ANNUAL REPORT
M/V Troodos Oak, 85,000 Built 2020 Japan
COMPANY
PROFILE
Safe Bulkers, Inc. is a global shipping company providing worldwide seaborne
transportation solutions in the dry bulk sector. We are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange and trade under the symbol ‘’SB’’. We or our managers have offices in
Monaco, Cyprus, Greece and Switzerland.
Our vessels transport major bulks, which include iron ore, coal and grain and minor
bulks, which include bauxite, fertilizers and steel products. We cooperate with key
market players, shipyards, charterers, financial institutions and others to advance
our business and create value for our shareholders. Being a successor to a business
that first invested in shipping in 1958, we hold true to that legacy with uninterrupted
presence since then, throughout several shipping cycles.
We operate in highly competitive markets that are based primarily on supply and
demand. We believe we differentiate ourselves from our competition by providing
modern vessels with advanced designs and technological specifications. The majority
of our fleet has been built in Japanese shipyards, which we believe provides us with an
advantage in attracting large, well-established customers, including Japanese customers.
We intend to employ our vessels on both period time charters and spot time charters,
according to our assessment of market conditions, with some of the world’s largest
consumers of marine drybulk transportation services. The vessels we deploy on period
time charters provide us with relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates,
while the vessels we deploy in the spot market allow us to maintain our flexibility in
low charter market conditions.
Our fleet consists of dry bulk vessels of four sizes, namely Capesize vessels with
carrying capacity of about 180,000 dwt; Post Panamax vessels with carrying
capacities of between 85,000 dwt and 100,000 dwt; Kamsarmax vessels with
carrying capacities of between 80,000 dwt and 83,000 dwt; and Panamax vessels
with carrying capacities of between 75,000 and 78,000 dwt.
As of March 15, 2021, we had a fleet of 43 vessels, with an average age of 10.3
years and an aggregate capacity of 3.9 million deadweight ton (“dwt”) expressed
in metric tons, referring to the maximum weight of cargo and supplies that a vessel
can carry. In addition, our orderbook consisted of two EEDI Phase 3, NOx Tier III,
Japanese dry-bulk newbuilds scheduled to be delivered in 2022. As part of our fleet
renewal plan, we had sold two of our older Panamax class vessels.
Historically, we have invested mainly in newbuild vessels, with advanced technological
specifications, aiming to renew and expand our fleet. Furthermore, at present, the
Company is pursuing a fleet renewal strategy selling selectively certain vessels
including its older vessels and ordering newbuild vessels designed to meet more
stringent future environmental regulations related to Green House Gas (“GHG”)
emissions (GHG - EEDI Phase 3) and nitrogen oxides (“NOx”) emissions (NOx-Tier III).
By complying with future environmental regulation, by upgrading our existing fleet
in relation to energy efficiency, Sulphur Oxides (“SOx”) emissions and ballast water
treatment systems, by gradually renewing our fleet selling selectively older vessels
and ordering newbuilds at the edge of the technology, we believe that Company’s
fleet will be maintained in the forefront of environmental efficiency and operating
excellence creating sustained operational and financial advantages in the changing
landscape of new environmental regulations.
20
Annual Report
1
CHAIRMAN’S
LETTER
Polys Hajioannou is our Chief
Executive Officer and has been
Chairman of our board of directors
since 2008.
2
Safebulkers20 Fellow Shareholders,
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a severe global recession unique in its depth and severity significantly impacting the shipping
industry and negatively affecting our results of operations for 2020. The pandemic also affected our seafarers as port lockdowns
were imposed globally and certain ports that have since reopened have subsequently closed again for crew changes. Throughout
2020, we worked extensively to find solutions effectively managing crew changes and taking measures to protect our seafarers’
and shore employees’ health and well-being, keeping our vessels sailing with minimal disruption to their trading ability and
ultimately servicing uninterruptedly our charterers.
Despite the pandemic, supported by our legacy culture of lean operations we have managed to control our operating expenses at
a low level, achieved breakeven as early as the third quarter of 2020 and returned in black during the fourth quarter of the year.
We emerged ever stronger in 2021, with a liquidity of $188.2 million, as of March 15, 2021.
We remain committed to further reducing our environmental impact by improving the quality of fuel emissions of our fleet and
continuously improving our environmental performance, in our goal to distinguish ourselves among our peers as an environmental
conscious leader in the dry bulk shipping industry. We follow a plan based on our high quality Japanese fleet with a built-in
advantage of environmental footprint compared to the global dry-bulk fleet, and further, aiming to upgrade and gradually renew
our fleet with advanced design and energy efficient vessels, sensibly deleverage our balance sheet, targeting to create value for
our shareholders. We believe our environmental investments will contribute to sustained operational and financial advantages.
Management alignment with shareholding, performance and trust built over the years are of paramount importance in the success
of our plan.
The first months of 2021 have been quite robust for the dry bulk industry as a combined effect of the strong economic stimulus
packages of the United States and China, the gradual reopening of world economies, leading to strong demand for major dry
bulk commodities, and of the twenty-year low orderbook from the supply side. Looking onwards, we believe that the market
fundamentals are there for a substantial growth of seaborne trade and rising demand for shipping transportation services.
We are optimistic about the prospects of the charter market as we remain focused on capital efficiency and operational discipline.
We would like to thank all of our stockholders for their continued support and interest in our company and proudly present the
2020 Annual Report which provides detailed information about our business and financial performance.
Polys V. Hajioannou
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
3
20Annual Report OPERATIONAL
HIGHLIGHTS
(*) Definitions
Time charter equivalent rate, or TCE rate, represents
charter revenues less commissions and voyage ex-
penses divided by the number of available days.
EBITDA represents Net income before net interest
expense, tax, depreciation and amortization. Adjust-
ed EBITDA represents EBITDA before gain/(loss) on
derivatives, early redelivery cost, loss on inventory
valuation and, gain/(loss) on foreign currency.
Earnings/(loss) per share (‘‘EPS’’) and Adjusted Earn-
ings/(loss) per share (‘‘Adjusted EPS’’) represent Net
income/(loss) and Adjusted Net income/(loss) less
preferred dividend and preferred deemed dividend
divided by the weighted average number of shares
respectively.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income/
(loss), Adjusted Net income/(loss) available to com-
mon shareholders, Earnings/(loss) per share and Ad-
justed Earnings/(loss) per share are not recognized
measurements under US GAAP.
FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS(*)
4
Safebulkers
20
1.
M/V Troodos Oak, 2020, Japanese Post-Panamax,
DWT 85,000, 2020 built
2.
Scrubber retrofitted on M/V Xenia, 2006, Post-Panamax,
DWT 87,000
200
150
100
50
0
0,0
-0,2
-0,4
-0,6
-0,8
-1,0
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
-10
s
r
a
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20
Net Revenues
TCE
EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA
15000
12000
9000
6000
3000
0
s
r
a
l
l
o
D
S
.
U
n
I
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
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,
5
3
9
,
1
4
9
,
7
3
6
,
3
4
6
2018
2019
2020
2
0
1
3
1
,
5
0
8
2
1
,
9
5
5
0
1
,
2018
2019
2020
Daily G & A Expenses
Daily Opex
Adjusted Net (Loss) / Income
1
2
3
1
,
0
6
3
4
,
9
7
3
1
,
2
8
5
4
,
8
0
4
1
,
1
9
5
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,
2018
2019
2020
30
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10
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-10
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8
2
,
7
6
1
,
3
2
1
-
2018
2019
2020
,
2
3
9
1
,
8
7
9
1
,
2
8
9
1
2018
2019
2020
Earnings / (Loss) per share
Adjusted Earnings / (Loss) per share
6
1
0
,
7
1
0
,
4
0
0
,
5
0
0
,
5
2
0
-
,
4
2
0
-
,
2018
2019
2020
Net Revenues
Adjusted EBITDA
Operating Cash flow
Q1 2018
Q3 2018
Q1 2019
Q3 2019
Q1 2020
Q3 2020
Q2 2018
Q4 2018
Q2 2019
Q4 2019
Q2 2020
Q4 2020
Annual Report
5
FLEET PROFILE
Vessel Name
Dwt
Year Built*
Country of Construction
CURRENT FLEET
Panamax
Maria
Koulitsa
Paraskevi
Vassos
Katerina
Maritsa
Paraskevi 2
Efrossini
Zoe
Kypros Land
Kypros Sea
Kypros Bravery
Kypros Sky
Kypros Loyalty
Kypros Spirit
Kamsarmax
Pedhoulas Merchant
Pedhoulas Trader
Pedhoulas Leader
Pedhoulas Commander
Pedhoulas Builder
Pedhoulas Fighter
Pedhoulas Farmer
Pedhoulas Cherry
Pedhoulas Rose
Pedhoulas Cedrus
Post-Panamax
Marina
76,000
76,900
74,300
76,000
76,000
76,000
75,000
75,000
75,000
77,100
77,100
78,000
77,100
78,000
78,000
82,300
82,300
82,300
83,700
81,600
81,600
81,600
82,000
82,000
81,800
87,000
2003
2003
2003
2004
2004
2005
2011
2012
2013
2014
2014
2015
2015
2015
2016
2006
2006
2007
2008
2012
2012
2012
2015
2017
2018
2006
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
China
China
China
China
China
Japan
Japan
6
Safebulkers
20
Year Built*
Country of Construction
Vessel Name
Xenia
Sophia
Eleni
Martine
Andreas K
Panayiota K
Agios Spyridonas
Venus Heritage
Venus History
Venus Horizon
Troodos Sun
Troodos Air
Troodos Oak
Capesize
Mount Troodos
Kanaris
Pelopidas
Lake Despina
Subtotal
Kamsarmax
TBN Hull 1381**
Post-Panamax
TBN Hull 11013**
Subtotal
TOTAL
Dwt
87,000
87,000
87,000
87,000
92,000
92,000
92,000
95,800
95,800
95,800
85,000
85,000
85,000
181,400
178,100
176,000
181,400
3,937,000
2006
2007
2008
2009
2009
2010
2010
2010
2011
2012
2016
2016
2020
2009
2010
2011
2014
NEW BUILDS
82,000
1H 2022
Q3 2022
87,000
169,000
4,106,000
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
South Korea
South Korea
South Korea
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
China
China
Japan
Japan
Japan
* For existing vessels, the year represents the year built. For newbuilds, the dates shown reflect the expected delivery dates.
** To be Named.
20
Annual Report
7
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
Registration statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2020
Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Shell Company Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Mark One)
£
S
£
£
Commission File Number 001-34077
8
Safebulkers20
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
Not Applicable
Republic of the Marshall Islands
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
Apt. D11
Les Acanthes
6, Avenue des Citronniers
MC98000 Monaco
(Address of principal executive office)
Dr. Loukas Barmparis
President
Telephone: +30 2 111 888 400
Telephone: +357 25 887 200
Facsimile: +30 2 111 878 500
(Name, Address, Telephone Number and Facsimile Number of Company contact person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant
to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
Preferred stock purchase rights
8.00% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred
Shares, par value $0.01 per share, liquidation preference
$25.00 per share
8.00% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred
Shares, par value $0.01 per share, liquidation preference
$25.00 per share
Trading
Symbol(s)
SB
N/A
Name of Each Exchange
on Which Registered
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
SB.PR.C
New York Stock Exchange
SB.PR.D
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report. As of
December 31, 2020, there were 102,174,594 shares of the registrant’s common stock, 2,297,504 shares of 8.00% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual
Preferred Shares, $0.01 par value per share, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, and 3,195,050 shares of 8.00% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual
Preferred Shares, $0.01 par value per share, liquidation preference $25.00 per share, outstanding.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes £ No S
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Yes £ No S
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the
past 90 days. Yes S No £
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405
of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such
files). Yes S No £
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-
2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer £ Accelerated filer £ Non-accelerated filer S Emerging growth company £
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use
the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. £
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards
Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over
financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit
report. S
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing. U.S. GAAP S International Finan-
cial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board £ Other £
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. Item
17 £ Item 18 £
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £ No S
9
20Annual Report TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 1.
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
ITEM 2.
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
ITEM 3.
KEY INFORMATION
ITEM 4.
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
ITEM 4A.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 5.
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
ITEM 6.
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
ITEM 7.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 9.
THE OFFER AND LISTING
ITEM 10.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ITEM 11.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 12.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
ITEM 13.
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
ITEM 14.
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
ITEM 15.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 16.
[RESERVED]
ITEM 16A.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
ITEM 16B.
CODE OF ETHICS
ITEM 16C.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 16D.
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
ITEM 16E.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
ITEM 16F.
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
ITEM 16G.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 16H.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 17.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 18.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 19.
EXHIBITS
10
13
13
13
39
55
55
67
70
75
76
76
87
88
88
88
88
90
90
90
90
91
91
92
92
92
92
92
92
Safebulkers20 ABOUT THIS REPORT
In this annual report, “Safe Bulkers,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” are sometimes used for convenience where references
are made to Safe Bulkers, Inc. and its subsidiaries (as well as the predecessors of the foregoing). These expressions are also used
where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. Our affiliated management companies,
Safety Management Overseas S.A., a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Panama (“Safety Management”),
and Safe Bulkers Management Limited, a company organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of Cyprus (“Safe Bulkers
Management”), are each sometimes referred to as a “Manager,” and together as our “Managers.”
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
All statements in this annual report that are not statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning
of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The disclosure and analysis set forth in this annual report
includes assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions and beliefs about future events in a number of places, particularly in
relation to our operations, cash flows, financial position, plans, strategies, business prospects, changes and trends in our business
and the markets in which we operate. These statements are intended as forward-looking statements. In some cases, predictive,
future-tense or forward-looking words such as “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “hope,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,”
“target,” “seek,” “potential,” “may,” “will,” “likely to,” “would,” “could,” “should” and “expect” and other similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. In addition, we
and our representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements which are forward-looking statements,
including in our periodic reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), other information sent to our
security holders, and other written materials.
