common stock could decline from its current levels due to sales of a large 
number of shares in the market, including sales of shares by our large shareholders, our issuance 
of additional shares, or securities convertible into our common stock or the perception that these 
sales could occur. These sales could also make it more difficult or impossible for us to sell equity 
securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate to raise funds through future 
offerings of shares of our common stock. The issuance of such additional shares of common 
stock would also result in the dilution of the ownership interests of our existing shareholders.

As a key component of our business strategy, we intend to issue additional shares of 
common stock or other securities to finance our growth as market conditions warrant. 
These issuances, which would generally not be subject to shareholder approval, may lower 
your ownership interests and may depress the market price of our common stock.

As a key component of our business strategy, we plan to finance potential future expansions 
of our fleet in large part with equity financing. Pursuant to our amended and restated articles 
of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 500 million common shares and 25 million 
preferred shares, each with a par value of $0.01 per share. Therefore, subject to the rules of 
The Nasdaq Global Select Market that are applicable to us, we may issue additional shares of 
common stock, and other equity securities of equal or senior rank, without shareholder approval, 
in a number of circumstances from time to time.

The issuance by us of additional shares of common stock or other equity securities of equal 

or senior rank will have the following effects:

  our existing shareholders’ proportionate ownership interest in us may decrease;

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 39  

  the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding share may be diminished;

  the market price of our common stock may decline; and

  the amount of cash available for dividends payable on our common stock, if any, may decrease.

It may not be possible for our investors to enforce judgments of U.S courts against us.

We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Substantially all of our assets are 
located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. shareholders 
to serve process within the United States upon us or to enforce judgment upon us for civil liabilities 
in U.S. courts. In addition, you should not assume that courts in the countries in which we are 
incorporated or where our assets are located (1) would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained 
in actions against us based upon the civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state 
securities laws or (2) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against us based upon these laws.

Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents could make it difficult for our 
shareholders to replace or remove our current board of directors or have the effect of 
discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect 
the value of our securities.

Several provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws could 
make it difficult for our shareholders to change the composition of our board 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 our 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 common shares entitled to vote generally in the election 
of directors;

  limiting the persons who may call special meetings of shareholders; and

  establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors 

or for proposing matters that can be acted on by shareholders at shareholder meetings.

In addition, we have entered into an amended and restated stockholders rights agreement, 
dated August 29, 2016, or the Stockholders Rights Agreement, pursuant to which our board of 
directors may cause the substantial dilution of any person that attempts to acquire us without the 
approval of our board of directors.

These anti-takeover provisions, including provisions of our Stockholders Rights Agreement, 
could substantially impede the ability of our shareholders to benefit from a change in control 

40 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

and, as a result, may adversely affect the value of our securities, if any, and the ability of our 
shareholders to realize any potential change of control premium.

Our Series B-1 and Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Shares are senior obligations of ours 
and rank prior to our common shares with respect to dividends, distributions and payments 
upon liquidation, which could have an adverse effect on the value of our common shares.

The rights of the holders of our Series B-1 and Series B-2 convertible preferred shares rank 
senior to the obligations to holders of our common shares. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or 
winding up, holders of our Series B-1 and Series B-2 convertible preferred shares will be entitled 
to be paid out of our assets an amount per share equal to $1,000, plus any accrued but unpaid 
dividends, prior and in preference to any distribution to the holders of any other class of our 
equity securities, including our common shares. The existence of the Series B-1 and Series B-2 
convertible preferred shares could have an adverse effect on the value of our common shares.

Item 4. Information on the Company

A. History and Development of the Company

Diana Containerships Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the 
Marshall Islands on January 7, 2010. Each of the Company’s vessels is owned by a separate 
wholly-owned subsidiary. Diana Containerships Inc. is the owner of all the issued and outstanding 
shares of the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report. We maintain our principal 
executive offices at Pendelis 18, 175 64 Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece. Our telephone number at 
that address is +30 216 600 2400. Our agent and authorized representative in the United States is 
our wholly-owned subsidiary, Container Carriers (USA) LLC, established in July 2014, in the State 
of Delaware, which is located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808.

During 2016 and 2017, we effected six reverse stock splits of our common shares, each which 

was approved by our board of directors and by our shareholders:

  On June 9, 2016, we effected a one-for-eight reverse stock split, which our shareholders 

approved at our annual meeting of shareholders held on February 24, 2016;

  On July 5, 2017, we effected a one-for-seven reverse stock split, which our shareholders 

approved at our annual meeting of shareholders held on June 29, 2017;

  On  July  27,  2017,  we  effected  a  one-for-six  reverse  stock  split,  which  our  shareholders 

approved at our annual meeting of shareholders held on June 29, 2017;

  On August 24, 2017, we effected a one-for-seven reverse stock split, which our shareholders 

approved at our annual meeting of shareholders held on June 29, 2017;

  On September 25, 2017, we effected a one-for-three reverse stock split, which our shareholders 

approved at our annual meeting of shareholders held on June 29, 2017; and

  On November 2, 2017, we effected a one-for-seven reverse stock split, which our shareholders 

approved at the special meeting of shareholders held on October 26, 2017.

There were no changes to the trading symbol, number of authorized shares, or par value of 
our common stock in connection with any of the reverse stock splits. All share and per share 
amounts disclosed in this annual report give effect to these six reverse stock splits retroactively, 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 41  

for all periods presented.

Business Development and Capital Expenditures and Divestitures

In  March  2015,  we  entered,  through  two  separate  wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  into  two 
Memoranda of Agreement with unrelated parties, to acquire the 2006-built Panamax container 
vessels of approximately 4,923 TEU capacity each, the m/v YM New Jersey and the m/v YM Los 
Angeles, for a purchase price of $21.5 million each. The vessels were delivered to us in April 2015.

In  July  2015,  we  entered,  through  two  separate  wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  into  two 
Memoranda of Agreement with unrelated parties, to acquire two Post-Panamax container vessels 
of approximately 6,494 TEU capacity each, the 2009-built m/v Hamburg and the 2008-built m/v 
Rotterdam, for a purchase price of $38.5 million and $37.5 million, respectively. The vessels were 
delivered to us in November and September 2015, respectively.

In September 2015, we sold the m/v Garnet (ex Apl Garnet) to unrelated parties for demolition, 
for a sale price of $7.6 million, net of address commission. The vessel was delivered to her new 
owners in the same month.

In September 2015, we, through nine separate wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a loan 
agreement with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, or RBS, for up to $148.0 million, to re-finance 
the acquisition cost of seven of our vessels, including the full prepayment of the existing facility 
agreement with RBS, and to support the acquisition of the two newly acquired vessels, the m/v 
Hamburg and the m/v Rotterdam (discussed above).The loan facility had a term of six years, 
was repayable in quarterly installments and a balloon payment payable together with the last 
installment, and bore interest at the rate of 2.75% per annum over LIBOR. Until December 31, 
2015, we drew down in full the $148.0 million. In connection with this loan, we paid arrangement 
and structuring fees amounting to $1.9 million and a commitment fee of 1.375% per annum on 
the undrawn amount of the loan until the drawdown dates.

In September 2015, and in relation with the RBS refinance discussed above, our $50.0 million 
loan agreement with Diana Shipping was amended. The loan agreement was extended until 
March 2022, provided for annual repayments of $5.0 million, plus a balloon installment at the final 
maturity date, and bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.0% per annum. We also agreed to 
pay at the date of the amendment the accumulated back-end fee, amounting to $1.3 million, and 
that no additional back-end fee would be charged thereafter. Furthermore, we agreed that we 
would pay at the final maturity date a flat fee of $0.2 million.

In February 2016, we sold the m/v Hanjin Malta to unrelated parties for demolition, for a sale 
price of $4.8 million, net of commissions. The vessel was delivered to her new owners in March 
2016.

In  August  2016,  we  entered  into  a  First  Amended  and  Restated  Stockholders  Rights 
Agreement, or the Rights Agreement, with Computershare Inc. as Rights Agent, which amended 
and restated in its entirety the original Stockholders Rights Agreement between the Company 
and Mellon Investor Services LLC, dated as of August 2, 2010, as amended on July 28, 2014. 
Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, each share of our common stock includes one right, which 
we refer to as a Right, that entitles the holder to purchase from us a unit consisting of one one-
thousandth of a share of our Series A Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $50.00, 
subject to specified adjustments.

In  September  2016,  we  amended  our  $148.0  million  loan  agreement  with  RBS  dated 

42 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

September 10, 2015 (discussed above). Amendments to the RBS loan agreement included, 
among others things, the prepayment of $7.6 million by September 15, 2016; a reduction in 
the first four consecutive quarterly repayment installments under each tranche, to be repaid 
ratably over the remaining quarterly installments, and the deferral of all quarterly repayments until 
September 15, 2017; the creation of a new $8.9 million tranche, or the Deferred Tranche, out of 
the reallocation of amounts due under the existing tranches, whose repayment would commence 
on March 15, 2019; a prohibition on the payment of dividends until the later of prepayment or 
repayment in full of the Deferred Tranche and September 15, 2018; and a prohibition on the 
incurrence of additional indebtedness (with the exception of intra-group debt) or the acquisition 
of additional vessels until September 15, 2018.

In September 2016, as a condition to the RBS loan amendments discussed above, we also 
amended our $50.0 million loan agreement with Diana Shipping dated May 20, 2013, as amended 
in July 2014 and September 2015, to, among other things, defer its repayment until the later of 
the repayment or prepayment in full of the Deferred Tranche under the RBS loan and September 
15, 2018.

In November 2016, we sold the m/v Angeles (ex YM Los Angeles) to unrelated parties for 
demolition, for a sale price of $6.4 million, net of commissions. The vessel was delivered to her 
new owners in the same month.

In January 2017, we filed with the SEC a shelf registration statement on Form F-3, which was 
declared effective on March 7, 2017. The shelf registration statement gives us the ability to offer 
and sell, within a three year period, up to $250.0 million of our securities consisting of common 
shares, including related preferred stock purchase rights, preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, 
purchase contracts, rights and units. We may offer and sell such securities from time to time and 
through one or more methods of distribution, subject to market conditions and our capital needs.

In March 2017, we completed a registered direct offering of (i) 3,000 newly-designated Series 
B-1 convertible preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share, and common shares underlying 
such Series B-1 convertible preferred shares, and (ii) warrants to purchase 6,500 of Series 
B-1 convertible preferred shares, 6,500 of Series B-1 convertible preferred shares underlying 
such warrants, and common shares underlying such Series B-1 convertible preferred shares. 
Concurrently  with  the  registered  direct  offering,  we  completed  an  offering  of  warrants  to 
purchase 140,500 of Series B-2 convertible preferred shares in a private placement, in reliance 
on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The securities in the registered direct offering and 
private placement were issued and sold to Kalani Investments Limited, or Kalani, an entity not 
affiliated with us, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement. In connection with the private 
placement, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with Kalani, pursuant to which the 
investor was granted certain registration rights with respect to the securities issued and sold 
in the private placement. In 2017, we received gross proceeds of $3.0 million from the sale of 
the 3,000 Series B-1 convertible preferred shares. Additionally, 29,500 preferred warrants were 
exercised during the period for the sale of an equal number of Series B-1 and Series B-2 preferred 
shares, and we received $29.5 million of gross proceeds for these shares until December 31, 
2017. In 2017, from the 32,500 Series B preferred shares issued, 32,211 preferred shares were 
converted to 4,049,733 common shares and 289 Series B preferred shares remained outstanding 
as of December 31, 2017. Additionally, subsequent to the balance sheet date and up to March 
14, 2018, we received $7.5 million of gross proceeds from the exercise of 7,500 Series B-2 
preferred warrants to purchase an equal number of Series B-2 convertible preferred shares. In 
aggregate, subsequent to December 31, 2017, 7,493 Series B-2 convertible preferred shares 
were converted to 2,840,144 common shares, thus leaving 296 Series B-2 convertible preferred 
shares outstanding on March 14, 2018.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 43  

In May 2017, we issued 100 shares of our newly-designated Series C Preferred Stock, par 
value $0.01 per share, to DSI, in exchange for a reduction of $3.0 million in the principal amount of 
our then outstanding loan with DSI, thus leaving an outstanding principal balance of $42.4 million 
on such loan. The Series C Preferred Stock has no dividend or liquidation rights. The Series C 
Preferred Stock votes with our common shares, and each share of the Series C Preferred Stock 
entitles the holder thereof to up to 250,000 votes, subject to a cap such that the aggregate 
voting power of any holder of Series C Preferred Stock together with its affiliates does not exceed 
49.0% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast on all matters submitted to a vote of our 
stockholders. As of December 31, 2017, the 100 Series C Preferred Stock remained outstanding.

In May 2017, we sold the m/v Doukato (ex Cap Doukato) to an unrelated party, for a sale price 

of $6.0 million, net of commissions. The vessel was delivered to her new owners in June 2017.

In June 2017, we repaid to RBS an amount of $85.0 million as full and final settlement of our 
loan, which had an outstanding balance of $128.9 million as of the date of settlement, and the loan 
agreement was terminated. This settlement resulted in a gain of $42.2 million, net of expenses.

In June 2017, the repayment of the RBS loan discussed above was partially funded with $10.0 
million from our own cash, with $40.0 million from a refinance of our then existing loan with DSI 
and with $35.0 million from a new loan agreement with Addiewell Ltd, or Addiewell, an unrelated 
party. After the refinance of our then existing unsecured loan facility with DSI, the principal amount 
of the new secured loan amounted to $82.6 million, which included the $42.4 million outstanding 
principal balance as of June 30, 2017, increased by the flat fee of $0.2 million which was payable 
at maturity, and the additional drawdown of $40.0 million. The new loans with Addiewell and DSI, 
which are secured by first and second priority mortgages over our containerships, each mature in 
eighteen months from their signing, or on December 31, 2018, and bear interest at the rate of 6% 
per annum for the first twelve months scaled to 9% for the next three months and further scaled to 
12% for the remaining three months of the loans. Additionally, there is a discount premium amount 
of $10.0 million and $5.0 million for the loans with Addiewell and DSI, respectively. During 2017, 
we repaid $26.5 million of the outstanding balance on our loan with Addiewell and did not make 
any repayments to DSI. Up to March 14, 2018 we repaid an additional $8.5 million to Addiewell 
and also repaid $8.4 million to DSI by making use of equity and vessels’ sales proceeds.

In October 2017, we entered into two memoranda of agreement, as amended, to sell the 
vessels m/v March and m/v Great to unrelated parties, for a gross sale price of $11.0 million each, 
with expected delivery to the new owners by the end of March 2018. We have classified both 
vessels as held for sale in the current assets of our 2017 consolidated balance sheets.

In February 2018, we entered into a memorandum of agreement to sell the m/v New Jersey 
(ex YM New Jersey) to an unrelated party for demolition, for a sale price of $9.4 million, net of 
commissions to the buyers. The vessel was delivered to her new owners on March 12, 2018.

In February 2018, we entered into two memoranda of agreement to sell the m/v Sagitta and 
m/v Centaurus to an unrelated party, for a gross sale price of $12.3 million each. The vessels are 
expected to be delivered to the buyer at the latest by April 27, 2018.

B. Business Overview

We are a corporation formed under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands on 
January 7, 2010. We were founded to own containerships and pursue containership acquisition 
opportunities.

44 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

As of the date of this annual report, our fleet consists of four panamax and six post-panamax 
containerships, including the four vessels we have contracted to sell and have not yet delivered 
to their buyers, with a combined carrying capacity of 52,855 TEU and a weighted average age 
of 11.5 years. As at December 31, 2017, our fleet consisted of five panamax and six post-
panamax containerships, including the two vessels we were contracted to sell as of that date, 
with a combined carrying capacity of 57,778 TEU and a weighted average age of 11.3 years. As 
at December 31, 2016, our fleet consisted of six panamax and six post-panamax containerships 
with a combined carrying capacity of 61,517 TEU and a weighted average age of 10.6 years. As 
at December 31, 2015, our fleet consisted of eight panamax and six post-panamax containerships 
with a combined carrying capacity of 70,464 TEU and a weighted average age of 10.3 years.

During  2017,  2016  and  2015,  we  had  fleet  utilization  of  75.9%,  69.8%,  and  92.0%, 
respectively, our vessels achieved a daily time charter equivalent rate of $5,320, $6,341, and 
$13,192, respectively, and we generated revenues, net of prepaid charter revenue amortization, 
of $23.8 million, $33.2 million and $62.2 million, respectively.

Set forth below is summary information concerning our fleet as at March 15, 2018.

Vessel

BUILT  

TEU

Sister 
Ships*

Gross Rate 
(USD 
Per Day)

Com** Charterers

Delivery 
Date to 
Charterers***

Redelivery Date 
to 
Owners****

Notes

4 Panamax Container Vessels

saGitta

$8,400

1.25%

$8,400

1.25%

hapag-lloyd 
aG 

15-aug-17

15-Feb-18

1 

15-Feb-18

15-May-18 - 15-Jul-18

a

a

2010 

3,426

Centaurus
2010 

3,426

neW JerseY
(ex YM new Jersey)

2006 

4,923

paMina
(ex santa pamina)

2005 

5,042

DoMinGo
(ex Cap Domingo)

2001 

3,739

$7,950

3.50%  CMa CGM

23-aug-17   23-apr-18 - 23-aug-18

1 

-

-

-

-

- - -

2,3 

$9,500

3.75%

orient 
overseas 
Container 
line ltd.

12-sep-17  12-apr-18 - 12-sep-18

$8,500

3.50% CMa CGM

14-sep-17 14-May-18 - 14-aug-18

6 Post - Panamax Container Vessels

puelo

2006 

puCon

B

$10,600/$12,000 5.00% 

6,541

B 

$10,750

3.75% 

2006 

6,541

MarCh
(ex YM March)

2004 

5,576

Great
(ex YM Great)

2004 

5,576

C

$6,850

1.25%

C 

$7,300 

3.75%

Maersk lines 
a/s 

orient 
overseas 
Container 
line ltd. 

hapag-lloyd 
aG

orient 
overseas 
Container 
line ltd. 

1-aug-17 

1-apr-18 - 1-Feb-19

4 

27-apr-17 27-apr-18 - 26-Jun-18

15-Feb-17 19-Mar-18 - 30-Mar-18 5,6,7 

8-apr-17

16-Mar-18

5,7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 45  

Vessel

BUILT  

TEU

Sister 
Ships*

Gross Rate 
(USD 
Per Day)

Com** Charterers

Delivery 
Date to 
Charterers***

Redelivery Date 
to 
Owners****

Notes

haMBurG

2009 

6,494

D

$11,000

3.75%

rotterDaM

$6,890

3.50%

2008 

6,494

D

$13,150  

3.75%

Wan hai 
lines 
(singapore) 
pte ltd.

CMa CGM
Wan hai 
lines 
(singapore) 
pte ltd.

1-Dec-17

31-Mar-18 - 9-Jul-18

7-Mar-17

7-Jan-18

25-Jan-18

25-May-18 - 14-Jul-18

* each container vessel is a «sister ship», or closely similar, to other container vessels that have the same letter.
** total commission paid to third parties.
*** in case of newly acquired vessel with time charter attached, this date refers to the expected/actual date of delivery of the 
vessel to the Company.
**** range of redelivery dates, with the actual date of redelivery being at the Charterers’ option, but subject to the terms, 
conditions, and exceptions of the particular charterparty.

1 Vessel sold and expected to be delivered to her new owners at the latest by April 27, 2018.

2 As of October 11, 2016, vessel has been placed into lay-up, in Malaysia.

3 «New Jersey» sold and delivered to her new owners on March 12, 2018.

4  The gross charter rate is US$10,600 per day for the first eight (8) months of the charter period 
and US$12,000 per day for the balance period of the time charter. The charterer has the option 
to redeliver the vessel any time between April 1, 2018 and February 1, 2019.

5 Based on latest information.

6 Charterers will pay US$1 per day for the first 15 days of the charter period.

7 Vessel sold and expected to be delivered to her new owners at the latest by March 30, 2018.

Our Management Team

Our management team is responsible for the strategic management of our company, including 
the development of our business plan. Strategic management also involves, among other things, 
locating, purchasing, financing and selling vessels. Our management team is led by our Chief 
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Symeon Palios, who founded the predecessors 
of Diana Shipping and DSS in 1972. Mr. Palios has served as the Chief Executive Officer and 
Chairman of the Board of Diana Shipping Inc. since 2005 and as a director since 1999. Mr. 
Anastasios Margaronis, our President and a director, also serves as President and as a director 
of Diana Shipping Inc. and has been employed by the Diana Shipping group of companies since 
1979. Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis, our Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and a director, also serves 
as Chief Operating Officer and Secretary and a director of Diana Shipping Inc. and has been 
employed by the Diana Shipping group of companies since 1997. Mr. Andreas Michalopoulos, 
our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, has held these same offices with Diana Shipping Inc. 
since 2006.

Our management team has experience in multiple sectors of the international shipping industry, 

 
 
 
46 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

including the containership sector, and a proven track record of strategic growth beginning with 
the formation of the Diana Shipping group of companies in 1972. Our management team is 
responsible for identifying assets for acquisition at appropriate times and for the operation of our 
business in order to build our fleet and effectively manage our growth.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Our management team is comprised of four executive officers who are also executive officers of 
Diana Shipping and three of such executive officers serve on our board of directors as well as the 
board of directors of Diana Shipping. Our officers and directors have fiduciary duties to manage 
our business in a manner beneficial to us and our shareholders, and also have fiduciary duties to 
manage the business of Diana Shipping and its affiliates in a manner beneficial to such entities 
and their shareholders. Consequently, these officers and directors may encounter situations in 
which their fiduciary obligations to Diana Shipping and us are in conflict. Furthermore, although 
Diana Shipping is contractually restricted from competing with us in the containership industry, 
there may be other business opportunities for which Diana Shipping may compete with us such as 
hiring employees, acquiring other businesses, or entering into joint ventures, which could have a 
material adverse effect on our business. In addition, we are contractually restricted from competing 
with Diana Shipping in the dry bulk carrier sector, which limits our ability to expand our operations.

Management of Our Fleet

The  business  of  Diana  Containerships  Inc.  is  the  ownership  of  containerships.  Diana 
Containerships Inc. wholly owns, directly or indirectly, the subsidiaries which own the vessels 
that comprise our fleet. The holding company sets general overall direction for the company 
and interfaces with various financial markets. The commercial and technical management of 
our fleet, as well as the provision of administrative services relating to the fleet’s operations, are 
carried out since March 1, 2013, by UOT, our fleet manager. In exchange for providing us with 
commercial and technical services, we pay our Manager a commission that is equal to 2% of our 
gross revenues, a fixed management fee of $15,000 per month for each vessel in operation and 
a fixed monthly fee of $7,500 for laid-up vessels, if any. In addition, pursuant to an Administrative 
Services Agreement, we pay to UOT a fixed monthly administrative fee of $10,000, in exchange 
for providing us with accounting, administrative, financial reporting and other services necessary 
for the operation of our business. These amounts are considered inter-company transactions 
and are, therefore, eliminated from our consolidated financial statements. For any laid-up vessels 
of our fleet, in addition to the management services provided by UOT, we have also appointed 
Wilhelmsen Ship Management LTD, an unaffiliated third party, to provide specific management 
services in relation to the laying-up for a fixed monthly fee for each laid-up vessel.

Business Strategy

Strategically deploy our vessels in order to optimize the opportunities in the time charter 
market

We intend to actively monitor market conditions, charter rates and vessel operating expenses 
in order to selectively employ vessels as market conditions warrant. In the near term we intend to 
enter into short-term time charters to allow our shareholders to benefit from what we believe to be 
an improving charter rate environment. Depending on market conditions, in the future we might 
enter into long-term time charters at rates that compare favorably to historical averages, shielding 
us from charter rate decreases and cyclical fluctuations. We believe that maintaining staggered 
charter maturities will provide us with the flexibility to capitalize on favorable market conditions, 
while providing us with a base of strong, visible cash flows.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 47  

Acquire high quality containerships throughout the shipping cycle

At times when we have sufficient funds and we are not restricted under the terms of our loan 
agreements or for any other reason, we will seek to provide attractive returns to our investors by 
making accretive acquisitions of high quality containerships in the secondhand market, including 
from shipyards and lending institutions. Over time, we expect that asset prices and charter rates 
will increase and we will continue to seek to make acquisitions that meet our investment criteria. 
Because members of our senior management team have successfully navigated previous market 
cycles, we believe that we have the experience and discipline to capitalize on market movements. 
We will continue to initially focus on vessels ranging from 3,500 TEU to 8,500 TEU because 
we believe that the current orderbook composition, coupled with global GDP growth, creates 
a favorable multi-year dynamic of supply and demand for these mid-sized containerships. As 
industry dynamics change, we might opportunistically acquire containerships outside of this range 
as well as enter into newbuilding contracts with shipyards on terms that meet our acquisition 
criteria.

Our Customers

Our customers include national, regional, and international companies, such as Maersk Lines 
A/S, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd AG, Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd. and Wan Hai Lines 
(Singapore) Pte Ltd. During 2017, three of our charterers accounted for 77% of our revenues: 
Hapag-Lloyd AG (18%), Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd (24%) and CMA CGM (35%). During 
2016, three of our charterers accounted for 67% of our revenues: Yang Ming (UK)Ltd (34%), 
Maersk Line A/S (22%) and CMA CGM (11%). During 2015, five of our charterers accounted 
for 83% of our revenues: Yang Ming (UK)Ltd (25%), Maersk Line A/S (11%), Reederei Santa 
Containerschiffe / Rudolf A. Oetker KG (10%), CSAV Valparaiso / Hapag Lloyd A.G Hamburg 
(24%) and Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd (13%). We believe that developing strong relationships with 
the end users of our services allows us to better satisfy their needs with appropriate and capable 
vessels. A prospective charterer’s financial condition, creditworthiness, reliability and track record 
are important factors in negotiating our vessels’ employment.

The Container Shipping Industry

The containers used in maritime transportation are steel boxes of standard dimensions. The 
standard unit of measure of volume or capacity in container shipping is the 20-foot equivalent 
unit, or TEU, representing a container which is 20 feet long and typically 8.5 feet high and 8 
feet wide. In recent years, 40-foot long containers (9.5 feet high), equivalent to two TEU, have 
increasingly been used by large retailers to move lightweight, fast moving consumer goods 
across the globe. There are specialized containers of both sizes to carry refrigerated perishables 
or frozen products, as well as tank containers that carry liquids such as liquefied gases, spirits 
or chemicals.

A container shipment begins at the shipper’s premises with the delivery of an empty container. 
Once the container has been filled with cargo, it is transported by truck, rail or barge to a container 
port, where it is loaded onto a containership. The container is shipped either directly to the 
destination port or through an intermediate port where it is transferred to another vessel, an activity 
referred to as transshipment. When the container arrives at its destination port, it is off-loaded and 
delivered to the receiver’s premises by truck, rail or barge.

Container shipping has a number of advantages compared with other shipping methods, 

including:

48 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Less Cargo Handling

Containers provide a secure environment for cargo. The contents of a container, once loaded 
into the container, are not directly handled until they reach their final destination. Using other 
shipping methods, cargo may be loaded and discharged several times, resulting in a greater risk 
of breakage and loss.

Efficient Port Turnaround

With specialized cranes and other terminal equipment, containerships can be loaded and 

unloaded in significantly less time and at lower cost than other cargo vessels.

Highly Developed Intermodal Network

Onshore movement of containerized cargo, from points of origin, around container ports, 
staging or storage areas, and to final destinations, benefits from the physical integration of the 
container with other transportation equipment such as road chassis, railcars and other means 
of hauling the standard-sized containers. Sophisticated port and intermodal industries have 
developed to support container transportation.

Reduced Shipping Time

Containerships can travel at a speed of up to 25 knots per hour, even in rough seas, thereby 
transporting cargo over long distances in shorter periods of time. Such speed reduces transit time 
and facilitates the timeliness of regular scheduled port calls, compared to general cargo shipping. 
However, since 2008, due to higher fuel prices and the negative effects of the global recession, 
most operators have reduced speeds and deployed more ships on some voyage strings. This has 
also had a positive environmental effect in helping reduce ship emissions.

Types of Container Ships

Containerships are typically “cellular,” which means they are equipped with metal guide rails 
to allow for rapid loading and unloading, and provide for more secure carriage. Partly cellular 
containerships include roll-on/roll-off vessels, or “ro-ro” ships, designed to carry chassis and 
trailers, and multipurpose ships which can carry a variety of cargo including containers.

The main categories of containerships are broadly as follows:

  Very Large:

”Very large” ships (with capacity in excess of 10,000 TEU) are currently exclusively deployed 
on the Asia-North Europe and Mediterranean and Transpacific trades. Middle East trades may at 
some stage see the regular deployment of ships with capacity exceeding 10,000 TEU.

  Large:

Large  ships  have  a  capacity  of  8,000  to  9,999  TEU  and  are  currently  deployed  on  the 

Transpacific, Asia-Middle East and Asia to Latin America trades.

  Post Panamax:

Ships with a capacity of 5,000 to 7,999 TEU, so-called because of their inability to transit 
through the existing Panama Canal due to dimension restrictions. However, the Panama Canal 
was widened in 2016, and the expansion allows ships with capacity of up to about 13,000 TEU 
to transit the waterway. Ships of this size can be considered the workhorses of many smaller or 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 49  

emerging trade routes outside of the main east-west arteries.

 Panamax:

Ships with a capacity between 3,000 to 4,999 TEU.

 Intermediate:

In this category, the ships range in capacity between 2,000 and 2,999 TEU and are generally 

able to operate on all trades.

 Handysize:

Smaller ships with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 1,999 TEU, for use in regional trades – a 

primary example being the intra-Asian trades.

 Feeder:

Ships with a capacity of less than 1,000 TEU, which are usually employed as feeder vessels 

on trades to and from hub ports or on small niche trades or domestic routes.

Containership Newbuilding Prices

The factors which influence new-built prices include ship type, shipyard capacity, demand for 
ships, “berth cover”, i.e., the forward book of business of shipyards, buyer relationships with the 
yard, individual design specifications, including fuel efficiency or environmental features and the 
price of ship materials, engine and machinery equipment and particularly the price of steel.

Containership Secondhand Prices

Vessel values are primarily driven by supply and demand for vessels. During extended periods 
of high demand, as evidenced by high charter rates, secondhand vessel values tend to appreciate 
and during periods of low demand, evidenced by low charter rates, vessel values tend to decline. 
Vessel values are also influenced by age and specification and by the replacement cost (new-built 
price) in the case of vessels up to five years old.

Values for younger vessels tend to fluctuate on a percentage, if not on a nominal, basis less 
than values for older vessels. This is due to the fact that younger vessels with a longer remaining 
economic life are less susceptible to the level of charter rates than older vessels with limited 
remaining economic life.

Vessels are usually sold through specialized brokers who report transactions to the maritime 
transportation industry on a regular basis. The sale and purchase market for vessels is usually 
quite transparent and liquid, with a number of vessels changing hands on an annual basis.