All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. The occurrence of the events described, and the achievement of
the expected results, depend on many events, some or all of which are not predictable or within our control. Actual results may
differ materially from expected results.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, such matters as:
~ future operating or financial results and future revenues and expenses;
~ future, pending or recent acquisitions, business strategy, and other plans and objectives for growth and future operations,
areas of possible expansion and expected capital spending or operating expenses;
~ availability of key employees, crew, length and number of off-hire days, drydocking requirements and fuel and insurance
costs;
~ general market conditions and shipping industry trends, including charter rates, vessel values and factors affecting supply
and demand;
~ competition within our industry;
~ reputational risks;
~ our financial condition and liquidity, including our ability to make required payments under our credit facilities, comply with
our loan covenants and obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and other corpo-
rate activities and to comply with the restrictive and other covenants in our financing arrangements;
~ the strength of world economies and currencies;
~ fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates;
~ potential exposure or loss from investment in derivative instruments;
~ general domestic and international political conditions;
~ the effect of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (the “2019-nCoV”) on our business and operations and any related remediation
measures on our performance and business prospects (including our ability to successfully install the one remaining sulfur
oxide exhaust gas cleaning system (“Scrubber”));
~ business disruptions due to natural disasters or other disasters or disruptions outside our control;
~ the extent to which any new wave or new variant of the 2019-nCoV will impact the Company’s results of operations and
financial condition;
~ the effectiveness of actions taken to contain or treat the spread and impact of 2019-nCoV, including the distribution and
effectiveness of the vaccines for 2019-nCoV;
~ potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events;
~ the overall health and condition of the U.S. and global financial markets, including the value of the U.S. dollar relative to
other currencies;
~ our expectations about availability of vessels to purchase, the time that it may take to construct and deliver new vessels
or the useful lives of our vessels;
~ our ability to successfully implement a gradual fleet renewal with modern, energy efficient vessels;
~ our continued ability to enter into period time charters with our customers and secure profitable employment for our ves-
sels in the spot market;
~ vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hire;
~ our future capital expenditures (including our ability to successfully install ballast water treatment systems in all of our vessels
and complete our program for the remaining installation of sulfur oxide exhaust gas cleaning systems) and investments in the
construction, acquisition and refurbishment of our vessels (including the amount and nature thereof and the timing of comple-
tion thereof, the delivery and commencement of operations dates, expected downtime delays, cost overruns and lost revenue);
11
20Annual Report
~ our ability to realize the expected benefits from sulfur oxide exhaust gas cleaning systems;
~ availability of financing and refinancing, our level of indebtedness and our need for cash to meet our debt service obliga-
tions;
~ our expectations relating to dividend payments and ability to make such payments;
~ our ability to leverage our Managers’ relationships and reputation within the drybulk shipping industry to our advantage;
~ our anticipated general and administrative expenses;
~ environmental and regulatory conditions, including changes in laws, governmental rules and regulations or actions taken
by regulatory authorities;
~ our ability to implement and maintain adequate environmental and social responsibility policies and programs;
~ risks inherent in vessel operation, including terrorism (including cyber terrorism), piracy corruption, militant activities,
political instability, terrorism and ethnic unrest in locations where we may operate and discharge of pollutants;
~ potential liability from pending or future litigation; and
~ other factors discussed in “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” of this annual report.
See the sections entitled “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020.
We caution that the forward-looking statements included in this annual report represent our estimates, analyses formed by ap-
plying our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we
believe are appropriate in the circumstances and assumptions only as of the date of this annual report and are not intended to
give any assurance as to future results. All future written and verbal forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person
acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.
We undertake no obligation, and specifically decline any obligation, except as required by law, to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Assumptions, expectations, pro-
jections, intentions and beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and these differences can be mate-
rial. The reasons for this include the risks, uncertainties and factors described under “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors.”
which we urge you to read for a more complete discussion of these risks and uncertainties and for other risks and uncertainties.
As a result and in light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this annual report
might not occur and our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Accord-
ingly, you should not unduly rely on any forward-looking statements.
We undertake no obligation, and specifically decline any obligation, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements
contained in this annual report, except as required by law, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, a
change in our views or expectations or otherwise. These factors and the other risk factors described in this annual report are not
necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed
in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also cause such discrepancies. New fac-
tors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact
of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be
materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Consequently, there can be no assurance that actual
results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected con-
sequences to, or effects on, us. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such
forward-looking statements.
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Dollars” and “$” in this report are to U.S. Dollars and all references to “Euro” and
“€” in this report are to Euros.
12
Safebulkers20 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
Safe Bulkers, Inc., was formed on December 11, 2007 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Safe Bulkers’ com-
mon stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “SB.” The Company’s series C preferred stock
and series D preferred stock are listed on the NYSE, and trade under the symbols “SB.PR.C” and “SB.PR.D”, respectively. We are
a global shipping company providing worldwide seaborne transportation solutions in the dry bulk sector. Our vessels transport
major bulks, which include iron ore, coal and grain and minor bulks, which include bauxite, fertilizers and steel products. We or
our managers have offices in Monaco, Greece, Cyprus and Switzerland. Our fleet consists of dry bulk vessels of four sizes, namely
Capesize vessels with carrying capacity of about 180,000 dwt; Post Panamax vessels with carrying capacities of between
85,000 dwt and 100,000 dwt; Kamsarmax vessels with carrying capacities of between 80,000 dwt and 83,000 dwt; and Pana-
max vessels with carrying capacities of between 75,000 and 78,000 dwt. As of March 15, 2021, we have a fleet of 43 vessels,
with an aggregate capacity of 3.9 million deadweight ton (“dwt”) expressed in metric tons, referring to the maximum weight of
cargo and supplies that a vessel can carry. In addition, we have entered into agreements for the sale of two of our older vessels in
the first half of 2021 and for the acquisition of two dry-bulk newbuilds scheduled to be delivered in 2022.
(A) Selected Financial Data
The following table presents selected consolidated financial and other data of Safe Bulkers, Inc. for each of the five years in the
five year period ended December 31, 2020. The table should be read together with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects.” The selected consolidated financial data of Safe Bulkers, Inc. is a summary of, is derived from, and is qualified by ref-
erence to, our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with United
States (the “U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
Our audited consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018,
2019 and 2020 and the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2020, together with the notes thereto, are
included in “Item 18. Financial Statements” and should be read in their entirety.
The historical results included below and elsewhere in this document are not necessarily indicative of our future performance.
Year Ended December
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except share data)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Revenues
Commissions
Net revenues
Voyage expenses
Vessel operating expenses
Depreciation
General and administrative expenses
Management fee to related parties
Company administration expenses
Early redelivery cost, net
Loss on inventory valuation
Other operating income/(cost)
Loss on sale of assets
$ 113,959 $ 154,040 $ 201,548 $ 206,682 $ 206,035
(7,877)
198,158
(41,582)
(70,086)
(54,269)
(8,357)
193,191
(6,378)
(63,512)
(48,067)
(8,921)
197,761
(13,715)
(68,569)
(50,310)
(6,008)
148,032
(3,932)
(52,794)
(51,424)
(4,187)
109,772
(7,679)
(49,519)
(49,485)
(11,611)
(3,770)
—
—
794
(2,750)
(13,511)
(2,607)
(1,263)
—
(390)
(120)
(16,536)
(2,706)
(105)
—
—
—
(18,050)
(2,589)
(63)
—
(414)
—
(18,884)
(2,618)
—
—
(241)
—
13
20Annual Report STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Impairment loss
Operating (loss)/income
Interest expense
Other finance (costs)/income
Interest income
(Loss)/gain on derivatives
Foreign currency (loss)/gain
Amortization and write-off of deferred
finance charges
Net (loss)/income
(Loss)/earnings per share of Common Stock,
basic and diluted
Cash dividends declared
per share of Common Stock
Cash dividends declared
per share of Preferred B Shares
Cash dividends declared
per share of Preferred C Shares
Cash dividends declared
per share of Preferred D Shares
Weighted average number of shares ofCom-
mon Stock outstanding, basic and diluted
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities (1)
Net cash (used in)/provided
by financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash
equivalents and restricted cash (1)
Year Ended December
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except share data)
(17,163)
(31,411)
(19,576)
(1,735)
515
(620)
(76)
(91,293)
(69,302)
(23,224)
7,651
799
72
1,782
—
55,887
(25,713)
(973)
929
18
(670)
—
44,051
(26,815)
(714)
1,558
(121)
(76)
—
10,478
(21,233)
(641)
604
(1,303)
916
(3,063)
(2,457)
(1,794)
(1,845)
(1,726)
$ (55,966)
$ (84,679)
(0.83)
$
(0.98)
$
$
27,684 $
16,038 $ (12,905)
0.16 $
0.04 $
(0.25)
— $
— $
— $
— $
2.00 $
2.00 $
0.62 $
— $
—
—
2.00 $
2.00 $
2.00 $
2.00 $
2.00
2.00 $
2.00 $
2.00 $
2.00 $
2.00
$
$
$
$
$
84,526,411 100,932,876 101,604,339 101,686,312 102,617,944
Year Ended December
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
$
13,478 $
50,101 $
85,449 $
58,284 $
(39,873)
(39,590)
(63,670)
(36,785)
63,376
(34,784)
(83,875)
(47,060)
(15,580)
8,540
(9,293)
(110,270)
(36,549)
6,199
30,039
19,299
(1) Effective December 31, 2017, we adopted the new standard Accounting Standards Update ASU 2016-18 – Restricted Cash. The implementation of this
update affected the presentation in the statement of cash flows relating to changes in restricted cash which are presented as part of Cash whereas we previ-
ously presented these within investing activities. This standard was retrospectively applied to all periods presented.
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total current assets
Total fixed assets
Other non-current assets
Total assets
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt, net of current portion
and of deferred finance charges
Year Ended December
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
111,008
1,051,726
11,019
1,173,753
23,779
79,086
946,529
9,482
1,035,097
36,933
101,262
963,887
11,050
1,076,199
54,606
135,989
964,000
14,654
1,114,643
86,784
134,734
951,290
19,605
1,105,629
104,715
569,781
541,816
538,508
536,995
531,883
Total liabilities
595,217
578,749
593,367
624,701
642,770
14
Safebulkers20 BALANCE SHEET DATA
Mezzanine equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value
Total shareholders’ equity
Year Ended December
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
—
99
578,536
—
102
456,348
16,998
103
465,834
17,200
104
472,742
18,112
102
444,747
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
1,172,096
1,035,097
1,076,199
1,114,643
1,105,629
(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 GEN-
ERAL. OTHER RISKS RELATE PRINCIPALLY TO THE SECURITIES MARKET AND OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK, $0.001
PAR VALUE PER SHARE (“COMMON STOCK”), SERIES C CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PERPETUAL PREFERRED SHARES, PAR
VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE, LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE $25.00 PER SHARE (“SERIES C PREFERRED SHARES”) AND SERIES
D CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE PERPETUAL PREFERRED SHARES, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE, LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE
$25.00 PER SHARE (“SERIES D PREFERRED SHARES,” AND TOGETHER WITH THE SERIES C PREFERRED SHARES, THE “PRE-
FERRED SHARES”), INCLUDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED SHARES.
THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY OF THE RISKS OR 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 OR
PREFERRED SHARES.
Risk Factor Summary
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Below is a summary of material factors that make an investment in our
securities speculative or risky. Importantly, this summary does not address all of the risks that we face. Additional discussion of
the risks summarized in this risk factor summary, as well as other risks that we face, can be found after this summary.
Risks Inherent in Our Industry and Our Business
~ Cyclicality and volatility may lead to reductions in the charter rates we are able to obtain, in vessel values and in our earn-
ings, results of operations and available cash flow.
~ A negative change in global economic or regulatory conditions could reduce charter rates.
~ An oversupply of drybulk vessel capacity may lead to reductions in charter rates and results of operations.
~ The market value of drybulk vessels is highly volatile. A decrease of the market values of our vessels could cause us to
incur an impairment loss and affect our results of operations.
~ Technological developments could reduce our earnings and the value of our vessels.
~ Drybulk industry is competitive, and we may not be able to compete successfully for charters with new entrants or
e s -
tablished companies with greater resources.
~ Changes in labor laws and regulations, collective bargaining negotiations and labor disputes could increase our crew costs.
~ We are subject to complex regulations and liability, including anti-bribery laws and environmental laws that may require
significant expenditures.
~ Our Scrubber-fitted vessels may face difficulties from the price differential between compliant fuels with 0.5% sulfur con-
tent (‘’Compliant Fuels’’) and heavy fuel oil with sulfur content of 3.5% (‘’HFO’’), regulatory restrictions and shortage in
availability of HFO, while our non–scrubber fitted vessels may face difficulties in competing with Scrubber-fitted vessels
and incur additional repairs and maintenance costs, affecting our results of operations.
~ Environmental regulations in relation to green house gas (‘’GHG’’) emissions may increase operational and financial re-
strictions, environmental compliance costs and lead to environmental taxation affecting less energy efficient vessels, re-
duce their trade and competitiveness and make certain vessels in our fleet obsolete, which may result in financial impacts
on our results of operations.
~ Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders and other market participants with respect to our
Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) policies may impose additional costs or expose us to additional risks.
~ Failure to comply with complex laws and regulations, including international safety regulations and requirements imposed
by our classification societies may subject us to increased liability, may adversely affect our insurance coverage and may
result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
15
20Annual Report ~ Increased inspection procedures and tighter import and export controls could increase costs and disrupt our business.
~ Our vessels are exposed to operational risks that may not be adequately covered by our insurance.
~ World events, including terrorist attacks and international hostilities, could negatively affect our results of operations.