Containership Charter Rates

The main factors affecting vessel charter rates are primarily the supply and demand for 
container shipping. The shorter the charter period, the greater the vessel charter rate is affected 
by the current supply to demand balance and by the current phase of the market cycle (high point 
or low point). For longer charter periods, from three years to ten years, vessel charter rates tend 
to be more stable and less cyclical because the period may cover not only a particular phase of a 
market cycle, but a full market cycle or several market cycles. Other factors affecting charter rates 
include the age and characteristics of the ships (including fuel consumption, speed, wide beam, 
shallow draft, whether geared or gearless), the price of new-built and secondhand ships (buying 
as an alternative to chartering ships) and market conditions.

50 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Container Freight Rates

Factors that drive vessel charter rates also affect container freight rates. Container freight rates 
are primarily driven by the supply and demand for container shipping, the cost of operating ships, 
fuel prices, and carrier behavior, including inter-carrier competition. To some extent, container 
freight rates are also affected by market conditions.

The Clarksons average Containerships Earnings Index was in January 2018 at 54, the highest 

rate recorded since August 2015.

Global Container Trade

According to industry sources, the global container trade grew by approximately 2.7% in 2017.

Disclosure Pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

The disclosure below does not relate to any activities conducted by Diana Containerships Inc., 
its management or Unitized Ocean Transport Limited, its vessel technical manager. The disclosure 
herein relates solely to certain activities conducted by Diana Shipping Inc.

Section 219 of the U.S. Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, or ITRA, 
added a new Section 13(r) to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the 
Exchange Act, that requires each SEC reporting issuer to disclose in its annual and, if applicable, 
quarterly reports regardless of whether it or any of its affiliates have knowingly engaged in certain 
activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with the Government of Iran or certain 
designated natural persons or entities involved in terrorism or the proliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction during the period covered by the report. The required disclosure includes disclosure 
of activities that are not prohibited by U.S. or other law, even if conducted outside of the U.S. by 
non-U.S. affiliates in compliance with local law.

Diana Shipping Inc. is the former parent company of the Company and current owner of 100% 
of our Series C preferred voting stock, and certain members of the Company’s board of directors 
and senior management team are also members of the board of directors and management team 
of Diana Shipping Inc., however all vessel operations of the Company and Diana Shipping Inc. are 
performed by separate companies that do not share common management teams or boards of 
directors. The Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed by Diana 
Shipping Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 16, 2018 contains the 
disclosure set forth below (with all references contained therein to “the Company” being references 
to Diana Shipping Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries). As a result, it appears that the Company 
may be required to provide the disclosures set forth below pursuant to Section 219 of ITRA and 
Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act. By providing this disclosure, the Company does not admit that 
it is an affiliate of Diana Shipping Inc.

The disclosure relates solely to activities conducted by Diana Shipping Inc. and its consolidated 

subsidiaries.

The disclosure contained in Diana Shipping Inc.’s Annual Report is as follows:

Disclosure Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction And Syrian Human Rights Act

Section 219 of the U.S. Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, or the 
ITRA, added new Section 13(r) to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 51  

Exchange Act, requiring each SEC reporting issuer to disclose in its annual and, if applicable, 
quarterly reports whether it or any of its affiliates have knowingly engaged in certain activities, 
transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with the Government of Iran or certain designated 
natural persons or entities involved in terrorism or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction 
during the period covered by the report.

Pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act, we note that for the period covered by this 

annual report, one of our vessels made one port call to Iran in 2017.

The vessel Thetis made a call to the port of Bandar Imam Khomeini on February 25, 2017, 
discharging corn, and remained in the port of Bandar Imam Khomeini during 2017 for seven days. 
During this time the Thetis was on time charter to Transgrain Shipping B.V., Rotterdam at a gross 
rate of $5,150 per day.

The aggregate gross revenue attributable to these seven days that our vessel remained in the 
port of Bandar Imam Khomeini was $36,050. As we do not attribute profits to specific voyages 
under a time charter, we have not attributed any profits to the voyages which included this port 
call. Our charter party agreements for our vessels restrict the charterers from calling in Iran in 
violation of U.S. sanctions, or carrying any cargo to Iran which is subject to U.S. sanctions. 
However, there can be no assurance that the vessel referenced above or another of our vessels 
will not, from time to time in the future on charterer’s instructions, perform voyages which would 
require disclosure pursuant to Exchange Act Section 13(r).

Environmental and Other Regulations in the Shipping Industry

Government regulation and laws significantly affect the ownership and operation of our fleet. We 
are subject to international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and regulations 
in force in the countries in which our vessels may operate or are registered relating to safety and 
health and environmental protection, including the storage, handling, emission, transportation 
and discharge of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination 
and liability for damage to natural resources. Compliance with such laws, regulations and other 
requirements entails significant expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of 
certain operating procedures.

A variety of governmental and private entities subject our vessels to both scheduled and 
unscheduled inspections. These entities include the local port authorities (applicable national 
authorities such as the United States Coast Guard, or the USCG, harbor master or equivalent), 
classification societies, flag state administrations (countries of registry) and charterers, particularly 
terminal operators. Certain of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates and 
other authorizations for the operation of our vessels. Failure to maintain necessary permits or 
approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or result in the temporary suspension of the 
operation of one or more of our vessels.

We believe that the heightened level of environmental and quality concerns among insurance 
underwriters, regulators and charterers is leading to greater inspection and safety requirements 
on  all  vessels  and  may  accelerate  the  scrapping  of  older  vessels  throughout  the  industry. 
Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to the stricter 
environmental standards. We are required to maintain operating standards for all of our vessels 
that emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of our officers and 
crews and compliance with U.S. and international regulations. We believe that the operation of 
our vessels is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and 
that our vessels have all material permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations necessary 

52 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

for the conduct of our operations. However, because such laws and regulations are frequently 
changed and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate 
cost of complying with these requirements, or the impact of these requirements on the resale 
value or useful lives of our vessels. In addition, a future serious marine incident that causes 
significant adverse environmental impact could result in additional legislation or regulation that 
could negatively affect our profitability.

It should be noted that the United States is currently experiencing changes in its environmental 
policy, the results of which have yet to be fully determined. For example, in April 2017, the U.S. 
President signed an executive order regarding environmental regulations, specifically targeting the 
U.S. offshore energy strategy, which may affect parts of the maritime industry and our operations. 
Furthermore, recent action by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and U.S. agencies indicate 
that cybersecurity regulations for the maritime industry are likely to be further developed in the 
near future in an attempt to combat cybersecurity threats. For example, cyber-risk management 
systems  must  be  incorporated  by  ship  owners  and  managers  by  2021.  This  might  cause 
companies to cultivate additional procedures for monitoring cybersecurity, which could require 
additional expenses and/or capital expenditures. However, the impact of such regulations is hard 
to predict at this time.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The International Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency for maritime safety and 
the prevention of pollution by vessels, or the IMO, has adopted the International Convention for 
the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, 
collectively referred to as MARPOL 73/78 and herein as MARPOL, adopted the International 
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, or the SOLAS Convention, and the International 
Convention on Load Lines of 1966, or the LL Convention. MARPOL establishes environmental 
standards relating to oil leakage or spilling, garbage management, sewage, air emissions, handling 
and disposal of noxious liquids and the handling of harmful substances in packaged forms. 
MARPOL is applicable to drybulk, tanker and LPG carriers, among other vessels, and is broken 
into six Annexes, each of which regulates a different source of pollution. Annex I relates to oil 
leakage or spilling; Annexes II and III relate to harmful substances carried in bulk in liquid or in 
packaged form, respectively; Annexes IV and V relate to sewage and garbage management, 
respectively; and Annex VI, lastly, relates to air emissions. Annex VI was separately adopted by 
the IMO in September of 1997.

Air Emissions

In September of 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution from 
vessels. Effective May 2005, Annex VI sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from 
all commercial vessel exhausts and prohibits “deliberate emissions” of ozone depleting substances 
(such as halons and chlorofluorocarbons), emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks, 
and the shipboard incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the 
sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls 
on sulfur emissions, as explained below. Emissions of “volatile organic compounds” from certain 
tankers, and the shipboard incineration (from incinerators installed after January 1, 2000) of certain 
substances (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs) are also prohibited. We believe that all 
our vessels are currently compliant in all material respects with these regulations.

The IMO’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee, or MEPC, adopted amendments 
to Annex VI regarding emissions of sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and ozone 
depleting substances, which entered into force on July 1, 2010. The amended Annex VI seeks to 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 53  

further reduce air pollution by, among other things, implementing a progressive reduction of the 
amount of sulfur contained in any fuel oil used on board ships. On October 27, 2016, at its 70th 
session, the MEPC agreed to implement a global 0.5% m/m sulfur oxide emissions limit (reduced 
from the current 3.50%) starting from January 1, 2020. This limitation can be met by using low-
sulfur compliant fuel oil, alternative fuels, or certain exhaust gas cleaning systems. Once the cap 
becomes effective, ships will be required to obtain bunker delivery notes and International Air 
Pollution Prevention, or IAPP, Certificates from their flag states that specify sulfur content. This 
subjects ocean-going vessels in these areas to stringent emissions controls, and may cause us 
to incur additional costs.

Sulfur content standards are even stricter within certain “Emission Control Areas,” or ECAs. 
As of January 1, 2015, ships operating within an ECA were not permitted to use fuel with sulfur 
content in excess of 0.1%. Amended Annex VI establishes procedures for designating new ECAs. 
Currently, the IMO has designated four ECAs, including specified portions of the Baltic Sea area, 
North Sea area, North American area and United States Caribbean area. Ocean-going vessels 
in these areas will be subject to stringent emission controls and may cause us to incur additional 
costs. If other ECAs are approved by the IMO, or other new or more stringent requirements relating 
to emissions from marine diesel engines or port operations by vessels are adopted by the U.S 
Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA, or the states where we operate, compliance with 
these regulations could entail significant capital expenditures or otherwise increase the costs of 
our operations.

Amended Annex VI also establishes new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards 
for marine diesel engines, depending on their date of installation. At the MEPC meeting held from 
March to April 2014, amendments to Annex VI were adopted which address the date on which 
Tier III Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) standards in ECAs will go into effect. Under the amendments, Tier III 
NOx standards apply to ships that operate in the North American and U.S. Caribbean Sea ECAs 
designed for the control of NOx with a marine diesel engine installed and constructed on or after 
January 1, 2016. Tier III requirements could apply to areas that will be designated for Tier III NOx 
in the future. At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, the MEPC approved the North Sea and Baltic Sea as 
ECAs for nitrogen oxide for ships built after January 1, 2021. The U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency promulgated equivalent (and in some senses stricter) emissions standards in late 2009. As 
a result of these designations or similar future designations, we may be required to incur additional 
operating or other costs.

As determined at the MEPC 70, the new Regulation 22A of MARPOL Annex VI is effective as 
of March 1, 2018 and requires ships above 5,000 gross tonnage to collect and report annual data 
on fuel oil consumption to an IMO database, with the first year of data collection commencing on 
January 1, 2019.

As  of  January  1,  2013,  MARPOL  made  mandatory  certain  measures  relating  to  energy 
efficiency for ships. All ships are now required to develop and implement Ship Energy Efficiency 
Management Plans, or SEEMPS, and new ships must be designed in compliance with minimum 
energy efficiency levels per capacity mile as defined by the Energy Efficiency Design Index. Under 
these measures, by 2025, all new ships built will be 30% more energy efficient than those built 
in 2014.

We may incur costs to comply with these revised standards. Additional or new conventions, 
laws and regulations may be adopted that could require the installation of expensive emission 
control systems and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows and 
financial condition.

54 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Safety Management System Requirements

The SOLAS Convention was amended to address the safe manning of vessels and emergency 
training drills. The Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, or the LLMC, sets 
limitations of liability for a loss of life or personal injury claim or a property claim against ship 
owners. We believe that all of our vessels are in substantial compliance with SOLAS and LL 
Convention standards.

Under Chapter IX of the SOLAS Convention, or the International Safety Management Code 
for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or the ISM Code, our operations 
are also subject to environmental standards and requirements. The ISM Code requires the party 
with operational control of a vessel to develop an extensive safety management system that 
includes, among other things, the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting 
forth instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing procedures 
for responding to emergencies. We rely upon the safety management system that we and our 
technical management team have developed for compliance with the ISM Code. The failure of 
a vessel owner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject such party to 
increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may 
result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.

The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each 
vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel’s management with the ISM 
Code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a safety management 
certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag 
state, under the ISM Code. We have obtained applicable documents of compliance for our offices 
and safety management certificates for all of our vessels for which the certificates are required 
by the IMO. The document of compliance and safety management certificate are renewed as 
required.

Regulation II-1/3-10 of the SOLAS Convention governs ship construction and stipulates that 
ships over 150 meters in length must have adequate strength, integrity and stability to minimize 
risk of loss or pollution. Goal-based standards amendments in SOLAS regulation II-1/3-10 entered 
into force in 2012, with July 1, 2016 set for application to new oil tankers and bulk carriers.  
The SOLAS Convention regulation II-1/3-10 on goal-based ship construction standards for bulk 
carriers and oil tankers, which entered into force on January 1, 2012, requires that all oil tankers 
and bulk carriers of 150 meters in length and above, for which the building contract is placed 
on or after July 1, 2016, satisfy applicable structural requirements conforming to the functional 
requirements of the International Goal-based Ship Construction Standards for Bulk Carriers and 
Oil Tankers (GBS Standards).

Amendments to the SOLAS Convention Chapter VII apply to vessels transporting dangerous 
goods and require those vessels be in compliance with the International Maritime Dangerous 
Goods Code, or the IMDG Code. Effective January 1, 2018, the IMDG Code includes (1) updates 
to the provisions for radioactive material, reflecting the latest provisions from the International 
Atomic Energy Agency, (2) new marking, packing and classification requirements for dangerous 
goods, and (3) new mandatory training requirements.

The IMO has also adopted the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification 
and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, or the STCW. As of February 2017, all seafarers are required to 
meet the STCW standards and be in possession of a valid STCW certificate. Flag states that have 
ratified SOLAS and STCW generally employ the classification societies, which have incorporated 
SOLAS and STCW requirements into their class rules, to undertake surveys to confirm compliance.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 55  

Pollution Control and Liability Requirements

The  IMO  has  negotiated  international  conventions  that  impose  liability  for  pollution  in 
international waters and the territorial waters of the signatories to such conventions. For example, 
the IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast 
Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention, in 2004. The BWM Convention entered into force 
on September 9, 2017. The BWM Convention requires ships to manage their ballast water to 
remove, render harmless, or avoid the uptake or discharge of new or invasive aquatic organisms 
and  pathogens  within  ballast  water  and  sediments.  The  BWM  Convention’s  implementing 
regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to 
be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits, and require all ships to carry a ballast 
water record book and an international ballast Water management certificate.

On December 4, 2013, the IMO Assembly passed a resolution revising the application dates 
of BWM Convention so that the dates are triggered by the entry into force date and not the dates 
originally in the BWM Convention. This, in effect, makes all vessels delivered before the entry into 
force date “existing vessels” and allows for the installation of ballast water management systems 
on such vessels at the first International Oil Pollution Prevention, or IOPP, renewal survey following 
entry into force of the convention. The MEPC adopted updated guidelines for approval of ballast 
water management systems (G8) at MEPC 70. At MEPC 71, the schedule regarding the BWM 
Convention’s implementation dates was also discussed and amendments were introduced to 
extend the date existing vessels are subject to certain ballast water standards. Ships over 400 
gross tons generally must comply with a “D-1 standard,” requiring the exchange of ballast water 
only in open seas and away from coastal waters. The “D-2 standard” specifies the maximum 
amount of viable organisms allowed to be discharged, and compliance dates vary depending 
on the IOPP renewal dates. Depending on the date of the IOPP renewal survey, existing vessels 
must comply with the D2 standard on or after September 8, 2019. For most ships, compliance 
with the D2 standard will involve installing on-board systems to treat ballast water and eliminate 
unwanted organisms. Costs of compliance may be substantial.

Once mid-ocean ballast or exchange ballast water treatment requirements become mandatory 
under the BWM Convention, the cost of compliance could increase for ocean carriers and may 
be material. However, many countries already regulate the discharge of ballast water carried 
by vessels from country to country to prevent the introduction of invasive and harmful species 
via such discharges. The United States, for example, requires vessels entering its waters from 
another country to conduct mid-ocean ballast exchange, or undertake some alternate measure, 
and to comply with certain reporting requirements. The costs of compliance with a mandatory 
mid-ocean ballast exchange could be material, and it is difficult to predict the overall impact of 
such a requirement on our operations.

Compliance Enforcement

Noncompliance with the ISM Code or other IMO regulations may subject the ship owner or 
bareboat charterer to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage 
for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. The 
USCG and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM 
Code by the applicable deadlines will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports, 
respectively. As of the date of this report, each of our vessels is ISM Code certified. However, there 
can be no assurance that such certificates will be maintained in the future. The IMO continues to 
review and introduce new regulations. It is impossible to predict what additional regulations, if any, 
may be passed by the IMO and what effect, if any, such regulations might have on our operations.

56 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

U.S. Regulations

The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation 
and Liability Act

The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or the OPA, established an extensive regulatory and 
liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all 
“owners and operators” whose vessels trade or operate with the United States, its territories and 
possessions or whose vessels operate in U.S. waters, which includes the United States’ territorial 
sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. The United 
States has also enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability 
Act, or CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil, except 
in limited circumstances, whether on land or at sea. OPA and CERCLA both define “owner and 
operator” in the case of a vessel as any person owning, operating or chartering by demise, the 
vessel. Both OPA and CERCLA impact our operations.

Under OPA, vessel owners and operators are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally 
and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act 
of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from 
discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels, including bunkers (fuel). OPA defines 
these other damages broadly to include:

   injury to, destruction or loss of, or loss of use of, natural resources and related assessment 

costs;

  injury to, or economic losses resulting from, the destruction of real and personal property;

  loss of subsistence use of natural resources that are injured, destroyed or lost;

  net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees or net profit revenues resulting from injury, destruction 

or loss of real or personal property, or natural resources;

  lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to injury, destruction or loss of real or personal 

property or natural resources; and

  net cost of increased or additional public services necessitated by removal activities following a 
discharge of oil, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards, and loss of subsistence 
use of natural resources.

OPA contains statutory caps on liability and damages; such caps do not apply to direct 
cleanup costs. Effective December 21, 2015, the USCG adjusted the limits of OPA liability for non-
tank vessels, edible oil tank vessels, and any oil spill response vessels, to the greater of $1,100 
per gross ton or $939,800 (subject to periodic adjustment for inflation). These limits of liability 
do not apply if an incident was proximately caused by the violation of an applicable U.S. federal 
safety, construction or operating regulation by a responsible party (or its agent, employee or a 
person acting pursuant to a contractual relationship), or a responsible party’s gross negligence or 
willful misconduct. The limitation on liability similarly does not apply if the responsible party fails or 
refuses to (i) report the incident where the responsibility party knows or has reason to know of the 
incident; (ii) reasonably cooperate and assist as requested in connection with oil removal activities; 
or (iii) without sufficient cause, comply with an order issued under the Federal Water Pollution Act 
(Section 311 (c), (e)) or the Intervention on the High Seas Act.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 57  

CERCLA contains a similar liability regime whereby owners and operators of vessels are liable 
for cleanup, removal and remedial costs, as well as damages for injury to, or destruction or 
loss of, natural resources, including the reasonable costs associated with assessing same, and 
health assessments or health effects studies. There is no liability if the discharge of a hazardous 
substance results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war. 
Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5.0 million for vessels 
carrying a hazardous substance as cargo and the greater of $300 per gross ton or $500,000 
for any other vessel. These limits do not apply (rendering the responsible person liable for the 
total cost of response and damages) if the release or threat of release of a hazardous substance 
resulted from willful misconduct or negligence, or the primary cause of the release was a violation 
of applicable safety, construction or operating standards or regulations. The limitation on liability 
also does not apply if the responsible person fails or refused to provide all reasonable cooperation 
and assistance as requested in connection with response activities where the vessel is subject 
to OPA.

OPA and CERCLA each preserve the right to recover damages under existing law, including 
maritime tort law. OPA and CERCLA both require owners and operators of vessels to establish 
and maintain with the USCG evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the maximum 
amount of liability to which the particular responsible person may be subject. Vessel owners and 
operators may satisfy their financial responsibility obligations by providing a proof of insurance, 
a surety bond, qualification as a self-insurer or a guarantee. We plan to comply with the USCG’s 
financial responsibility regulations by providing applicable certificates of financial responsibility.

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in additional regulatory 
initiatives or statutes, including the raising of liability caps under OPA, new regulations regarding 
offshore oil and gas drilling, and a pilot inspection program for offshore facilities. However, the 
status of several of these initiatives and regulations is currently in flux. For example, the U.S. Bureau 
of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, or the BSEE, announced a new Well Control Rule in 
April 2016, but pursuant to orders by the U.S. President in early 2017, the BSEE announced in 
August 2017 that this rule would be revised. In January 2018, the U.S. President proposed leasing 
new sections of U.S. waters to oil and gas companies for offshore drilling, vastly expanding the 
U.S. waters that are available for such activity over the next five years. The effects of the proposal 
are currently unknown. 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. Additional legislation or regulations applicable to the operation of our vessels 
that may be implemented in the future could adversely affect our business.

OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to 
oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, provided they accept, at a minimum, the 
levels of liability established under OPA and some states have enacted legislation providing for 
unlimited liability for oil spills. Many U.S. states that border a navigable waterway have enacted 
environmental pollution laws that impose strict liability on a person for removal costs and damages 
resulting from a discharge of oil or a release of a hazardous substance. These laws may be 
more stringent than U.S. federal law. Moreover, some states have enacted legislation providing 
for unlimited liability for discharge of pollutants within their waters, although in some cases, 
states which have enacted this type of legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations 
defining tanker owners’ responsibilities under these laws. The Company intends to comply with 
all applicable state regulations in the ports where the Company’s vessels call.

We currently 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 it could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operation.

58 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Other United States Environmental Initiatives

The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 (including its amendments of 1977 and 1990), or the CAA, 
requires the EPA to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds 
and other air contaminants. The CAA requires states to adopt State Implementation Plans, or 
SIPs, some of which regulate emissions resulting from vessel loading and unloading operations 
which may affect our vessels.

The U.S. Clean Water Act, or the CWA, prohibits the discharge of oil, hazardous substances 
and ballast water in U.S. navigable waters unless authorized by a duly-issued permit or exemption, 
and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges. The CWA also 
imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements 
the remedies available under OPA and CERCLA.

The EPA and the USCG have also enacted rules relating to ballast water discharge, compliance 
with which requires the installation of equipment on our vessels to treat ballast water before it is 
discharged or the implementation of other port facility disposal arrangements or procedures at 
potentially substantial costs, and/or otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. Waters. The 
EPA requires a permit regulating ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the 
normal operation of certain vessels within United States waters under the Vessel General Permit 
for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels, or the VGP. On March 28, 2013, 
the EPA re-issued the VGP for another five years from the effective date of December 19, 2013. 
The 2013 VGP focuses on authorizing discharges incidental to operations of commercial vessels, 
and contains numeric ballast water discharge limits for most vessels to reduce the risk of invasive 
species in U.S. waters, stringent requirements for exhaust gas scrubbers, and requirements for the 
use of environmentally acceptable lubricants. For a new vessel delivered to an owner or operator 
after December 19, 2013 to be covered by the VGP, the owner must submit a Notice of Intent, 
or NOI, at least 30 days (or 7 days for eNOIs) before the vessel operates in United States waters. 
We have submitted NOIs for our vessels where required.

The USCG regulations adopted under the U.S. National Invasive Species Act, or NISA, impose 
mandatory ballast water management practices for all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks 
entering or operating in U.S. waters, which require the installation of certain engineering equipment 
and water treatment systems to treat ballast water before it is discharged or the implementation 
of other port facility disposal arrangements or procedures, and/or may otherwise restrict our 
vessels from entering U.S. waters. The USCG has implemented revised regulations on ballast water 
management by establishing standards on the allowable concentration of living organisms in ballast 
water discharged from ships in U.S. waters. As of January 1, 2014, vessels were technically subject 
to the phasing-in of these standards, and the USCG must approve any technology before it is 
placed on a vessel. The USCG first approved said technology in December 2016, and continues 
to review ballast water management systems. The USCG may also provide waivers to vessels that 
demonstrate why they cannot install the new technology. The USCG has set up requirements for 
ships constructed before December 1, 2013 with ballast tanks trading with exclusive economic 
zones of the U.S. to install water ballast treatment systems as follows: (1) ballast capacity 1,500-
5,000m3—first scheduled drydock after January 1, 2014; and (2) ballast capacity above 5,000m3—
first scheduled drydock after January 1, 2016. All of our vessels have ballast capacities over 5,000m3, 
and those of our vessels trading in the U.S. will have to install water ballast treatment plants at their 
first drydock after January 1, 2016, unless an extension is granted by the USCG.

The EPA, on the other hand, has taken a different approach to enforcing ballast discharge 
standards under the VGP. On December 27, 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 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 59  

reasons why vessels do not have the requisite technology installed, but will not grant any waivers. 
In addition, through the CWA certification provisions that allow U.S. states to place additional 
conditions on the use of the VGP within state waters, a number of states have proposed or 
implemented a variety of stricter ballast requirements including, in some states, specific treatment 
standards. Compliance with the EPA, USCG and state 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, or may 
otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. waters.

Two recent United States court decisions should be noted. First, 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. The effect of such redrafting remains unknown. Second, 
on October 9, 2015, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the Waters of the United State, or 
WOTUS, rule, which aimed to expand the regulatory definition of “waters of the United States,” 
pending further action of the court. In response, regulations have continued to be implemented as 
they were prior to the stay on a case-by-case basis. In February 2017, the U.S. President issued 
an executive order directing the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers publish a proposed rule 
rescinding or revising the WOTUS rule. In January 2018, the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers 
issued a final rule pursuant to the President’s order, under which the Agencies will interpret the 
term “waters of the United States” to mean waters covered by the regulations, as they are currently 
being implemented, within the context of the Supreme Court decisions and agency guidance 
documents, until February 6, 2020. Litigation regarding the status of the WOTUS rule is currently 
underway, and the effect of future actions in these cases upon our operations is unknown.

European Union Regulations

In October 2009, the European Union amended a directive to impose criminal sanctions for 
illicit ship-source discharges of polluting substances, including minor discharges, if committed with 
intent, recklessly or with serious negligence and the discharges individually or in the aggregate 
result in deterioration of the quality of water. Aiding and abetting the discharge of a polluting 
substance may also lead to criminal penalties. The directive applies to all types of vessels, 
irrespective of their flag, but certain exceptions apply to warships or where human safety or that 
of the ship is in danger. Criminal liability for pollution may result in substantial penalties or fines 
and increased civil liability claims.

The European Union has adopted several regulations and directives requiring, among other things, 
more frequent inspections of high-risk ships, as determined by type, age, and flag as well as the 
number of times the ship has been detained. The European Union also adopted and extended a ban 
on substandard ships and enacted a minimum ban period and a definitive ban for repeated offenses. 
The regulation also provided the European Union with greater authority and control over classification 
societies, by imposing more requirements on classification societies and providing for fines or penalty 
payments for organizations that failed to comply. Furthermore, the European Union has implemented 
regulations requiring vessels to use reduced sulfur content fuel for their main and auxiliary engines. The 
EU Directive 2005/33/EC (amending Directive 1999/32/EC) introduced requirements parallel to those 
in Annex VI relating to the sulfur content of marine fuels. In addition, the European Union imposed a 
0.1% maximum sulfur requirement for fuel used by ships at berth in European Union ports.

International Labour Organization

The International Labor Organization, or the ILO, is a specialized agency of the United Nations 
that has adopted the Maritime Labor Convention 2006, or the MLC 2006. A Maritime Labor 

60 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labor Compliance is required to ensure compliance with 
the MLC 2006 for all ships above 500 gross tons in international trade. We believe that all of our 
vessels are in substantial compliance with and are certified to meet MLC 2006.

Greenhouse Gas Regulation

Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping are not subject to the 
Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which entered 
into force in 2005 and pursuant to which adopting countries have been required to implement 
national programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with targets extended through 2020. 
International negotiations are continuing with respect to a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, and 
restrictions on shipping emissions may be included in any new treaty. In December 2009, more 
than 27 nations, including the U.S. and China, signed the Copenhagen Accord, which includes 
a non-binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The 2015 United Nations 
Climate Change Conference in Paris resulted in the Paris Agreement, which entered into force on 
November 4, 2016 and does not directly limit greenhouse gas emissions from ships. On June 1, 
2017, the U.S. president announced that it is withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. The timing 
and effect of such action has yet to be determined.

At MEPC 70 and MEPC 71, a draft outline of the structure of the initial strategy for developing a 
comprehensive IMO strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships was approved. 
In accordance with this roadmap, an initial IMO strategy for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions 
is expected to be adopted at MEPC 72 in April 2018. The IMO may implement market-based 
mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships at the upcoming MEPC session.

The  European  Union  made  a  unilateral  commitment  to  reduce  overall  greenhouse  gas 
emissions from its member states from 20% of 1990 levels by 2020. The European Union also 
committed to reduce its emissions by 20% under the Kyoto Protocol’s second period from 2013 
to 2020. Starting in January 2018, large ships calling at European Union ports are required to 
collect and publish data on carbon dioxide emissions and other information.

In the United States, the EPA issued a finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public 
health and safety, adopted regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from certain mobile 
sources, and proposed regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from large stationary 
sources. However, in March 2017, the U.S. President signed an executive order to review and 
possibly eliminate the EPA’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The outcome of this order is 
not yet known. Although the mobile source emissions regulations do not apply to greenhouse gas 
emissions from vessels, the EPA or individual U.S. states could enact environmental regulations 
that would affect our operations. For example, California has introduced a cap-and-trade program 
for greenhouse gas emissions, aiming to reduce emissions 40% by 2030.

Any  passage  of  climate  control  legislation  or  other  regulatory  initiatives  by  the  IMO,  the 
European Union, the United States or other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at 
the international level to succeed the Kyoto Protocol or Paris Agreement, that restricts emissions 
of greenhouse gases could require us to make significant financial expenditures which we cannot 
predict with certainty at this time. Even in the absence of climate control legislation, our business 
may be indirectly affected to the extent that climate change may result in sea level changes or 
more intense weather events.

Vessel Security Regulations

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, there have been a 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 61  

variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security such as the U.S. Maritime Transportation 
Security Act of 2002, or MTSA. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, the USCG issued 
regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating 
in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and at certain ports and facilities, some 
of which are regulated by the EPA.