~ The outbreak of the 2019-nCoV and the resulting disruptions to the Company and the international shipping industry have,
and could continue to negatively affect our business.
~ Acts of piracy and world events, including terrorist attacks and hostilities, could negatively affect our results of operations
and financial condition. Maritime claimants could arrest one or more of our vessels, and interrupt our cash flow.
~ Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, resulting in a loss of earnings.
~ We rely on information technology, and if we are unable to protect against service interruptions, data corruption, cyber
based attacks or network security breaches, our operations could be disrupted and our business negatively affected.
~ Certain operational and technical risks of drybulk vessels could lead to an environmental disaster, affecting our business.
~ Political uncertainty and an increase in trade protectionism could have a negative impact on our charterers’ business.
~ Seasonal fluctuations in industry demand could affect our financial condition and our ability to pay dividends.
~ Charterers may renegotiate or default on period time charters, which could reduce our revenues.
~ The loss of one or more of our customers could have a material adverse effect on our business.
~ Violations of our anti-bribery policy, consistent with the provisions of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”)
could result in damage of our reputation, sanctions, criminal penalties, imprisonment, civil action and fines, and affect on
our business.
~ We may have difficulty properly managing our planned growth through acquisitions of additional vessels.
~ Failure to improve our operations and financial systems or recruit suitable employees as we expand our business, may
affect our performance.
~ Unless we set aside reserves for vessel replacement, at the end of a vessel’s useful life, our revenue will decline, which
would adversely affect our cash flows and income.
~ If we are unable to obtain additional financing on favorable terms, we may be unable to refinance our existing indebtedness
and may not be able to finance a fleet replacement and expansion program in the future.
~ The aging of our fleet and our acquisitions of secondhand vessels may result in increased operating costs in the future.
~ Our business may be affected due to lack of revenue source diversification.
~ Uncertainty regarding the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) due to changes in the reporting practices, the method
in which LIBOR is determined or the use of alternative reference rates may adversely impact our indebtedness.
~ We are and will be exposed to floating interest rates and may selectively enter into interest rate derivative contracts, which
can result in higher than market interest rates and charges against our income.
~ Because we generate substantially all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but incur a material portion of our expenses in other
currencies, exchange rate fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
~ Restrictive covenants in our existing and future financing agreements impose financial and other restrictions on us, and any
breach of these covenants could result in the acceleration of our indebtedness and foreclosure on our vessels.
~ The declaration and payment of dividends will always be subject to the discretion of our board of directors and our board of
directors may not declare dividends in the future.
~ We are a holding company and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to make divi-
dend payments.
~ We depend on our Managers to operate our business and our business could be harmed if our Managers fail to perform
their services satisfactorily.
~ Our chief executive officer also controls our Managers, which could create conflicts of interest between us and our Manag-
ers.
~ Agreements between us and other affiliated entities may be challenged as less favorable than agreements that we could
obtain from unaffiliated third parties.
~ The provisions in our restrictive covenant arrangements with our chief executive officer and certain entities affiliated with
him restricting their ability to compete with us may not be enforceable.
~ Our vessels may call on ports located in Iran or Syria, which are identified by the United States government as state spon-
sors of terrorism which could be viewed negatively by investors and adversely affect the trading price of our Common Stock
and Preferred Shares.
~ We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate law.
~ It may be difficult to serve us with legal process or enforce judgments against us, our directors or our management.
~ We may be subject to lawsuits and other enforcement actions for damages and penalties.
~ Our costs of operating as a public company are significant, and our management is required to devote substantial time to
complying with public company regulations.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock and Preferred Shares
~ The Hajioannou family controls the outcome of matters on which our stockholders are entitled to vote and its interests may
be different from yours.
~ Our status as a foreign private issuer within the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act exempts us from certain re-
quirements of the SEC and NYSE.
~ Future sales of our Common Stock will dilute current shareholders and could cause the market price of our Common Stock
to decline.
16
Safebulkers20 ~ The market price of our Common Stock may be adversely affected by sales of substantial amounts of our Common Stock
pursuant to our at the market equity offering program (the “ATM Program”).
~ Our share repurchase programs may affect the market for our Common Stock and Preferred Shares.
~ There is no guarantee of a continuing public market for you to resell our common or preferred stock.
~ We have adopted a shareholders rights plan which could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire us while the plan
remains in effect.
~ Anti-takeover provisions could make it difficult for our stockholders to replace or remove our current board of directors.
~ We may not have sufficient cash from our operations to enable us to pay dividends on or to redeem our Preferred Shares
following the payment of expenses and the establishment of any reserves.
~ The Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests and are subordinate to our debt and the liquidation preference
amount on our Preferred Shares is fixed and you will have no right to receive any greater payment.
~ Holders of Preferred Shares have extremely limited voting rights.
~ Our ability to pay dividends on and to redeem our Preferred Shares is limited by the requirements of the laws of the Repub-
lic of the Marshall Islands, the laws of the Republic of Liberia and existing and future agreements.
Tax Risks
~ We may earn shipping income that will be subject to United States income tax, thereby reducing our cash available for
distributions to you.
~ United States tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which could have adverse United
States federal income tax consequences to United States holders.
Risks Inherent in Our Industry and Our Business
The international drybulk shipping industry is cyclical and volatile, having reached historical highs in 2008 and historical
lows in 2016. Charter rates improved in 2019 and declined significantly in 2020, due in part to the impact of 2019-
nCoV, which resulted in relatively lower charter rates. Charter rates have since improved during the start of 2021. Cycli-
cality and volatility may lead to reductions in the charter rates we are able to obtain, in vessel values and in our earnings,
results of operations and available cash flow.
The drybulk shipping industry is cyclical with attendant volatility in charter rates, vessel values and profitability. The industry is
cyclical in nature due to seasonal fluctuations and to the market adjustments in supply of and demand for drybulk vessels, and
trade disruptions, such as those caused throughout 2020 and during the start of 2021 by the 2019-nCoV. We expect this cycli-
cality and volatility in market rates to continue in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the drybulk
charter market will remain at levels recently experienced in the near future, and the market could experience a downturn in case
of a new wave of 2019-nCoV or for other reasons. For example, in 2008, the Baltic Dry Index (the “BDI”), had reached an all-
time high of 11,793, while in 2016, BDI had reached an all-time low of 290. During 2019, 2020 and 2021, the BDI, remained
volatile, reaching an annual low of 595 in February 2019 and a high of 2,518 in September 2019 for 2019, an annual low of
393 in May 2020 and an annual high of 2,097 in October 2020 for 2020 and a low of 1,303 on February 10, 2021 and a high
of 1,983 on March 15, 2021 thus far in 2021. In 2020, the BDI slumped as a result of the 2019-nCoV and in the start of 2021
has improved as a result of improved freight market conditions.
We charter some of our vessels in the spot charter market for periods up to three months and in the period charter market for
longer periods. The spot market is highly competitive and volatile, while period time charter contracts of longer duration provide
income at pre-determined rates over more extended periods of time. We are exposed to changes in spot charter market each
time one of our vessels is completing a previously contracted charter, and we may not be able to secure period time charters at
profitable levels. Furthermore, we may be unable to keep our vessels fully employed. Charter rates available in the market may
be insufficient to enable our vessels to be operated profitably. A significant decrease in charter rates would adversely affect our
profitability, cash flows, asset values and ability to pay dividends.
As of March 15, 2021, 21 of our 43 drybulk vessels were deployed or scheduled to be deployed on period time charters of more
than three months remaining term. In addition, the Company has recently entered into memorandum of agreements for the sale
of two of its older vessels and for the acquisition of three dry-bulk vessels, all of which Japanese-built, the first a 2011-built,
Panamax class, second-hand vessel delivered to us in March 2021, the second, a Kamsarmax class, newbuild vessel, scheduled to
be delivered in the first half of 2022, and the third a Post-Panamax class, newbuild vessel scheduled to be delivered in the third
quarter of 2022. The two vessels on order do not currently have any contracted charter. As more vessels become available for
employment, we may have difficulty entering into multi-year, fixed-rate time charters for our vessels, and as a result, our cash
flows may be subject to instability in the long-term. We may be required to enter into variable rate charters or charters linked to
the Baltic Panamax Index, as opposed to contracts based on fixed rates, which could result in a decrease in our cash flows and
net income in periods when the market for drybulk shipping is depressed. If low charter rates in the drybulk market prevail during
periods when we must replace our existing charters, it will have an adverse effect on our revenues, profitability, cash flows and
our ability to comply with the financial covenants in our loan and credit facilities.
The factors affecting the supply and demand for drybulk vessels are outside of our control and are difficult to predict with confi-
dence. As a result, the nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in industry conditions are also unpredictable.
Factors that influence demand for drybulk vessel capacity include:
~ demand for and production of drybulk products;
17
20Annual Report ~ supply of and demand for energy resources and commodities;
~ the 2019-nCoV and related factors;
~ global and regional economic and political conditions, including weather, natural or other disasters (including the 2019-
nCoV), armed conflicts, terrorist activities and strikes;
~ environmental and other regulatory developments;
~ the location of regional and global exploration, production and manufacturing facilities and the distance drybulk cargoes
are to be moved by sea;
~ changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns including shifts in the location of consuming regions for energy
resources, commodities, and transportation demand for drybulk transportation;
~ international sanctions, embargoes, import and export restrictions, nationalizations and wars;
~ trade disputes or the imposition of tariffs on various commodities or finished goods tariffs on imports and exports that
could affect the international trade; and
~ currency exchange rates.
Factors that influence the supply of drybulk vessel capacity include:
~ the size of the newbuilding orderbook;
~ availability of financing for new vessels;
~ the number of newbuild deliveries, including slippage in deliveries, which, among other factors, relates to the ability of
shipyards to deliver newbuilds by contracted delivery dates and the ability of purchasers to finance such newbuilds;
~ the scrapping rate of older vessels, depending, amongst other things, on scrapping rates and international scrapping
regulations;
~ the 2019-nCoV and related factors, including port lockdowns, higher crew cost and travel restrictions imposed by govern-
ments around the world;
~ port and canal congestion;
~ the speed of vessel operation which may be influenced by several reasons including energy cost and environmental
regulations;
~ sanctions;
~ the number of vessels that are in or out of service, delayed in ports for several reasons, laid-up, dry docked awaiting repairs
or otherwise not available for hire, including due to vessel casualties; and
~ changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful lives of vessels or effectively cause reductions in
the carrying capacity of vessels or early obsolescence of tonnage.
Factors influencing the supply of and demand for shipping capacity are outside of our control, and we may not be able to correctly
assess the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions. We anticipate that the future demand for our drybulk ves-
sels and, in turn, drybulk charter rates, will be dependent, among other things, upon economic growth in the world’s economies,
seasonal and regional changes in demand, changes in the capacity of the global drybulk vessel fleet and the sources and supply
of drybulk cargo to be transported by sea. A decline in demand for commodities transported in drybulk vessels or an increase in
supply of drybulk vessels could cause a significant decline in charter rates, which could materially adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance as to the sustainability of future economic growth, if any,
due to unexpected demand shocks, such as the 2019-nCoV.
A negative change in global economic or regulatory conditions, especially in the Asian region, which includes countries
like China, Japan and India, could reduce drybulk trade and demand, which could reduce charter rates and have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We expect that a significant number of the port calls made by our vessels will involve the loading or discharging of raw materials
in ports in the Asian region, particularly China, Japan and India. As a result, a negative change in economic or regulatory condi-
tions in any Asian country, particularly China, Japan or, to some extent, India, can have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial position and results of operations, as well as our future prospects, by reducing demand and, as a result, charter rates
and affecting our ability to charter our vessels. If economic growth declines in China, Japan, India and other countries in the Asian
region, or if the regulatory environment in these countries changes adversely for our industry, we may face decreases in such
drybulk trade and demand. Moreover, a slowdown in the United States economy or the economies of countries within the Euro-
pean Union (the “E.U.”) will likely adversely affect economic growth in China, Japan, India and other countries in the Asian region.
Such an economic downturn in any of these countries could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
An oversupply of drybulk vessel capacity may lead to reductions in charter rates and results of operations.
The market supply of drybulk vessels has been increasing in terms of dwt, and the number of drybulk vessels on order as of De-
cember 31, 2020 was approximately 5.6% for Panamax to Post-Panamax class vessels and 6.3% for Capesize class vessels,
as compared to the then-existing global drybulk fleet in terms of dwt, with the majority of new deliveries expected during 2021.
As a result, the drybulk fleet continues to grow. In addition, during periods when there are high expectations for charter market
recovery, a large number of orders may be placed in shipyards, resulting in a further increase of newbuild orders and accordingly
in the size of the global drybulk fleet. An oversupply of drybulk vessel capacity will likely result in a reduction of charter hire
rates. We will be exposed to changes in charter rates with respect to our existing fleet and our remaining newbuild, depending on
the ultimate growth of the global drybulk fleet. If we cannot enter into period time charters on acceptable terms, we may have to
secure charters in the spot market, where charter rates are more volatile and revenues are, therefore, less predictable, or we may
18
Safebulkers20 not be able to charter our vessels at all. In our current fleet, as of March 15, 2021, 23 vessels will be available for employment in
the first half of 2021. A material increase in the net supply of drybulk vessel capacity without corresponding growth in drybulk vessel
demand could have a material adverse effect on our fleet utilization and our charter rates generally, and could, accordingly, materially
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The market value of drybulk vessels is highly volatile, being related to charter market conditions, aging and environmen-
tal regulations. The market values of our vessels may significantly decrease which could cause us to breach covenants
in our credit and loan facilities, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
Our credit and loan facilities, which are secured by mortgages on our vessels, require us to comply with collateral coverage ratios and
satisfy certain financial and other covenants, including those that are affected by the market value of our vessels. The market values
of drybulk vessels have generally experienced significant volatility within a short period of time. The market prices for second-hand
and newbuild drybulk vessels significantly declined in 2020 due to depressed market conditions as a result of 2019-nCoV, and have
recovered since then during the first months of 2021. The market prices for second-hand and newbuild drybulk vessels experienced
a small increase in 2018 and 2019 following a significant increase in 2017 compared to the very low levels experienced in 2016
when vessel values were reduced in a short period of time due to depressed market conditions. The market value of our vessels fluc-
tuates depending on a number of factors, including:
~ general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry;
~ prevailing level of charter rates;
~ supply of and demand for vessels;
~ general vessel’s condition and vessel’s specification;
~ vessel’s environmental performance, (GHG rating, BWTS installation, Scrubbers installation, etc.),
~ distressed asset sales, including newbuild contract sales during weak charter market conditions;
~ lack of financing and limitations imposed by financial covenants in our credit and loan facilities;
~ competition from other shipping companies and other modes of transportation;
~ configurations, types, sizes and ages of vessels;
~ changes in governmental, environmental or other regulations that may limit the useful life of vessels; and
~ technological advances.