Similarly, Chapter XI-2 of the SOLAS Convention imposes detailed security obligations on 
vessels and port authorities and mandates compliance with the International Ship and Port 
Facilities Security Code, or the ISPS Code. The ISPS Code is designed to enhance the security of 
ports and ships against terrorism. To trade internationally, a vessel must attain an International Ship 
Security Certificate, or ISSC, from a recognized security organization approved by the vessel’s 
flag state. Ships operating without a valid certificate may be detained, expelled from, or refused 
entry at port until they obtain an ISSC. The following are among the various requirements, some 
of which are found in the SOLAS Convention:

   on-board installation of automatic identification systems to provide a means for the automatic 
transmission of safety-related information from among similarly equipped ships and shore stations, 
including information on a ship’s identity, position, course, speed and navigational status;

  on-board installation of ship security alert systems, which do not sound on the vessel but only 

alert the authorities on shore;

  the development of vessel security plans;

  ship identification number to be permanently marked on a vessel’s hull;

  a continuous synopsis record kept onboard showing a vessel’s history including the name of 
the ship, the state whose flag the ship is entitled to fly, the date on which the ship was registered 
with that state, the ship’s identification number, the port at which the ship is registered and the 
name of the registered owner(s) and their registered address; and

  compliance with flag state security certification requirements.

The USCG regulations, intended to be aligned with international maritime security standards, 
exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on 
board a valid ISSC that attests to the vessel’s compliance with the SOLAS Convention security 
requirements and the ISPS Code. Future security measures could have a significant financial 
impact on us. We intend to comply with the various security measures addressed by MTSA, the 
SOLAS Convention and the ISPS Code.

Inspection by Classification Societies

The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society 
authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and 
seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the 
vessel and SOLAS. Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage and 
lending that a vessel be certified “in class” by a classification society which is a member of the 
International Association of Classification Societies, the IACS. The IACS has adopted harmonized 
Common Structural Rules, or the Rules, which apply to oil tankers and bulk carriers constructed on 
or after July 1, 2015. The Rules attempt to create a level of consistency between IACS Societies. 
All of our vessels are certified as being “in class” by all the major Classification Societies (e.g., 
American Bureau of Shipping, Lloyd’s Register of Shipping).

62 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys, drydockings and special surveys. 
In lieu of a special survey, a vessel’s machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which 
the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. Every vessel is also required 
to be drydocked every 30 to 36 months for inspection of the underwater parts of the vessel. If any 
vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey, drydocking 
or special survey, the vessel will be unable to carry cargo between ports and will be unemployable 
and uninsurable which could cause us to be in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements. 
Any such inability to carry cargo or be employed, or any such violation of covenants, could have a 
material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

100% Container Screening

On August 3, 2007, the United States signed into law the Implementing Recommendations 
of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (or the 9/11 Commission Act). The 9/11 Commission Act 
amends the SAFE Port Act of 2006 to require that all containers being loaded at foreign ports 
onto vessels destined for the United States be scanned by nonintrusive imaging equipment and 
radiation detection equipment before loading.

As a result of the 100% scanning requirements added to the SAFE Port Act of 2006, ports that 
ship to the United States may need to install new x-ray machines and make infrastructure changes 
in order to accommodate the screening requirements. Such implementation requirements may 
change which ports are able to ship to the United States and shipping companies may incur 
significant increased costs. It is impossible to predict how this requirement will affect the industry 
as a whole, but changes and additional costs can be reasonably expected.

Risk of Loss and Insurance Coverage

General

The operation of any containership 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 and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of 
marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from 
owning and operating vessels in international trade. OPA, which imposes virtually unlimited liability 
upon owners, operators and demise charterers of vessels trading in the United States exclusive 
economic zone for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has made liability insurance 
more expensive for ship owners and operators trading in the United States market.

While we maintain hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance, protection and indemnity 
cover and freight, demurrage and defense cover for our vessels in amounts that we believe to 
be prudent to cover normal risks in our operations, we may not be able to achieve or maintain 
this level of coverage throughout a vessel’s useful life. Furthermore, while we believe we procure 
adequate insurance coverage, not all risks can be insured, 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.

Hull and Machinery and War Risks Insurance

We maintain for our vessels marine hull and machinery and war risks insurance, which covers, 
among other risks, the risk of actual or constructive total loss. Our vessels are each covered up 
to at least market value with deductibles which vary according to the size and value of the vessel.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 63  

Protection and Indemnity Insurance

Protection and indemnity insurance is generally provided by mutual protection and indemnity 
associations, or P&I Associations, which insure our third party liabilities in connection with our 
shipping activities. This includes third-party liability and other related expenses resulting from the 
injury or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, the loss or damage to cargo, claims 
arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to third-party property, pollution arising from 
oil or other substances and salvage, towing and other related costs, including wreck removal. 
Protection  and  indemnity  insurance  is  a  form  of  mutual  indemnity  insurance,  extended  by 
protection and indemnity mutual associations, or “clubs.”

We procure protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution in the amount of 
$1 billion per vessel per incident. The 13 P&I Associations that comprise the International 
Group insure approximately 90% of the world’s commercial tonnage and have entered into 
a pooling agreement to reinsure each association’s liabilities. As a member of certain P&I 
Associations which are members of the International Group, we are subject to calls payable 
to the associations based on the group’s claim records as well as the claim records of all 
other members of the individual associations and members of the pool of P&I Associations 
comprising the International Group. Supplemental calls are made by the P&I Associations based 
on estimates of premium income and anticipated and paid claims and such estimates are 
adjusted each year by the Board of Directors of the P&I Associations until the closing of the 
relevant policy year, which generally occurs within three years from the end of the policy year. 
We do not know whether any supplemental calls will be charged in respect of any policy year by 
the P&I Associations in which the Company’s vessels are entered. To the extent we experience 
supplemental calls; our policy is to expense such amounts.

C. Organizational Structure

We are a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands 
on January 7, 2010. We are the sole owner of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the 
subsidiaries listed in Note 1 “General Information” of our consolidated financial statements filed 
as part of this annual report and in exhibit 8.1 to this annual report.

D. Property, Plants and Equipment

Our Manager, UOT, currently rents our office space from an unrelated third party and owns 
office furniture and equipment. UOT also owns, jointly with two other related parties, a plot of 
land in Athens, Greece. The plot of land is under the common ownership of the joint purchasers.

Other than this interest in real property, our only material properties are the vessels in our fleet.

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

The following management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our 
consolidated financial statements and their notes included elsewhere in this report. This discussion 
contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events 
and financial performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these 
forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, such as those set forth in the section 

64 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

entitled “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report.

A. Operating Results

We charter our vessels to customers primarily pursuant to short-term and long-term time 
charters. Currently, we have secured time charters for all of our vessels, and the minimum 
remaining durations of our time charters are up to 2 months. Under our time charters, the charterer 
typically pays us a fixed daily charter hire rate and bears all voyage expenses, including the cost 
of bunkers (fuel oil) and port and canal charges. We remain responsible for paying the chartered 
vessel’s operating expenses, including the cost of crewing, insuring, repairing and maintaining the 
vessel, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes, environmental costs and other 
miscellaneous expenses, and we also pay commissions to one or more unaffiliated ship brokers 
and to in-house brokers associated with the charterer for the arrangement of the relevant charter.

Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

We believe that the important measures for analyzing trends in our results of operations consist 

of the following:

   Ownership days. We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period 
during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator 
of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount 
of expenses that we record during a period.

  Available days. We define available days as the number of our ownership days less the 
aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs or repairs 
under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys including the aggregate amount of time 
that we spend positioning our vessels for such events. The shipping industry uses available 
days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of 
generating revenues.

  Operating days. We define operating days as the number of our available days in a period 
less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including 
unforeseen  circumstances.  The  shipping  industry  uses  operating  days  to  measure  the 
aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

  Fleet utilization. We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days 
during a period by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry 
uses fleet utilization to measure a company’s efficiency in finding suitable employment for its 
vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than 
scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades and special surveys including 
vessel positioning for such events.

  Time Charter Equivalent (TCE) rates. We define TCE rates as our time charter revenues, 
net, less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during 
the period, which is consistent with industry standards. TCE rate is a non-GAAP measure, 
and management believes it is useful to provide to investors because it is a standard shipping 
industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels 
on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter 
hire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts while 
charter hire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 65  

  Daily Operating Expenses. We define daily operating expenses as total vessel operating 
expenses, which include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance and vessel 
registry, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable 
stores, lubricant costs, tonnage taxes, regulatory fees, environmental costs, lay-up expenses 
and other miscellaneous expenses divided by total ownership days for the relevant period.

The following table reflects our ownership days, available days, operating days, fleet utilization, 

TCE rate and daily operating expenses for the periods indicated.

For the year ended 
December 31, 2017

For the year ended 
December 31, 2016

For the year ended 
December 31, 2015

ownership days

available days

operating days

Fleet utilization

time charter equivalent (tCe) rate (1)

Daily operating expenses

$ 

$ 

4,178

4,155

3,152

75.9%

5,320

5,441

4,780

4,735

3,304

69.8%

6,341

6,321

$ 

$ 

4,600

4,515

4,155

92.0%

$  13,192

$ 

7,793

(1)  Please see «Item 3. Key Information – A. Selected Financial Data» for a reconciliation of 

TCE to GAAP measures.

Time Charter Revenues

Our revenues are driven primarily by the number of vessels in our fleet, the number of voyage 
days and the amount of daily charter hire that our vessels earn under charters which, in turn, are 
affected by a number of factors, including:

  the duration of our charters;

  our decisions relating to vessel acquisitions and disposals;

  the amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels;

  the amount of time that our vessels spend in drydock undergoing repairs;

  maintenance and upgrade work;

  the age, condition and specifications of our vessels;

  levels of supply and demand in the container shipping industry; and

  other factors affecting spot market charter rates for container vessels.

Period charters refer to both time and bareboat charters. Vessels operating on time charters for 
a certain period of time provide more predictable cash flows over that period of time, but can yield 
lower profit margins than vessels operating in the spot charter market during periods characterized 
by favorable market conditions. Vessels operating in the spot charter market generate revenues 
that are less predictable but may enable their owners to capture increased profit margins during 
periods of improvements in charter rates although their owners would be exposed to the risk of 
declining charter rates, which may have a materially adverse impact on financial performance. As 
we employ vessels on period charters, future spot charter rates may be higher or lower than the 

66 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

rates at which we have employed our vessels on period charters.

Currently, all of the vessels in our fleet are employed on time charters. Our time charter 
agreements subject us to counterparty risk. In depressed market conditions, charterers 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, results of operations and cash flows.

Voyage Expenses

We incur voyage expenses that include port and canal charges, bunker (fuel oil) expenses and 
commissions. Port and canal charges and bunker expenses primarily increase in periods during 
which vessels are employed on voyage charters because these expenses are for the account of 
the owner of the vessels. Our vessels are currently employed under time charters, and these time 
charters require the charterer to bear all of those expenses. In addition to this, our laid up vessels, 
if any, do not incur bunkers costs. However, at times when our vessels are off-hire due to other 
reasons, we incur port and canal charges and bunker expenses.

We have paid commissions ranging from 0% to 5% of the total daily charter hire rate of each 
charter to unaffiliated ship brokers, depending on the number of brokers involved with arranging 
the charter. Our fleet manager, UOT, our wholly-owned subsidiary, receives commission that is 
equal to 2% of our gross revenues in exchange for providing us with technical and commercial 
management services in connection with the employment of our fleet. However, this commission 
is eliminated from our consolidated financial statements as an intercompany transaction.

Vessel Operating Expenses

Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance 
and vessel registry, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and 
consumable stores, tonnage taxes, regulatory fees, environmental costs, lay-up expenses and 
other miscellaneous expenses. Other factors beyond our control, some of which may affect the 
shipping industry in general, including, for instance, developments relating to market prices for 
crew wages and insurance, may also cause these expenses to increase. In conjunction with our 
senior executive officers, our Manager has established an operating expense budget for each 
vessel and performs the day-to-day management of our vessels under separate management 
agreements with our vessel-owning subsidiaries. We monitor the performance of our Manager by 
comparing actual vessel operating expenses with the operating expense budget for each vessel. 
We are responsible for the costs of any deviations from the budgeted amounts.

Vessel Depreciation

We depreciate our vessels on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives which we 
estimate to be 30 years from the date of their initial delivery from the shipyard. Depreciation is 
based on the cost less the estimated salvage values. Each vessel’s salvage value is the product 
of her light-weight tonnage and estimated scrap rate, which is estimated at $350 per light-weight 
ton for all vessels in our fleet. We believe that these assumptions are common in the containership 
industry.

General and Administrative Expenses

We incur general and administrative expenses, including our onshore related expenses such as 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 67  

legal and professional expenses. Certain of our general and administrative expenses are provided 
for under our Broker Services Agreement with Steamship Shipbroking Enterprises Inc. We also 
incur payroll expenses of employees and general and administrative expenses reflecting the costs 
associated with running a public company, including board of director costs, director and officer 
insurance, investor relations, registrar and transfer agent fees and legal and accounting costs 
related to our compliance with public reporting obligations and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Interest and Finance Costs

We incur interest and finance costs in connection with our vessel-specific debt. As at December 
31, 2017, we had $91.1 million of outstanding principal indebtedness from our loan agreements 
with Addiewell Ltd and Diana Shipping Inc., and an additional $15.0 million outstanding discount 
premiums under the two loan agreements.

Lack of Historical Operating Data for Vessels before their Acquisition

Consistent with shipping industry practice, other than inspection of the physical condition 
of the vessels and examinations of classification society records, there is no historical financial 
due diligence process when we acquire vessels. Accordingly, we do not obtain the historical 
operating data for the vessels from the sellers because that information is not material to our 
decision to make acquisitions, nor do we believe it would be helpful to potential investors in 
our common shares in assessing our business or profitability. Most vessels are sold under a 
standardized agreement, which, among other things, provides the buyer with the right to inspect 
the vessel and the vessel’s classification society records. The standard agreement does not 
give the buyer the right to inspect, or receive copies of, the historical operating data of the 
vessel. Prior to the delivery of a purchased vessel, the seller typically removes from the vessel 
all records, including past financial records and accounts related to the vessel. In addition, 
the technical management agreement between the seller’s technical manager and the seller 
is automatically terminated and the vessel’s trading certificates are revoked by its flag state 
following a change in ownership.

Consistent with shipping industry practice, we treat the acquisition of a vessel (whether 
acquired with or without charter) as the acquisition of an asset rather than a business. Although 
vessels are generally acquired free of charter, we have in the past and we may, in the future, 
acquire vessels with existing time charters. Where a vessel has been under a voyage charter, the 
vessel is delivered to the buyer free of charter, and it is rare in the shipping industry for the last 
charterer of the vessel in the hands of the seller to continue as the first charterer of the vessel in 
the hands of the buyer. In most cases, when a vessel is under time charter and the buyer wishes 
to assume that charter, the vessel cannot be acquired without the charterer’s consent and the 
buyer’s entering into a separate direct agreement with the charterer to assume the charter. The 
purchase of a vessel itself does not transfer the charter, because it is a separate service agreement 
between the vessel owner and the charterer.

When we purchase a vessel and assume or renegotiate a related time charter, we must take, 
among other things, the following steps before the vessel will be ready to commence operations:

 obtain the charterer’s consent to us as the new owner;

 obtain the charterer’s consent to a new technical manager;

 obtain the charterer’s consent to a new flag for the vessel;

68 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

 arrange for a new crew for the vessel;

 replace all hired equipment on board, such as gas cylinders and communication equipment;

  negotiate and enter into new insurance contracts for the vessel through our own insurance 

brokers;

  register the vessel under a flag state and perform the related inspections in order to obtain new 

trading certificates from the flag state;

  implement a new planned maintenance program for the vessel; and

  ensure that the new technical manager obtains new certificates for compliance with the safety 

and vessel security regulations of the flag state.

The following discussion is intended to help you understand how acquisitions of vessels affect 

our business and results of operations.

Our business is mainly comprised of the following elements:

  acquisition and disposition of vessels;

  employment and operation of our vessels; and

  management of the financial, general and administrative elements involved in the conduct of 

our business and ownership of our vessels.

The employment and operation of our vessels mainly require the following components:

  vessel maintenance and repair;

  crew selection and training;

  vessel spares and stores supply;

  contingency response planning;

  on board safety procedures auditing;

  accounting;

  vessel insurance arrangement;

  vessel chartering;

  vessel hire management;

  vessel surveying; and

  vessel performance monitoring.

The management of financial, general and administrative elements involved in the conduct of 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 69  

our business and ownership of vessels, mainly requires the following components:

  management of our financial resources, including banking relationships, i.e., administration of 

bank loans and bank accounts;

  management of our accounting system and records and financial reporting;

  administration of the legal and regulatory requirements affecting our business and assets; and

  management of the relationships with our service providers and customers.

The principal factors that may affect our profitability, cash flows and shareholders’ return on 

investment include:

  rates and periods of charterhire;

  levels of vessel operating expenses;

  depreciation expenses;

  financing costs; and

  fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

See “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors” for additional factors that may affect our 

business.

Our Fleet – Comparison of Possible Excess of Carrying Value Over
Estimated Charter-Free Market Value of our Vessels

In  “Critical  Accounting  Policies  –  Impairment  of  long-lived  assets,”  we  discuss  our  policy 
for impairing the carrying values of our vessels. Historically, the market values of vessels have 
experienced volatility, which from time to time may be substantial. As a result, the charter-free market 
value of certain of our vessels may have declined below those vessels’ carrying value, even though 
we would not impair those vessels’ carrying value under our accounting impairment policy. In 2017, 
we recorded impairment charges for the vessels Centaurus and New Jersey as our impairment test 
exercise indicated that their carrying values were not recoverable. In 2016, we recorded impairment 
charges for the vessels Sagitta, Centaurus, Domingo, Doukato, Angeles, Great and March, as our 
impairment test exercise indicated that their carrying values were not recoverable.

Based on: (i) the carrying value of each of our vessels as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, 
and (ii) what we believe the charter-free market value of each of our vessels was as of December 
31, 2017 and 2016, the aggregate carrying value of six vessels in our fleet as of December 31, 
2017 and six vessels as of December 31, 2016 exceeded their aggregate charter-free market 
value by approximately $72.8 million and $87.7 million, respectively, as noted in the table below. 
This aggregate difference represents the approximate analysis of the amount by which we believe 
we would have to reduce our net income or increase our loss if we sold all of such vessels at 
December 31, 2017 and 2016, on industry standard terms, in cash transactions, and to a willing 
buyer where we were not under any compulsion to sell, and where the buyer was not under any 
compulsion to buy. For the purposes of this calculation, we have assumed that these six and six 
vessels, respectively, would be sold at prices that reflect our estimate of their charter-free market 
values as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. As of December 31, 2017, we had entered into two 

70 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

memoranda of agreement to sell the vessels Great and March, whose net book values as of 
that date were below market values. In addition, in February 2018, we contracted to sell three 
more vessels, the New Jersey, the Sagitta and the Centaurus. As discussed above, the vessels 
Centaurus and New Jersey were impaired as of December 31, 2017 to their market values.

Our estimates of charter-free market value assume that our vessels were all in good and 
seaworthy condition without need for repair and if inspected would be certified in class without 
notations of any kind. Our estimates are based on information available from various industry 
sources, including:

  reports by industry analysts and data providers that focus on our industry and related dynamics 

affecting vessel values;

  news and industry reports of similar vessel sales;

  news and industry reports of sales of vessels that are not similar to our vessels where we have 
made certain adjustments in an attempt to derive information that can be used as part of our 
estimates;

  approximate  market  values  for  our  vessels  or  similar  vessels  that  we  have  received  from 
shipbrokers, whether solicited or unsolicited, or that shipbrokers have generally disseminated;

  offers that we may have received from potential purchasers of our vessels; and

  vessel  sale  prices  and  values  of  which  we  are  aware  through  both  formal  and  informal 
communications with shipowners, shipbrokers, industry analysts and various other shipping 
industry participants and observers.

As we obtain information from various industry and other sources, our estimates of charter-
free market values are inherently uncertain. In addition, vessel values are highly volatile; as such, 
our estimates may not be indicative of the current or future charter-free market values of our 
vessels or prices that we could achieve if we were to sell them. We also refer you to the risk factor 
under “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors” entitled “Vessel values may fluctuate which may 
adversely affect our financial condition, result in the incurrence of a loss upon disposal of a vessel, 
impairment losses or increases in the cost of acquiring additional vessels”.

Vessel
sagitta
1
Centaurus
2
Domingo
3
Doukato
4
puelo
5
pucon
6
March
7
Great
8
9
pamina
10 new Jersey
rotterdam
11
12 hamburg

Vessels Net Book Value

Carrying Value
(in millions of US dollars)

TEU
3,426
3,426
3,739
3,739
6,541
6,541
5,576
5,576
5,042
4,923
6,494
6,494

Year Built
2010
2010
2001
2002
2006
2006
2004
2004
2005
2006
2008
2009

At December 31, 
2017
11.1 *
10.1
5.0
-
40.0 *
40.1 *
9.2
9.2
14.6 *
10.0
34.5 *
36.0 *
219.8

At December 31, 
2016

11.4
11.4
5.0
5.0
41.6 *
41.7 *
9.2
9.2
15.0 *
17.9 *
35.8 *
37.2 *
240.4

 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 71  

*Indicates vessels for which we believe, as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, 
the charter-free market value was lower than the vessel’s carrying value. We believe that the 
aggregate carrying value of these vessels exceeded their aggregate charter-free market value by 
approximately $72.8 million and $87.7 million, respectively.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based 
upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. 
GAAP. The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and 
judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and 
related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual 
results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments of uncertainties and 
potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We 
have described below what we believe are our most critical accounting policies when we acquire 
and operate vessels, because they generally involve a comparatively higher degree of judgment 
in their application. For a description of all our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our 
consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

Accounting for Revenues and Expenses

Revenues are generated from time charter agreements. Time charter agreements with the 
same charterer are accounted for as separate agreements according to the terms and conditions 
of each agreement. Time charter revenues are recorded over the term of the charter as service 
is provided. Revenues from time charter agreements providing for varying annual rates over their 
term are accounted for on a straight line basis. Deferred revenue, if any, includes cash received 
prior to the balance sheet date for which all criteria for recognition as revenue would not be met, 
including any deferred revenue resulting from charter agreements providing for varying annual 
rates, which are accounted for on a straight line basis.

Voyage expenses, primarily consisting of port, canal and bunker expenses that are unique 
to a particular charter, are paid for by the charterer under time charter arrangements, except for 
commissions, which are paid for by us. All voyage and vessel operating expenses are expensed 
as incurred, except for commissions. Commissions are deferred over the related charter period 
to the extent revenue has been deferred since commissions are due as revenues are earned.

Vessel Cost

Vessels are stated at cost which consists of the contract price and costs incurred upon 
acquisition or delivery of a vessel from a shipyard. Subsequent expenditures for conversions 
and major improvements are also capitalized when they appreciably extend the life, increase the 
earnings capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels; otherwise these amounts are 
charged to expense as incurred.

Vessel Depreciation

We have recorded the value of our vessels at their cost, which includes acquisition costs 
directly attributable to the vessel and expenditures made to prepare the vessel for her initial 
voyage, less accumulated depreciation. We depreciate our containership vessels on a straight-
line basis over their estimated useful lives, estimated to be 30 years from the date of initial delivery 

72 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

from the shipyard which we believe is also consistent with that of other shipping companies. 
Secondhand vessels are depreciated from the date of their acquisition through their remaining 
estimated useful life. Depreciation is based on cost less the estimated salvage value. Furthermore, 
we have historically estimated the salvage values of our vessels to be $200 to $350 per light-
weight ton depending on the vessels age and market conditions, while effective July 1, 2013 we 
adjusted prospectively the scrap rate used to $350 per light-weight ton for all vessels in our fleet. 
A decrease in the useful life of a containership or in her salvage value would have the effect of 
increasing the annual depreciation charge. When regulations place limitations on the ability of a 
vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, the vessel’s useful life is adjusted at the date such regulations 
are adopted.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

We evaluate the carrying amounts, primarily for vessels and related drydock costs, and periods 
over which our long-lived assets are depreciated to determine if events have occurred which 
would require modification to their carrying values or useful lives. When the estimate of future 
undiscounted net operating cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by 
the use of the asset is less than its carrying amount, we evaluate the asset for an impairment loss. 
Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. We determine the fair 
value of our assets based on our management’s estimates and assumptions and by making use 
of available market data and taking into consideration third party valuations. In evaluating useful 
lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, management reviews certain indicators of potential 
impairment, such as undiscounted projected operating cash flows, vessel sales and purchases, 
business plans and overall market conditions. Recent economic and market conditions have 
had broad effects on participants in a wide variety of industries. The current conditions in the 
containerships market, including low charter rates and vessel market values, are conditions that 
we consider indicators of a potential impairment. Management also takes into account factors 
such as the vessels’ age and employment prospects under the then current market conditions, 
and determines the future undiscounted cash flows considering its various alternatives, including 
sale possibilities existing for each vessel as of the testing dates.

We determine future undiscounted net operating cash flows for each vessel and compare 
them to the vessel’s carrying value. The projected net operating cash flows are determined by 
considering the historical (excluding years with extraordinary figures) and estimated vessels’ 
performance and utilization, the charter revenues from existing charters for the fixed fleet days and 
an estimated daily time charter equivalent for the unfixed days, based, to the extent applicable, on 
the most recent ten-year blended, for modern and older vessels, average historical 6-12 months 
time charter rates available for each type of vessel, considering also current market rates, over 
the remaining estimated life of each vessel net of brokerage commissions, expected outflows for 
scheduled vessels’ maintenance and vessel operating expenses assuming an average annual 
inflation rate of 3.5%. Effective fleet utilization is assumed at 98%, if a vessel is not laid-up, 
taking into account the period(s) each vessel is expected to undergo its scheduled maintenance 
(drydocking and special surveys), as well as an estimate of 1% off hire days each year, which 
assumptions are in line with our historical performance and our expectations for future fleet 
utilization under our current fleet deployment strategy. The review of the vessel’s carrying amounts 
in connection with the estimated recoverable amounts for 2017 and 2016 indicated impairment 
charges for certain of our vessels, amounting to $8.4 million and $118.9 million, respectively.

Set forth below is an analysis of the average estimated daily time charter equivalent rate used 

in our impairment analysis as of December 31, 2017:

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 73  

Average estimated daily time 
charter equivalent rate used

$  10,663

$  12,810

$  21,638

up to 4,000 teu

Between 4,000 teu and 6,000 teu

above 6,000 teu

For the purposes of presenting our investors with additional information to determine how 
the Company’s future results of operations may be impacted in the event that daily time charter 
rates do not improve from their current levels in future periods, we set forth below an analysis that 
shows the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year average blended rates and the effect the use of each of these 
rates would have on the Company’s impairment analysis.

5-year 
period  
(in USD)

7,725

8,391

20,679

Impairment 
charge
(in USD 
million)

1.4

5.5

0.0

3-year 
period  
(in USD)

7,953

8,163

17,063

Impairment 
charge
(in USD 
million)

1.4

5.5

0.0

1-year 
period  
(in USD)

8,046

7,692

15,229

Impairment 
charge
(in USD 
million)

1.4

5.5

20.3

up to 4,000 teu

Between 4,000 - 6,000 teu

above 6,000 teu

Vessels held for sale

We dispose of vessels and other fixed assets when suitable opportunities occur and do not 
necessarily keep them until the end of their useful life. We classify assets or assets in disposal 
groups as being held for sale in accordance with ASC 360-10-45-9 “Long-Lived Assets Classified 
as Held for Sale”, when the following criteria are met: (i) management possessing the necessary 
authority has committed to a plan to sell the asset (disposal group); (ii) the asset (disposal group) 
is immediately available for sale on an “as is” basis; (iii) an active program to find the buyer and 
other actions required to execute the plan to sell the asset (disposal group) have been initiated; 
(iv) the sale of the asset (disposal group) is probable, and transfer of the asset (disposal group) is 
expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year; and (v) the asset (disposal 
group) is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair 
value and 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. In case a long-lived asset is to be 
disposed of other than by sale (for example, by abandonment, in an exchange measured based 
on the recorded amount of the nonmonetary asset relinquished, or in a distribution to owners in 
a spinoff) we continue to classify it as held and used until its disposal date. Long-lived assets or 
disposal groups classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or 
fair value less cost to sell. These assets are not depreciated once they meet the criteria to be held 
for sale. The review of the related criteria for the year ended December 31, 2017 resulted in held 
for sale classification for certain of our vessels.

Going Concern

The Company’s policy is in accordance with ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial 
Statements - Going Concern”, issued in August 2014 by the FASB. ASU 2014-15 provides 
U.S. GAAP guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial 
doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and on related required footnote 
disclosures. For each reporting period, management is required to evaluate whether there are 
conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going 

 
 
74 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued.

Results of Operations

For the Years Ended December 31,

time charter revenues

prepaid charter revenue 
amortization

time charter revenues, net

Voyage expenses

Vessel operating expenses

Depreciation and amortization 
of deferred charges

General and administrative 
expenses

Gain / (loss) on vessels’ sale

Foreign currency losses

interest and finance costs

interest income

Gain from bank debt write off

2017

23.8

-

23.8

(1.7)

(22.7)

(8.1)

(8.4)

0.9

0.1

(13.8)

0.1

42.2

2016

variation

% change

in millions of U.S. dollars

37.0

(3.8)

33.2

(3.2)

(30.2)

(12.7)

(7.2)

(2.9)

0.1

(7.1)

0.1

-

(13.2)

3.8

(9.4)

1.5

7.5

4.6

(1.2)

3.8

-

(6.7)

-

42.2

-36%

-100%

-28%

-47%

-25%

-36%

17%

-131%

0%

94%

0%

-

Year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016

Net Income. Net income for 2017 amounted to $3.8 million, compared to a net loss of $149.0 
million for 2016. The net income for the year ended December 31, 2017, reflected a gain from a 
debt write-off, arising from the settlement agreement with respect to the secured loan facility with 
RBS, which was signed on June 30, 2017, and was partially offset by $8.4 million of impairment 
charges recorded during the year for two of our vessels. The specific gain, net of related expenses, 
amounted to $42.2 million. The loss for 2016 mainly includes $118.9 million of impairment charges 
for seven of our vessels.

Time Charter Revenues, net of prepaid charter revenue amortization. Time charter revenues, 
net of prepaid charter revenue amortization of nil and $3.8 million for 2017 and 2016 respectively, 
amounted to $23.8 million for 2017, compared to $33.2 million in 2016. The time charter revenues 
decreased, mainly as a result of the sale of the vessels Hanjin Malta, Angeles and Doukato from 
March 2016 to May 2017 and the lay-up of the vessel New Jersey from October 2016 and 
onwards. This decrease was partially counterbalanced by increased time charter rates achieved 
for the majority of the remaining vessels in the fleet.

Voyage Expenses. Voyage expenses for 2017 amounted to $1.7 million, compared to $3.2 
million in 2016. Voyage expenses mainly consist of bunkers costs and commissions paid to third 
party brokers. The decrease in voyage expenses in 2017 compared to 2016 was mainly due to 
decreased bunkers costs and decreased commissions. In 2016 we incurred increased bunkers 
costs at the times when certain of our vessels were off-hire and idle (or in “hot” lay-up condition), 
while in 2017 our fleet utilization improved and our off-hire days mainly related to vessels’ “cold” 
lay-up condition, when vessels incur no bunkers consumption. As commissions are a percentage 
of time charter revenues, they follow the same trend with time charter revenues.

Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses amounted to $22.7 million in 2017, 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 75  

compared to $30.2 million in the prior year and mainly consist of expenses for running and 
maintaining  our  vessels,  such  as  crew  wages  and  related  costs,  consumables  and  stores, 
insurances, repairs and maintenance, environmental compliance costs and lay-up expenses. 
The decrease in 2017 was attributable to the decrease of our ownership days by 13% and also 
to the decrease of all major categories of operating expenses, such as average stores, spares 
and crew costs, as a result of increased “cold” lay-up days of the fleet in 2017, changes in crew 
composition and overall reduced supply of spares and other consumables in 2017, as part of the 
Company’s efforts to keep operating costs at minimum.

Depreciation and Amortization of Deferred Charges. Depreciation and amortization of deferred 
charges for 2017 amounted to $8.1 million, compared to $12.7 million in 2016 and mainly 
represents the depreciation expense of our containerships and the amortization charge of dry-
docking costs for vessels. In 2017, the depreciation expense decreased, mainly as a result of the 
vessels’ impairment charges recorded as of September 30, 2016 for seven of our vessels. As of 
December 31, 2017, two of the Company’s vessels were classified in current assets as held for 
sale, with no material effect in the vessels’ depreciation expense.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses for 2017 amounted 
to $8.4 million, compared to $7.2 million in 2016 and mainly consist of payroll expenses of office 
employees, consultancy fees, brokerage services fees, compensation cost on restricted stock 
awards, legal fees and audit fees. The increase in general administrative expenses was mainly 
attributable to increased legal and shareholders’ meeting fees, as a result of increased corporate 
and capital activity in 2017.

Impairment Losses. Impairment losses in 2017 amounted to $8.4 million and represent non-
cash impairment charges recorded during the year for the vessels New Jersey and Centaurus, 
for which the Company’s assessment concluded that their book values as of December 31, 2017 
were not recoverable. In 2016, impairment losses amounted to $118.9 million and represent non-
cash impairment charges recorded during the year for the vessels Sagitta, Centaurus, Domingo, 
Doukato, Great, March and Angeles.

Gain/  (Loss)  on  Vessels’  Sale.  Gain  on  vessels’  sale  amounted  to  $0.9  million  in  2017, 
and relates to the sale of the vessel Doukato in May 2017, while in 2016, loss on vessels’ sale 
amounted to $2.9 million and relates to the sale of the vessels Hanjin Malta and Angeles in March 
and November 2016, respectively.

Foreign Currency Losses. Foreign currency losses for 2017 amounted to $51 thousand, and 
mainly consist of unrealized exchange differences derived from the year-end valuation of accounts 
other than the U.S. Dollar. In 2016, there were foreign currency losses of $111 thousand.

Interest and Finance Costs. Interest and finance costs for 2017 amounted to $13.8 million, 
compared to $7.1 million for 2016 and consist of the interest expenses relating to our average 
debt outstanding during the respective periods and other loan fees and expenses. The increase 
in 2017 was mainly attributable to the increase of the average interest rates and the discount 
premium amortization in our loan agreements with Addiewell and DSI, counterbalanced by the 
decrease of our average total debt outstanding.

Interest Income. Interest income for 2017 and 2016 amounted to $0.1 million, and consists of 

interest income received on deposits of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

Gain from Bank Debt Write Off. Gain from bank debt write off amounted to $42.2 million in 
2017, and relates to a gain arising from the full and final settlement of our secured loan facility with 

76 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

RBS, which was agreed to on June 30, 2017. There was no such gain in 2016.

Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015

Net Loss. Net loss for 2016 amounted to $149.0 million, compared to net loss of $17.5 million 
for 2015. The loss for 2016 includes $118.9 million of impairment charges for seven of our vessels 
and $2.9 million of direct sale and other charges for two vessels. The loss for the year ended 
December 31, 2015, includes $8.3 million of direct sale and other charges associated with the 
disposal of one vessel and $6.6 million of impairment charges of another vessel.

Time Charter Revenues, net of prepaid charter revenue amortization. Time charter revenues, 
net of prepaid charter revenue amortization of $3.8 million and $8.6 million for 2016 and 2015 
respectively, amounted to $33.2 million for 2016, compared to $62.2 million in 2015. The time 
charter revenues decreased, mainly due to reduced employment opportunities and lower time 
charter rates, despite the increase of the ownership days by 4%. The decrease of the time charter 
revenues was partly offset by the decrease of the prepaid charter revenue amortization.

Voyage Expenses. Voyage expenses for 2016 amounted to $3.2 million, compared to $2.6 
million in 2015. Voyage expenses mainly consist of bunkers costs and commissions paid to third 
party brokers. The increase in voyage expenses in 2016 compared to 2015 was mainly due to the 
increased bunkers costs that we incurred while certain of our vessels were off-hire and idle, and 
was partly offset by decreased commissions. As commissions are a percentage of time charter 
revenues, they follow the same trend with time charter revenues.

Vessel Operating Expenses. Vessel operating expenses amounted to $30.2 million in 2016, 
compared to $35.8 million in the prior year and mainly consist of expenses for running and 
maintaining  the  vessels,  such  as  crew  wages  and  related  costs,  consumables  and  stores, 
insurances, repairs and maintenance, environmental compliance costs and lay-up expenses. The 
decrease in 2016 was attributable to the decrease of all major categories of operating expenses, 
such as average insurance, stores, spares, repairs and maintenance and crew costs, as a result 
of the increased off-hire days leading to reduced vessels’ operations.

Depreciation and Amortization of Deferred Charges. Depreciation and amortization of deferred 
charges for 2016 amounted to $12.7 million, compared to $13.1 million in 2015 and mainly 
represents  the  depreciation  expense  of  our  containerships  and  the  amortization  charge  of 
drydocking costs for vessels. In 2016, despite the increase of our ownership days, the depreciation 
expense decreased, as a result of the vessels’ impairment charges recorded as of September 30, 
2016 for seven of our vessels.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses for 2016 amounted 
to $7.2 million, compared to $6.2 million in 2015 and mainly consist of payroll expenses of office 
employees, consultancy fees, brokerage services fees, compensation cost on restricted stock 
awards, legal fees and audit fees. The increase in general administrative expenses was mainly 
attributable to increased office personnel and increased payroll taxes payable by the Company, 
which both led to increased salaries, as well as to increased brokerage fees.

Impairment Losses. Impairment losses in 2016 amounted to $118.9 million and represent non-
cash impairment charges recorded during the year for the vessels Sagitta, Centaurus, Domingo, 
Cap Doukato, Great, March and Angeles, for which the Company’s assessment concluded that 
their book values as of September 30, 2016 were not recoverable. In 2015, impairment losses 
were $6.6 million and represented non-cash impairment charges recorded for the vessel Hanjin 
Malta.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 77  

Loss on Vessels’ Sale. Loss on vessels’ sale amounted to $2.9 million in 2016, and relates 
to the sale of the vessels Hanjin Malta and Angeles in March and November 2016, respectively, 
while in 2015, Loss on vessels’ sale amounted to $8.3 million and relates to the sale of the vessel 
Garnet in September 2015.

Foreign Currency Losses / (Gains). Foreign currency losses for 2016 amounted to $111 
thousand, and mainly consist of unrealized exchange differences derived from the year-end 
valuation of accounts other than the U.S. Dollar. In 2015, there were foreign currency gains of 
$55 thousand.

Interest and Finance Costs. Interest and finance costs for 2016 amounted to $7.1 million, 
compared to $7.2 million for 2015 and consist of the interest expenses relating to our average debt 
outstanding during the respective periods and other loan fees and expenses. The slight decrease 
in 2016 was mainly attributable to reduced loan expenses and related fees in connection with 
our loan agreements with RBS and DSI, despite the increase of our average total debt resulting 
in higher bank interest expense.

Interest Income. Interest income for 2016 and 2015 amounted to $0.1 million, and consists of 

interest income received on deposits of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash.

Inflation

Inflation does not have a material effect on our expenses given current economic conditions. 
In the event that significant global inflationary pressures appear, these pressures would increase 
our operating, voyage, administrative and financing costs.

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have financed our capital requirements with cash flow from operations, equity contributions 
from shareholders and long- and medium-term debt. Our operating cash flow is generated from 
charters on our vessels, through our subsidiaries. Our main uses of funds have been capital 
expenditures for the acquisition of new vessels, expenditures incurred in connection with ensuring 
that our vessels comply with international and regulatory standards, repayments of loans and 
payments of dividends (which our board of directors determined to suspend in 2016). At times 
when we are not restricted by our lenders from acquiring additional vessels, we will require capital 
to fund vessel acquisitions and debt service.

During 2016, we amended our then existing $148.0 million loan facility with RBS and our then 
existing $50.0 million loan facility with DSI, and agreed, among others, to amend the repayment 
schedules of both loans. As of December 31, 2016, due to the significant decline in the market 
value of our vessels, following the prolonged weak charter market conditions, we were not in 
compliance with certain financial covenants in the RBS loan, as well as with the minimum required 
security cover (hull cover ratio). Due to these technical breaches of the covenants as of December 
31, 2016, we classified the long-term portion of our bank debt of $124.8 million in current liabilities. 
On June 30, 2017, we repaid to RBS an amount of $85.0 million as full and final settlement of 
our loan obligation and the loan agreement was terminated. The repayment of the loan was 
partially funded with $10.0 million from our own cash, with $40.0 million from a refinance of the 
then existing loan with DSI, and with $35.0 million from a new loan agreement with Addiewell Ltd, 
or Addiewell, an unrelated party. Both new loans mature in 18 months from their signing, or on 
December 31, 2018. As a result, working capital, which is current assets minus current liabilities, 
resulted in a deficit of $73.2 million at December 31, 2017, and $107.0 million as at December 
31, 2016. Given the prolonged market downturn in the containership segment and the continued 

78 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

depressed outlook on charter rates and vessels’ market values we expect that cash on hand and 
cash provided by operating activities will not be sufficient to cover our liquidity needs that become 
due within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The above conditions 
raise substantial doubts about our ability to continue as a going concern and our independent 
registered public accounting firm has issued their opinion with an explanatory paragraph that 
expresses substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

However, on March 22, 2017, we announced an up to $150.0 million securities offering 
through the sale of 3,000 newly-designated Series B-1 convertible preferred shares, preferred 
warrants to purchase 6,500 Series B-1 convertible preferred shares and preferred warrants to 
purchase 140,500 newly-designated Series B-2 convertible preferred shares. During 2017, we 
received $32.5 million of gross proceeds, and since December 31, 2017, we have received 
an additional $7.5 million of gross proceeds from the sale of preferred shares and exercise of 
preferred warrants. As of March 14, 2018, 110,000 warrants remain outstanding. In addition, in 
March 2018, we sold the vessel New Jersey, for which we collected proceeds of $9.4 million, net 
of commissions to the buyers, and we used these proceeds for loan repayments. Furthermore, we 
have contracted to sell the vessels March, Great, Sagitta and Centaurus, for an aggregate gross 
purchase price of $46.6 million and the deliveries to the new owners are expected by the end of 
April 2018. However, as the covenants of our current loan agreements stipulate that proceeds 
from the exercise of such warrants and the sale of vessels be used to prepay our indebtedness, 
such proceeds will not be available to fund working capital requirements until we repay our loans in 
full. We are also exploring several alternatives aiming to manage our working capital requirements, 
including potential sales of additional vessels, seeking for more favorable chartering opportunities 
or a combination thereof. Therefore, our financial statements have been prepared assuming that 
we will continue as a going concern and do not include any adjustments that might be necessary 
if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

Cash Flow

As at December 31, 2017, cash and cash equivalents amounted to $6.4 million compared to 
$8.3 million for the prior year. We consider highly liquid investments such as time deposits and 
certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. 
Cash and cash equivalents are primarily held in U.S. dollars.

Net Cash Provided by/ (Used in) Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities in 2017 and 2016 amounted to $12.7 million and $12.0 
million, respectively, and in 2015 net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $17.4 
million. Cash from operations for 2017 and 2016 was negative due to the prolonged weak charter 
market conditions in the containership sector, which led to low fleet utilization during both years 
through vessel lay-ups, increased off-hire days and reduced time charter rates.

Net Cash Provided by/ (Used in) Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities in 2017 was $6.7 million and consists of $5.9 million 
received from the sale of one vessel during the year, $15 thousand paid for equipment additions, 
and finally $0.8 million received, representing insurance settlements.

Net cash provided by investing activities in 2016 was $10.6 million and consists of $10.6 
million received from the sale of two vessels during the year, $0.2 million paid for additional 
capitalized costs for one vessel, $29 thousand paid for equipment additions, and finally $0.2 
million received, representing insurance settlements.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 79  

Net cash used in investing activities in 2015 was $111.8 million and consists of $113.0 million 
paid for the four vessels that we acquired during the year, $6.0 million paid for time charter 
agreements attached to the memoranda of agreement for two vessels acquired during the year, 
$7.0 million received from the sale of one vessel during the year, $39 thousand paid for equipment 
additions, and finally $0.3 million received, representing insurance settlements.

Net Cash Provided by/ (Used in) Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2017 was $4.1 million and consists of $75.0 
million of loan proceeds from our new loan facilities with Addiewell and DSI, $111.5 million of debt 
repayments, $32.0 million of net proceeds from our equity offering, $0.4 million of finance costs 
that we paid for our new loan agreements and $9.0 million being a reduction of our restricted cash 
as part of the termination of our loan agreement with RBS.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2016 was $19.7 million and consists of $19.2 million 
of debt repayments, $0.2 million of finance costs that we paid for our new loan agreement with 
RBS and $0.4 million of cash dividends paid to investors.

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2015 was $41.7 million and consists of $148.0 
million of loan proceeds received under our new loan agreement with The Royal Bank of Scotland 
plc, $103.3 million of debt repayments and prepayments, $3.2 million of finance costs that we paid 
for our new loan agreement with RBS and for our amendment of the DSI loan agreement, $0.7 
million of cash dividends paid to investors and $0.9 million of reduced restricted cash required 
under our loan facility with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

Loan Facilities

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc – Term Loan: On September 10, 2015, we, through nine 
of our subsidiaries, entered into a loan agreement with RBS of up to $148.0 million, to re-finance 
the acquisition cost of seven of our vessels, including the full prepayment of the then existing 
facility agreement with RBS, and to support the acquisition of the two newly acquired vessels, the 
m/v Hamburg and the m/v Rotterdam. Until December 31, 2015, we drew down the full amount 
of the loan and paid arrangement and structuring fees amounting to $1.9 million. We also paid 
commitment commissions of 1.375% per annum on the undrawn amounts, from July 30, 2015, 
the date of acceptance of the lenders’ offer letter, until the drawdown dates. The loan, until its 
amendment discussed below, bore interest at the rate of 2.75% per annum over LIBOR and was 
repayable in quarterly installments and a balloon payment payable together with the last installment 
in September 2021. The loan was secured by first preferred mortgages on nine vessels of our 
fleet, first priority deeds of assignments of insurances, earnings, charter rights and requisition 
compensation and a corporate guarantee. The loan agreement also contained customary financial 
covenants, minimum security value of the mortgaged vessels, required minimum liquidity of $0.5 
million per vessel in the fleet and restricted cash of $9.0 million to be deposited by the borrowers 
with the lenders for the duration of the loan. There were also restrictions as to changes in our 
loan agreement with DSI, in the securities purchase agreement that we entered into in connection 
with a private placement in July 2014 with DSI and two unaffiliated institutional investors, in 
certain shareholdings and management of the vessels. Finally, we were not permitted to pay any 
dividends that would result in a breach of the financial covenants.

On September 12, 2016, we entered into an amendment of our loan agreement with RBS, 
according to which the Company prepaid an amount of $7.6 million and agreed to change the 
repayment schedule and recommence repaying the principal on September 15, 2017. Moreover, 
the loan amendment provided for changes to the borrowers and to the mortgaged vessels and 

80 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

required an amendment to our loan agreement with DSI. It also prohibited the incurrence of 
additional indebtedness and the acquisition of additional vessels until September 15, 2018, and 
the payment of dividends until the later of: (a) prepayment or repayment in full on June 15, 2021 
of the deferred tranche of $8.9 million which was created out of the reallocation of amounts due 
under the existing tranches, and (b) September 15, 2018. Furthermore, the minimum security 
covenant (hull cover ratio) was reduced from 140% to 125% until September 30, 2018, certain 
financial covenants were amended while the application of others was deferred to 2019, and the 
interest rate margin increased from 2.75% per annum to 3.10% per annum until December 31, 
2018. Finally, we paid an amendment fee of $0.2 million at the signing of the agreement and an 
additional fee of $0.2 million was payable on December 31, 2018.

As of September 30, 2016 and thereafter, due to a significant decline in the market value of 
our vessels, we were not in compliance with two financial covenants in the RBS loan, as well as 
with the required covenant for the minimum required security cover (hull cover ratio). As advised 
by the lenders, to rectify the shortfall of the minimum required security cover, we would have to 
repay to RBS an amount of $18.9 million, or provide additional security. Due to these technical 
breaches in our loan covenants, we had classified our bank debt of $128.9 million as of December 
31, 2016 in current liabilities.

On June 30, 2017, we signed a Settlement Agreement with RBS, whereby we repaid an 
amount of $85.0 million as full and final settlement of the loan obligation. The then outstanding 
principal balance was $128.9 million and the settlement resulted in a net gain of $42.2 million 
for us, which includes the gain from the write off of the principal balance and other fees due to 
the lenders, net of the unamortized deferred financing costs write off and other costs incurred in 
connection with the transaction. The repayment of the loan was partially funded by $10.0 million 
from our own cash, $40.0 million from the DSI loan refinance, as discussed below, and $35.0 
million from the new Addiewell loan, as also discussed below.

Diana Shipping Inc. (DSI): On May 20, 2013, we, through our subsidiary Eluk Shipping 
Company Inc., entered into an unsecured loan agreement of up to $50.0 million with DSI, to be 
used to fund vessel acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. The loan was guaranteed by 
the Company and, until the amendment discussed below, it bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a 
margin of 5.0% per annum and a fee of 1.25% per annum (“back-end fee”) on any amounts repaid 
upon any repayment or voluntary prepayment dates. In August 2013, the full amount was drawn 
down under the loan agreement which was originally repayable on August 20, 2017.

On September 9, 2015, and in relation with the RBS refinance discussed above, the loan 
agreement with DSI was amended. The new loan agreement was extended until March 15, 
2022 or such earlier date on which the outstanding principal balance of the loan was paid in full, 
provided for annual repayments of $5.0 million, plus a balloon installment at the final maturity date, 
and bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.0% per annum. We also agreed to pay at the date of 
the amendment the accumulated back-end fee, amounting to $1.3 million, and that no additional 
back-end fee would be charged thereafter. Furthermore, we agreed that we would pay at the final 
maturity date a flat fee of $0.2 million.

On September 12, 2016 and in relation with the RBS amended loan agreement discussed 
above, we further amended the loan agreement with DSI. The loan was undertaken by our wholly-
owned subsidiary Kapa Shipping Company Inc. and its repayment was immediately suspended and 
would not recommence until the later of: (i) September 15, 2018 and (ii) until the deferred tranche of 
the RBS supplemental agreement was fully repaid on June 15, 2021 or prepaid. Finally, the margin 
was revised to 3.35% per annum until December 31, 2018, thereafter reverting to 3.0% per annum 
until maturity.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 81  

On May 30, 2017, we issued 100 shares of our newly-designated Series C Preferred Stock, 
par value $0.01 per share, to DSI, in exchange for a reduction of $3.0 million in the principal 
amount of our outstanding loan, thus leaving an outstanding principal balance of $42.4 million 
as of that date.

On June 30, 2017, we refinanced our existing unsecured loan facility with DSI. The principal amount 
of the new secured loan is $82.6 million and includes the $42.4 million outstanding principal balance 
as of June 30, 2017, increased by the flat fee of $0.2 million which was payable at maturity, and an 
additional $40.0 million, which was drawn to partially repay our existing loan with RBS. The new DSI 
loan matures on December 31, 2018, however the lenders have the option to request for full repayment 
after twelve months from the initial drawing. The loan also provides for an additional $5.0 million 
interest-bearing “discount premium”, which is payable at maturity, but will be permanently waived 
and cancelled, in case the lenders exercise their option for full repayment within twelve months from 
drawing, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement with Addiewell. Moreover, the DSI loan is 
subordinated to the Addiewell loan, is secured by second priority mortgages over our vessels, bears 
interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the first twelve months, scaled to 9% per annum for the next 
three months, and further scaled to 12% per annum for the remaining three months until maturity, 
includes financial and other covenants which stipulate the repayment with proceeds from the sale 
of our assets, proceeds from the issuance of new equity and proceeds from the exercise of existing 
warrants to purchase Series B Convertible Preferred Shares, and prohibits the payment of dividends.

As of December 31, 2017, $82.6 million of principal balance, and the additional $5.0 million 
discount premium remained outstanding under our loan facility with DSI. As of March 14, 2018, we 
have repaid $8.4 million of our loan agreement with DSI by making use of vessels’ sales proceeds.

Addiewell Ltd (Addiewell) – Loan Facility: On June 30, 2017, we partially funded the 
refinancing of the RBS loan, discussed above, with proceeds under a new secured loan facility 
with Addiewell Ltd., an unaffiliated third party, in the amount of $35.0 million. The loan matures 
on December 31, 2018, however the lenders have the option to request for full repayment after 
twelve months from the initial drawing. The loan also provides for an additional $10.0 million 
interest-bearing “discount premium”, which is also payable at maturity, but will be permanently 
waived and cancelled in case the lenders exercise their option for full repayment within twelve 
months from drawing. Moreover, the loan, which ranks senior to the loan agreement with DSI, is 
secured by first priority mortgages over our vessels, bears interest at the rate of 6% per annum for 
the first twelve months, scaled to 9% per annum for the next three months, and further scaled to 
12% per annum for the remaining three months until maturity. Finally, the new loan facility includes 
financial and other covenants which stipulate the repayment of the facility with proceeds from the 
sale of our assets, proceeds from the issuance of new equity and proceeds from the exercise of 
existing warrants to purchase Series B Convertible Preferred Shares and prohibits the payment of 
dividends. During 2017, we prepaid $26.5 million of our outstanding loan balance with Addiewell.

As of December 31, 2017, $8.5 million of principal balance, and the additional $10.0 million 
discount premium remained outstanding under our loan agreement with Addiewell. Up to March 
14, 2018, we repaid an additional $8.5 million from our outstanding principal balance by making 
use of equity and vessels’ sales proceeds.

As at December 31, 2017 and the date of this annual report, we have not used any derivative 

instruments for hedging purposes or other purposes.

Capital Expenditures

Our future capital expenditures relate to the purchase of containerships and vessel upgrades.

82 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

We also expect to incur additional capital expenditures when our vessels undergo surveys. 
This process of recertification may require us to reposition these vessels from a discharge port 
to shipyard facilities, which will reduce our operating days during the period. The loss of earnings 
associated with the decrease in operating days, together with the capital needs for repairs and 
upgrades results in increased cash flow needs which we fund with cash on hand.

C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses

From time to time, we incur expenditures relating to inspections for acquiring new vessels 
that meet our standards. Such expenditures are capitalized to vessel’s cost upon such vessel’s 
acquisition or expensed, if the vessel is not acquired, however, historically, such expenses were 
not material.

D. Trend Information

Our results of operations depend primarily on the charter hire rates that we are able to realize. 
Charter hire rates paid for containerships are primarily a function of the underlying balance between 
vessel supply and demand.

With some exceptions, time charter rates for all containership sizes increased steadily from 2002 
into 2005, in some cases rising by as much as 50.0%, as charter markets experienced significant 
growth. Demand for vessels was largely spurred on by growth in the volume of exports from China. 
In 2006, time charter rates weakened due to supply rising faster than demand and also market 
perception. This trend continued in 2007 and 2008, and in 2009 rates fell even further due to rising 
supply and very weak demand. With the recovery in demand since 2009 charter rates across most 
sizes have improved from the lows of 2009, although in a historical context they still remain low. 
As such, we cannot assure investors that we will be able to fix our vessels, upon expiration of their 
current charters, at average rates higher than or similar to those achieved in previous years.

E. Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

As of the date of this annual report, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The following table presents our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017.

Payments due by period

Contractual Obligations

Total  
Amount 

Less than  
1 year 

2-3 years

4-5 years 

More than  
5 years

(in thousands of US dollars)

Broker services agreement (1)

$  

420

$  

420

$  

unrelated party Debt (2)

8,500

8,500

interest bearing Discount 
premium to the unrelated party 
debt (2)

10,000

10,000

related party Debt (3)

82,617

82,617

interest bearing Discount 
premium to the related party 
debt (3)

5,000

5,000

total

$  106,537

$  106,537

$ 

-

-

-

-

$  

$ 

-

-

-

-

$  

$ 

-

-

-

-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 83  

(1) Our agreement with Steamship Shipbroking Enterprises Inc., dated April 1, 2017, expires 
on March 31, 2018. Please see «Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees - B. 
Compensation» and «Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – B. Related 
Party Transactions» for more details.

(2) The amounts in the table under «Unrelated Party Debt» do not include projected interest 
payments on our loan with Addiewell Ltd, which will be calculated with a fixed interest rate of 6% 
per annum until June 30, 2018, 9% per annum until September 30, 2018 and 12% per annum until 
December 31, 2018, on the applicable discount premium and any principal amount outstanding.

(3) The amounts in the table under «Related Party Debt» do not include projected interest 
payments on our loan with Diana Shipping Inc., which will be calculated with a fixed interest rate 
of 6% per annum until June 30, 2018, 9% per annum until September 30, 2018 and 12% per 
annum until December 31, 2018, on the applicable discount premium and any principal amount 
outstanding.

G. Safe Harbor

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 is elected annually on a staggered basis, and each director elected holds 
office for a three-year term and until his or her successor is elected and has qualified, except in 
the event of such director’s death, resignation, removal or the earlier termination of his or her term 
of office. Officers are appointed from time to time by our board of directors and hold office until a 
successor is elected.

All of our executive officers are also executive officers of Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX).

Name

symeon palios          

anastasios Margaronis          

ioannis Zafirakis          

andreas Michalopoulos          

Age

Position

76

62

46

46

Class iii Director, Chief executive officer and Chairman of the Board

Class ii Director and president

Class i Director, Chief operating officer and secretary

Chief Financial officer and treasurer

Giannakis (John) evangelou           73

Class iii Director

antonios Karavias          

nikolaos petmezas          

reidar Brekke          

76

69

57

Class i Director

Class iii Director

Class ii Director

The term of the Class II directors expires in 2018, the term of the Class III directors expires in 

2019, and the term of the Class I directors expires in 2020.

The business address of each officer and director is the address of our principal executive 

offices, which are located at Pendelis 18, 175 64 Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece.

84 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Biographical information concerning the directors and executive officers listed above is set 

forth below.

Symeon Palios has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since 
January 13, 2010 and has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of 
Diana Shipping Inc. since February 21, 2005 and as a Director of that company since March 9, 
1999. Mr. Palios also serves currently as the President of Diana Shipping Services S.A. Prior to 
November 12, 2004, Mr. Palios was the Managing Director of Diana Shipping Agencies S.A. Since 
1972, when he formed Diana Shipping Agencies S.A., Mr. Palios has had overall responsibility 
for its activities. Mr. Palios has experience in the shipping industry since 1969 and expertise in 
technical and operational issues. He has served as an ensign in the Greek Navy for the inspection 
of passenger boats on behalf of Ministry of Merchant Marine and is qualified as a naval architect 
and engineer. Mr. Palios is a member of various leading classification societies worldwide and 
he is a member of the board of directors of the United Kingdom Freight Demurrage and Defense 
Association Limited. Mr. Palios has also served as President of the Association “Friends of 
Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens” since 2015. He holds a bachelor’s degree 
in Marine Engineering from Durham University.

Anastasios Margaronis has served as our Director and President since January 13, 2010. 
He has also served as Director and President of Diana Shipping Inc. since February 21, 2005. 
Mr. Margaronis is a Deputy President of Diana Shipping Services S.A., where he also serves 
as a Director and Secretary. Prior to February 21, 2005, Mr. Margaronis was employed by 
Diana Shipping Agencies S.A. and performed the services he now performs as President. He 
joined Diana Shipping Agencies in 1979 and has been responsible for overseeing our vessels’ 
insurance matters, including hull and machinery, protection and indemnity, loss of hire and war 
risks insurances. Mr. Margaronis has had experience in the shipping industry, including in ship 
finance and insurance, since 1980. He is a member of the United Kingdom Mutual Steam Ship 
Assurance Association (Europe) Limited and a member of the Greek National Committee of the 
American Bureau of Shipping. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of 
Warwick and a master’s of science degree in Maritime Law from the Wales Institute of Science 
and Technology.

Ioannis Zafirakis serves as our Director, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary. He also serves 
as Director, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of Diana Shipping Inc. In addition, he is the Chief 
Operating Officer of Diana Shipping Services S.A., where he also serves as Director and Treasurer. 
Since June 1997 and up to February 2005 Mr. Zafirakis was employed by Diana Shipping Agencies 
S.A. where he held a number of positions in its finance and accounting department. Mr. Zafirakis 
is also a member of the Business Advisory Committee of the MSc in International Shipping and 
Finance at ICMA Centre, Henley Business School, University of Reading. He holds a bachelor’s 
degree in Business Studies from City University Business School in London and a master’s degree 
in International Transport from the University of Wales in Cardiff.

Andreas Michalopoulos has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since January 
13, 2010 and has served in these positions with Diana Shipping Inc. since March 8, 2006. Mr. 
Michalopoulos started his career in 1993 when he joined Merrill Lynch Private Banking in Paris. In 
1995, he became an International Corporate Auditor with Nestle SA based in Vevey, Switzerland 
and moved in 1998 to the position of Trade Marketing and Merchandising Manager. From 2000 
to 2002, he worked for McKinsey and Company in Paris, France as an Associate Generalist 
Consultant before joining a major Greek Pharmaceutical Group with U.S. R&D activity as a Vice 
President of International Business Development and Member of the Executive Committee in 2002 
where he remained until 2005. From 2005 to 2006, he joined Diana Shipping Agencies S.A. as a 
Project Manager. Mr. Michalopoulos graduated from Paris IX Dauphine University with Honors in 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 85  

1993 obtaining an MSc in Economics and a master’s degree in Management Sciences specialized 
in Finance. In 1995, he also obtained a master’s degree in Business Administration from Imperial 
College, University of London. Mr. Andreas Michalopoulos is married to the youngest daughter 
of Mr. Symeon Palios.

Giannakis (John) Evangelou has served as an independent Director and as the Chairman 
of our Audit Committee since February 8, 2011. Mr. Evangelou is also a member of the Board 
of Directors of Baker Tilly South East Europe, a professional services company. Mr. Evangelou 
retired from Ernst & Young (Hellas), which he joined as a partner in 1998, on June 30, 2010. 
During his 12 years at Ernst & Young, he acted as Transaction Support leader for Greece and 
a number of countries in Southeast Europe including Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia. In 
addition to his normal duties as a partner, Mr. Evangelou held the position of Quality and Risk 
Management leader for Transaction Advisory Services responsible for a sub-area comprising 18 
countries spanning from Poland and the Baltic in the North to Cyprus and Malta in the South. From 
1986 through 1997, Mr. Evangelou held the position of Group Finance director at Manley Hopkins 
Group, a Marine Services Group of Companies. From 1991 through 1997, Mr. Evangelou served 
as Chief Accounting Officer for Global Ocean Carriers, a shipping company that was listed on a 
U.S. stock exchange during that time. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Evangelou was an independent 
consultant and a member of the team that prepared Royal Olympic Cruises for its listing on 
Nasdaq. From 1974 through 1986, Mr. Evangelou was a partner of Moore Stephens in Greece. 
Additionally, Mr. Evangelou is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and 
Wales, a member of The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus and a member of the 
Institute of Certified Accountants—Auditors of Greece.

Antonios Karavias has served as an independent Director and as the Chairman of our 
Compensation Committee and member of our Audit Committee since the completion of the private 
offering. Since 2007 Mr. Karavias has served as an Independent Advisor to the Management of 
Société Générale Bank and Trust and Marfin Egnatia Bank. Previously, Mr. Karavias was with 
Alpha Bank from 1999 to 2006 as a Deputy Manager of Private Banking and with Merrill Lynch as 
a Vice President from 1980 to 1999. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Mississippi 
State University and a master’s degree in Economics from Pace University. As of 2012, Mr. 
Karavias has been President of UNION F.Z., a financial services company registered in the U.A.E.

Nikolaos  Petmezas  has  served  as  an  independent  Director  and  as  a  member  of  our 
Compensation Committee since the completion of our private offering in 2010. From 2001 until 
mid-2015, Mr. Petmezas served as the Chief Executive Officer of Maersk-Svitzer-Wijsmuller B.V. 
Hellenic Office and, prior to its acquisition by Maersk, as a Partner and as Chief Executive Officer 
of Wijsmuller Shipping Company B.V. He has also served since 1989 as the Chief Executive 
Officer of N.G. Petmezas Shipping and Trading, S.A., and since 1984 as the Chief Executive 
Officer of Shipcare Technical Services Shipping Co. LTD. Since 1995, Mr. Petmezas has served 
as the Managing Director of Kongsberg Gruppen A.S. (Hellenic Office) and, from 1984 to 1995, 
as the Managing Director of Kongsberg Vaapenfabrik A.S. (Hellenic Branch Office). Mr. Petmezas 
served on the Board of Directors of Neorion Shipyards, in Syros, Greece from 1989 to 1992. 
Mr. Petmezas began his career in shipping in 1977, holding directorship positions at Austin & 
Pickersgill Ltd. Shipyard and British Shipbuilders Corporation until 1983. Mr. Petmezas has been 
a member of the Advisory Committee of Westinghouse Electric and Northrop Grumman since 
1983 and a Honorary Consul under the General Consulate of Sri Lanka in Greece since 1995. 
Mr. Petmezas holds degrees in Law and in Political Sciences and Economics from the Aristotle 
University of Thessaloniki and an LL.M. in Shipping Law from London University.

Reidar Brekke has served as an independent Director since June 1, 2010. Mr. Brekke has 
been a principal, advisor and deal-maker in the international energy, container logistics and 

86 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

transportation sector for the last 20+ years. Mr. Brekke is currently President of Intermodal 
Holdings LP, a company investing in intermodal assets. From 2008-2012, he was President of 
Energy Capital Solutions Inc., (New York and Florida) providing strategic and financial advisory 
services to international shipping, logistics and energy related companies. From 2003-2008 he 
served as Manager of Poten Capital Services LLC, a registered broker-dealer specializing in the 
maritime sector. Prior to 2003, Mr. Brekke was C.F.O., then President and C.O.O., of SynchroNet 
Marine, a logistics service provider to the global container transportation industry. From 1994 to 
2000, he held several senior positions with American Marine Advisors, including Fund Manager 
of American Shipping Fund I LLC, and C.F.O. of its broker dealer subsidiary. Prior to this, Mr. 
Brekke was an Advisor for the Norwegian Trade Commission in New York and Oslo, Norway, 
and a financial advisor in Norway. Mr. Brekke graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute 
in 1986 and in 1990 he obtained a MBA from the University of Nevada, Reno. He has been an 
adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs – Center 
for Energy, Marine Transportation and Public Policy, and is currently on the board of directors of 
Scorpio Tankers Inc. (NYSE: STNG) and a privately-held company involved in container leasing 
and container modifications.

B. Compensation

Since June 1, 2010, the members of our senior management have been compensated 
through their affiliation with Steamship Shipbroking Enterprises Inc. (or Steamship, formerly 
Diana Enterprises Inc.), a related party controlled by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman 
of the Board Mr. Symeon Palios, as described under “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related 
Party Transactions – B. Related Party Transactions”. Pursuant to the respective Broker Services 
Agreements, fees and bonuses payable to Steamship for brokerage services provided to us in 
2017, 2016, and 2015, amounted to $2.1 million, $2.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

In 2017, our Board of Directors approved an award of restricted common stock with an 
aggregate value of $380,000 to our executive officers and non-executive directors. The number 
of restricted common shares was determined in February 2018, at which time an aggregate of 
161,700 restricted common shares were issued, of which 138,296 shares were issued to our 
executive officers. One third of these shares vested on the issuance date and the remainder will 
vest ratably over two years from the issuance date. In 2016 and 2015, our executive officers 
also received a number of restricted stock awards, which however were adjusted to almost 
zero as a result of the reverse stock splits effected in 2017 and 2016. In 2017, 2016, and 2015, 
compensation costs relating to the aggregate amount of restricted stock awards amounted to 
$1.2 million, $1.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

Our non-executive directors receive annual compensation in the aggregate amount of $40,000 
plus reimbursement of their out-of-pocket expenses incurred while attending any meeting of the 
board of directors or any board committee. In addition, a committee chairman receives an additional 
$20,000 annually, and other committee members receive an additional $10,000 annually. As noted 
above, in 2017, our Board of Directors approved an award of restricted common stock with an 
aggregate value of $380,000 to our executive officers and non-executive directors. The number of 
restricted common shares was determined in February 2018, at which time an aggregate of 161,700 
restricted common shares were issued, of which 23,404 shares were issued to our non-executive 
directors. One third of these shares vested on the issuance date and the remainder will vest ratably 
over two years from the issuance date. In 2016 our non-executive directors also received a number 
of restricted stock awards, which however were adjusted to zero as a result of the reverse stock 
splits effected in 2017 and 2016. We do not have a retirement plan for our officers or directors. For 
2017, 2016, and 2015, fees, bonuses and expenses to non-executive directors amounted to $0.3 
million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 87  

Finally, in February 2018, our Board of Directors approved a one-time award of restricted 
common stock, which was proposed by our Compensation Committee, with an aggregate 
value of $5.0 million to our executive officers and non-executive directors, in recognition of the 
successful refinancing of our RBS loan in 2017, which resulted in a significant gain of $42.2 
million, net of expenses. The award will be granted on February 15, 2019 and the exact number 
of shares for the grantees will be defined based on the share closing price of February 15, 2019. 
One third of the shares will vest on the issuance date and the remainder will vest ratably over two 
years from the issuance date.

2015 Equity Incentive Plan

On May 5, 2015, we adopted an equity incentive plan, which we refer to as the 2015 Equity 
Incentive  Plan,  as  amended  from  time  to  time,  under  which  directors,  officers,  employees, 
consultants and service providers of us and our subsidiaries and affiliates would be eligible to 
receive options to acquire common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted 
stock units and unrestricted common stock. The plan will expire ten years from its date of adoption 
unless terminated earlier by our board of directors. On February 9, 2018, our board of directors 
adopted Amendment No 1 to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, solely to increase the aggregate 
number of common shares issuable under the plan to 550,000 shares. As of the date of this 
annual report, we have issued 161,700 restricted shares under our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, 
as amended, to our executive officers and non-executive directors and 388,300 remain available 
for issuance.

Upon adoption of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, we terminated the 2012 Amended and 
Restated Equity Incentive Plan, adopted on February 21, 2012, which included substantially 
the same terms and provisions as the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. We refer to this prior plan as 
the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. As of the date of this annual report, we have issued a total of 48 
restricted shares under our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan to our executive officers and non-executive 
directors, of which 40 shares have vested.

The 2015 Equity Incentive Plan is administered by our compensation committee, or such other 

committee of our board of directors as may be designated by the board to administer the plan.

Under the terms of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, stock options and stock appreciation 
rights granted under the plan will have an exercise price per common share equal to the market 
value of a common share on the date of grant, unless otherwise specifically provided in an award 
agreement, but in no event will the exercise price be less than the greater of (i) the market value of 
a common share on the date of grant and (ii) the par value of one share of common stock. Options 
and stock appreciation rights will be exercisable at times and under conditions as determined by 
the plan administrator, but in no event will they be exercisable later than ten years from the date 
of grant.

The plan administrator may grant shares of restricted stock and awards of restricted stock units 
subject to vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as determined by the 
plan administrator in accordance with the terms of the plan. Following the vesting of a restricted 
stock unit, the award recipient will be paid an amount equal to the number of restricted stock 
units that then vest multiplied by the 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 

88 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

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 the plan and may amend outstanding awards issued 
pursuant to the plan, provided that no such amendment 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 such grantee. Shareholder approval of plan amendments will be required under 
certain circumstances. The plan administrator may cancel any award and amend any outstanding 
award agreement except no such amendment shall be made without shareholder approval if 
such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to the 
outstanding award.

C. Board Practices

Actions by our Board of Directors

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that vessel acquisitions and disposals from or to a 
related party and long term time charter employment with any charterer that is a related party will 
require the unanimous approval of the independent members of our board of directors and that 
all other material related party transactions shall be subject to the approval of a majority of the 
independent members of the board of directors.

Committees of our Board of Directors

We  have  established  an  Audit  Committee,  comprised  of  two  members  of  our  board  of 
directors, which is responsible for reviewing our accounting controls, recommending to the board 
of directors the engagement of our independent auditors, and pre-approving audit and audit-
related services and fees. Each member has been determined by our board of directors to be 
“independent” under Nasdaq rules and the rules and regulations of the SEC. As directed by its 
written charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing all related party transactions for 
potential conflicts of interest and all related party transactions are subject to the approval of the 
Audit Committee. Mr. John Evangelou has served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee since 
February 8, 2011. We believe that Mr. Evangelou qualifies as an Audit Committee financial expert 
as such term is defined under SEC rules. Mr. Antonios Karavias serves as a member of our Audit 
Committee.

In addition, we have established a Compensation Committee, comprised of two independent 
directors, which, as directed by its written charter, is responsible for recommending to the board 
of directors our senior executive officers’ compensation and benefits. Mr. Antonios Karavias 
serves as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and Mr. Nikolaos Petmezas serves as 
a member of our Compensation Committee.

We have also established an Executive Committee comprised of three directors, Mr. Symeon 
Palios, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Anastasios Margaronis, our 
President, and Mr. Ioannis Zafirakis, our Chief Operating Officer and Secretary. The Executive 
Committee is responsible for the overall management of our business.

We also maintain directors’ and officers’ insurance, pursuant to which we provide insurance 
coverage against certain liabilities to which our directors and officers may be subject, including 
liability incurred under U.S. securities law.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 89  

D. Employees

We crew our vessels primarily with Greek and Filipino, and secondarily with Ukrainian and 
Romanian officers and seamen. We are responsible for identifying our Greek officers, which are 
hired by our fleet manager on behalf of the vessel-owning subsidiaries. Our Filipino officers and 
seamen are referred to us by Crossworld Marine Services Inc., an independent crewing agency. 
The crewing agency handles each seaman’s training and payroll. We ensure that all our seamen 
have the qualifications and licenses required to comply with international regulations and shipping 
conventions.  Additionally,  our  seafaring  employees  perform  most  commissioning  work  and 
supervise work at shipyards and drydock facilities. We typically man our vessels with more crew 
members than are required by the country of the vessel’s flag in order to allow for the performance 
of routine maintenance duties.

The following table presents the number of shoreside personnel employed by our manager and 
the number of seafaring personnel employed by our vessel-owning subsidiaries as of December 
31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

As of December 31, 2017

As of December 31, 2016

As of December 31, 2015

shoreside

seafaring

Total

36

220

256

E. Share Ownership

39

178

217

40

308

348

With respect to the total amount of common stock owned by our officers and directors 
individually and as a group, see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – A. 
Major Shareholders.”

Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

A. Major Shareholders

The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of our common stock and 
Series C preferred voting stock of which we are aware as of March 14, 2018, for (i) beneficial 
owners of five percent or more of our common shares and Series C preferred voting shares and 
(ii) our officers and directors, individually and as a group. All of our shareholders, including the 
shareholders listed in this table, are entitled to (i) one vote for each common share held and (ii) up 
to 250,000 votes for each Series C preferred share held, subject to a cap such that the aggregate 
voting power of any holder of Series C preferred stock together with its affiliates does not exceed 
49.0% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast on all matters submitted to a vote of our 
shareholders.

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules. In computing percentage 
ownership of each person, common shares subject to options held by that person that are 
currently exercisable or convertible, or exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date of 
this report, are deemed to be beneficially owned by that person. These shares, however, are not 
deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

As of March 14, 2018, we had 7,053,110 common shares issued and outstanding and 100 
Series C preferred shares issued and outstanding and the percentages of beneficial ownership 
reported below are based on these figures:

 
90 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Common Shares   
Beneficially Owned

Series C Preferred Shares 
Beneficially Owned

Identity of person or group

Number

Percentage

Number

Percentage

Diana shipping inc. (1)

symeon palios (2)

anastasios Margaronis

ioannis Zafirakis

andreas Michalopoulos

non-executive directors

all directors and officers, as a group

0

63,084

29,153

0

0

23,404

115,641

0 %

*

*

0 %

0 %

*

1.6 %

100

100 %

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 %

0 %

0 %

0 %

0 %

0 %

(1) As at December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, Diana Shipping Inc. owned 0%, 25.7%, and 
26.1% of our common stock, respectively. Diana Shipping Inc. acquired 100% of our newly-issued 
Series C preferred voting stock on May 30, 2017. See «Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related 
Party Transactions – B. Related Party Transactions».

(2) Of these shares, Mr. Palios may be deemed to beneficially own 31,806 common shares 
through Taracan Investments S.A., 3 common shares through Corozal Compania Naviera S.A., 
6 common shares through Ironwood Trading Corp., and 31,269 common shares through Abra 
Marinvest  Inc.  and  Mitzela  Corp.,  companies  for  which  he  is  the  controlling  person,  for  an 
aggregate of 63,084 common shares. As at December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, Mr. Palios 
beneficially owned 0.0%, 4.5% and 8.7%, respectively, of our common shares.

* Less than 1%

As of March 14, 2018, we had 12 shareholders of record, 2 of which were located in the United 
States and held an aggregate of 6,895,626 of our common shares, representing 97.8% of our 
outstanding common shares. However, one of the U.S. shareholders of record is CEDE & CO., a 
nominee of The Depository Trust Company, which held 6,891,371 of our common shares as of 
March 14, 2018. Accordingly, we believe that the shares held by CEDE & CO. include common 
shares beneficially owned by both holders in the United States and non-U.S. beneficial owners. 
Additionally, as of March 14, 2018, we had one Series C preferred shareholder of record, which 
was located outside of the United States and held an aggregate of 100 of our Series C preferred 
shares, representing 100% of our outstanding Series C preferred shares. We are not aware of any 
arrangements the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in our change of control.

B.Related Party Transactions

Steamship Shipbroking Enterprises Inc.

Steamship Shipbroking Enterprises Inc. (formerly Diana Enterprises Inc.), an affiliated entity 
that is controlled by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Symeon Palios, 
provides to us brokerage services for an annual fee pursuant to a Brokerage Services Agreement. 
In 2017, 2016 and 2015, brokerage fees and bonuses amounted to $2.1 million, $2.0 million and 
$1.5 million, respectively. The terms of this relationship are currently governed by a Brokerage 
Services Agreement dated April 1, 2017, due to expire on March 31, 2018. Our Brokerage 
Services Agreement with Steamship does not contain any exclusivity provisions, and as such, it 
does not restrict Steamship from providing to other third parties, from time to time, brokerage or 
other services.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 91  

Diana Shipping Inc.

Non-Competition Agreement

We and Diana Shipping had entered into a non-competition agreement whereby we had 
agreed that, during the term of the Administrative Services Agreement with DSS and any vessel 
management agreements entered into with DSS, and for six months thereafter, we would not 
acquire or charter any vessel, or otherwise operate in, the drybulk sector and Diana Shipping 
would not acquire or charter any vessel, or otherwise operate in, the containership sector. On 
March 1, 2013, in connection with the appointment of UOT as our new Manager, we amended 
and restated the initial non-competition agreement with Diana Shipping, where we agreed that, 
as long as any of our current or continuing executive officers also serves as an executive for Diana 
Shipping, and for six months thereafter, we will not acquire or charter any vessel, or otherwise 
operate in, the drybulk sector and Diana Shipping will not acquire or charter any vessel, or 
otherwise operate in, the containership sector.

Loan Agreement and Series C Preferred Stock

On May 20, 2013, we entered into a loan agreement of up to $50.0 million with Diana Shipping, 
which was subsequently amended on July 28, 2014, September 9, 2015 and September 12, 
2016. The loan was further amended on May 30, 2017, in connection with the issuance of 100 
shares of our newly-designated Series C Preferred Stock to Diana Shipping, in exchange for a 
reduction of $3.0 million in the principal amount of the loan. The Series C Preferred Stock has no 
dividend or liquidation rights. The Series C Preferred Stock votes with our common shares, and 
each share of the Series C Preferred Stock entitles the holder thereof to up to 250,000 votes, 
subject to a cap such that the aggregate voting power of any holder of Series C Preferred Stock 
together with its affiliates does not exceed 49.0% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast 
on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders.

On June 30, 2017, our loan with Diana Shipping was refinanced and replaced with a secured 
loan facility of $82.6 million, plus an additional $5.0 million interest-bearing discount premium. 
Please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital 
Resources—Loan Facilities.”

The facility matures on December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2017, $82.6 million of 
principal balance and the additional $5.0 million discount premium remained outstanding under 
the facility, and in March 2018, we repaid $8.4 million of the principal balance.

Altair Travel Agency S.A

Effective March 1, 2013, Altair Travel Agency S.A., or Altair, an affiliated entity that is controlled 
by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Symeon Palios, provides us with 
travel related services. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, the expenses we incurred in exchange for travel 
services provided by Altair, amounted to $0.7 million, $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively. 
We believe that the amounts that we pay to Altair for acquiring tickets and other travel related 
services are no greater than fees we would pay to an unrelated third party for comparable services.

C. Interests Of Experts And Counsel

Not applicable.

92 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Item 8. Financial information

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

See “Item 18. Financial Statements.”

Legal Proceedings

Between October 23, 2017 and December 15, 2017, three largely similar lawsuits were filed 
against the Company and three of its executive officers. On October 23, 2017, a complaint 
captioned Jimmie O. Robinson v. Diana Containerships Inc., Case No. 2:17-cv-6160, was filed 
in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (“Eastern District”). The 
complaint is brought as a purported class action lawsuit on behalf of a putative class consisting of 
purchasers of common shares of the Company between January 26, 2017 and October 3, 2017. 
On October 25, 2017, a complaint captioned Logan Little v. Diana Containerships Inc., Case No. 
2:17-cv-6236, was filed in the Eastern District. The complaint is brought as a purported class 
action lawsuit on behalf of a putative class consisting of purchasers of common shares of the 
Company between January 26, 2017 and October 3, 2017. On December 15, 2017, a complaint 
captioned Emmanuel S. Austin v. Diana Containerships Inc., Case No. 2:17-cv-7329, was filed in 
the Eastern District. The complaint is brought as a purported class action lawsuit on behalf of a 
putative class consisting of purchasers of common shares of the Company between June 9, 2016 
and October 3, 2017. The complaints name as defendants, among others, the Company and 
three of its executive officers. The complaints assert claims under Sections 9, 10(b) and/or 20(a) of 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company has not yet responded to these complaints, 
and does not expect to do so until after the court appoints a lead plaintiff in the matter, which has 
yet to happen. The Company and its management believe that the complaints are without merit 
and plan to vigorously defend themselves against the claims.

Except as set forth above, we have not been involved in any legal proceedings which may 
have, or have had a significant effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or 
liquidity, nor are we aware of any proceedings that are pending or threatened which may have a 
significant effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. From time 
to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, 
principally personal injury and property casualty claims. 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

Effective with the quarter ended June 30, 2016, our board of directors decided to suspend the 
quarterly cash dividend on our common shares. The decision to suspend the dividend reflected 
our board of director’s determination that it was in the best long-term interest of the Company 
and its shareholders to aggressively preserve liquidity to manage market conditions and be in a 
position to benefit from an eventual sector recovery. 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.

Our policy, historically, was to declare a variable quarterly dividend each February, May, August 
and November equal to available cash from operations during the previous quarter after the 
payment of cash expenses and reserves for scheduled drydockings, intermediate and special 
surveys and other purposes as our board of directors may from time to time determine are 
required, after taking into account contingent liabilities, the terms of any credit facility, our growth 
strategy and other cash needs and the requirements of Marshall Islands law.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 93  

While we have declared and paid cash dividends on our common shares in the past, we do 
not currently, and there can be no assurance that dividends will be paid in the future. The actual 
timing and amount of dividend payments, if any, will be determined by our board of directors 
and could be affected by various factors, including our cash earnings, financial condition and 
cash requirements, the loss of a vessel, the acquisition of one or more vessels, required capital 
expenditures, reserves established by our board of directors, increased or unanticipated expenses, 
a change in our dividend policy, additional borrowings or future issuances of securities, many of 
which will be beyond our control. We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of 
our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to satisfy our financial obligations and to make 
dividend payments. In addition, any credit facilities that we may enter into in the future may include 
restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.

Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus, or 
while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend.

We  may  continue  to  have  insufficient  cash  available  for  distribution  as  dividends.  The 
containership sector is cyclical and volatile. We cannot predict with accuracy the amount of cash 
flows our operations will generate in any given period. Factors beyond our control may affect the 
charter market for our vessels and our charterers’ ability to satisfy their contractual obligations to 
us, and we cannot assure you that dividends will actually be declared or paid in the future. We 
cannot assure you that we will be able to resume payment of regular quarterly dividends, and our 
ability to resume payment of dividends will be subject to the limitations set forth above and in the 
section of this annual report titled “Item 3. Key Information – D. Risk Factors.”

In times when we have debt outstanding, we intend to limit our dividends per share to the 
amount that we would have been able to pay if we were financed entirely with equity. 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.

B. Significant Changes

There have been no significant changes since the date of the annual consolidated financial 
statements included in this annual report, other than those described in “Note 16—Subsequent 
Events” of our annual consolidated financial statements.

Item 9. The Offer and Listing

A. Offer and Listing Details

Our common shares have traded on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “DCIX” 
since January 19, 2011 and on The Nasdaq Global Select Market since January 2, 2013. The 
table below sets forth the high and low closing prices for each of the periods indicated, as 
adjusted for the six reverse stock splits effected in 2016 and 2017. See “Item 4. Information on 
the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.”

Years

Year-ended December 31, 2013

Year-ended December 31, 2014

Year-ended December 31, 2015

Year-ended December 31, 2016

Year-ended December 31, 2017

Low

High

$ 

173,365.92

$ 

347,225.75

91,375.20

34,080.48

12,718.44

2.10

210,409.92

131,382.73

79,397.66

20,003.71

94 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Periods

1st Quarter ended March 31, 2016

2nd Quarter ended June 30, 2016

3rd Quarter ended september 30, 2016

4th Quarter ended December 31, 2016

1st Quarter ended March 31, 2017

2nd Quarter ended June 30, 2017

3rd Quarter ended september 30, 2017

4th Quarter ended December 31, 2017

Months

september 2017

october 2017

november 2017

December 2017

January 2018

February 2018

March 2018 (through March 14, 2018)

B. Plan of Distribution

Not Applicable.

C. Markets

Low

High

$ 

17,781.12

$ 

39,513.61

$ 

$ 

20,682.90

20,312.46

12,718.44

8,026.18

2,037.41

4.34

2.10

Low

4.34

2.24

2.10

4.06

2.82

1.90

1.73

49,392.01

25,683.84

79,397.66

$ 

20,003.71

7,161.82

1,728.72

20.19

High

$ 

11.34

4.13

20.19

7.21

4.09

2.94

2.05

Our common shares have traded on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “DCIX” 
since January 19, 2011 and on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the same symbol since 
January 2, 2013.

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.

 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 95  

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws were filed as exhibits 3.1 
and 3.2, respectively, to our registration statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-169974) filed with 
the SEC on October 15, 2010. The information contained in these exhibits is incorporated by 
reference herein.

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation were amended on (i) June 8, 2016, in 
connection with our one-for-eight reverse stock split, (ii) July 3, 2017, in connection with our one-
for-seven reverse stock split, (iii) July 25, 2017, in connection with our one-for-six reverse stock 
split, (iv) August 23, 2017, in connection with our one-for-seven reverse stock split, (v) September 
22, 2017, in connection with our one-for-three reverse stock split, and (vi) November 1, 2017, in 
connection with our one-for-seven reverse stock split. Copies of these articles of amendment to 
the amended and restated articles of incorporation of the Company were filed as exhibit 3.1 to 
our reports on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on June 9, 2016, July 6, 2017, July 28, 2017, August 
28, 2017, September 26, 2017, and November 3, 2017, respectively. The information contained 
in these exhibits is incorporated by reference herein. Additionally, (i) on March 21, 2017, we filed a 
Statement of Designations, Preferences and Rights of our Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, 
(ii) on March 21, 2017, we filed a Statement of Designations, Preferences and Rights of our Series 
B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock, and (iii) on May 30, 2017, we filed a Statement of Designations 
of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of our Series C Preferred Stock.

A description of the material terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and 
bylaws is included in the section entitled “Description of Capital Stock” in the accompanying 
prospectus to our Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-215748) filed with the SEC 
on January 26, 2017, as amended, and is incorporated by reference herein, provided that since 
that date and as of March 14, 2018, the number of issued and outstanding common shares has 
changed to 7,053,110 and the number of issued and outstanding Series B-2 preferred shares 
has changed to 296.

Description of Common Stock

Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a 
vote of shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred 
shares, holders of common shares are entitled to receive ratably all dividends, if any, declared 
by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends. Upon our dissolution or 
liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, after payment in full of all amounts 
required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of our preferred shares having liquidation 
preferences, if any, the holders of our common shares will be entitled to receive pro rata our 
remaining assets available for distribution. Holders of our common shares do not have conversion, 
redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities. The rights, preferences and 
privileges of holders of common shares are subject to the rights of the holders of our preferred 
shares, including our existing classes of preferred shares and any preferred shares we may issue 
in the future.

Description of Preferred Stock

Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to establish 
one or more series of preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred 
shares, the terms and rights of that series, including the designation of the series; the number of 
shares of the series; the preferences and relative, participating, option or other special rights, if 
any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series; and the voting rights, if any, 

96 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

of the holders of the series.

Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock

In March 2017, we issued 3,000 shares of newly-designated Series B-1 convertible preferred 
stock, par value $0.01 per share, and warrants to purchase an additional 6,500 shares of Series 
B-1 convertible preferred stock. As of December 31, 2017, zero Series B-1 convertible preferred 
shares were issued and outstanding. For a summary description of the rights, preferences and 
restrictions attaching to our Series B-1 convertible preferred stock, please see the section entitled 
“Description of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Shares” in the prospectus supplement dated 
March 21, 2017, to the prospectus included in our registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 
333-215748), declared effective by the SEC on March 7, 2017. Such summary description is 
qualified in all respects by the terms of the Statement of Designations, Preferences and Rights of 
the Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, which was filed as an exhibit to our report on Form 
6-K filed with the SEC on March 21, 2017. The information contained in this exhibit is incorporated 
by reference herein.

Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock

In March 2017, we issued warrants to purchase 140,500 shares of newly-designated Series 
B-2 convertible preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of December 31, 2017, 289 Series 
B-2 convertible preferred shares were issued and outstanding. For a description of our Series B-2 
convertible preferred stock, please see the section entitled “Description of Series B-2 Convertible 
Preferred Shares” in the prospectus included in our registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 
333-216944), declared effective by the SEC on May 11, 2017. Such summary description is 
qualified in all respects by the terms of the Statement of Designations, Preferences and Rights of 
the Series B-2 Convertible Preferred Stock, which was filed as an exhibit to our report on Form 
6-K filed with the SEC on March 21, 2017. The information contained in this exhibit is incorporated 
by reference herein.

Series C Preferred Stock

In May 2017, we issued 100 shares of newly-designated Series C preferred stock, par value 
$0.01 per share, to Diana Shipping Inc. The Series C preferred stock has no dividend or liquidation 
rights. The Series C preferred stock votes with our common shares, and each share of the Series 
C preferred stock entitles the holder thereof to up to 250,000 votes, subject to a cap such that the 
aggregate voting power of any holder of Series C preferred stock together with its affiliates does 
not exceed 49.0% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast on all matters submitted to a vote 
of our stockholders. A copy of the Statement of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges 
of the Series C Preferred Stock is filed as an exhibit to our report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC 
on June 6, 2017. The information contained in this exhibit is incorporated by reference herein.

Amended and Restated Stockholders Rights Agreement

On August 29, 2016, we entered into a First Amended and Restated Stockholders Rights 
Agreement, or the Rights Agreement, with Computershare Inc. as Rights Agent. The Rights 
Agreement amended and restated in its entirety the original Stockholders Rights Agreement 
between  the  Company  and  Mellon  Investor  Services  LLC,  dated  as  of  August  2,  2010,  as 
amended on July 28, 2014. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, each share of our common stock 
includes one right, or a Right, that entitles the holder to purchase from us a unit consisting of 
one one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price 
of $50.00, subject to specified adjustments. The Rights will separate from the common stock 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 97  

and become exercisable only if a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more 
of our common stock in a transaction not approved by our Board of Directors. In that situation, 
each holder of a Right (other than the acquiring person, whose Rights will become void and will 
not be exercisable) will have the right to purchase, upon payment of the exercise price, a number 
of shares of our common stock having a then-current market value equal to twice the exercise 
price. In addition, if the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination after 
an acquiring person acquires 15% or more of our common stock, each holder of the Right will 
thereafter have the right to purchase, upon payment of the exercise price, a number of shares 
of common stock of the acquiring person having a then-current market value equal to twice 
the exercise price. The acquiring person will not be entitled to exercise these Rights. Under the 
Stockholders Rights Agreement’s terms, it will expire on August 2, 2020.

A copy of the Stockholders Rights Agreement is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our report on Form 6-K 

filed with the SEC on August 31, 2016.