We were in compliance with our covenants in our credit and loan facilities in effect as of December 31, 2019 and December 31,
2020. If the market value of our vessels, or our newbuilds upon delivery to us, decline, we may breach some of the covenants con-
tained in our credit and loan facilities. If we do breach such covenants and we are unable to remedy or our lenders refuse to waive
the relevant breach, our lenders could accelerate our indebtedness and foreclose on the vessels in our fleet securing those loan and
credit facilities. As a result of cross-default provisions contained in our loan and credit facility agreements, this could in turn lead to
additional defaults under our loan agreements and the consequent acceleration of the indebtedness under those agreements and the
commencement of similar foreclosure proceedings by other lenders. If our indebtedness was accelerated in full or in part, it would
be difficult for us to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing on favorable terms or at all and we could lose our vessels if our
lenders foreclose their liens, which would adversely affect our ability to continue our business.
A significant decrease of the market values of our vessels could cause us to incur an impairment loss and could have a mate-
rial adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We review for impairment our vessels held and used whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount
of the vessels may not be recoverable. Such indicators include declines in the fair market value of vessels, decreases in market
charter rates, vessel sale and purchase considerations, fleet utilization, environmental and other regulatory changes in the drybulk
shipping industry or changes in business plans or overall market conditions that may adversely affect cash flows. We may be required
to record an impairment charge with respect to our vessels and any such impairment charge resulting from a decline in the market
value of our vessels or a decrease in charter rates may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations. Our financial results may be similarly affected in the future if we record an impairment charge or sell vessels at a loss
before we record an impairment adjustment. Conversely, if vessel values are elevated at a time when we wish to acquire additional
vessels, the cost of such acquisitions may increase and this could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flow and
financial condition.
See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—A. Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies—Impairment of
Vessels” for more information.
Technological developments could reduce our earnings and the value of our vessels.
Determining factors for the useful life of the vessels in our fleet are efficiency, operational flexibility and technological developments.
Efficiency includes speed, fuel economy, which is also related to GHG emissions, 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 duration of a
vessel’s useful life is related to its original design and construction, its maintenance and the impact of the stress of operations. If new
vessels are built that are more efficient or more flexible or have longer useful lives than our vessels, competition from these more
technologically advanced vessels could adversely affect the amount of charter hire payments we receive for our vessels, and the
resale value of our vessels could significantly decrease. As a result, our earnings and financial condition could be adversely affected.
The international drybulk shipping industry is highly competitive, and we may not be able to compete successfully for
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20Annual Report charters with new entrants or established companies with greater resources.
We employ our vessels in a highly competitive market that is capital intensive and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily
from other vessel owners, some of whom have substantially greater resources than we do. Competition for the transportation of
drybulk cargo by sea is intense and depends on price, customer relationships, operating expertise, professional reputation and
size, age, location and condition of the vessel. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, additional competitors with greater
resources could enter the drybulk shipping industry and operate larger fleets through consolidations or acquisitions and may be
able to offer lower charter rates than we are able to offer, which could have a material adverse effect on our fleet utilization and,
accordingly, our results of operations.
Changes in labor laws and regulations, collective bargaining negotiations and labor disputes could increase our crew
costs and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability
to pay dividends.
Crew costs are a significant expense for us under our charters. There is a limited supply of well-qualified crew. We bear crewing
costs under our charters. Increases in crew costs may adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, labor disputes or
unrest, including work stoppages, strikes and/or work disruptions or increases imposed by collective bargaining agreements cov-
ering the majority of our officers on board our vessels could result in higher personnel costs and significantly affect our financial
performance.
We are subject to regulations and liability under environmental laws that require significant expenditures, which can af-
fect the ability and competitiveness of our vessels to trade, our results of operations and financial condition.
Our business and the operation of our vessels are regulated under international conventions, national, state and local laws and
regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate, as well as in the country or countries of their registration,
in order to protect against potential environmental impacts. Regulations of vessels, particularly environmental regulations have
become more stringent and it is expected to be further revised and become stricter in the future, including air emissions (nitrogen
and sulfur oxides, particulate matter, etc.), marine pollution, BWTS implementation, GHG emissions, etc., As a result significant
capital expenditures maybe required on our vessels to keep them in compliance.
See “Item 4. Information on the company. — B. Business Overview — Regulations: Safety and the Environment” for more
information.
We could also incur material liabilities, including cleanup obligations and claims for natural resource, personal injury and property
damages in the event that there is a release of petroleum or other hazardous materials from our vessels or otherwise in connec-
tion with our operations. Violations of, or liabilities under, environmental regulations can result in substantial penalties, fines and
other sanctions, including, in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels. Any such actual or alleged environmental laws
regulations and policies violation, under negligence, willful misconduct or fault, could result in substantial fines, civil and/or crimi-
nal penalties or curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or
financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Furthermore,
detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and can consume significant time and attention of
our senior management. Events of this nature would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
Our Scrubber-fitted vessels may face difficulties from the price differential between Compliant Fuels and HFO, regulatory
restrictions and shortage in availability of HFO, while our non–scrubber fitted vessels may face difficulties in compet-
ing with Scrubber-fitted vessels and incur additional repairs and maintenance costs, affecting our results of operations.
A global 0.5% sulfur cap on marine fuels came into force on January 1, 2020, as agreed in amendments adopted in 2008 for
Annex VI to MARPOL reducing the previous sulfur cap of 3.5%. Vessels may use either Compliant Fuel or HFO if they are equipped
with Scrubbers. In response to sulfur oxide emissions regulations, we have installed Scrubbers in 20 of our vessels and we expect
to install one additional Scrubber in 2021.
The viability of Scrubber investments mainly depends on the price differential between Compliant Fuels, which usually are more
expensive, and HFO. The use of Compliant Fuels during 2020 has raised concerns in relation to excess wear of piston liners and
fuel pumps. On the other hand a shortage of HFO in certain ports has been experienced as only a small percentage of the global
fleet is equipped with Scrubbers and the trading of HFO may not be economical to fuel suppliers.
If the price differential between Compliant Fuels and HFO is narrower than expected due to among other things, a drop in oil prices
and/or a reduced demand for oil, then we may not realize any return, or we may realize a lower return on our investment in Scrub-
bers than that which we expected, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial
position. Conversely, if the price differential between Compliant Fuels and HFO is wider than expected, about half of our vessels
that will not be equipped with Scrubbers may face difficulties in competing with vessels equipped with Scrubbers. Furthermore,
restrictions of effluents from Scrubbers have been or are being considered to be imposed in various jurisdictions, mainly in ports,
which may affect the viability of such investments. All the above could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations,
cash flows and financial position.
See “Item 4. Information on the company. — B. Business Overview — IMO and other related regulations — Nitrogen and Sulfur
Oxide Emission Regulations” for more information.
Environmental regulations in relation to GHG emissions may increase operational and financial restrictions, environmen-
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Safebulkers20 tal compliance costs and lead to environmental taxation affecting less energy efficient vessels, reduce their trade and
competitiveness and make certain vessels in our fleet obsolete, which may result in financial impacts on our results of
operations.
GHG reduction measures adopted, or further additional measures to be adopted by the International Maritime Organization
(“IMO”), EU and other jurisdictions for achieving 2030 goals may impose operational and financial restrictions, carbon taxes or
an emission trading system on less efficient vessels starting from 2023, gradually affecting younger vessels, even newbuilds af-
ter 2030, reducing their trade and competitiveness, increasing their environmental compliance costs, imposing additional energy
efficiency investments, or even making such vessels obsolete. This or other developments may result in financial impacts on our
operations that we cannot predict with certainty at this time, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
See “Item 4. Information on the company. — B. Business Overview — Regulations: Safety and the Environment - Greenhouse Gas
Regulation – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change” for more information.
In response to the above GHG environmental regulations, we monitor CO2 vessel emissions pursuant to the International Mari-
time Organizations’ fuel oil consumption Data Collection System (“IMO DCS”) and to the European Monitoring, Reporting and
Verification Regulation (“EU-MRV”), assessing in parallel the applicability of relevant energy efficiency measures. Furthermore,
we pursue a fleet renewal strategy having entered into memoranda of agreement for the sale of two of our older vessels, built in
2003 and 2004, and for the acquisition of two drybulk newbuild vessels with Energy Efficiency Design Index (“EEDI”) complying
with IMO Phase 3 requirements.
Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors, lenders and other market participants with respect to our
ESG policies may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks.
Companies across all industries, including the shipping industry, are facing increased scrutiny relating to their ESG policies.
Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, investment funds, lenders and other market participants are increas-
ingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications and social cost of their
investments. The increased focus and activism related to ESG and similar matters may hinder access to capital, as investors and
lenders may decide to reallocate capital or to not commit capital as a result of their assessment of a company’s ESG practices.
Companies which do not adapt to or comply with investor, lender or other industry shareholder expectations and standards, which
are evolving, or which are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of
whether there is a legal requirement to do so, may suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition, and/or
the stock price of such a company could be materially and adversely affected. As a result, we may be required to implement more
stringent ESG procedures or standards so that we continue to have access to capital and our existing and future investors and
lenders remain invested in us and make further investments in us.
Specifically, we may face increasing pressures from investors, lenders and other market participants, who are increasingly fo-
cused on climate change, to prioritize sustainable energy practices, reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainability.
Additionally, certain investors and lenders may exclude drybulk shipping companies, such as us, from their investing portfolios
altogether due to environmental, social and governance factors. If we are faced with limitations in the debt and/or equity markets
as a result of these concerns, or if we are unable to access alternative means of financing on acceptable terms, or at all, we may
be unable to access funds to implement our business strategy or service our indebtedness, which could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to complex laws and regulations, including international safety regulations and requirements imposed
by our classification societies and the failure to comply with these regulations and requirements may subject us to
increased liability, may adversely affect our insurance coverage and may result in a denial of access to, or detention
in, certain ports.
We are subject to complex laws and regulations both in the jurisdictions in which we operate, such as international conventions,
regulations and treaties, and in national laws. Compliance with regulations and laws require significant costs which could have
a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and our available cash. Our
industry’s regulatory environment is becoming exponentially complex and includes regulations of the European Union, the United
Nations, the IMO and the United States, such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973
(“ISM Code”), including the designation of Emission Control Areas, the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, the Unit-
ed States Oil Pollution Act of 1990, the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980,
the U.S. Clean Air Act, the U.S. Clean Water Act, the U.S. Marine Transportation Security Act of 2002 and others. In the foresee-
able future we expect the trend of increasing regulatory compliance complexity to continue. For example, United States agencies
and the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee have adopted cyber security regulations which requires ship owners and managers to
incorporate cyber risk management and security into their safety management in 2021.
The operation of our vessels is affected by the requirements set forth in the IMO ISM Code. Under the ISM Code, we are required
to develop and maintain an extensive Safety Management System (“SMS”) that includes the adoption of a safety and environmen-
tal protection policy. Failure to comply with the ISM Code may subject us to increased liability, invalidate existing insurance or
decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
For example, the U.S. Coast Guard and E.U. authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be
prohibited from trading in U.S. and E.U. ports. Currently, each of the vessels in our current fleet is ISM Code-certified, but we may
not be able to maintain such certification at all times. If we fail to maintain ISM Code certification for our vessels, we may also
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20Annual Report breach covenants in certain of our credit and loan facilities that require that our vessels be ISM Code-certified. If we breach such
covenants due to failure to maintain ISM Code certification and are unable to remedy the relevant breach, our lenders could ac-
celerate our indebtedness and foreclose on the vessels in our fleet securing those credit or loan facilities.
The operation of our vessels is also affected by other government regulation in the form of international conventions, national,
state and local laws and regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which the vessels operate, as well as in the country or countries
of their registration. Because such conventions, laws, and regulations are often revised, we may not be able to predict the ultimate
cost of complying with such conventions, laws and regulations or the impact thereof on the resale prices or useful lives of our
vessels. Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the
cost of our doing business and which may materially adversely affect our operations. We are required by various governmental
and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses, certificates and financial assurances with respect to our
operations. In addition, vessel classification societies also impose significant safety and other requirements on our vessels. As a
result, we may incur significant capital expenditures on our vessels to keep them in compliance. See Item 4. Information on the
Company-Business Overview-Environmental and Other Regulations for more information.
Increased inspection procedures, tighter import and export controls and survey requirements could increase costs and
disrupt our business.
International shipping is subject to various security and customs inspections and related procedures in countries of origin and
destination. Inspection procedures can result in the seizure of the contents of our vessels, delays in the loading, offloading or
delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines and other penalties against us.