C. Material Contracts

The contracts included 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, which (i) are to be performed 
in whole or in part on or after the filing date of this annual report or (ii) were entered into not more 
than two years before the filing date of this annual report. Other than these agreements, we have no 
material contracts, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which the 
Company or any member of the group is a party. We refer you to Item 5.B for a discussion of our 
loan facilities, Item 4.B and Item 7.B for a discussion of our agreements with companies controlled 
by our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Mr. Symeon Palios, and Item 6.B for a 
discussion of our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

D. Exchange Controls

Under Republic of the 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 securities.

E. Taxation

The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and U.S. federal income tax 
considerations of the ownership and disposition by a U.S. Holder and a Non-U.S. Holder, each as 
defined below, with respect to the common stock. 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

In the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, the following are the material Marshall Islands tax 

98 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

consequences of the Company’s activities to the Company and of the ownership of the Company’s 
common stock to its shareholders. The Company is incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Under 
current Marshall Islands law, the Company is not subject to tax on income or capital gains, and 
no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon payments of dividends by the Company 
to its shareholders.

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

In the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, the Company’s U.S. counsel, the following are the 
material U.S. federal income tax consequences to the Company of its activities and to U.S. 
Holders and Non-U.S Holders, each as defined below, of the common stock. The following 
discussion of U.S. federal income tax matters is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 
1986, as amended, or the Code, judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements, and existing 
and proposed regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, all of which are subject 
to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

Taxation of Operating Income: In General

The following discussion addresses the U.S. federal income taxation of our operating income 

if we are engaged in the international operation of vessels.

Unless exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under the rules discussed below, a foreign 
corporation is subject to U.S. federal income taxation in respect of any income that is derived 
from the use of vessels, from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use on a time, voyage or bareboat 
charter basis, from the participation in a pool, partnership, strategic alliance, joint operating 
agreement, code sharing arrangements or other joint venture it directly or indirectly owns or 
participates in that generates such income, or from the performance of services directly related 
to those uses, which we refer to as “shipping income,” to the extent that the shipping income is 
derived from sources within the United States. For these purposes, 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 constitutes income from sources within the United States, which we refer to as 
“U.S.-source shipping income.”

Shipping income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States 
is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States. We are not permitted by law to 
engage in transportation that produces income which is considered to be 100% from sources 
within the United States. Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between 
non-U.S. ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. 
Shipping income derived from sources outside the United States will not be subject to any U.S. 
federal income tax.

Exemption of Operating Income from U.S. Federal Income Taxation

Under Section 883 of the Code, or Section 883, we will be exempt from U.S. federal income 

taxation on our U.S.-source shipping income if:

  we are organized in a foreign country that grants an «equivalent exemption» to corporations 

organized in the United States, or U.S. corporations; and

either:

  more than 50% of the value of our common stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by qualified 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 99  

shareholders, which we refer to as the «50% Ownership Test,» or

  our common stock is «primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market» in 
a country that grants an «equivalent exemption» to U.S. corporations or in the United States, 
which we refer to as the «Publicly-Traded Test.»

The  Marshall  Islands,  the  jurisdiction  where  we  are  incorporated,  grant  an  “equivalent 
exemption” to U.S. corporations. We anticipate that any of our shipowning subsidiaries will 
be incorporated in a jurisdiction that provides an “equivalent exemption” to U.S. corporations. 
Therefore, we will be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation with respect to our U.S.-source 
shipping income if either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test is met.

We do not currently anticipate a circumstance under which we would be able to satisfy the 

50% Ownership Test. Our ability to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test is discussed below.

Publicly-Traded Test

In order to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test, our common stock must be primarily and regularly 
traded on one or more established securities markets. The 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 shares 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. Our common shares are “primarily traded” on The Nasdaq 
Global Select Market.

Under the regulations, stock of a foreign corporation will be considered to be “regularly traded” 
on an established securities market if one or more classes of stock representing more than 50% 
of the outstanding stock, by both total combined voting power of all classes of shares entitled to 
vote and total value, are listed on such market, to which we refer as the “listing threshold.” Since 
our common shares are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, we expect to satisfy the 
listing threshold.

It is further required that with respect to each class of stock relied upon to meet the listing 
threshold, (i) such class of shares is 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, which 
we refer to as the trading frequency test; and (ii) the aggregate number of stock of such class of 
shares traded on such market during the taxable year is at least 10% of the average number of 
shares of such class of stock outstanding during such year or as appropriately adjusted in the 
case of a short taxable year, which we refer to as the trading volume test. Even if these tests are 
not satisfied, the regulations provide that such trading frequency and trading volume tests will be 
deemed satisfied if, as is expected to be 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, such as being traded and quoted on the 
Nasdaq Global Select Market.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 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 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 stock, to which we refer as the “Five Percent Override Rule.”

100 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

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 stock, or “5% Shareholders,” the regulations 
permit us to rely on those persons that are identified on Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D filings 
with the SEC, as owning 5% or more of our common stock. The 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 Five Percent Override Rule is triggered, the regulations provide that the Five 
Percent Override Rule will nevertheless not apply if we can establish that within the group of 5% 
Shareholders, there are sufficient qualified shareholders for purposes of Section 883 to preclude 
non-qualified shareholders in such group from owning 50% or more of our common stock for 
more than half the number of days during the taxable year.

We believe that we were subject to the Five Percent Override Rule, but nonetheless satisfied the 
Publicly-Traded Test for the 2017 taxable year because there were nonqualified 5% Shareholders 
did not own more than 50% of our common stock for more than half of the days during the taxable 
year. We intend to take this position on our 2017 U.S. federal income tax returns.

Taxation in Absence of Exemption

To the extent the benefits of Section 883 are unavailable, our U.S.-source shipping income, 
to the extent not considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or 
business, as described below, would be subject to a 4% tax imposed by Section 887 of the Code 
on a gross basis, without the benefit of deductions, which we refer to as the 4% gross basis 
tax regime. Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more than 50% of our shipping 
income would be treated as being derived from U.S. sources, 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 the U.S. federal 
corporate income tax currently imposed at a rate of 21%. By statutory exclusion, the benefits of 
the section 883 exemption are not available to income that is “effectively connected” with the 
conduct of a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we may be subject to an additional 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 such U.S. trade or business.

Our  U.S.-source  shipping  income  would  be  considered  “effectively  connected”  with  the 

conduct of a U.S. 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 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 (or, in the case of income from the bareboat chartering of a vessel, is 
attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States).

We do not anticipate that we will have any vessel operating to or from the United States on 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 101  

a regularly scheduled basis. Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of our shipping 
operations and other activities, we do not anticipate that any of our U.S.-source shipping income 
will be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

United States Federal Income Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels

Regardless of whether we qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code, we will not 
be subject to U.S. federal income taxation 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.

United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of common stock that 
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 stock, 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 stock, you are encouraged to consult your tax advisor.

Distributions

Subject to the discussion of the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules below, 
distributions  made  by  us  with  respect  to  our  common  stock,  other  than  certain  pro-rata 
distributions of our common stock, to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends, which may 
be taxable as ordinary income or “qualified dividend income” as described in more detail below, to 
the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal 
income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits 
will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s tax basis 
in his common stock on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because we are 
not a United States 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 stock will generally be treated as income from sources outside 
the United States and will generally constitute “passive category income” or, in the case of certain 
types of U.S. Holders, “general category income” for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax 
credits for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.

Dividends paid on our common stock to a U.S. Holder who is an individual, trust or estate, 
which we refer to as a U.S. Individual Holder, will generally be treated as “qualified dividend 
income” that is taxable to such U.S. Individual Holders at preferential tax rates, provided that (1) 
the common stock is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States 
such as The Nasdaq Global Select Market, on which our common stock is traded; (2) we are not 
a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable 
year, as discussed below; (3) the U.S. Individual Holder has held the common stock for more than 
60 days in the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common stock 

102 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

becomes ex-dividend; and (4) the U.S. Individual Holder is not under an obligation to make related 
payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.

There is no assurance that any dividends paid on our common stock will be eligible for these 
preferential rates in the hands of a U.S. Individual Holder. Any distributions out of earnings and 
profits we pay which are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income 
to a U.S. Individual Holder.

Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend,” generally, a dividend paid by us in an 
amount which is equal to or in excess of ten percent of a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis, or fair 
market value in certain circumstances, in a share of our common stock. If we pay an “extraordinary 
dividend” on our common stock that is treated as “qualified dividend income,” then any loss 
derived by a U.S. Individual Holder from the sale or exchange of such common stock will be 
treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.

Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the discussion of the PFIC rules below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable 
gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock 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 stock. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the 
common stock generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost less any prior return of 
capital. 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 and 
will generally be treated as U.S.-source income or loss, as applicable, for U.S. foreign tax credit 
purposes. A U.S. Holder’s ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

PFIC Status and Significant Tax Consequences

Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that holds stock in a foreign 
corporation classified as 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 U.S. Holder held our 
common stock, 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), which we refer to as the income test; 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, which we refer to as the asset test.

For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, cash will be treated as an asset which 
is held for the production of passive income. In addition, we will be treated as earning and 
owning our proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of any of our subsidiary 
corporations in which we own at least 25% of the value of the subsidiary’s stock. Income earned, 
or deemed earned, by us in connection with the performance of services would not constitute 
passive income. By contrast, rental income would generally constitute “passive income” unless 
we were treated under specific rules as deriving our rental income in the active conduct of a trade 
or business.

Our status as a PFIC will depend upon the operations of our vessels. Therefore, we can give 
no assurances as to whether we will be a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. In making the 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 103  

determination as to whether we are a PFIC, we intend to treat the gross income we derive or 
are deemed to derive from the time chartering and voyage chartering activities of us or any of 
our wholly owned subsidiaries as services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, 
in the opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, such income should not constitute passive income, and 
the assets that we or our wholly owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the 
production of such income, should not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining 
whether we are a PFIC. There is substantial legal authority supporting this position consisting of 
case law and 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. In the absence of any legal authority specifically relating to the statutory 
provisions governing PFICs, the IRS or a court could disagree with the opinion of Seward & 
Kissel LLP. On the other hand, any income we derive from bareboat chartering activities will likely 
be treated as passive income for purposes of the income test. Likewise, any assets utilized in 
bareboat chartering activities will likely be treated as generating passive income for purposes of 
the asset test.

As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. 
Holder would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes 
an election to treat us as a “Qualified Electing Fund,” which election we refer to as a “QEF election,” 
or a “mark-to-market” election with respect to the common stock. In addition, if we are a PFIC, a 
U.S. Holder will be required to file with respect to taxable years ending on or after December 31, 
2013 IRS Form 8621 with the IRS.

Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election.

If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election, which U.S. Holder we refer to as an “Electing 
Holder,” the Electing Holder must report each year for U.S. federal income tax purposes his pro rata 
share of our ordinary earnings and our net capital gain, if any, for our taxable year that ends with 
or within the taxable year of the Electing Holder, regardless of whether or not distributions were 
received from us by the Electing Holder. The Electing Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common 
stock will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of 
earnings and profits that had been previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the 
adjusted tax basis in the common stock and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing 
Holder would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition 
of our common stock. A U.S. Holder would make a QEF election with respect to any year that we 
are a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with his U.S. federal income tax return. After the end of each 
taxable year, we will determine whether we were a PFIC for such taxable year. If we determine or 
otherwise become aware that we are a PFIC for any taxable year, we will provide each U.S. Holder 
with all necessary information, including a PFIC Annual Information Statement, in order to allow 
such holder to make a QEF election for such taxable year.

Taxation of U.S. 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 
continue to be the case, our shares are treated as “marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder would be 
allowed to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to our common stock, provided the 
U.S. Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and 
related Treasury regulations. If that election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as 
ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common 
stock at the end of the taxable year over such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock. 
The U.S. Holder would also be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the 

104 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock over their 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 his common stock would be 
adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount. Gain realized on the sale, exchange or other 
disposition of our common stock would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on 
the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common stock 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.

Finally, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder who has not timely 
made a QEF or mark-to-market election for the first taxable year in which it holds our common 
stock and during which we are treated as PFIC, whom we refer to as a “Non-Electing Holder,” 
would be subject to special rules with respect to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any 
distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on our common stock 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 
stock), and (2) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock. 
Under these special rules:

  the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably to each day over the Non-Electing 

Holders’ aggregate holding period for the common stock;

  the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year before we became a 

PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income; and

  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.

These adverse tax consequences would not apply to a pension or profit sharing trust or other 
tax-exempt organization that did not borrow funds or otherwise utilize leverage in connection with 
its acquisition of our common stock. In addition, if a Non-Electing Holder who is an individual dies 
while owning our common stock, such holder’s successor generally would not receive a step-up 
in tax basis with respect to such common stock.

U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders

A beneficial owner of our common stock, other than a partnership or entity treated as a 
partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, that is not a U.S. Holder is referred to herein 
as a Non-U.S. Holder.

Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax on 
dividends received from us with respect to our common stock, unless that income is effectively 
connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States. In 
general, if the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of certain U.S. income tax treaties 
with respect to those dividends, that income is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent 
establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States.

Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax 

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 105  

on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock, unless:

  the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in 
the United States. In general, if the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of certain income 
tax treaties with respect to that gain, that gain is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent 
establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States; or

  the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more 

during the taxable year of disposition and other conditions are met.

If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax 
purposes, the income from the common stock, including dividends and the gain from the sale, 
exchange or other disposition of the stock, that is effectively connected with the conduct of that 
trade or business 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, if you 
are a corporate Non-U.S. Holder, your 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, made within the United States 
to you will be subject to information reporting requirements. Such payments will also be subject 
to backup withholding tax if you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder and you:

  fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;

  are notified by the IRS that you have failed to report all interest or dividends required to be 

shown on your U.S. federal income tax returns; or

  in certain circumstances, fail to comply with applicable certification requirements.

Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and 

backup withholding by certifying their status on an applicable IRS Form W-8.

If you sell your common stock 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 you certify that you are 
a non-U.S. person, under penalties of perjury, or you otherwise establish an exemption. If you sell 
your common stock through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are 
paid to you outside the United States then information reporting and backup withholding generally 
will not apply to that payment. However, U.S. information reporting requirements, but not backup 
withholding, will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made to you outside 
the United States, if you sell your common stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that is a 
U.S. person or has certain other contacts with the United States, unless you certify that you are a 
non-U.S. person, under penalty of perjury, or you otherwise establish an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, you generally may obtain a refund of any 
amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed your U.S. federal income tax 
liability by timely filing a refund claim with the IRS.

U.S. Holders who are individuals (and to the extent specified in applicable Treasury Regulations, 

106 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

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 stock, unless the common stock is held through an account 
maintained with a U.S. financial institution. Substantial penalties apply to any failure to timely file 
IRS Form 8938, unless the failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful 
neglect. Additionally, in the event a U.S. Holder who is an individual (and to the extent specified 
in applicable Treasury regulations, 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.

F. Dividends and paying agents

Not Applicable.

G. Statement by experts

Not Applicable.

H. Documents on display

We file reports and other information with the SEC. These materials, including this annual 
report and the accompanying exhibits, may be inspected and copied at the public reference 
facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, or from the SEC’s 
website http://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 Risk

Interest Rates

Total interest incurred under our loan facilities and related interest rates during 2017, 2016 and 

2015 was as follows:

interest expense (in millions of usD)

$ 

7.4 $ 

6.6 $ 

Weighted average interest rate (liBor plus margin)

4.95 %

3.54 %

5.8

3.65 %

interest rates range during the year (liBor including margin) 4.04% to 6.00% 3.12% to 4.06% 3.09% to 5.20%

2017

2016

2015

An average increase of 1% in 2017 interest rates would have resulted in interest expenses of 

$8.9 million, instead of $7.4 million, an increase of about 20%.

As of December 31, 2017, we had $8.5 million of principal debt outstanding and $10.0 million 
of discount premium payable to Addiewell, and also $82.6 million of principal debt outstanding 

 
ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 107  

and $5.0 million of discount premium payable to DSI. Currently, we have $10.0 million of discount 
premium payable to Addiewell, and also $74.2 million of principal debt outstanding and $5.0 
million of discount premium payable to DSI. We expect to manage any exposure in interest rates 
through our regular operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the 
use of derivative financial instruments.

Currency and Exchange Rates

We generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars, but currently incur less than half of our 
operating expenses (around 34% in 2017 and 41% in 2016) and less than half of our general and 
administrative expenses (around 36% in 2017 and 47% in 2016) in currencies other than the U.S. 
dollar, primarily the Euro. For accounting purposes, expenses incurred in Euros are converted 
into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of each transaction. The amount and 
frequency of some of these expenses, such as vessel repairs, supplies and stores, may fluctuate 
from period to period. Since approximately 2002, the U.S. dollar has depreciated against the Euro. 
Depreciation in the value of the dollar relative to other currencies increases the dollar cost to us of 
paying such expenses. The portion of our expenses incurred in other currencies could increase in 
the future, which could expand our exposure to losses arising from currency fluctuations.

While we have not mitigated the risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations through the 
use of financial derivatives, we may determine to employ such instruments from time to time in 
the future in order to minimize this risk. Our use of financial derivatives would involve certain risks, 
including the risk that losses on a hedged position could exceed the nominal amount invested in 
the instrument and the risk that the counterparty to the derivative transaction may be unable or 
unwilling to satisfy its contractual obligations, which could have an adverse effect on our results. 
Currently, we do not consider the risk from exchange rate fluctuations to be material for our results 
of operations and therefore, we are not engaged in derivative instruments to hedge part of those 
expenses.

Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Not Applicable.

108 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

PART II

Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

None.

Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security 
Holders and Use of Proceeds

Pursuant to the Stockholders Rights Agreement dated August 29, 2016, each share of our 
common stock includes one preferred stock purchase right that entitles the holder to purchase 
from us a unit consisting of one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Participating Preferred Stock 
if any third-party acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common stock without the 
approval of our Board of Directors. See “Item 10.B—Memorandum and Articles of Association—
Amended and Restated Stockholders Rights Agreement.”

Please also see “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of Association” 
for a description of the rights of holders of our Series B-1 and Series B-2 convertible preferred 
shares and Series C preferred voting stock relative to the rights of holders of our common shares.

Item 15. Controls and Procedures

A. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has conducted 
an evaluation of 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 the end of the period covered by this 
report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have 
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information 
required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits to the SEC under 
the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods 
specified in SEC rules and forms.

B. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over 
financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. The Company’s 
internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  under  the  supervision  of  the 
Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial 
statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Management has conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control – Integrated 
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(2013 Framework). Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 is effective.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 109  

The registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this 
annual report containing the disclosure required by this Item 15 has issued an attestation report 
on management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting.

C. Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting issued by the 
registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements, 
Ernst Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A., appears on page F-3 of the financial 
statements filed as part of this annual report.

D. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

None.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, does 
not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent 
or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, 
can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be 
met. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls 
can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that 
all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These 
inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that 
breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented 
by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management 
override  of  the  controls.  The  design  of  any  system  of  controls  is  based  in  part  on  certain 
assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design 
will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any 
evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may 
become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance 
with policies or procedures.

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

Mr. John Evangelou serves as the Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee. Our board 
of directors has determined that Mr. Evangelou qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” 
and is “independent” according to SEC rules.

Item 16B. Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to officers, directors, employees and agents. 
Our code of ethics is posted on our website, http://www.dcontainerships.com, under “About 
Us—Code of Ethics.” Copies of our Code of Ethics are available in print, free of charge, upon 
request to Diana Containerships Inc., Pendelis 18, 175 64 Palaio Faliro, Athens, Greece. We intend 
to satisfy any disclosure requirements regarding any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision 
of this Code of Ethics by posting such information on our website.

Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

A. Audit Fees

110 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Our principal accountants, Ernst and Young (Hellas), Certified Auditors Accountants S.A., have 

billed us for audit services.

Audit fees in 2017 amounted to Euro 199,500 or about $215,000, and in 2016 amounted to 
Euro 211,500 or about $237,000 and relate to audit services provided in connection with the audit 
and AS 4105 interim reviews of our consolidated financial statements and the audit of internal 
control over financial reporting.

B. Audit-Related Fees

In 2017, our principal accountants, Ernst and Young (Hellas), Certified Auditors Accountants 
S.A., have also billed us for audit services provided for the Company’s registration statements, 
which amounted to Euro 17,000 or about $18,000.

C. Tax Fees

During 2017 and 2016, we received or accrued for tax services for which fees amounted to 
$8,750 and $16,100, respectively, and relate to the calculation of Earnings and Profits of the 
Company.

D. All Other Fees

None.

E. Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Our  Audit  Committee  is  responsible  for  the  appointment,  replacement,  compensation, 
evaluation and oversight of the work of our independent auditors. As part of this responsibility, 
the Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services performed by the independent 
auditors in order to assure that they do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Company. 
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.

F. Audit Work Performed by Other Than Principal Accountant if Greater 
Than 50%

Not applicable.

Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit 
Committees

Not applicable.

Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and 
Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 ■ 111  

Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not applicable.

Item 16G. Corporate Governance

We have certified to Nasdaq that our corporate governance practices are in compliance with, 
and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Therefore, we are 
exempt from many of Nasdaq’s corporate governance practices other than the requirements 
regarding the disclosure of a going concern audit opinion, submission of a listing agreement, 
notification to Nasdaq of non-compliance with Nasdaq corporate governance practices, prohibition 
on disparate reduction or restriction of shareholder voting rights, and the establishment of an audit 
committee satisfying Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(3) and ensuring that such audit committee’s 
members meet the independence requirement of Listing Rule 5605(c)(2)(A)(ii). The practices we 
follow in lieu of Nasdaq’s corporate governance rules applicable to U.S. domestic issuers are as 
follows:

  As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to have an audit committee comprised of at 

least three members. Our audit committee is comprised of two members;

  As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to adopt a formal written charter or board 
resolution addressing the nominations process. We do not have a nominations committee, nor 
have we adopted a board resolution addressing the nominations process;

  As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to hold regularly scheduled board meetings at 

which only independent directors are present;

  In lieu of obtaining shareholder approval prior to the issuance of designated securities, we will 
comply with provisions of the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, which allows the 
Board of Directors to approve share issuances;

  As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to solicit proxies or provide proxy statements to 
Nasdaq pursuant to Nasdaq corporate governance rules or Marshall Islands law. Consistent 
with Marshall Islands law and as provided in our bylaws, we will notify our shareholders of 
meetings between 15 and 60 days before the meeting. This notification will contain, among 
other things, information regarding business to be transacted at the meeting. In addition, our 
bylaws provide that shareholders must give us between 150 and 180 days advance notice to 
properly introduce any business at a meeting of shareholders.

Other than as noted above, we are in compliance with all other Nasdaq corporate governance 

standards applicable to U.S. domestic issuers.

Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable.

112 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2017

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 2017 and 2016 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016  
and 2015 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income / (Loss) for the years ended  
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 

Page

F-2

F-3

F-5

F-6

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 
2016 and 2015 

F-7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016  
and 2015 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

F-8

F-10

F-1

 
ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 113  

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Diana Containerships Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Diana Containerships 
Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of 
operations, comprehensive income/(loss), stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three 
years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the 
“consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present 
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2017 and 2016, 
and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 
December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting 
Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting 
as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 
framework) and our report dated March 16, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

The Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the 
Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the 
Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, has a working capital deficiency, and has 
stated that substantial doubt exists about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 
Management’s evaluation of the events and conditions and management’s plans regarding these 
matters are also described in Note 3. The consolidated financial statements do not include any 
adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These  financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the  Company’s  management.  Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. 
We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent 
with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable 
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards 
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits 
included  performing  procedures  to  assess  the  risks  of  material  misstatement  of  the  financial 
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those 
risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles 
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation 
of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors-Accountants S.A.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.
Athens, Greece 
March 16, 2018

F-2

114 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Diana Containerships Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Diana Containerships Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued 
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) 
(the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Diana Containerships Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all 
material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, 
based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting 
Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of Diana Containerships 
Inc. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, 
comprehensive income/(loss), stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years 
in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and our report dated March 16, 
2018, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon that included an explanatory paragraph regarding 
the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over 
financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial 
reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over 
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control 
over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 
PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with 
the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and 
Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards 
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective 
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included 
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a 
material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal 
control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered 
necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our 
opinion.

Definition and Limitations on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  to  provide 
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial 
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes 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 the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance 
that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of 
the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors 

F-3

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 115  

of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of 
unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material 
effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or 
detect misstatements. 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 or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors-Accountants S.A.

Athens, Greece
March 16, 2018

F-4

116 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as at December 31, 2017 and 2016
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for share and per share data)

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents

accounts receivable, trade

inventories

prepaid expenses and other assets

restricted cash (note 6)

Vessels held for sale (note 5)

    Total current assets

FIXED ASSETS:

Vessels, net (note 5)

property and equipment, net

    Total fixed assets

Deferred charges, net

    Total assets

2017

2016

$ 

6,444

$ 

8,316

428

1,667

1,083

-

18,378

28,000

201,308

911

202,219

2,088

471

2,581

2,507

9,000

-

22,875

240,352

946

241,298

2,358

$  232,307

$  266,531

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Bank and other debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs (note 6)

$ 

12,119

$  127,129

related party financing, net of unamortized deferred financing costs  
(note 4)

accounts payable, trade and other

Due to related parties, current (note 4)

accrued liabilities

Deferred revenue

    Total current liabilities

related party financing, non-current (note 4)

other liabilities, non-current

Commitments and contingencies (note 7)

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, 389 
and 0 issued and outstanding as at December 31, 2017 and 2016, 
respectively (note 8)

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 
4,051,266 and 1,533 issued and outstanding as at December 31, 2017 
and 2016, respectively  (note 8)

additional paid-in capital (note 8)

other comprehensive income / (loss)

accumulated deficit

    Total stockholders’ equity

84,832

1,715

65

2,045

439

101,215

-

320

-

0

40

-

1,471

105

1,050

108

129,863

45,617

171

-

-

0

410,982

6

(280,256)

130,772

374,975

(20)

(284,075)

90,880

    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$  232,307

$  266,531

the accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 117  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except for share and per share data)

REVENUES:

time charter revenues (note 1)

prepaid charter revenue amortization

Time charter revenues, net

EXPENSES:

Voyage expenses

Vessel operating expenses

Depreciation and amortization of deferred charges (note 5)

General and administrative expenses (note 4 and 8(d))

impairment losses (note 5)

(Gain) / loss on vessels’ sale (note 5)

Foreign currency losses / (gains)

    Operating loss

OTHER INCOME/(EXPENSES)

interest and finance costs (notes 4, 6 and 9)

interest income

Gain from bank debt write off (note 6)

    Total other income /(expenses), net

Net income / (loss)

Earnings / (Loss) per common share, basic (Note 10)

Earnings / (loss) per common share, diluted (Note 10)

Weighted average number of common shares, basic 
(Note 10)

Weighted average number of common shares,  
diluted (Note 10)

2017

2016

2015

$ 

23,806

$ 

36,992

$ 

-

23,806

1,702

22,732

8,147

8,366

8,363

(945)

51

(3,798)

33,194

3,169

30,213

12,740

7,241

118,861

2,899

111

70,746

(8,566)

62,180

2,619

35,847

13,140

6,194

6,607

8,300

(55)

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(24,610)

$ 

(142,040)

$ 

(10,472)

(13,843)

$ 

(7,094)

$ 

(7,166)

87

42,185

28,429

3,819

8.94

8.94

427,333

427,361

120

-

107

-

$ 

$ 

(6,974)

(149,014)

$ 

$ 

(7,059)

(17,531)

$  (100,821.38)

$  (11,917.74)

$  (100,821.38)

$  (11,917.74)

1,478

1,478

1,471

1,471

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income / (Loss)

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

Net income / (loss)

other comprehensive income / (loss) (actuarial gain / (loss))

Comprehensive income / (loss)

2017

2016

2015

$ 

$ 

3,819

$  (149,014)

$ 

(17,531)

26

(25)

73

3,845

$  (149,039)

$ 

(17,458)

the accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
118 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars – except for share and per share data)

Common Stock Preferred Stock

# of  
Shares

Par
Value

# of 
Shares

Par
Value

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Other
Comprehensive 
Income / 
(Loss)

Other
Comprehensive
Income / (Loss)

Total

- $ 

- $ 372,928 $ 

(68) $ (116,417) $  256,443

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

928

-

-

-

-

73

-

(17,531)

(17,531)

-

-

(739)

928

73

(739)

- $ 

- $ 373,856 $ 

5 $ (134,687) $ 239,174

(149,014)

(149,014)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,119

-

-

-

-

(25)

-

-

-

(374)

Balance, December 31, 2014

1,509 $ 

-

10

-

-

 - net loss

 - issuance of 
restricted stock and 
compensation cost on 
restricted stock (note 8)

- actuarial gain

- Dividends declared 
and paid (at $123.48, 
$123.48, $123.48 and 
$123.48 per share) 
(note 10)

Balance, December 31, 2015

1,519 $ 

-

14

-

-

 - net loss

 - issuance of 
restricted stock and 
compensation cost on 
restricted stock (note 8)

 - actuarial loss

- Dividends declared 
and paid (at $123.48, 
$123.48, $0.00 and 
$0.00 per share) (note 
10)

Balance, December 31, 2016

1,533 $ 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- net income

- issuance of series B 
preferred stock, net of 
expenses

- Conversion of series 
B preferred stock to 
common stock (note 8)

- issuance of series C 
preferred stock (note 4)

- Compensation cost 
on restricted stock 
(note 8)

 - actuarial gain

-

-

-

32,500

4,049,733

40 (32,211)

-

-

-

-

-

100

-

-

- $ 

- $ 374,975 $ 

(20) $ (284,075)

-

31,989

(40)

3,000

1,058

-

-

-

-

-

26

3,819

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Balance, December 31, 2017 4,051,266 $  40

389 $ 

410,982

6 $ (280,256) $ 130,772

 the accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-7

1,119

(25)

(374)

90,880

3,819

31,989

-

3,000

1,058

26

 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 119  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

Cash Flows provided by/ (used in) Operating Activities: 

net income/ (loss)

$ 

3,819

$  (149,014)

$ 

(17,531)

2017

2016

2015

adjustments to reconcile net income /(loss) to net cash 
provided by /(used in) operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization of deferred charges (note 5)

amortization of deferred financing costs (note 9)

amortization of discount premium (notes 4 and 6)

amortization of deferred revenue

amortization of prepaid charter revenue

impairment losses (note 5)

(Gain) / loss on vessels’ sale (note 5)

Compensation cost on restricted stock awards (note 8)

Gain from bank debt write off (note 6)

actuarial gain / (loss)

 (increase) / Decrease in:

accounts receivable, trade

inventories

prepaid expenses and other assets

 increase / (Decrease) in:

accounts payable, trade and other

Due to related parties

accrued liabilities

Deferred revenue

other liabilities

Drydock costs

8,147

322

6,010

-

-

8,363

(945)

1,171

(42,185)

26

43

914

639

175

(40)

995

331

36

(474)

12,740

427

-

-

3,798

118,861

2,899

1,119

-

(25)

282

1,123

(1,617)

(1,236)

-

(291)

(539)

50

(540)

13,140

268

-

(50)

8,566

6,607

8,300

928

-

73

(62)

(1,397)

(487)

900

604

289

206

(48)

(2,861)

 Net Cash provided by /(used in) Operating Activities 

$ 

(12,653)

$ 

(11,963)

$ 

17,445

 Cash Flows provided by / (used in) Investing Activities:

Vessel acquisitions and other vessel costs

proceeds from sale of vessels, net of expenses (note 5)

acquisition of time charter

property and equipment additions

insurance settlements

-

5,895

-

(15)

785

(194)

10,618

-

(29)

179

(113,020)

7,045

(6,000)

(39)

263

 Net Cash provided by / (used in) Investing Activities 

$ 

6,665

$ 

10,574

$  (111,751)

 Cash Flows provided by / (used in) Financing Activities:

proceeds from a related party loan (note 4)

proceeds from an unrelated party loan (note 6)

40,000

35,000

-

-

repayments of debt (note 6)

(111,500)

(19,159)

issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs (note 8)

payments of financing costs

Cash dividends (note 10)

Changes in restricted cash (note 6)

31,989

(373)

-

9,000

-

(150)

(374)

-

-

148,000

(103,263)

-

(3,177)

(739)

870

F-8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
120 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 Net Cash provided by / (used in) Financing Activities 

 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 

 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

related party loan reduction in exchange for preferred shares 
(notes 4 and 8)

  Interest payments, net of amounts capitalized

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2017

4,116

(1,872)

8,316

6,444

3,000

7,724

2016

(19,683)

(21,072)

29,388

8,316

-

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

2015

41,691

(52,615)

82,003

29,388

-

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

6,626

5,571

the accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-9

 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 121  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

1. General Information

The  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  Diana 
Containerships Inc. (“DCI”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). Diana 
Containerships Inc. was incorporated on January 7, 2010 under the laws of the Republic of 
Marshall Islands for the purpose of engaging in any lawful act or activity under the Marshall Islands 
Business Corporations Act.