It is possible that changes to inspection procedures could impose additional financial and legal obligations on us. Furthermore,
changes to inspection procedures could also impose additional costs and obligations on our customers and may, in certain cases,
render the shipment of certain types of cargo impractical. Any such changes or developments may have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be certified as safe and seaworthy in accordance with applicable rules
and regulations, and accordingly vessels must undergo regular surveys. 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
and we would be in violation of certain covenants in our credit and loan facilities. This would also negatively impact our revenues.
Our vessels are exposed to operational risks that may not be adequately covered by our insurance.
The operation of any vessel includes risks such as weather conditions, mechanical failure, collision, fire, contact with floating
objects, cargo or property loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in countries, piracy, terrorist
and cyber terrorist attacks, armed hostilities and labor strikes. Such occurrences could result in death or injury to persons, loss,
damage or destruction of property or environmental damage, delays in the delivery of cargo, loss of revenues from or termination
of charter contracts, governmental fines, penalties or restrictions on conducting business, higher insurance rates and damage to
our reputation and customer relationships generally.
We may not be adequately insured against all risks, and our insurers may not pay particular claims. With respect to war risks
insurance, which we usually obtain for certain of our vessels making port calls in designated war zone areas, such insurance may
not be obtained prior to one of our vessels entering into an actual war zone, which could result in that vessel not being insured.
Even if our insurance coverage is adequate to cover our losses, we may not be able to timely obtain a replacement vessel in the
event of a loss. Under the terms of our credit facilities, we will be subject to restrictions on the use of any proceeds we may re-
ceive from claims under our insurance policies. Furthermore, in the future, we may not be able to maintain or obtain adequate
insurance coverage at reasonable rates for our fleet. We may also be subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts based not only
on our own claim records but also the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations through
which we receive indemnity insurance coverage for tort liability. Our insurance policies also contain deductibles, limitations and
exclusions which, although we believe are standard in the shipping industry, may nevertheless increase our costs in the event of a
claim or decrease any recovery in the event of a loss. If the damages from a catastrophic oil spill or other marine disaster exceed
our insurance coverage, the payment of those damages could have a material adverse effect on our business and could possibly
result in our insolvency.
In general, we do not carry loss of hire insurance. Occasionally, we may decide to carry loss of hire insurance when our vessels
are trading in areas where a history of piracy has been reported. Loss of hire insurance covers the loss of revenue during extended
vessel off-hire periods, such as those that occur during an unscheduled drydocking or unscheduled repairs due to damage to the
vessel. Accordingly, any loss of a vessel or any extended period of vessel off-hire, due to an accident or otherwise, could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
World events, including terrorist attacks and international hostilities, could negatively affect our results of operations
and financial condition.
We conduct most of our operations outside of the U.S. and our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and
ability to pay dividends, if any, in the future may be adversely affected by changing economic, political and government conditions
in the countries and regions where our vessels are employed or registered. 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,
North Africa and other countries and geographic areas, terrorist or other attacks and war or international hostilities. Terrorist
attacks and the continuing response of the U.S. and others to these attacks, as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks around
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Safebulkers20 the world, continues to cause uncertainty in the world’s financial markets and may affect our business, operating results and
financial condition. Continuing conflicts and recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa, and the presence of U.S.
or other armed forces in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and various other regions, may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed
conflict 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 con-
flicts have also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly
in the Arabian Gulf region. These types of attacks have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea and
the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our operating results,
revenues and costs.
The outbreak of the 2019-nCoV or other public health threats and epidemics and the resulting disruptions to the inter-
national shipping industry, could negatively affect our business, financial performance and our results of operations.
As of March 2020, the outbreak of the 2019-nCoV has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The 2019-
nCoV has substantially affected our industry, see “Item 4. Information on the company. — B. Business Overview — Corona Virus
Outbreak” for more information. The extent and duration to which the 2019-nCoV outbreak and measures taken in response
thereto may continue to negatively impact our business, financial performance and operating results, remain largely uncertain
and dependent on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as the severity and transmission rate
of the various new 2019-nCoV types, the effectiveness of the vaccines, the extent to which vaccines are available to our crew,
and the effectiveness of the containment actions taken, including travel and cargo restrictions, and the impact of these and other
factors on the shipping industry as a whole. As a result, it is not possible to ascertain the overall impact of the 2019-nCoV on our
business. However, the occurrence of any of the foregoing events or other epidemics or an increase in the severity or duration of
the 2019-nCoV and any new virus wave, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows,
financial condition, value of our vessels, and our ability to pay dividends.
Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels may increase in frequency, which could adversely affect our business.
Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea, the Indi-
an Ocean 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, particularly in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia and increasingly in
the Sulu Sea and the Gulf of Guinea, with drybulk vessels and tankers particularly vulnerable to such attacks. Acts of piracy could
result in harm or danger to the crews that man our vessels.
If these piracy attacks occur in regions in which our vessels are deployed that insurers characterized as “war risk” zones or Joint
War Committee “war and strikes” listed areas, premiums payable for such coverage could increase significantly and such insur-
ance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. In addition, crew costs, including the employment of onboard security guards, could
increase in such circumstances. Furthermore, while we believe the charterer remains liable for charter payments when a vessel
is seized by pirates, the charterer may dispute this and withhold charterhire until the vessel is released. A charterer may also
claim that a vessel seized by pirates was not “on-hire” for a certain number of days and is therefore entitled to cancel the charter
party, a claim that we would dispute. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a
material adverse effect on us. In addition, any detention hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase
in cost, or unavailability, of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition
and earnings.
The operation of drybulk vessels has certain unique operational and technical risks which include mechanical failure,
collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage as well as personal injury, illness and loss of life and could lead to an envi-
ronmental disaster; failure to adequately maintain our vessels or address such risks could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The operation of a drybulk vessel has certain unique operational and technical risks which include mechanical failure, collision,
property loss, cargo loss or damage as well as personal injury, illness and loss of life and could lead to an environmental disaster.
Drybulk vessels may develop unexpected mechanical and operational problems due to several reasons including improper main-
tenance and weather conditions. We operate certain of our vessels using Compliant Fuel, some of which, under certain conditions,
may cause loss of the vessel’s main engine power with severe results that can lead to collision and loss of a vessel.
With a drybulk vessel, the cargo itself and its interaction with the vessel may create operational risks. By their nature, drybulk
cargoes are often heavy, dense and easily shifted, and they may react badly to water exposure. In addition, drybulk vessels are
often subjected to battering treatment during unloading operations with grabs, jackhammers (to pry encrusted cargoes out of the
hold) and small bulldozers. This treatment may cause damage to the vessel. Vessels damaged due to treatment during unloading
procedures or with steel plate diminution may be more susceptible to breach while at sea. Breaches of a drybulk vessel’s hull may
lead to the flooding of the vessel’s holds. If a drybulk vessel suffers flooding in its forward holds, the bulk cargo may become so
dense and waterlogged that its pressure may buckle the vessel’s bulkheads, leading to the loss of a vessel. If we do not adequately
maintain our vessels or address such operational and technical risks, we may be unable to prevent these events. The occurrence
of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Maritime claimants could arrest one or more of our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flow.
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien
against a vessel, or other assets of the relevant vessel-owning company, for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many juris-
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20Annual Report dictions, a claimant may seek to obtain security for its claim by arresting a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or
attachment of one or more of our vessels, or other assets of the relevant vessel-owning company or companies, could cause us to
default on a charter, breach covenants in certain of our credit facilities, interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay large sums
of money to have the arrest or attachment lifted. In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the “sister ship”
theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel which is subject to the claimant’s maritime lien and any “associated” ves-
sel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could attempt to assert “sister ship” liability against
one vessel in our fleet for claims relating to another of our vessels.
Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, resulting in a loss of earnings.
A government could requisition one or more of our vessels for title or for hire. Requisition for title occurs when a government
takes control of a vessel and becomes its owner, while requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel
and effectively becomes its charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during periods of war or emergency,
although governments may elect to requisition vessels in other circumstances. 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 payment would be uncertain. Government requisi-
tion of one or more of our vessels may cause us to breach covenants in certain of our credit facilities, and could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on information technology, and if we are unable to protect against service interruptions, data corruption, cyber
based attacks or network security breaches, our operations could be disrupted and our business could be negatively
affected.
Our information systems and networks could become targeted and attacked by individuals or organized groups. A cyber attack
could materially and adversely affect our business operations, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and our
reputation. In addition, cyber attacks could lead to potential unauthorized access to our systems targeting ransomware, data
theft, loss and corruption, disclosure of proprietary or confidential information or, personal data. Cyber attacks on our vessels
may also lead to potential unauthorized access to, or service interruptions, denial or manipulation of the navigational systems of
our vessels, which could result in hazardous accidents. There is no assurance that we will not experience these service interrup-
tions or cyber attacks in the future. Further, as the methods of cyber attacks continue to evolve, we may be required to expend
additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures, or to investigate and remedy any vulnerabilities to
cyber attacks. Moreover, we do not carry cyber attack insurance to cover the aforementioned risks to our information technology.
These information technology systems, some of which are managed by third parties, may be susceptible to damage, disruptions
or shutdowns, hardware or software failures, power outages, computer viruses, cyber attacks, telecommunication failures, user
errors or catastrophic events. Risks and vulnerabilities can also arise out of inadequacies in design, integration and/or mainte-
nance of information technology systems , as well as lapses in cyber discipline. Furthermore, as of May 25, 2018, data breaches
on personal data, as defined in the European General Data Protection Regulation, could lead to administrative fines up to €20
million or up to 4% of the total worldwide annual turnover of the company, whichever is greater. Our information technology sys-
tems are becoming increasingly integrated, so damage, disruption or shutdown to the system could result in a more widespread
impact. If our information technology systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown, and our business continuity plans
do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, our operations could be disrupted and our business could be negatively
affected.
Recent action by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and U.S. agencies indicate that cyber security regulations for the maritime
industry are likely to be further developed in the near future in an attempt to combat cyber security threats. This might cause
companies to cultivate additional procedures for monitoring cyber security, which could require additional expenses and/or capi-
tal expenditures. However, the impact of such regulations is difficult to predict at this time.
Political uncertainty and an increase in trade protectionism could have a material adverse impact on our charterers’ busi-
ness and, in turn, could cause a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our operations expose us to the risk that increased trade protectionism from China, other countries in the Asian region, the United
States or other nations will adversely affect our business. If the global recovery is undermined by downside risks and the economic
downturn returns, or if the regulatory environment otherwise dictates, governments may turn to trade barriers to protect their
domestic industries against foreign imports, thereby depressing the demand for shipping. Specifically, increasing trade protec-
tionism affecting the markets that our charterers serve may cause (i) a decrease in cargoes available to our charterers in favor
of domestic charterers and domestically owned ships and (ii) an increase in the risks associated with importing goods to such
markets. 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. Further, on January 23, 2017, former President Trump
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. Further, in January 2019, the United States
announced expanded sanctions against Venezuela, which may have an effect on its oil output and in turn affect global oil supply.
Throughout 2018 and 2019, former President Trump called for substantial changes to foreign trade policy with China and raised,
and proposed to further raise in the future, tariffs on several Chinese goods in order to reverse what he perceived as unfair trade
practices that have negatively impacted U.S. businesses. The announcement of such tariffs has triggered retaliatory actions from
foreign governments, including China, and may trigger retaliatory actions by other foreign governments, resulting in a “trade
war.” The trade war has had the effect of reducing the supply of goods available for import or export and has therefore resulted
in a decrease in demand for shipping. On January 15, 2020, the United States and China signed the Phase One Deal, agreeing
24
Safebulkers20 to the rollback of tariffs, expansion of trade purchases, and renewed commitments on intellectual property, technology transfer,
and currency practices deescalating the trade war. Under the Phase One Deal the U.S. has committed to reduce tariffs from 15
% to 7.5% on US$120 billion worth of goods and China has agreed to halve tariffs on 1,717 U.S. goods, lowering the tariff on
some items from 10% to 5%, and others from 5 % to 2.5 %, which both took effect on February 14, 2020. Newly elected U.S.
President Biden has stated that there are no immediate plans to cancel the Phase One Deal, but the administration is expected to
make changes to the U.S.-China tariff policies.
There is no certainty that the de-escalation of the trade war between the U.S. and China will continue and there is no certainty that
additional tariffs will not be imposed by the U.S. or China. Should the de-escalation of the trade war discontinue or an increase in
trade barriers or restrictions on trade occur or be perceived to become likely, such events may have an adverse effect on global
market conditions, may have an adverse impact on global trade and our charterers’ business, operating results and financial con-
dition 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, financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows.
Seasonal fluctuations in industry demand could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations and the amount of available cash with which we can pay dividends.
We operate our vessels in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in demand and, as a result, in charter rates.
Seasonality is related to several factors and may result in quarter-to-quarter volatility in our results of operations, which could
affect the amount of dividends, if any, that we may pay to our stockholders. For example, the market for marine drybulk transpor-
tation services is typically stronger in the fall months in anticipation of increased consumption of coal in the northern hemisphere
during the winter months and the grain export season from North America. Similarly, the market for marine drybulk transporta-
tion services is typically stronger in the spring months in anticipation of the South American grain export season due to increased
distance traveled by vessels to their end destination known as ton mile effect, as well as increased coal imports in parts of Asia
due to additional electricity demand for cooling during the summer months. Demand for marine drybulk transportation services is
typically weaker at the beginning of the calendar year and during the summer months. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns
during these periods tend to disrupt vessel scheduling and supplies of certain commodities. This seasonality could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Charterers may renegotiate or default on period time charters, which could reduce our revenues and have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The ability and willingness of each of our counterparties to perform its obligations under a period 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 condi-
tions, the condition of the drybulk shipping industry and the overall financial condition of the counterparties. If we enter into period
time charters with charterers when charter rates are high and charter rates subsequently fall significantly, charterers may seek
to renegotiate financial terms or may default on their obligations. Additionally, charterers may attempt to bring claims against us
based on vessel performance or cargo loading or unloading operations, seeking to renegotiate financial terms or avoid payments.
Also, our charterers may experience financial difficulties due to prevailing economic conditions or for other reasons, and as a
result may default on their obligations. In past years, the industry experienced numerous incidents of charterers renegotiating
their charters or defaulting on their obligations thereunder. In December 2020, at the request of the charterer we agreed the
early termination of an existing charter of a Capesize-class vessel, which was contractually due to expire in January 2024. In
exchange for the early redelivery of the vessel, the charterer paid us cash compensation of $8.1 million. The vessel was subse-
quently deployed under a new period time charter with a different charterer for a duration of 12 to 14 months at a gross daily
charter rate linked to the 5 TC Baltic Exchange Capesize Index (“BCI-180 5TC’’) times 119%. As of March 15, 2021, we had not
received any notice of early redelivery or termination from any of our charters with the exception of the aforementioned charter.
If a charterer defaults on a charter, we will, to the extent commercially reasonable, seek the remedies available to us, which may
include arbitration or litigation to enforce the contract, although such efforts may not be successful. Should a charterer default
on a period time charter, we may have to enter into a charter at a lower charter rate, which would reduce our revenues. If we
cannot enter into a new period time charter, we may have to secure a charter in the spot market, where charter rates are volatile
and revenues are less predictable. It is also possible that we would be unable to secure a charter at all, which would also reduce
our revenues, and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, loan and credit
facility covenants and cash flows.
We depend on a limited number of customers for a large part of our revenues and the loss of one or more of these custom-
ers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We expect to derive a significant part of our revenues from a limited number of customers. During the year ended December 31,
2020, two of our charterers each accounted for more than 10.0% of our revenues and in previous periods some of our charterers
each accounted for more than 10.0% of our revenues. We could lose a customer for many different reasons, including:
~ a failure of the customer to make charter payments because of its financial inability, disagreements with us or otherwise;
~ the customer’s termination of its charters because of our non-performance, including serious deficiencies with the vessels
we provide to that customer or prolonged periods of off-hire;
~ a prolonged force majeure event that affects the customer may prevent us from performing services for that customer, i.e.,
damage to or destruction of relevant production facilities and war or political unrest; and
~ the other reasons discussed in this section.
25
20Annual Report If we lose a key customer, we may be unable to obtain period time charters on comparable terms with charterers of comparable
standing or may have increased exposure to the volatile spot market, which is highly competitive and subject to significant price
fluctuations. We would not receive any revenues from a vessel while it remained unchartered, but we may be required to pay
expenses necessary to maintain the vessel in proper operating condition, insure it and service any indebtedness secured by such
vessel. The loss of any of our key customers, a decline in payments under our charters or the failure of a key customer to perform
under its charters with us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We have adopted an anti-bribery policy consistent with the provisions of the FCPA and anti-bribery legislation in other
jurisdictions. Actual or alleged violations of these policies could result in damage of our reputation, sanctions, criminal
penalties, imprisonment, civil action and fines, which could have an adverse effect on our business.
We operate in a number of countries throughout the world, including countries known to have a reputation for corruption. We are
committed to doing business in accordance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have adopted policies consistent and in full
compliance with the FCPA and anti-bribery legislation in other jurisdictions. We are subject, however, to the risk that we, our affili-
ated 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 or curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or
financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Furthermore,
detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and can consume significant time and attention of
our senior management.
We may have difficulty properly managing our planned growth through acquisitions of additional vessels.
As of March 15, 2021, we intend to grow our business through the recent acquisition of one second-hand vessel delivered to us
in March 2021, and with the two contracted newbuild vessels, a Kamsarmax class, scheduled to be delivered in the first half of
2022, and a Post-Panamax class, scheduled to be delivered in the third quarter of 2022. We may contract additional newbuild
vessels or make selective acquisitions of additional second-hand vessels. Our future growth will primarily depend on our ability
to locate and acquire suitable vessels, enlarge our customer base, operate and supervise any newbuilds we may order and obtain
required debt or equity financing on acceptable terms.
A delay in the delivery to us of any such vessel, or the failure of the shipyard to deliver a vessel at all, could cause us to breach our
obligations under a related charter and could adversely affect our earnings. In addition, the delivery of any of these vessels with
substantial defects could have similar consequences.
A shipyard could fail to deliver a newbuild on time or at all because of:
~ work stoppages or other hostilities, political, economic or other disturbances that disrupt the operations of the shipyard,
including as a result of 2019-nCoV;
~ quality or engineering problems;
~ bankruptcy or other financial crisis of the shipyard;
~ a backlog of orders at the shipyard;
~ disputes between the Company and the shipyard regarding contractual obligations;
~ weather interference or catastrophic events, such as major earthquakes or fires;
~ our requests for changes to the original vessel specifications; or
~ shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials, such as steel, or equipment, such as main en-
gines, electricity generators and propellers.
A third-party seller could fail to deliver a second-hand vessel on time or at all because of:
~ bankruptcy or other financial crisis of the third-party seller;
~ quality or engineering problems;
~ disputes between the Company and the third-party seller regarding contractual obligations; or
~ weather interference or catastrophic events, such as major earthquakes or fires.
In addition, we may seek to terminate or novate a vessel acquisition contract due to market conditions, financing limitations or
other reasons. The outcome of contract termination or novation negotiations may require us to forego deposits on construction or
acquisition, as applicable, and pay additional cancellation fees. In addition, where we have already arranged a future charter with
respect to the terminated contract, we may incur liabilities to such charter counterparty depending on the terms of such charter.
During periods in which charter rates are high, vessel values generally are high as well, and it may be difficult to consummate ves-
sel acquisitions or enter into newbuild contracts at favorable prices. During periods when charter rates are low, we may be unable
to fund the acquisition of vessels, whether through lending or cash on hand. For these reasons, we may be unable to execute our
growth plans or avoid significant expenses and losses in connection with our future growth efforts.
As we expand our business, we will need to improve or expand our operations and financial systems, staff and crew; if we
cannot improve these systems or recruit suitable employees, our performance may be adversely affected.
Our current operating and financial systems may not be adequate as we implement our plan to expand the size of our fleet, and
our Managers’ attempts to improve those systems may be ineffective. In addition, as we expand our fleet, we will have to rely
on our Managers to recruit additional seafarers and shoreside administrative and management personnel. Our Managers may
not be able to continue to hire suitable employees or a sufficient number of employees as we expand our fleet. If our Managers’
26
Safebulkers20 unaffiliated crewing agents encounter business or financial difficulties, we may not be able to adequately staff our vessels. We
may also have to increase our customer base to provide continued employment for most of our new vessels. If we are unable
to operate our financial systems, our Managers are unable to operate our operations systems effectively or recruit suitable
employees in sufficient numbers or we are unable to increase our customer base as we expand our fleet, our performance may
be adversely affected.
Unless we set aside reserves for vessel replacement, at the end of a vessel’s useful life, our revenue will decline, which
would adversely affect our cash flows and income.
As of March 15, 2021, the vessels in our current fleet had an average age of 10.3 years. Unless we maintain cash reserves for
vessel replacement, we may be unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their useful lives. We estimate
the useful life of our vessels to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. We estimate the useful life of our
second-hand vessels to be 25 years from the date of built. Our cash flows and income are dependent on the revenues we earn by
chartering our vessels to customers. If we are unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their useful lives,
our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected. Any reserves set aside for vessel
replacement would not be available for other cash needs or dividends.
Our ability to obtain financing on favorable terms and the deterioration of the global banking markets may adversely
impact our business. If economic conditions globally continue to be volatile, it could impede our operations.
Although capital markets have improved since 2008, when banks and other financial institutions active in the shipping industry
became increasingly unwilling to provide credit, the shipping industry remains negatively affected by the scarcity of credit and
the cost of financing has increased. Financing institutions have increased interest rate margins or even ceased funding for certain
shipping companies. Furthermore, vessels older than 15 years old may not be financed by banks and other financial institutions at
all. Any further deterioration of the global banking markets may decrease the availability of financing or refinancing on acceptable
terms when needed, and we may be unable to meet our debt obligations as they become due.
Despite the stabilization of growth in China as reflected in IMF’s forecast for a 8.1% global gross domestic product (‘’GDP’’) in-
crease for 2021, and the projected economic growth in the U.S. and the E.U. with a forecast for 5.1% and 4.2% GDP growth for
2021, respectively, any adverse developments in relation to 2019-nCoV may affect credit markets globally and increase volatil-
ity of global economic conditions which could impede our results of operations and financial condition.
If we are unable to obtain additional secured indebtedness, we may be unable to refinance our existing indebtedness and
may not be able to finance a fleet replacement and expansion program in the future, any of which would have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Global financial markets and economic conditions have been and continue to be very volatile. This volatility has negatively affected
the general willingness of banks and other financial institutions to extend credit, particularly in the shipping industry, due to the
volatile asset values of vessels. 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 the shipping industry. 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 this decline in lending. The current state of global financial markets might adversely impact our ability to
issue additional equity at prices which will not be dilutive to our existing shareholders or preclude us from issuing equity at all.
Future financing and investing activities may involve refinancing of certain existing debt near or upon maturity and the financing of
future fleet replacement and expansion. Our ability to refinance existing indebtedness, or to access the capital markets for future
offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering, including the actual or perceived
credit quality of our charterers and the market value of our fleet, as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among
other things, general economic conditions, weakness in the financial markets and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond
our control. To the extent that we are unable to enter into new credit facilities and obtain such additional secured indebtedness on
terms acceptable to us, we will need to find alternative financing. In addition, we may also be liable for other damages for breach
of contract. A failure to satisfy our financial commitments could result in the acceleration of our indebtedness and foreclosure
on our vessels. Such events, if they occurred, would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The aging of our fleet and our acquisitions of second-hand vessels may result in increased operating costs in the future,
which could adversely affect our ability to operate our vessels profitably.
In general, the costs to maintain a vessel in good operating condition increase with the age of the vessel. As of March 15, 2021,
the average age of the vessels in our current fleet was 10.3 years. As our vessels age, they may become less fuel and energy
efficient and more costly to maintain and will not be as advanced as more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in
design and engine technology. Rates for cargo insurance, paid by charterers, also increase with the age of a vessel, making older
vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of vessels
may require expenditures for alterations, or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in
which our vessels may engage. As our vessels age, market conditions may not justify those expenditures or enable us to operate
our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives.
Twenty one vessels in our fleet were over ten years old as of December 31, 2020. We may encounter higher operating and main-
tenance costs due to the age and condition of those vessels. In addition, if in the future we acquire additional second-hand vessels,
such vessels may develop unexpected mechanical and operational problems despite adherence to regular survey schedules and
proper maintenance. We cannot obtain the same knowledge about the condition of a second-hand vessel compared to a newbuild
27
20Annual Report through the performed inspection prior to the purchase of such second-hand vessel nor about the cost of any required (or antici-
pated) repairs that we would have had if this vessel had been built for and operated exclusively by us. We will have the benefit of
warranties on newly constructed vessels; we may not receive the benefit of warranties on second-hand vessels.
Our business could be adversely affected by negative developments or uncertainty in the transportation industry due to
lack of revenue source diversification.
We derive all our revenues exclusively from our business operations in the drybulk transportation industry. An adverse market
development in the drybulk sector of the transportation industry could therefore have a stronger impact on our business, results
of operations, cash flows and financial condition, than if we had multiple sources of revenues, lines of businesses or types of as-
sets.
Uncertainty regarding the LIBOR due to changes in the reporting practices, the method in which LIBOR is determined or
the use of alternative reference rates may adversely impact our indebtedness under our credit and loan facilities, which
would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In July 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced that it would phase out LIBOR as a benchmark by the
end of 2021. The Intercontinental Exchange Benchmark Administration (“IBA”), which is the administrator of LIBOR, has been
consulting on when to end the publication of all USD LIBOR tenors and GBP, EUR, JPY and CHF LIBOR tenors, intending to cease
the one-week and two-month USD LIBOR settings at the end of 2021 and the remaining USD LIBOR tenors in mid-2023. IBA is
expected to share the results of the consultations and publish a feedback statement summarizing the responses it received in
the near future. In March 2021, the FCA confirmed that publication of one-week and two-month USD LIBOR settings will cease
immediately after December 31, 2021 and of overnight and one, three, six and twelve-month USD LIBOR settings immediately
after June 30, 2023.
The Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, has proposed
replacing USD-LIBOR with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). The methodology of calculating SOFR is different to
that of LIBOR, as SOFR is calculated using short-term repurchase agreements backed by U.S. Treasury securities and is backward
looking, while LIBOR is an estimated forward-looking rate and relies, to some degree, on the expert judgment of submitting panel
members. In addition since SOFR is a secured rate backed by government securities, it does not take into account bank credit risk
(as is the case with LIBOR). SOFR also may be more volatile than LIBOR. Whether or not SOFR, or another alternative reference
rate, attains market traction as a LIBOR replacement tool remains in question.
At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, and it is impossible to
predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide LIBOR submissions to the administrator of LIBOR, or whether
any additional reforms to LIBOR may be enacted in the U.K. or elsewhere. Such developments and any other legal or regulatory
changes in the method by which LIBOR is determined or the transition from LIBOR to a successor benchmark may result in, among
other things, a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in LIBOR, a delay in the publication of LIBOR, and changes in the rules
or methodologies in LIBOR, which may discourage market participants from continuing to administer or to participate in LIBOR’s
determination and, in certain situations, could result in LIBOR no longer being determined and published. Furthermore, there is
no guarantee that a transition from LIBOR to an alternative reference interest rate will not result in financial market disruptions
or significant increases in benchmark rates, or borrowing costs to borrowers, any of which could have an adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Most of our credit and loan facilities and all our interest rate derivatives are linked to LIBOR. When LIBOR ceases to exist, we will
need to link our new credit and loan facilities and interest rate derivatives to a different standard, and may need to amend our
credit and loan facilities and interest rate derivatives based on a new standard that is established, if any. If a published LIBOR
rate is unavailable, the interest rates on our credit and loan facilities and interest rate derivatives which are indexed to LIBOR will
be determined using various alternative methods, any of which may result in interest obligations which are more than or do not
otherwise correlate over time with the payments that would have been made on such debt or derivatives if LIBOR was available
in its current form. Any of these proposals or consequences could have a material adverse effect on our financing costs, and as a
result, our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
We are and will be exposed to floating interest rates and may selectively enter into interest rate derivative contracts,
which can result in higher than market interest rates and charges against our income.