During 2017 and 2016, the Company effected a number reverse stock splits on its issued 
and outstanding common stock (Note 8). All share and per share amounts disclosed in the 
accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements  give  effect  to  these  reverse  stock  splits 
retroactively and thus affect all periods presented.

The Company is engaged in the seaborne transportation industry through the ownership 
of containerships and operates its fleet through Unitized Ocean Transport Limited, a wholly-
owned subsidiary, while Wilhelmsen Ship Management LTD, an unaffiliated third party, provides 
management services to the laid-up vessels of the Company’s fleet, for a fixed monthly fee for 
each vessel. The fees payable to Wilhelmsen Ship Management LTD, amounted to $697, $604 
and $0 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in Vessel operating expenses in 
the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

 As at December 31, 2017, the Company was the sole owner of all outstanding shares of the 

following subsidiaries:

a/a Company

Place of
Incorporation

Vessel

Flag

TEU

Date 
built

Date 
acquired

Date
sold

Vessel Owning Subsidiaries - Panamax Vessels

1

likiep shipping Company inc. 
(note 13)

2 orangina inc. (note 13)

3

rongerik shipping Company 
inc.

4 Dud shipping Company inc.

5

Mago shipping Company inc. 
(note 13)

Marshall  
islands

Marshall  
islands

Marshall  
islands

Marshall  
islands

Marshall  
islands

sagitta

Centaurus

Domingo

pamina

new 
Jersey

Marshall 
islands

Marshall 
islands

Marshall 
islands

Marshall 
islands

Marshall 
islands

 3,426

Jun-10

Jun-10

 3,426

Jul-10

Jul-10

 3,739 Mar-01

Feb-12

 5,042 May-05 nov-14

 4,923

nov-06

apr-15

Vessel Owning Subsidiaries - Post-Panamax Vessels

6

eluk shipping Company inc.

7 oruk shipping Company inc.

8

Delap shipping Company inc. 
(notes 5 and 13)

Marshall 
islands

Marshall  
islands

Marshall  
islands

puelo

pucon

March

Marshall 
islands

Marshall 
islands

Marshall 
islands

 6,541

nov-06

aug-13

 6,541

aug-06

sep-13

 5,576 May-04

sep-14

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

F-10

122 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

a/a Company

Place of
Incorporation

Vessel

Flag

TEU

Date 
built

Date 
acquired

Date
sold

9

Jabor shipping Company inc. 
(notes 5 and 13)

10 Meck shipping Company inc.

11

langor shipping Company 
inc.

Marshall  
islands

Marshall  
islands

Marshall  
islands

Great

rotterdam

hamburg

Marshall 
islands

Marshall 
islands

Marshall 
islands

 5,576

apr-04

oct-14

 6,494

Jul-08

sep-15

 6,494 Mar-09

nov-15

-

-

-

Vessel Owning Subsidiaries  - Sold Vessels

12

13

Kapa shipping Company inc.  
(note 5)

utirik shipping Company inc. 
(note 5)

Marshall  
islands

Marshall  
islands

angeles

Doukato

Marshall 
islands

Marshall 
islands

 4,923

Dec-06

apr-15 nov-16

 3,739

Feb-02

Feb-12 Jun-17

14

unitized ocean transport 
limited

15 Container Carriers (usa) llC

Other Subsidiaries

Marshall  
islands

Delaware - 
usa

Management 
company

Company’s us 
representative

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Until July 2017 and November 2017, the Company was also the sole owner of all outstanding 
shares of Nauru Shipping Company Inc., owner of the vessel “Hanjin Malta”, and of Lemongina 
Inc., owner of the vessel “Garnet”, respectively. Following the disposal of the vessels in 2015 and 
2016, both ship-owning companies were dissolved in 2017 and accordingly, they are no longer 
consolidated in the financial statements of the Company.

Unitized Ocean Transport Limited (the “Manager” or “UOT”), was established for the 
purpose of providing the Company and its vessels with management and administrative services, 
effective March 1, 2013. The fees payable to UOT pursuant to the respective management and 
administrative agreements are eliminated in consolidation as intercompany transactions.

Container Carriers (USA) LLC (“Container Carriers”), was established in July 2014 in the 
State of Delaware, USA, to act as the Company’s authorized representative in the United States.

During 2017, 2016 and 2015, charterers that accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s 

hire revenues were as follows:

Charterer

a

B

C

D

e

F

G

F-11

2017

- 

18 % 

- 

- 

- 

24 %

35 % 

2016

34 %

- 

22 %

- 

-

- 

11 %

2015

25 %

24 %

11 %

10 %

13 %

 -

 - 

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 123  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

2. Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting 
Pronouncements

(a)  Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements 
have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and 
include the accounts of Diana Containerships Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries referred to 
in Note 1 above. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated 
upon consolidation. Under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810 “Consolidation”, the 
Company consolidates entities in which it has a controlling financial interest, by first considering if 
an entity meets the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which the Company is deemed 
to be the primary beneficiary under the VIE model, or if the Company controls an entity through 
a majority of voting interest based on the voting interest model. The Company evaluates financial 
instruments, service contracts, and other arrangements to determine if any variable interests 
relating to an entity exist. The Company’s evaluation did not result in an identification of variable 
interest entities as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(b) Use of Estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity 
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent 
assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts 
of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those 
estimates.

(c) Other Comprehensive Income / (loss): The Company follows the provisions of Accounting 
Standard Codification (ASC) 220, “Comprehensive Income”, which requires separate presentation 
of certain transactions, which are recorded directly as components of stockholders’ equity. The 
Company presents Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) in a separate statement according to 
ASU 2011-05.

(d) Foreign Currency Translation: The functional currency of the Company is the U.S. Dollar 
because the Company operates its vessels in international shipping markets, and therefore, 
primarily transacts business in U.S. Dollars. The Company’s accounting records are maintained in 
U.S. Dollars. Transactions involving other currencies during the years presented are converted into 
U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet 
dates, monetary assets and liabilities which are denominated in other currencies are translated into 
U.S. Dollars at the period-end exchange rates. Resulting gains or losses are reflected separately 
in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

(e) Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers highly liquid investments such as 
time deposits, certificates of deposit and their equivalents with an original maturity of three months 
or less to be cash equivalents.

(f) Restricted Cash: Restricted cash, when applicable, includes minimum cash deposits 

required to be maintained under the Company›s borrowing arrangements.

(g) Accounts Receivable, Trade: The account includes receivables from charterers for hire, 

F-12

124 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

freight, demurrage billings and for any deducted bunkers costs relating to the next period. At each 
balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for purposes of 
determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. No provision for doubtful accounts 
has been made as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(h) Inventories: Inventories consist of lubricants and victualling which are stated at the lower 
of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first in, first out method. Net realizable 
value is defined as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably 
predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Inventories may also consist of 
bunkers when the vessel operates under freight charter or when on the balance sheet date a 
vessel has been redelivered by her previous charterers and has not yet been delivered to new 
charterers, or remains idle. Bunkers are also stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and 
cost is determined by the first in, first out method.

(i) Prepaid/Deferred Charter Revenue: The Company records identified assets or liabilities 
associated with the acquisition of a vessel at their relative fair value, determined by reference to 
market data. The Company values any asset or liability arising from the market value of the time 
charters assumed when a vessel is acquired. The amount to be recorded as an asset or liability 
at the date of vessel delivery is based on the difference between the current fair market value of 
the charter and the net present value of future contractual cash flows. In determining the relative 
fair value, when the present value of the contractual cash flows of the time charter assumed is 
different than its current fair value, the difference, capped to the excess between the acquisition 
cost and the vessel’s fair value on a charter free basis, is recorded as prepaid charter revenue 
or as deferred revenue, respectively. Such assets and liabilities, respectively, are amortized as a 
reduction of, or an increase in, revenue over the period of the time charter assumed.

(j) Vessel Cost: Vessels are stated at cost which consists of the contract price and costs 
incurred upon acquisition or delivery of a vessel from a shipyard. Subsequent expenditures for 
conversions and major improvements are also capitalized when they appreciably extend the life, 
increase the earnings capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels; otherwise these 
amounts are charged to expense as incurred.

(k) Vessel Depreciation: The Company depreciates containership vessels on a straight-
line basis over their estimated useful lives, after considering the estimated salvage value. Each 
vessel’s salvage value is the product of her light-weight tonnage and estimated scrap rate, which 
is estimated at $0.35 per light-weight ton for all vessels in the fleet. Management estimates 
the useful life of the Company’s vessels to be 30 years from the date of initial delivery from the 
shipyard. Second-hand vessels are depreciated from the date of their acquisition through their 
remaining estimated useful life. When regulations place limitations on the ability of a vessel to trade 
on a worldwide basis, the vessel’s useful life is adjusted at the date such regulations are adopted.

(l) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: The Company follows ASC 360-10-40 “Impairment 
or  Disposal  of  Long-Lived  Assets”,  which  addresses  financial  accounting  and  reporting  for 
the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. The Company reviews vessels for impairment 
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a vessel 
may not be recoverable. When the estimate of future undiscounted net operating cash flows, 

F-13

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 125  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of the vessel over her remaining 
useful life and her eventual disposition is less than her carrying amount, the Company evaluates 
the vessel for impairment loss. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value 
of the vessel. The fair value of the vessel is determined based on management estimates and 
assumptions and by making use of available market data and third party valuations. The Company 
evaluates the carrying amounts and periods over which vessels are depreciated to determine if 
events have occurred which would require modification to their carrying values or useful lives. 
In evaluating useful lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, management reviews certain 
indicators of potential impairment, such as undiscounted projected operating cash flows, vessel 
sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions. The current conditions in 
the containerships market with decreased charter rates and decreased vessel market values 
are conditions that the Company considers indicators of a potential impairment. In developing 
estimates of future undiscounted cash flows, the Company makes assumptions and estimates 
about the vessels’ future performance, with the significant assumptions being related to charter 
rates, fleet utilization, vessels’ operating expenses, vessels’ residual value, and the estimated 
remaining  useful  life  of  each  vessel.  The  assumptions  used  to  develop  estimates  of  future 
undiscounted cash flows are based on historical trends as well as future expectations. The 
Company also takes into account factors such as the vessels’ age and employment prospects 
under the then current market conditions, and determines the future undiscounted cash flows 
considering its various alternatives, including sale possibilities existing for each vessel as of the 
testing dates.

The Company determines undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for each vessel 
and compares it to the vessel’s carrying value. The projected net operating cash flows are 
determined by considering the historical and estimated vessels’ performance and utilization, the 
charter revenues from existing time charters for the fixed fleet days and an estimated daily time 
charter equivalent for the unfixed days (based, to the extent applicable, on the most recent 10 year 
average historical 6-12 months’ time charter rates available for each type of vessel, considering 
also current market rates) over the remaining estimated life of each vessel, net of commissions, 
expected outflows for scheduled vessels’ maintenance and vessel operating expenses assuming 
an average annual inflation rate of 3.5%.  Effective fleet utilization is assumed to 98% in the 
Company’s exercise, if vessel not laid-up, taking into account the period(s) each vessel is expected 
to undergo her scheduled maintenance (dry docking and special surveys), as well as an estimate 
of 1% off hire days each year, assumptions in line with the Company’s historical performance. The 
review of the vessel’s carrying amounts in connection with the estimated recoverable amounts for 
2017, 2016 and 2015 indicated impairment charges for certain of the Company’s vessels, which 
are separately reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations (Note 5).

(m) Assets held for sale: It is the Company’s policy to dispose of vessels and other fixed 
assets when suitable opportunities occur and not necessarily keep them until the end of their 
useful life. The Company classifies assets or assets in disposal groups as being held for sale in 
accordance with ASC 360-10-45-9 “Long-Lived Assets Classified as Held for Sale”, when the 
following criteria are met: (i) management possessing the necessary authority has committed to 
a plan to sell the asset (disposal group); (ii)  the asset (disposal group) is immediately available 
for sale on an “as is” basis; (iii) an active program to find the buyer and other actions required to 
execute the plan to sell the asset (disposal group) have been initiated; (iv) the sale of the asset 

F-14

126 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

(disposal group) is probable, and transfer of the asset (disposal group) is expected to qualify 
for recognition as a completed sale within one year; and (v) the asset (disposal group) is being 
actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value and 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. In case a long-lived asset is to be disposed of other than 
by sale (for example, by abandonment, in an exchange measured based on the recorded amount 
of the nonmonetary asset relinquished, or in a distribution to owners in a spinoff) the Company 
continues to classify it as held and used until its disposal date. Long-lived assets or disposal 
groups classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value 
less cost to sell. These assets are not depreciated once they meet the criteria to be held for sale. 
The review of the related criteria for the year ended December 31, 2017 resulted in held for sale 
classification for certain of the Company’s vessels (Notes 5 and 13).

(n) Accounting for Revenues and Expenses: Revenues are generated from time charter 
agreements. Time charter agreements with the same charterer are accounted for as separate 
agreements according to the terms and conditions of each agreement. Time-charter revenues 
are recorded over the term of the charter as service is provided. Revenues from time charter 
agreements providing for varying annual rates over their term are accounted for on a straight line 
basis. Deferred revenue, if any, includes cash received prior to the balance sheet date for which 
all criteria for recognition as revenue would not be met, including any deferred revenue resulting 
from charter agreements providing for varying annual rates, which are accounted for on a straight 
line basis.

Voyage expenses, primarily consisting of port, canal and bunker expenses that are unique 
to a particular charter, are paid for by the charterer under time charter arrangements, except for 
commissions, which are paid for by the Company. All voyage and vessel operating expenses 
are expensed as incurred, except for commissions. Commissions are deferred over the related 
charter period to the extent revenue has been deferred since commissions are due as revenues 
are earned.

(o) Earnings / (Loss) per Common Share: Basic earnings / (loss) per common share are 
computed by dividing net income / (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted 
average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings / (loss) per 
common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to 
issue common stock were exercised.

(p)  Segmental  Reporting:  The  Company  has  determined  that  it  operates  under  one 
reportable segment, relating to its operations of the container vessels. The Company reports 
financial information and evaluates the operations of the segment by charter revenues and not 
by the length of ship employment for its customers, i.e. spot or time charters. The Company 
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 charters, management cannot 
and does not identify expenses, profitability or other financial information for these charters. As a 
result, management, including the chief operating decision maker, reviews operating results solely 
by revenue per day and operating results of the fleet. Furthermore, when the Company charters 
a vessel to a charterer, the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide and, as a result, the 

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ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 127  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

disclosure of geographic information is impracticable.

(q)  Accounting  for  Dry-Docking  Costs:  The  Company  follows  the  deferral  method  of 
accounting for dry-docking costs whereby actual costs incurred are deferred and amortized on 
a straight-line basis over the period through the date the next dry-docking will be scheduled to 
become due. Unamortized dry-docking costs of vessels that are sold are written off and included 
in the calculation of the resulting gain or loss in the year of the vessel’s sale. The unamortized 
dry-docking cost is reflected in Deferred Charges, net, in the accompanying consolidated balance 
sheets. Amortization of dry-docking costs, for 2017, 2016 and 2015 amounted to $744, $657 
and $385, respectively, and is reflected in Depreciation and amortization of deferred charges, in 
the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

(r) Financing Costs and Liabilities: Fees paid to lenders for obtaining new loans or refinancing 
existing ones are deferred and recorded as a contra to debt, in accordance with ASU 2015-13: 
Interest-Imputation of Interest. Other fees paid for obtaining loan facilities not used at the balance 
sheet date are capitalized as deferred financing costs.  Fees are amortized to interest and finance 
costs over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method and, for the fees relating to 
loan facilities not used at the balance sheet date, according to the loan availability terms. Discount 
premiums (Notes 4 and 6) are accounted for similar to other financing fees. Unamortized fees 
relating to loans repaid or refinanced as debt extinguishment are expensed as interest and finance 
costs in the period the repayment or extinguishment is made. Loan commitment fees are charged 
to expense in the period incurred. A loan liability is derecognised when the Company pays the 
creditor and is relieved of its obligation for the liability. The difference between the settlement price 
and the net carrying amount of the debt being extinguished (which includes any deferred debt 
issuance costs) is recognized as a gain or loss in the statement of operations.

(s) Repairs and Maintenance: All repair and maintenance expenses including underwater 
inspection expenses are expensed in the period incurred. Such costs are included in vessel 
operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

(t) Share Based Payment: The Company issues restricted share awards which are measured 
at their grant date fair value and are not subsequently re-measured.  That cost is recognized under 
the straight-line method over the period during which an employee is required to provide service 
in exchange for the award—the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). When the 
service inception date precedes the grant date, the Company accrues the compensation cost 
for periods before the grant date based on the fair value of the award at the reporting date. In 
the period in which the grant date occurs, cumulative compensation cost is adjusted to reflect 
the cumulative effect of measuring compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date.  
Forfeitures of awards are accounted for when and if they occur. If an equity award is modified 
after the grant date, incremental compensation cost will be recognized in an amount equal to the 
excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately 
before the modification.

(u) Fair Value Measurements: The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820 “Fair Value 
Measurements and Disclosures”, which defines fair value and provides guidance for using fair 
value to measure assets and liabilities. The guidance creates a fair value hierarchy of measurement 

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128 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

and describes fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a 
liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting 
entity transacts. In accordance with the requirements of accounting guidance relating to Fair Value 
Measurements, the Company classifies and discloses its assets and liabilities carried at the fair 
value in one of the following categories:

  Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

  Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by 

market data;

  Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

(v)  Concentration  of  Credit  Risk:  Financial  instruments,  which  potentially  subject  the 
Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and trade accounts 
receivable. The Company places its temporary cash investments, consisting mostly of deposits, 
with  various  qualified  financial  institutions  and  performs  periodic  evaluations  of  the  relative 
credit standing of those financial institutions that are considered in the Company’s investment 
strategy. The Company limits its credit risk with accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit 
evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral for its 
accounts receivable and does not have any agreements to mitigate credit risk.

(w)  Going  Concern:  The  Company’s  policy  is  in  accordance  with  ASU  No.  2014-15, 
“Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern”, issued in August 2014 by the FASB. ASU 
2014-15 provides U.S. GAAP guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether 
there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and on related 
required footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management is required to evaluate 
whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company’s ability to 
continue as a going concern within one year from the date the financial statements are issued 
(Note 3).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

(a) In May 2014, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue 
from  Contracts  with  Customers”,  clarifying  the  method  used  to  determine  the  timing  and 
requirements for revenue recognition on the statements of income. Under the new standard, an 
entity must identify the performance obligations in a contract, the transaction price and allocate 
the price to specific performance obligations to recognize the revenue when the obligation is 
completed. The amendments in this update also require disclosure of sufficient information to 
allow users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flow 
arising from contracts. In August 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts 
with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date,” which deferred the effective date 
of ASU 2014-09 for all entities by one year. The standard will be effective for public entities for 
annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein.  In 
May and April 2016, the FASB issued two Updates with respect to Topic 606: ASU 2016-10, 
“Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and 

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ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 129  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

Licensing” and ASU 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-
Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients.” The Company has evaluated the impact of 
the standard after reviewing historical contracts and has determined that all of the Company’s 
agreements are considered leases. Certain non-lease components which are required to be 
assessed according to this standard, may only affect presentation and disclosures and not the 
way revenue is recognized.

(b) In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842), which requires 
lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet. This is expected to increase both reported 
assets and liabilities. The new lease standard does not substantially change lessor accounting. 
For public companies, the standard will be effective for the first interim reporting period within 
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, although early adoption is permitted. Lessees 
and lessors will be required to apply the new standard at the beginning of the earliest period 
presented in the financial statements in which they first apply the new guidance, using a modified 
retrospective transition method. The requirements of this standard include a significant increase 
in required disclosures. The Company is analyzing the impact of the adoption of this guidance 
on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, including assessing changes that might be 
necessary to information technology systems, processes and internal controls to capture new 
data and address changes in financial reporting.

(c) In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13– Financial Instruments – Credit Losses 
(Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 amends 
guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for 
sale debt securities. For public entities, the amendments of this Update are effective for fiscal 
years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. 
Early application is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of the 
amendment of this Update on the Company’s consolidated financial position and performance.

(d) In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15- Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 
230) – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments which addresses the following 
eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice: 
Debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments 
or  other  debt  instruments  with  coupon  interest  rates  that  are  insignificant  in  relation  to  the 
effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business 
combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement 
of corporate-owned life insurance policies (COLIs) (including bank-owned life insurance policies 
(BOLIs)); distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization 
transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. 
ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim 
periods within that reporting period, however early adoption is permitted. The Company will 
adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2018 and preliminarily expects that the adoption of the 
new standard will have no material impact on its consolidated financial statements and notes 
disclosures.

(e) In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18—Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 
230) - Restricted Cash which addresses the requirement that a statement of cash flows explain the 

F-18

130 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described 
as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as 
restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents 
when  reconciling  the  beginning-of-period  and  end-of-period  total  amounts  shown  on  the 
statement of cash flows. The amendments in this Update apply to all entities that have restricted 
cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows under 
Topic 230. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 including 
interim periods within that reporting period, however early adoption is permitted. The Company 
will adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2018 and preliminarily expects that the adoption of 
the new standard will have no material impact on its consolidated financial statements and notes 
disclosures.

(f) In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation — Stock Compensation 
(Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”), which clarifies and reduces 
both (1) diversity in practice and (2) cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, 
Compensation—Stock Compensation, to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based 
payment award. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within 
those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, however early adoption is permitted. 
The Company does not expect that the adoption of ASU 2017-09 will have a material effect in the 
Company’s financial statements.

(g)  In  July  2017,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  No.  2017-11,  Earnings  Per  Share  (Topic  260), 
Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): I. 
Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features; II. Replacement of 
the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic 
Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Non-controlling Interests with a Scope Exception, 
(ASU 2017-11). Part I of this update addresses the complexity of accounting for certain financial 
instruments with down round features. Down round features are features of certain equity-linked 
instruments (or embedded features) that result in the strike price being reduced on the basis of 
the pricing of future equity offerings. Current accounting guidance creates cost and complexity for 
entities that issue financial instruments (such as warrants and convertible instruments) with down 
round features that require fair value measurement of the entire instrument or conversion option. 
Part II of this update addresses the difficulty of navigating Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities 
from Equity, because of the existence of extensive pending content in the FASB Accounting 
Standards Codification. This pending content is the result of the indefinite deferral of accounting 
requirements about mandatorily redeemable financial instruments of certain nonpublic entities and 
certain mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests. The amendments in Part II of this update 
do not have an accounting effect. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within 
those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently assessing the impact 
that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and 
related disclosures.

3. Going Concern

As of December 31, 2016, and thereafter, due to the significant decline in the market value 
of its vessels, following the prolonged weak charter market conditions, the Company was not 

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ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 131  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

in compliance with certain financial covenants, as well as with the minimum required security 
cover (“hull cover ratio”) under its then existing loan agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland 
plc (or “RBS”). Due to these technical breaches of the covenants as of December 31, 2016, the 
Company had classified the long-term portion of its bank debt in current liabilities (Note 6), thus 
resulting in a reported working capital deficit of $106,988. Given the prolonged market downturn 
in the containerships segment and the continued depressed outlook on charter rates and vessels’ 
market values, the Company had estimated that cash on hand and cash provided by operating 
activities could be insufficient to cover its liquidity needs that would become due within one year 
after the date that the financial statements were issued. The above conditions raised substantial 
doubts about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

On March 22, 2017, the Company announced an up to $150,000 securities offering through 
the sale of 3,000 newly-designated Series B-1 convertible preferred shares, preferred warrants 
to purchase 6,500 Series B-1 convertible preferred shares and preferred warrants to purchase 
140,500  newly-designated  Series  B-2  convertible  preferred  shares.  In  2017,  the  Company 
received $32,500 of gross proceeds from the sale of preferred shares and exercise of preferred 
warrants.  Furthermore, on June 30, 2017, the Company repaid to RBS an amount of $85,000 
as full and final settlement of its loan obligation and the loan agreement was terminated (Note 
6). The repayment of the loan was partially funded with $10,000 from the Company’s own cash, 
with $40,000 from a refinance of the Company’s existing loan with Diana Shipping Inc. (or “DSI”) 
(Note 4) and with $35,000 from a new loan agreement with Addiewell LTD (or “Addiewell”), an 
unrelated party (Note 6).

The loans with Addiewell and DSI mature on December 31, 2018, and are classified as current 
in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Consequently, the Company reported at 
December 31, 2017 a working capital deficit of $73,215. Based on the current performance of the 
containerships market and the available cash on hand, the Company expects that cash on hand 
and cash from operating activities will not be sufficient to cover its liquidity needs that become due 
within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The above conditions raise 
substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Since December 31, 2017, the Company further received $7,500 of gross proceeds from 
the sale of preferred shares and exercise of preferred warrants (Note 13) and 110,000 warrants 
remain currently outstanding. In addition, in October 2017, the Company, through its subsidiaries, 
contracted to sell the vessels “March” and “Great” for a gross purchase price of $11,000 for each 
vessel (Notes 5 and 13), with expected delivery to the new owners by the end of March 2018. 
The two vessels have been classified as held for sale in the accompanying consolidated balance 
sheets. Furthermore, in February 2018, the Company, through one of its subsidiaries, contracted 
to sell the vessel “New Jersey” to an unrelated party for demolition, which was delivered to the 
new owners on March 12, 2018 and the Company received the sale price of $9,379, net of 
commissions to the buyers. The proceeds were used by the Company to partially repay the 
existing indebtedness (Note 13). Finally, in February 2018, the Company, through its subsidiaries, 
also contracted to sell the vessels “Sagitta” and “Centaurus” to unrelated parties for a gross sale 
price of $12,300 for each vessel, with expected delivery to the new owners by the end of April 
2018 (Note 13).The Company is also exploring several alternatives aiming to manage its working 
capital requirements, including potential sales of additional vessels, seeking for more favorable 

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132 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

chartering opportunities or a combination thereof.

Management believes that the Company’s plans to manage its working capital requirements 
will be successful, and as a result the consolidated financial statements have been prepared 
assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. Accordingly, they do not include 
any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts, the 
amounts and classification of liabilities, or any other adjustments that might result in the event the 
Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

4. Transactions with Related Parties

(a) Altair Travel Agency S.A (“Altair”): The Company uses the services of an affiliated travel 
agent, Altair, which is controlled by the Company’s CEO and Chairman of the Board. Travel 
expenses for 2017, 2016, and 2015, were $672, $864 and $1,120 respectively, and are included 
in Operating expenses, in General and administrative expenses and in Gain / (Loss) on vessel’s 
sale in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. As at December 31, 2017 and 
2016, an amount of $21 and $3, respectively, was payable to Altair and is included in Due to 
related parties, current in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

(b)  Steamship  Shipbroking  Enterprises  Inc.  (“Steamship  Shipbroking”):  Steamship 
Shipbroking (formerly “Diana Enterprises Inc.”), a company controlled by the Company’s CEO 
and Chairman of the Board, provides brokerage services to DCI, pursuant to a Brokerage Services 
Agreement for a fixed fee.  For 2017, 2016 and 2015, total brokerage fees and bonuses to 
Steamship Shipbroking amounted to $2,100, $2,005 and $1,451 respectively, and are included in 
General and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. 
As  at  December  31,  2017  and  2016  there  was  no  amount  due  from  or  due  to  Steamship 
Shipbroking, and an amount of $420 and $140, respectively, has been accrued for in connection 
with bonuses approved to Steamship Shipbroking (Note 13) and is included in Accrued liabilities 
in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

(c)  Diana  Shipping  Inc.  (“DSI”):  The  amounts  of  related  party  loans  shown  in  the 

accompanying consolidated balance  sheets are analyzed as follows:

2017

Current

Non-
current

2016

Current

Non-
current

Diana shipping inc - term loan

$  82,617 $  82,617 $ 

- $  45,417 $ 

- $  45,417

plus other fees payable to the lenders

less unamortized deferred financing costs

related party financing, net of unamortized 
deferred financing costs

2,292

(77)

2,292

(77)

-

-

200

-

-

-

200

-

$  84,832 $  84,832 $ 

- $  45,617 $ 

- $  45,617

On May 20, 2013, the Company, through its subsidiary Eluk Shipping Company Inc., entered 
into an unsecured loan agreement of up to $50,000 with Diana Shipping Inc., to be used to fund 
vessel acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. The loan was guaranteed by the Company 
and, until the amendments discussed below, it bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 

F-21

 
ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 133  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

5.0% per annum and a fee of 1.25% per annum (“back-end fee”) on any amounts repaid upon 
any repayment or voluntary prepayment dates. In August 2013, the full amount was drawn down 
under the loan agreement which was repayable on August 20, 2017.