The loans under our credit facilities are generally advanced at a floating rate based on LIBOR, which was volatile prior to 2008 and
can affect the amount of interest payable on our debt, and which, in turn, could have an adverse effect on our earnings and cash
flow. Our financial condition could be materially adversely affected at any time that we have not entered into interest rate hedging
arrangements to hedge our exposure to the interest rates applicable to our credit facilities and any other financing arrangements
we may enter into in the future. Moreover, even if we have entered into interest rate swaps or other derivative instruments for pur-
poses of managing our interest rate exposure, our hedging strategies may not be effective and we may incur substantial losses.
Since March 2020, we have entered into derivative contracts to economically hedge our exposure to interest rate risk, and we
may enter into additional derivative contracts in the future. We effectively hedged the interest rate exposure of 44% of our loans
outstanding as of December 31, 2020, which bear interest at LIBOR. Entering into swaps and derivatives transactions is inher-
ently risky and presents various possibilities for incurring significant losses. The derivatives strategies that we employ in the
future may not be successful or effective, and we could, as a result, incur substantial additional interest costs.
Because we generate substantially all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but incur a material portion of our expenses in other
28
Safebulkers20 currencies, including our management fees and investments in Scrubbers and BWTS, and may, in the future, also incur a
material portion of our indebtedness and our capital expenditure requirements in other currencies, exchange rate fluc-
tuations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We generate substantially all of our revenues in U.S. dollars, but in 2020 we incurred approximately 28.3% of our vessel oper-
ating expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, of which 53.0% was denominated in Euros. In addition, we incurred the
majority of our management fees in Euros, and this will continue in the future. In June 2018, we issued preferred shares to an
unaffiliated investor in one of our subsidiaries. These preferred shares were denominated in Japanese yen. In February 2021,
our subsidiary exercised its right to redeem such preferred shares, which were redeemed in February 2021. In the future we
may issue again preferred shares denominated in currencies different than U.S. dollar. As of December 31, 2020, all of our in-
debtedness was denominated in U.S. dollars, as well as the amounts due under the memoranda of agreement for the acquisition
of the two newbuild vessels currently in our orderbook. We have historically entered into shipbuilding contracts and purchase
of vessels whereby part of the contract price was payable in Japanese yen and Singapore dollars. Also, new credit facilities and
financing agreements, purchase of vessels or newbuild contracts may be denominated in or permit conversion into currencies
other than the U.S. dollar. The use of different currencies could lead to fluctuations in our net income due to changes in the value
of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies, in particular the Euro and the Japanese yen. We have not hedged our overall cur-
rency exposure, and, as a result, our results of operations and financial condition, denominated in U.S. dollars, and our ability to
pay dividends, could suffer.
Restrictive covenants in our existing credit facilities and financing agreements impose, and any future credit facilities
and financing agreements will impose, financial and other restrictions on us, and any breach of these covenants could
result in the acceleration of our indebtedness and foreclosure on our vessels.
We have substantial indebtedness. As of December 31, 2020, we had $616.2 million outstanding under our credit facilities and
financing agreements.
Our existing credit facilities and financing agreements impose, and any future credit facility and financing agreement will
impose, operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions generally limit our ability to, among other things:
~ pay dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of the payment of such divi-
dend;
~ enter into certain long-term charters without the lenders’ consent;
~ incur additional indebtedness, including through the issuance of guarantees;
~ change the flag, class or management of the vessel mortgaged under such facility or terminate or materially amend the
management agreement relating to such vessel;
~ create liens on their assets;
~ make loans;
~ make investments;
~ make capital expenditures;
~ undergo a change in ownership or control or permit a change in ownership and control of our Managers;
~ sell the vessel mortgaged under such facility; and
~ change our chief executive officer.
Therefore, we may need to seek permission from our lenders in order to engage in some corporate actions. Our lenders’ interests
may be different from ours, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain our lenders’ permission when needed. This may
limit our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders, finance our future operations or pursue business opportunities.
Certain of our existing credit facilities require our subsidiaries to maintain financial ratios and satisfy financial covenants.
Depending on the credit facility, certain of our subsidiaries are subject to financial ratios and covenants requiring that these
subsidiaries:
~ ensure that the market value of the vessel mortgaged under the applicable credit facility, determined in accordance with
the terms of that facility, does not fall below 105%, 115% or 120%, as the case may be (the “Minimum Value Covenant”);
~ maintain at all times a minimum cash balance per vessel with the respective lender from $150,000 to $1,000,000 as the
case may be; and
~ ensure that we comply with certain financial covenants under the guarantees described below.
In addition, under our loan agreements or under guarantees we have entered into with respect to certain of our subsidiaries’
credit facilities, we are subject to financial covenants. Depending on the facility, these financial covenants include the follow-
ing as of March 15, 2021:
~ our total consolidated liabilities divided by its total consolidated assets (based on the market value of all vessels owned
taking into account their employment, and the book value of all other assets), must not exceed 85% (the “Consolidated
Leverage Covenant”);
~ our total consolidated assets (based on the market value of all vessels owned taking into account their employment,
and the book value of all other assets) less its total consolidated liabilities must not be less than $150 million (the “Net
Worth Covenant”);
~ our ratio of its EBITDA over consolidated interest expense must not be less than 2.0:1, on a trailing 12 months’ basis (the
“EBITDA Covenant”);
~ our consolidated debt in relation to the vessels owned by the respective Subsidiaries as of December 2019 must not ex-
29
20Annual Report ceed $630 million (the “Maximum Debt Covenant”);
~ a minimum of 30% or 35%, as the case may be, of our voting and ownership rights shall remain directly or indirectly
beneficially owned by the Hajioannou family for the duration of the relevant credit facilities and in the case of one facility
Polys Hajioannou beneficially holds a minimum of 20% of the voting and ownership rights (the “Control Covenant”): and
~ payment of dividends is subject to no event of default having occurred and be continuing or would occur as a result of the
payment of such dividends.
Failure to meet our payment and other obligations or to maintain compliance with the applicable financial covenants could lead
to defaults under our secured credit facilities. Our lenders could then accelerate our indebtedness and foreclose on the vessels in
our fleet securing those credit facilities. The loss of these vessels would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
The declaration and payment of dividends will always be subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend
on a number of factors. Our board of directors may not declare dividends in the future.
We have not paid any dividends on our shares of Common Stock since August 2015. The declaration and payment of dividends, if
any, 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: (i) our earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and available sources of liquidity, (ii) decisions
in relation to our growth and leverage strategies, (iii) provisions of Marshall Islands and Liberian law governing the payment of
dividends, (iv) restrictive covenants in our existing and future debt instruments and (v) global financial conditions. Therefore, we
might continue not paying dividends on our shares of Common Stock in the future.
There may be a high degree of variability from period to period in the amount of cash, if any, that is available for the payment
of dividends based upon, among other things:
~ the rates we obtain from our charters as well as the rates obtained upon the expiration of our existing charters;
~ the level of our operating costs;
~ the level of our general and administrative costs;
~ the number of unscheduled off-hire days and the timing of, and number of days required for, scheduled drydocking of
our ships;
~ vessel acquisitions and related financings;
~ level of indebtedness;
~ restrictions in our loan and credit facilities and in any future debt facilities;
~ prevailing global and regional economic and political conditions;
~ the effect of governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards on the conduct of our business;
~ the amount of cash reserves established by our board of directors; and
~ restrictions under Marshall Islands and Liberian law.
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, if any. Our growth strategy contemplates that we will finance the acquisition of
our contracted newbuilds or selective acquisitions of second-hand vessels through a combination of cash on hand, our operating
cash flow and debt financing or equity financing. If financing is not available to us on acceptable terms, our board of directors may
decide to finance or refinance such acquisitions with a greater percentage of cash from operations to the extent available, which
would reduce or even eliminate the amount of cash available for the payment of dividends. We may also enter into other agree-
ments that will restrict our ability to pay dividends.
Under the terms of certain of our existing credit facilities, we are not permitted to pay dividends if an event of default has
occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of the payment of such dividend. We expect that any future credit facili-
ties will also have restrictions on the payment of dividends. In addition, cash dividends on our Common Stock are subject to
the priority of dividends on the 2,300,000 shares of Series C Preferred Shares issued May 2014 and 3,200,000 shares of
Series D Preferred Shares issued June 2014, of which 2,297,504 and 3,195,050 shares, respectively, were outstanding as
of December 31, 2020.
The laws of the Republic of Liberia and of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where our vessel-owning subsidiaries are incorpo-
rated, generally prohibit the payment of dividends other than from surplus or net profits, or while a company is insolvent or would
be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. Our subsidiaries may not have sufficient funds, surplus or net profits to
make distributions to us. In addition, under guarantees we have entered into with respect to certain of our subsidiaries’ existing
credit and loan facilities, we are subject to financial and other covenants, which may limit our ability to pay dividends. We also may
not have sufficient surplus or net profits in the future to pay dividends.
The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our net income or loss for the period, which will
be affected by non-cash items. We may incur other expenses or liabilities that could reduce or eliminate the cash available for
distribution as dividends. As a result of these and the other factors mentioned above, we may pay dividends during periods when
we record losses and may not pay dividends during periods when we record net income.
We are a holding company and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to make
dividend payments.
We are a holding company and our subsidiaries, which are all 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 and cash and cash
equivalents held by us. As a result, our ability to make dividend payments depends on our subsidiaries and their ability to distrib-
30
Safebulkers20 ute funds to us. The ability of a subsidiary to make these distributions could be affected by a claim or other action by a third party,
including a creditor, and the laws of the Republic of Liberia and of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where our vessel-owning
subsidiaries are incorporated, which regulate the payment of dividends by companies. If we are unable to obtain funds from our
subsidiaries, our board of directors may exercise its discretion not to declare or pay dividends.
We depend on our Managers to operate our business and our business could be harmed if our Managers fail to perform
their services satisfactorily.
Pursuant to our management agreements with our Managers (the “Management Agreements”), our Managers provide us with
technical, administrative and commercial services (including vessel maintenance, crewing, purchasing, shipyard supervision, in-
surance, assistance with regulatory compliance, financial services and office space) and our executive officers. Our operational
success depends significantly upon our Managers’ satisfactory performance of these services. Our business would be harmed
if our Managers failed to perform these services satisfactorily. In addition, if either of the Management Agreements were to be
terminated, expire or if their terms were to be altered, our business could be adversely affected, as we may not be able to im-
mediately replace such services, and even if replacement services were immediately available, the terms offered could be less
favorable than those under our Management Agreements.
Our ability to compete for and enter into charters and to expand our relationships with our existing charterers will depend
largely on our relationship with our Managers and their reputation and relationships in the shipping industry. If our Managers
suffer material damage to their reputation or relationships, it may harm our ability to:
~ renew existing charters upon their expiration;
~ obtain new charters;
~ successfully interact with shipyards during periods of shipyard construction constraints;
~ obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms;
~ maintain satisfactory relationships with our charterers and suppliers; and
~ successfully execute our business strategies.
If our ability to do any of the things described above is impaired, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Although we may have rights against our Managers if they default on their obligations to us, investors in us will have no recourse
against our Managers.
Our Managers are permitted to provide certain management services to affiliates and third parties under the specific restric-
tions of our Management Agreements. Although our Managers are required to provide preferential treatment to our vessels
with respect to chartering arrangements under the Management Agreements, our Managers’ time and attention may be di-
verted from the management of our vessels in such circumstances. Further, we will need to seek approval from our lenders to
change our Managers.
Management fees are payable to our Managers regardless of our profitability, which could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Pursuant to our Management Agreements, we pay our Managers a daily ship management fee of €875 per vessel and Safe Bulk-
ers Management an annual ship management fee of €3 million for providing commercial, technical and administrative services
(see the section entitled “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - A. Operating Results - General and Administra-
tive Expenses” for more information). In addition, we pay our Managers certain commissions and fees with respect to vessel pur-
chases, sales and newbuilds. The management fees do not cover expenses such as voyage expenses, vessel operating expenses,
maintenance expenses, crewing costs, insurance premiums, commissions and certain company administration expenses such as
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, legal and accounting fees and other similar company administration expenses, which
are reimbursed or paid by us. The management fees are payable whether or not our vessels are employed, and regardless of our
profitability, and we have no ability to require our Managers to reduce the management fees if our profitability decreases, which
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The maximum expiration date
of the Management Agreements with our Managers is May 2027. We expect to enter into new agreements with the Managers
upon their expiration; however, the terms upon which the new management agreements will be entered into are unknown at this
time and may be less favorable to the Company than those currently in place.
Both of our Managers are privately held companies, and there is little or no publicly available information about them;
an investor could have little advance warning of problems affecting our Managers that could have a material adverse
effect on us.
The ability of our Managers to continue providing services for our benefit will depend in part on their own financial strength.
Circumstances beyond our control could impair our Managers’ financial strength. Because our Managers are privately held, it is
unlikely that information about their financial strength would become public or available to us prior to any default by our Manag-
ers under the Management Agreements. As a result, we may, and our investors might, have little advance warning of problems
that affect our Managers, even though those problems could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our chief executive officer also controls our Managers, which could create conflicts of interest between us and our
Managers.