On September 9, 2015, and in relation with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (“RBS”) refinance 
discussed in Note 6, the loan agreement with DSI was amended. The maturity of the loan 
agreement was extended until March 15, 2022, provided for annual repayments of $5,000, plus 
a balloon instalment at the final maturity date, and bore interest at LIBOR plus margin of 3.0% per 
annum. The Company also agreed to pay at the date of the amendment the accumulated back-
end fee, amounting to $1,302, and that no additional back-end fee would be charged thereafter. 
Furthermore, the Company agreed to pay at the final maturity date a flat fee of $200. Furthermore, 
on September 12, 2016 and in relation with the RBS amended loan agreement discussed in Note 
6, the loan agreement with DSI was amended again. The loan was undertaken by Kapa Shipping 
Company Inc. and its repayment was immediately suspended and would not recommence until 
the later of: (i) September 15, 2018 and (ii) until the deferred tranche of the RBS supplemental 
agreement was fully repaid on June 15, 2021 or prepaid. Finally, the margin was revised to 3.35% 
per annum until December 31, 2018, thereafter reverting to 3.0% per annum until maturity.

On May 30, 2017, the Company issued 100 shares of its newly-designated Series C Preferred 
Stock, par value $0.01 per share, to DSI, in exchange for a reduction of $3,000 in the principal 
amount of the Company’s outstanding loan, thus leaving an outstanding principal balance of 
$42,417 (Note 8).

On June 30, 2017, the Company refinanced its then existing unsecured loan facility with DSI. 
The principal amount of the new secured loan is $82,617 and includes the $42,417 outstanding 
principal balance as of June 30, 2017, increased by the flat fee of $200 which was payable at 
maturity, and an additional $40,000, which was drawn to partially repay the Company’s existing 
loan with RBS (Note 6). The new DSI loan matures on December 31, 2018, however the lenders 
have the option to request for full repayment after twelve months from the initial drawing. The loan 
also provides for an additional $5,000 interest-bearing “discount premium”, which is payable at 
maturity, but will be permanently waived and cancelled, in case the lenders exercise their option 
for full repayment within twelve months from drawing, subject to the terms of the intercreditor 
agreement with Addiewell Ltd (Note 6). The discount premium is recognized in Interest and 
Finance costs throughout the life of the loan and in Related party financing, net of unamortized 
deferred financing costs. Moreover, the specific loan is subordinated to the Addiewell loan (Note 
6), is secured by second priority mortgages over all the Company’s containerships, bears interest 
at the rate of 6% per annum for the first twelve months scaled to 9% per annum for the next 
three months and further scaled to 12% per annum for the remaining three months until maturity, 
includes financial and other covenants which stipulate the repayment with proceeds from the 
sale of assets of the Company, proceeds from the issuance of new equity and proceeds from the 
exercise of existing warrants to purchase the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Shares 
(Note 8) and prohibits the payment of dividends.

The weighted average interest rate of the DSI loan during 2017 and 2016 was 5.42% and 
3.58%, respectively. For 2017, 2016 and 2015, total interest expense and other fees incurred 
under the loan agreements with DSI amounted to $5,948, $1,692 and $2,745, respectively, and is 

F-22

134 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

included in Interest and finance costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. 
As at December 31, 2016, the flat fee of $200 is included in Related party financing, non-current, 
in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Accrued interest as of December 31, 2017 and 
2016 amounted to $44 and $102, respectively, and is included in Due to related parties, current 
in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

5. Vessels and Vessels held for sale

Vessels’ disposals

In May 2017, the Company, through Utirik Shipping Company Inc., entered into a memorandum 
of agreement to sell the vessel “Doukato” to an unrelated party, for a sale price of $6,027, net 
of commissions. In March 2016, the Company, through Nauru Shipping Company Inc., sold 
the vessel “Hanjin Malta”, to an unrelated party for demolition, for a sale price of $4,842, net 
of commissions. Later in November of the same year, the Company, through Kapa Shipping 
Company Inc., sold the vessel “Angeles” to an unrelated party for demolition, for a sale price of 
$6,448, net of commissions. The aggregate gain from the sale of vessels, including direct to sale 
expenses, in 2017 amounted to $945, while the aggregate loss from the sale of vessels, including 
direct to sale expenses, in 2016 and 2015, amounted to $2,899 and $8,300, respectively, and are 
separately reflected in (Gain) / Loss on vessels’ sale in the accompanying consolidated statements 
of operations.

Vessels held for sale

In October 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to sell up to seven of its vessels to 
an unrelated party. Since the sale of the vessels was subject to the purchaser obtaining certain 
minimum financing, under various amendments to the initial agreement, the transaction concluded 
that only two of the Company’s vessels would be sold, the “March” and the “Great”, for a gross 
purchase price of $11,000 for each vessel. The deliveries of the vessels to the new owners are 
expected to take place by the end of March 2018 (Note 13).  The Company intends to use the net 
proceeds from the sales to repay indebtedness under its existing credit agreements. As a result 
of this transaction, both vessels were classified on December 31, 2017 in current assets as held 
for sale, according to the provisions of ASC 360, as all criteria required for this classification were 
met. No impairment charge was recognized for the specific two vessels in the accompanying 
consolidated statement of operations, since their carrying amount as at the balance sheet date 
was lower than their fair value, less cost to sell.

Vessels’ Impairment

In 2017, 2016 and 2015 the Company, after taking into account factors such as the vessels’ 
age and employment prospects under the then current market conditions, determined the future 
undiscounted cash flows for each of its vessels, considering its various alternatives, including sale 
possibilities. This assessment concluded that the carrying value of two vessels in 2017, seven 
vessels in 2016, and one vessel in 2015 was not recoverable and accordingly, the Company 
has recognized an aggregate impairment loss of $8,363, $118,861, and $6,607, respectively, 
which is separately reflected in the accompanying statements of operations. The fair value of 

F-23

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 135  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

the vessels was determined through Level 2 inputs of the fair value hierarchy as determined by 
management, making also use of available market data for the market value of vessels with similar 
characteristics. The vessels were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as a result of 
the management’s impairment test exercise. The aggregate fair value of the impaired vessels as 
of the testing dates was $20,050 in 2017, $59,900 in 2016 and $5,020 in 2015.

The amounts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are analyzed as follows:

Balance, December 31, 2015

$  421,903

$ 

(37,354)

$ 

384,549

Vessels’ Cost

Accumulated Depreciation

Net Book Value

- Capitalized costs

- Vessels’ disposals

- Depreciation

- impairment charges

194

(16,245)

-

(118,861)

-

2,728

(12,013)

-

194

(13,517)

(12,013)

(118,861)

Balance, December 31, 2016

$  286,991

$ 

(46,639)

$ 

240,352

- Vessels’ disposals

- transfer to vessels held for sale

- Depreciation

- impairment charges

(9,951)

(21,350)

-

(8,363)

5,001

2,972

(7,353)

-

(4,950)

(18,378)

(7,353)

(8,363)

Balance, December 31, 2017

$  247,327

$ 

(46,019)

$ 

201,308

As at December 31, 2017, all the Company’s vessels, including those classified as held for 
sale, were provided as collateral to secure the loan facilities with Addiewell and DSI, discussed 
in Notes 4 and 6.

6. Bank and Other Debt

The amounts of bank and other debt shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets 

are analyzed as follows:

2017

Current

Non-
current

2016

Current

Non-
current

the royal Bank of scotland plc - term loan $ 

- $ 

- $ 

- $ 128,861 $ 128,861 $ 

addiewell ltD - term loan

plus other fees payable to the lenders

less unamortized deferred financing costs

Bank and other debt, net of unamortized 
deferred financing costs

8,500

3,718

(99)

8,500

3,718

(99)

-

-

-

-

200

-

200

(1,932)

(1,932)

$  12,119 $ 12,119 $ 

- $ 127,129 $ 127,129 $ 

-

-

-

-

-

(a) The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (“RBS”) – Term Loan: On September 10, 2015, the 
Company, through nine of its subsidiaries, entered into a loan agreement with RBS of up to $148,000, 
to re-finance the acquisition cost of seven of the Company’s vessels, including the full prepayment 
of the previous facility agreement, and to support the acquisition of the two newly acquired vessels, 

F-24

136 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

the “Hamburg” and the “Rotterdam”. Until December 31, 2015, the Company drew down the full 
amount of the loan and paid arrangement and structuring fees amounting to $1,875.

The loan, until its amendment discussed below, bore interest at the rate of 2.75% per annum 
over LIBOR and was repayable in quarterly instalments and a balloon payment payable together 
with the last installment in September 2021. The Company paid commitment commissions of 
1.375% per annum on the undrawn amounts, from July 30, 2015, the date of acceptance of the 
lenders’ offer letter, until the drawdown dates.

The loan was secured by first preferred mortgages on nine vessels of the Company’s fleet, first 
priority deeds of assignments of insurances, earnings, charter rights and requisition compensation 
and a corporate guarantee. The loan agreement also contained customary financial covenants, 
minimum security value of the mortgaged vessels, required minimum liquidity of $500 per vessel 
in the fleet and restricted cash of $9,000 to be deposited by the borrowers with the lenders for 
the duration of the loan. There were also restrictions as to changes in the loan agreement with 
DSI and in certain shareholdings and management of the vessels. Finally, the Company was not 
permitted to pay any dividends that would result in a breach of the financial covenants.

On September 12, 2016, the Company entered into an amendment of its loan agreement with 
RBS, according to which the Company prepaid an amount of $7,607 and agreed to change the 
repayment schedule and recommence repaying the principal on September 15, 2017. Moreover, 
the loan amendment provided for changes to the borrowers and to the mortgaged vessels and 
required an amendment to the loan agreement with DSI (Note 4). It also prohibited the incurrence 
of additional indebtedness and the acquisition of additional vessels until September 15, 2018, 
and the payment of dividends until the later of: (a) prepayment or repayment in full on June 15, 
2021 of the deferred tranche of $8,851, which was created out of the reallocation of amounts 
due under the existing tranches, and (b) September 15, 2018. Furthermore, the minimum security 
covenant (“hull cover ratio”) was reduced from 140% to 125% until September 30, 2018, certain 
financial covenants were amended while the application of others was deferred to 2019, and the 
interest rate margin increased from 2.75% per annum to 3.10% per annum until December 31, 
2018. Finally, the Company paid an amendment fee of $150 at the signing of the agreement and 
an additional fee of $200 was payable on December 31, 2018.

As of December 31, 2016 and thereafter, due to a significant decline in the market value 
of its vessels, the Company was not in compliance with two financial covenants, as well as 
with the required covenant for the minimum required security cover (“hull cover ratio”). Due to 
these technical breaches in its loan covenants, the Company has classified its bank debt as 
of December 31, 2016 in current liabilities. Accordingly, the loan balance and the loan-related 
fees have been reclassified to Bank and other debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs 
and the restricted cash under the facility has been reclassified to Restricted cash, current in the 
accompanying consolidated balance sheet of December 31, 2016.

On June 30, 2017, the Company signed a Settlement Agreement with RBS, whereby it repaid 
an amount of $85,000 as full and final settlement of the loan obligation. The then outstanding 
principal balance was $128,861 and the settlement resulted in a net gain of $42,185 for the 
Company, which is reflected in Gain from bank debt write off in the accompanying consolidated 

F-25

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 137  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

statements of operations and includes the gain from the write off of the principal balance and 
other fees due to the lenders, net of the unamortized deferred financing costs write off and other 
costs incurred in connection with the transaction. The repayment of the loan was partially funded 
by $10,000 from the Company’s own cash, $40,000 from the DSI loan refinance as discussed in 
Note 4 and $35,000 from the new Addiewell loan, discussed under (b) below.

The weighted average interest rate of the RBS loan during 2017 and 2016 was 4.17% and 
3.52%, respectively. For 2017, 2016 and 2015, total interest expense incurred in connection with 
the RBS loan, amounted to $2,688, $4,902 and $3,541, respectively, and is included in Interest 
and finance costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Commitment fees 
for 2017, 2016 and 2015, amounted to $0, $0 and $329, respectively, and are also included in 
Interest and finance costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued 
interest as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 amounted to $0 and $247, respectively, and is 
included in Accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

(b) Addiewell Ltd (“Addiewell”) – Loan Facility: On June 30, 2017, the Company partially 
funded the refinancing of the RBS loan, discussed under (a) above, with proceeds under a new 
secured loan facility with Addiewell Ltd., an unaffiliated third party, in the amount of $35,000. The loan 
matures on December 31, 2018, however the lenders have the option to request for full repayment 
after twelve months from the initial drawing. The loan also provides for an additional $10,000 interest-
bearing “discount premium”, which is also payable at maturity, but will be permanently waived and 
cancelled in case the lenders exercise their option for full repayment within twelve months from 
drawing. The discount premium is recognized in Interest and Finance costs throughout the life of the 
loan and in Bank and other debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs. Moreover, the loan, 
which ranks senior to the loan agreement with DSI (Note 4), is secured by first priority mortgages 
over all the Company’s containerships, bears interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the first twelve 
months scaled to 9% per annum for the next three months and further scaled to 12% per annum 
for the remaining three months until maturity. Finally, the new loan facility includes financial and other 
covenants which stipulate the repayment of the facility with proceeds from the sale of assets of the 
Company, proceeds from the issuance of new equity and proceeds from the exercise of existing 
warrants to purchase the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Shares (Note 8), and prohibits 
the payment of dividends. During 2017, the Company prepaid $26,500 of its outstanding loan 
balance, according to the respective terms of the loan agreement.

The weighted average interest rate of the Addiewell loan during 2017 was 6%. For 2017, total 
interest expense and discount premium amortization incurred in connection with the Addiewell 
loan, amounted to $4,803, and is included in Interest and finance costs in the accompanying 
consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest as of December 31, 2017 amounted to 
$9 and is included in Accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

7. Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Various claims, suits, and complaints, including those involving government regulations 
and product liability, arise in the ordinary course of the shipping business. In addition, losses may 
arise from disputes with charterers, agents, insurance and other claims with suppliers relating to 
the operations of the Company’s vessels.  Currently, management is not aware of any claims or 

F-26

138 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

contingent liabilities, which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established 
and has not in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company accrues for the cost of environmental liabilities when management becomes 
aware that a liability is probable and is able to reasonably estimate the probable exposure. 
Currently, management is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which should 
be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established in the accompanying consolidated 
financial statements.

The Company’s vessels are covered for pollution in the amount of $1 billion per vessel per 
incident, by the protection and indemnity association (“P&I Association”) in which the Company’s 
vessels are entered. The Company’s vessels are subject to calls payable to their P&I Association 
and may be subject to supplemental calls which are based on estimates of premium income and 
anticipated and paid claims. Such estimates are adjusted each year by the Board of Directors 
of the P&I Association until the closing of the relevant policy year, which generally occurs within 
three years from the end of the policy year.  Supplemental calls, if any, are expensed when they 
are announced and according to the period they relate to. The Company is not aware of any 
supplemental calls outstanding in respect of any policy year.

(b) As at December 31, 2017, all our vessels were operating under time charter agreements, 
except for one which remained idle. The minimum contractual annual charter revenues, net of 
related commissions to third parties, to be generated from the existing as at December 31, 2017, 
non-cancelable time charter contracts, are estimated at $8,895 until December 31, 2018.

8. Changes in Capital Accounts

(a) Reverse Stock Splits: During 2016 and 2017, the Company effected six reverse stock 
splits of its common shares, each which was approved by the Company’s shareholders. More 
specifically, the Company effected: (i) on June 9, 2016, a one-for-eight reverse stock split, 
which was approved by shareholders at the Company’s 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders 
held on February 24, 2016; (ii) on July 5, 2017, a one-for-seven reverse stock split; on July 27, 
2017, a one-for-six reverse stock split; on August 24, 2017, a one-for-seven reverse stock split; 
and on September 25, 2017, a one-for-three reverse stock split, each which was approved by 
shareholders at the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 29, 2017; 
and (iii) on November 2, 2017, a one-for-seven reverse stock split, which was approved by 
shareholders at the Company’s Special Meeting of Shareholders held on October 26, 2017. 
No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse splits. Shareholders who would 
otherwise hold fractional shares of the Company’s common stock received a cash payment in 
lieu of such fractional share. All share and per share amounts disclosed in the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements give effect to these six reverse stock splits retroactively and 
thus affect all periods presented.

(b) Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock and Warrants to purchase Series B Preferred 
Stock: On March 21, 2017, the Company completed a registered direct offering of (i) 3,000 newly-
designated Series B-1 convertible preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share, and common 
shares underlying such Series B-1 convertible preferred shares, and (ii) warrants to purchase 

F-27

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 139  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

6,500 of Series B-1 convertible preferred shares, 6,500 of Series B-1 convertible preferred shares 
underlying such warrants, and common shares underlying such Series B-1 convertible preferred 
shares. Concurrently with the registered direct offering, the Company completed an offering of 
warrants to purchase 140,500 of Series B-2 convertible preferred shares in a private placement, 
in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The securities in the registered direct offering 
and private placement were issued and sold to Kalani Investments Limited (or “Kalani”), an entity 
not affiliated with the Company, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement. In connection 
with the private placement, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with 
Kalani, pursuant to which the investor was granted certain registration rights with respect to the 
securities issued and sold in the private placement. The Series B convertible preferred shares are 
convertible at any time at the option of the holder into common shares at an initial conversion price 
of $7.00 per common share, provided that a certain minimum trading volume of the Company’s 
common shares on the conversion date is met. At the option of Kalani, the preferred stock may be 
alternatively converted into common shares at a per share price equal to the higher of (i) 92.25% 
of the lowest daily volume weighted average price on any trading day during the 5 consecutive 
trading day period ending on and including the conversion date and (ii) $0.50. Kalani may elect 
to convert the preferred stock into shares of common stock at the conversion price or alternate 
conversion price then in effect, at any time. The Series B preferred warrants are exercisable into 
Series B convertible preferred shares at any time at the option of the holder thereof at an exercise 
price of $1,000 per Series B convertible preferred share.

The Company in its assessment for the accounting of the Series B-1 and B-2 convertible 
preferred shares has taken into consideration ASC 480 “Distinguishing liabilities from equity” 
and determined that the preferred shares should be classified as equity instead of liability. The 
Company further analysed key features of the preferred shares to determine whether these are 
more akin to equity or to debt and concluded that the Series B-1 and B-2 convertible preferred 
shares are equity-like. In its assessment, the Company identified certain embedded features, 
examined whether these fall under the definition of a derivative according to ASC 815 applicable 
guidance or whether certain of these features affected the classification. Derivative accounting 
was deemed inappropriate and thus no bifurcation of these features was performed.

Upon exercise of the warrants, the holder is entitled to receive preferred shares. ASC 480 
“Distinguishing liabilities from equity” requires that a warrant which contains an obligation that may 
require the issuer to redeem the shares in cash, be classified as a liability and accounted for at fair 
value. The Company determined that the fair value of the warrants at inception and at December 
31, 2017 is immaterial. As at December 31, 2017, 117,500 warrants remained outstanding.

In 2017, the Company received gross proceeds of $3,000 from the sale of the 3,000 Series 
B-1 convertible preferred shares. Also, 29,500 preferred warrants were exercised during the 
period for the sale of an equal number of Series B-1 and Series B-2 preferred shares, and the 
Company received for these shares $29,500 of gross proceeds until December 31, 2017. The net 
proceeds received during the period, after deducting offering expenses payable by the Company, 
amounted to $31,989. As of December 31, 2017, from the 32,500 Series B preferred shares 
issued during the period, 32,211 preferred shares were converted to 4,049,733 common shares 
and 289 Series B preferred shares remained outstanding. Subsequent to the balance sheet date, 
all outstanding preferred shares were converted to common shares (Note 13).

F-28

140 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

(c) Issuance of Series C Preferred Stock: On May 30, 2017, the Company issued 100 
shares of its newly-designated Series C Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, to DSI, in 
exchange for a reduction of $3,000 in the principal amount of the Company’s outstanding loan, 
thus leaving an outstanding principal balance of $42,417 at that date (Note 4). The Series C 
Preferred Stock has no dividend or liquidation rights. The Series C Preferred Stock votes with the 
common shares of the Company, and each share of the Series C Preferred Stock entitles the 
holder thereof to up to 250,000 votes, subject to a cap such that the aggregate voting power 
of any holder of Series C Preferred Stock together with its affiliates does not exceed 49.0%, on 
all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. The issuance of shares of 
Series C Preferred Stock to DSI was approved by an independent committee of the Board of 
Directors of the Company, which received a fairness opinion from independent third parties that 
the transaction was fair from a financial point of view to the Company. As of December 31, 2017, 
the 100 Series C Preferred Stock remained outstanding.

(d) Compensation cost on restricted common stock: In May 2015, the Company’s board of 
directors approved to adopt the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, for 101 shares, which as at December 
31, 2017 remained reserved for issuance. In February 2018, the Company’s board of directors 
approved an amendment to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, to increase the aggregate number of 
shares issuable under the plan to 550,000 shares (Note 13).

On February 9, 2017, the Company’s board of directors approved an award of restricted 
common stock with value $380 to the executive management and the non-executive directors, 
pursuant to the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan. The exact number of shares for the grantees 
would be defined based on the share closing price of February 9, 2018, at which time the shares 
would be issued (Note 13). One third of the shares will vest on the issuance date and the remainder 
will vest ratably over the next two years.

During 2017, 2016 and 2015, compensation cost on restricted stock amounted to $1,171, 
$1,119 and $928, respectively, and is included in General and administrative expenses in the 
accompanying consolidated statements of operations. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the 
total unrecognized compensation cost relating to restricted share awards was $267 and $1,058, 
respectively.

9. Interest and Finance Costs

The amounts in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are analyzed as 

follows:

interest expense and other fees on unrelated party debt (note 6)

$ 

interest expense and other fees on related party debt (note 4)

amortization of deferred financing costs

Commitment fees and other (note 6)

2017

2016

2015

7,491

5,948

322

82

$ 

4,902

1,692

427

73

$ 

3,541

2,945

268

412

Total

F-29

$  13,843

$ 

7,094

$ 

7,166

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 141  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

10. Earnings / (Loss) per Share

All common shares issued (including the restricted shares issued under the equity incentive 
plan) are DCI’s common stock and have equal rights to vote and participate in dividends, subject 
to forfeiture provisions set forth in the applicable award agreement. Unvested shares granted 
under the Company’s incentive plan are entitled to receive dividends which are not refundable, 
even if such shares are forfeited, and therefore are considered participating securities for basic 
earnings per share calculation purposes. Dividends declared and paid during 2017, 2016 and 
2015 were $0, $374 and $739, respectively. The calculation of basic earnings/ (loss) per share 
does not consider the non-vested shares as outstanding until the time-based vesting restrictions 
have lapsed. For 2017, the computation of diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution 
from conversion of outstanding preferred convertible stock (Note 8 (b)) calculated with the “if 
converted” method. No incremental shares were calculated with the treasury stock method for 
the unexercised warrants to issue preferred convertible shares (Note 8 (b)). For 2016 and 2015, 
and on the basis that the Company incurred losses, the effect of the incremental shares assumed 
issued would have been anti-dilutive and therefore basic and diluted losses per share is the same 
amount.

2017

2016

2015

Basic EPS Diluted EPS Basic LPS

Diluted LPS

Basic LPS

Diluted LPS

net income / (loss)

$ 

3,819

$ 3,819 $ 

(149,014) $ 

(149,014) $ 

(17,531) $ 

(17,531)

net income / (loss) 
available to common 
stockholders

Weighted average 
number of common 
shares outstanding

effect of dilutive 
shares

Total shares 
outstanding

Earnings / (Loss) 
per common share

3,819

3,819

(149,014)

(149,014)

(17,531)

(17,531)

427,333

427,333

1,478

1,478

1,471

1,471

-

28

-

-

-

-

427,333

427,361

1,478

1,478

1,471

1,471

$ 

8.94 $ 

8.94 $ (100,821.38) $ (100,821.38) $ (11,917.74) $ 

(11,917.74)

11. Income Taxes

Under the laws of the countries of the companies’ incorporation and / or vessels’ registration, 
the  companies  are  not  subject  to  tax  on  international  shipping  income;  however,  they  are 
subject to registration and tonnage taxes, which are included in vessel operating expenses in the 
accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

The Company is potentially subject to a four percent U.S. federal income tax on 50% of its 
gross income derived by from its voyages that begin or end in the United States.  However, under 
Section 883 of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States (the “Code”), a corporation is 

F-30

142 ■ ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

exempt from U.S. federal income taxation on its U.S.-source shipping income if: (a) it is organized 
in a foreign country that grants an equivalent exemption from tax to corporations organized in 
the United States (an “equivalent exemption”); and (b) either (i) more than 50% of the value of 
its common stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by “qualified shareholders,”, which is referred 
to as the “50% Ownership Test,” or (ii) its common stock is “primarily and regularly traded on 
an established securities market” in the United States or in a country that grants an “equivalent 
exemption”, which is referred to as the “Publicly-Traded Test.”

The Marshall Islands, the jurisdiction where DCI and each of its vessel-owning subsidiaries 
are incorporated, grant an “equivalent exemption” to U.S. corporations. Therefore, the Company 
would be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation with respect to its U.S.-source shipping 
income if either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test is met.

Based on the trading and ownership of its stock, the Company believes that it satisfied the 
Publicly-Traded Test for its 2017 taxable year and intends to take this position on its 2017 U.S. 
federal income tax returns.  Therefore, the Company does not expect to have any U.S. federal 
income tax liability for the year ended December 31, 2017.

12. Financial Instruments

The carrying values of temporary cash investments, accounts receivable and accounts payable 
approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The fair 
value of long-term loans and restricted cash balances, bearing interest at variable interest rates, 
approximate their recorded values as at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

13. Subsequent Events

(a) Issuance and Conversion of Series B Preferred Shares: Subsequent to the balance 
sheet date and up to March 14, 2018, the 289 Series B-2 convertible preferred shares outstanding 
on December 31, 2017 were converted to common stock (Notes 3 and 8). Additionally, the 
Company received $7,500 of gross proceeds from the exercise of 7,500 Series B-2 preferred 
warrants to purchase an equal number of Series B-2 convertible preferred shares, which were used 
to partially repay the Company’s existing indebtedness (see (b) below). In aggregate, subsequent 
to the balance sheet date, 7,493 Series B-2 convertible preferred shares were converted to 
2,840,144 common shares, thus leaving 296 Series B-2 convertible preferred shares outstanding 
on March 14, 2018.

(b) Repayment of loans: Subsequent to the balance sheet date and up to March 14, 2018, 
the Company repaid $8,500 of the outstanding balance on the Addiewell loan and $8,379 of the 
outstanding balance on the DSI loan, using the proceeds from equity issuance (see (a) above) and 
sale of vessels (see (d) below), according to the respective terms of the loan agreements (Notes 
4 and 6).

(c) Sale of the vessels classified as held for sale: Subsequent to the balance sheet date, 
the Company received $250 from the buyers of each of the vessels «Great» and «March» (Note 
5), and an additional $1,950 for each vessel was placed by the buyers in a joint escrow account, 

F-31

ANNUAL REPORT 2016 ■ 143  

DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2017
(Expressed in thousands of US Dollars – except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

as per the respective terms of the memoranda of agreement. The balance of the purchase price 
will be collected upon delivery of the vessels to the new owners, which is expected to take place 
by the end of March 2018.

(d) Sale of vessels: On February 9, 2018, the Company, through Mago Shipping Company 
Inc, entered into a memorandum of agreement to sell the vessel «New Jersey» to an unrelated 
party for demolition, for a sale price of $9,379, net of commissions to the buyers. The vessel was 
delivered to the new owners on March 12, 2018, and the proceeds were used to partially repay 
the Company’s existing indebtedness (see (b) above). Furthermore, on February 28, 2018, the 
Company, through Likiep Shipping Company Inc., and Orangina Inc., entered into two memoranda 
of agreement to sell the vessels «Sagitta» and «Centaurus», respectively, to unrelated parties, for a 
gross sale price of $12,300 for each vessel, and $2,460 was placed by the buyers in a joint escrow 
account for each vessel, as per the respective terms of the memoranda of agreement. The vessels 
are expected to be delivered to their new owners by the end of April 2018.

(e) Amendment to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan: On February 9, 2018, the Company’s 
board of directors approved an amendment to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, to increase the 
aggregate number of shares issuable under the plan to 550,000 shares (Note 8).

(f) Determination of restricted stock awards approved in 2017: On February 9, 2018, the 
Company issued 161,700 restricted common shares as an award to the executive management 
and the non-executive directors, pursuant to the Company’s board of directors’ decision of 
February 9, 2017. The fair value of the award is $380 and the number of shares issued was 
based on the share closing price of February 9, 2018. One third of the shares vested on February 
9, 2018 and the remainder two thirds will vest over the next two years.

(g) Restricted stock awards and other bonuses approved in 2018: On February 15, 2018, 
the Company’s board of directors approved an award of restricted common stock, which was 
proposed by the Company’s compensation committee, with an aggregate value of $5,000, to 
the executive management and the non-executive directors. The exact number of shares to be 
issued to the grantees will be based on the share closing price of February 15, 2019 and the 
shares will be issued on that date. One third of the shares will vest on the issuance date and 
the remainder two thirds will vest over the next two years. In addition, the Company’s board 
of directors approved on February 15, 2018 a bonus of value $420 to Steamship Shipbroking 
Enterprises Inc., which has been accrued for as of December 31, 2017.

F-32

Legal Counsel
Seward and Kissel LLP
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, NY 10004 
Tel: +1-212-574-1200

Independent Auditors
Ernst & Young (Hellas)
Certified Auditors-Accountants S.A
Chimarras 8B
151 25 Maroussi
Greece
Tel: +30-210-288-6000

Shareholder/Corporate Information 
Any shareholder, investor, or analyst seeking 
further information may contact:

Corporate Contact:
Ioannis Zafirakis
Director, Chief Operating Officer and 
Secretary
Pendelis 18
17564 Palaio Faliro
Athens, Greece
Tel: +30-216-600-2400
Email: izafirakis@dcontainerships.com 

Investor and Media Relations:
Edward Nebb
Comm-Counsellors, LLC
724 Valley Road
New Canaan, Connecticut 06840
Tel: +1-203-972-8350
Email: enebb@optonline.net

Website
Press releases, fleet information, stock 
quotes, corporate investor information, 
and SEC filings can all be accessed on the 
company’s website, 
www.dcontainerships.com

Corporate Directory

Directors and Executive Officers

Symeon Palios 
Chairman of the Board of Directors 
and Chief Executive Officer

Anastasios Margaronis
Director and President

Andreas Michalopoulos
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Ioannis Zafirakis
Director, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary

Eleni Leontari
Chief Accounting Officer

Antonios Karavias
Non-Executive Director

Nikolaos Petmezas
Non-Executive Director

Giannakis Evangelou
Non-Executive Director

Reidar Brekke
Non-Executive Director

Corporate Offices
Diana Containerships Inc.
Pendelis 18
17564 Palaio Faliro
Athens, Greece
Tel: +30-216-600-2400
Email: info@dcontainerships.com

Stock Listing
Diana Containerships Inc.’s stock is traded 
on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol 
“DCIX”. 

Transfer Agent and Registrar 
Computershare
P.O. Box 358015
Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8015
or 480 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07310 
Toll Free Number: +1-800-231-5469  
Outside of US: +1-201-680-6578 
www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/equityaccess

 
 
DIANA CONTAINERSHIPS INC.

PENDELIS 18
17564 PALAIO FALIRO
ATHENS, GREECE
Phone: +30 216 6002400
Fax: +30 216 6002599
www.dcontainerships.com