Our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou, controls both of our Managers. The Hajioannou family (including Polys Hajioannou),
31
20Annual Report directly and through entities controlled by the Hajioannou family, owns approximately 48.93% of our outstanding Common Stock
as of March 15, 2021 (see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders” for more infor-
mation). These relationships could create conflicts of interest between us, on the one hand, and our Managers, on the other hand.
These conflicts may arise in connection with the chartering, purchase, sale and operation of the vessels in our fleet versus vessels
owned or chartered-in by other companies affiliated with our Managers or our chief executive officer. To the extent we elect not
to exercise our right of first refusal with respect to any drybulk vessel that may be acquired by companies affiliated with our chief
executive officer, such companies could acquire and operate such drybulk vessels in competition with us. In addition, although
under our Management Agreements our Managers will be required to first provide us any chartering opportunities in the drybulk
sector, our Managers are not prohibited from giving preferential treatment in other areas of its management to vessels that are
beneficially owned by related parties. In addition, under our restrictive covenant arrangements with Mr. Hajioannou and certain
entities affiliated with him, he and such entities may own, operate or finance a maximum of eight drybulk vessels on the water
at any one time or enter into an unlimited number of contracts with shipyards for newbuild drybulk vessels as part of his estate
or family planning. Any such drybulk vessels are not required to be managed by either of our Managers, and Mr. Hajioannou and
his related entities are not required to first provide chartering opportunities to us with respect to such vessels. These conflicts of
interest may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
While we adhere to high standards of evaluating related party transactions, agreements between us and other affiliated
entities may be challenged as less favorable than agreements that we could obtain from unaffiliated third parties.
We have entered into various transactions with Mr. Hajioannou, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and entities controlled
by and/or affiliated with Mr. Hajioannou. For example, in 2017, we sold one drybulk vessel to an entity owned by Mr. Hajioannou.
While we believe this transaction was properly evaluated and approved by an independent special committee of our board of direc-
tors, certain terms related to the transaction, including price, may be challenged to be on terms that are less favorable to us than
terms that would have otherwise been agreed upon with unaffiliated third-parties. Future transactions with Mr. Hajioannou and
entities controlled by and/or affiliated with Mr. Hajioannou may undergo scrutiny by our shareholders, the media or others and
result in a challenge of the terms associated with any such transaction.
Our business depends upon certain employees who may not necessarily continue to work for us; if such employees were
no longer to be affiliated with us, our business, financial condition and results of operation could suffer.
Our future success depends, to a significant extent, upon our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou, and certain other members
of our senior management and of our Managers. Polys Hajioannou has substantial experience in the drybulk shipping industry and
for 32 years has worked with us, our Managers and their predecessor. He and other members of our senior management and of
our Managers manage our business and their performance is crucial to the execution of our business strategies and to the growth
and development of our business. If these individuals were no longer to be affiliated with us or our Managers, or if we were to
otherwise cease to receive advisory services from them, we may be unable to recruit other employees with equivalent talent and
experience, and our business and financial condition could suffer. We do not maintain, and do not intend to maintain, “key man”
life insurance on any of our executive officers.
The provisions in our restrictive covenant arrangements with our chief executive officer and certain entities affiliated
with him restricting their ability to compete with us, like restrictive covenants generally, may not be enforceable.
Our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou, and certain entities affiliated with him have entered into restrictive covenant agree-
ments with us under which they are precluded from competing with us during either (i) with respect to Polys Hajioannou, the term
of his service with us as executive and director and for one year thereafter, or (ii) with respect to entities affiliated with Polys
Hajioannou, during the term of the Management Agreements and for one year following the termination of both Management
Agreements, in each case subject to certain exceptions. Courts generally do not favor the enforcement of such restrictions, par-
ticularly when they involve individuals and could be construed as infringing on such individuals’ ability to be employed or to earn
a livelihood. Our ability to enforce these restrictions, should it ever become necessary, will depend upon the circumstances that
exist at the time enforcement is sought. A court may not enforce the restrictions as written by way of an injunction and we may
not necessarily be able to establish a case for damages as a result of a violation of the restrictive covenants.
Our vessels call on ports located in Iran and Syria, which are identified by the United States government as state spon-
sors of terrorism and are subject to United States economic sanctions, which could be viewed negatively by investors and
adversely affect the trading price of our Common Stock and Preferred Shares.
From time to time, vessels in our fleet have called and/or may call on ports located in countries identified by the United States
government as state sponsors of terrorism and subject to United States economic sanctions. From January 1, 2005 through
December 31, 2011, vessels in our fleet made 20 calls on ports in Iran and three calls on ports in Syria out of a total of 2,327
calls on worldwide ports. From January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2015, vessels in our fleet did not make any calls on ports
in Iran or Syria. From January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, vessels in our fleet made three calls on ports in Iran and
no calls on ports in Syria out of a total of 750 calls on worldwide ports. From January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017,
vessels in our fleet made four calls on ports in Iran and no calls on ports in Syria out of a total of 712 calls on worldwide ports.
From January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, vessels in our fleet made five calls on ports in Iran and no calls on ports
in Syria out of a total of 731 calls on worldwide ports. From January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019, vessels in our fleet
made ten calls on ports in Iran and no calls on ports in Syria out of a total of 773 calls on worldwide ports. From January 1, 2020
through December 31, 2020, vessels in our fleet did not made any calls on ports in Iran and Syria out of a total of 809 calls made
on worldwide ports. Iran and Syria are identified by the United States government as state sponsors of terrorism. Although these
32
Safebulkers20 designations and controls do not prevent our vessels from making calls on ports in these countries, potential investors could view
such port calls negatively, which could adversely affect our reputation and the market for our Common Stock. 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.
Our policy is for our vessels to avoid making calls on ports in Iran and Syria unless, in the case of Iran, the charterer represents
to us that the cargo is not in contravention with any E.U., U.S. or United Nation sanctions and the export of such cargo has been
authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
If our vessels call on ports located in countries that are subject to sanctions and embargoes imposed by the U.S. or other govern-
ments, it could adversely affect our reputation and the market for our shares. The U.S. government and other authorities have
made certain countries subject to certain sanctions and embargoes or have identified countries or other authorities as state
sponsors of terrorism. From time to time, on charterers’ instructions, our vessels may call on ports located in such countries.
Sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in their application, as they do not all apply to the same covered persons or pro-
scribe the same activities, and such sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be amended or strengthened over time. In
addition, charterers and other parties that we have previously entered into contracts with regarding our vessels may be affiliated
with persons or entities that are now or may become the subject of sanctions imposed by the U.S. government, the E.U. and/or
other international bodies. If we determine that such sanctions require us to terminate existing contracts or if we are found to be
in violation of such sanctions, we may suffer reputational harm and our results of operations may be adversely affected. Although
we believe that we have been in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, and intend to main-
tain 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 interpretation. 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 our securities. For example, 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. Additionally, some investors may decide to divest
their interest, or not to invest, in our company simply because we do business with companies that do business in sanctioned
countries. The determination by these investors not to invest in, or to divest, our shares may adversely affect the price at which
our shares trade. Moreover, our charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of ac-
tions that do not involve us or our vessels, and those violations could in turn result in liability for the Company or 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.
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Disclosure of activities pursuant to Section 13(r) of the U.S.
Securities Exchange Act of 1934” for more information.
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed body of corporate law;
therefore, you may have more difficulty protecting your interests than stockholders of a U.S. corporation.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our articles of incorporation, our bylaws and by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations
Act (“BCA”). The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States.
However, there have been few judicial cases in the Republic of the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The rights and fiduciary
responsibilities of directors under the laws of the Republic 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 United States jurisdictions. The
rights of stockholders of companies incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands may differ from the rights of stockholders
of companies incorporated in the United States. While the BCA provides that it is to be interpreted according to the non-statutory
laws of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been few, if any, court
cases interpreting the BCA in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would
reach the same conclusions as United States courts. Thus, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face
of actions by our management, directors or controlling stockholders than would stockholders of a corporation incorporated in a
United States jurisdiction which has developed a more substantial body of case law in the corporate law area.
It may be difficult to serve us with legal process or enforce judgments against us, our directors or our management.
We are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and our Managers’ business is operated primarily from
their offices in Limassol, Cyprus and Athens, Greece. In addition, a majority of our directors and officers are or will be non-resi-
dents of the United States, and all of our assets and a substantial portion of the assets of these non-residents are located outside
the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals
in the United States if you believe that your rights have been infringed under the securities laws or otherwise. You may also have
difficulty enforcing, both within and outside of the United States, judgments you may obtain in the United States courts against us
or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of United States federal or state securi-
ties laws. There is also substantial doubt that the courts of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Cyprus or Greece
would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on United States federal or state securities laws.
We may be subject to lawsuits for damages and penalties.
The nature of our business exposes us to the risk of lawsuits for damages or penalties relating to, among other things, personal
33
20Annual Report injury, property casualty and environmental contamination. 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. However, such claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expendi-
ture of significant financial and managerial resources.
Regulatory and legal risks as a result of our global operations could have a material adverse effect on our business, re-
sults of operations and financial conditions.
Our global operations increase both the number and the level of complexity of U.S. or foreign laws and regulations applicable
to us. These laws and regulations include international labor laws; U.S. laws such as the FCPA and other laws and regulations
established by the Office of Foreign Assets Control; local laws such as the U.K. Bribery Act 2010; data privacy requirements like
the European General Data Protection Regulation, enforceable as of May 25, 2018; and the E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework,
adopted by the European Commission on July 12, 2016. We may inadvertently breach some provisions of those laws and regu-
lations which could result in cease of business activities, criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees, fines and
materially damage our reputation. In addition, detecting, investigating and resolving such cases of actual or alleged violations may
be expensive and time consuming for our senior management.
Our costs of operating as a public company are significant, and our management is required to devote substantial time to
complying with public company regulations.
We have significant legal, accounting and compliance expenses in order to comply with the reporting requirements of the Securi-
ties Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the other rules and
regulations of the SEC, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Compliance with certain corporate governance requirements
and financial reporting obligations, such as the systems and processes evaluation and testing of our internal control over financial
reporting, which allow management to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as required by
Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, is time consuming for our management and increases legal and compliance costs.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our
financial results which could harm the price of our Common Stock.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock and Preferred Shares
The Hajioannou family controls the outcome of matters on which our stockholders are entitled to vote and its interests
may be different from yours.
As of March 15, 2021, the Hajioannou family (including our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou) owns approximately
48.93%, of our outstanding Common Stock (see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions – A. Major Share-
holders” for more information). The Hajioannou family is able to control the outcome of matters on which our stockholders are
entitled to vote, including the election of our entire board of directors and other significant corporate actions. The interests of the
Hajioannou family may be different from yours.
Our status as a foreign private issuer within the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act exempts us from certain
requirements of the SEC and NYSE.
We are a “foreign private issuer” within the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. Under the NYSE listing rules, a foreign private
issuer may elect to comply with the practice of its home country and to not comply with certain NYSE corporate governance require-
ments, including the requirements that (a) a majority of the board of directors consist of independent directors, (b) a nominating and
corporate governance committee be established that is composed entirely of independent directors and has a written charter addressing
the committee’s purpose and responsibilities, (c) a compensation committee be established that is composed entirely of independent
directors and has a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities, (d) an annual performance evaluation of
the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees be undertaken and (e) the obligation to obtain shareholder
approval in connection with certain issuances of authorized stock or the approval of, and material revisions to, equity compensation
plans. Moreover, we are not required to comply with certain requirements of the SEC that domestic issuers are required to comply with,
including (a) the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the SEC of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on
Form 8-K, (b) the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security
registered under the Exchange Act, (c) the provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of
material information and (d) the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their stock ownership and trading
activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short-swing” trading transaction (i.e., a purchase and sale, or sale
and purchase, of the issuer’s equity securities within less than six months). Therefore, you will not have the same protections afforded to
shareholders of companies that are subject to all NYSE corporate governance requirements or SEC requirements.
For example, in reliance on the foreign private issuer exemption to the NYSE listing rules, a majority of our board of directors
may not consist of independent directors; our board’s approach may therefore be different from that of a board with a majority of
independent directors, and as a result, the management oversight of our Company may be more limited than if we were subject
to the NYSE listing rules.
See “Item 16G. Corporate Governance” for more information.
Future sales of our Common Stock could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline and our existing stock-
holders may experience significant dilution.
34
Safebulkers20 We may issue additional shares of our Common Stock in the future and our stockholders may elect to sell large numbers of shares
held by them from time to time, subject to applicable restrictions and limitations under Rule144 of the Securities Act.
In April 2011, we issued and sold 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock in a public offering. The gross proceeds of the April 2011
public offering were approximately $42.0 million. In March 2012, we issued and sold 5,750,000 shares of Common Stock in a
public offering. The gross proceeds of the March 2012 public offering were approximately $37.4 million. In November 2013, we
issued and sold 5,750,000 shares of Common Stock in a public offering. Concurrently with that public offering, we issued and
sold 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock to an entity associated with our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou, in a private
placement. The gross proceeds of the November 2013 public offering and private placement were approximately $50.2 million.
In December 2016, we issued and sold 15,640,000 shares of Common Stock in a public offering, in which an entity associated
with Polys Hajioannou purchased 2,727,272 shares of Common Stock. The gross proceeds of the December 2016 public offering
were approximately $17.2 million. In April 2017, we completed an exchange offer (the “Exchange Offer”) for our Series B Cumu-
lative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share, liquidation preference $25.00 per share (“Series B
Preferred Shares”), in which we issued an additional 2,212,508 shares of Common Stock to holders of Series B Preferred Shares
who tendered such preferred shares in the Exchange Offer.
In November 2018, one of our subsidiaries entered into a memorandum of agreement with an unaffiliated seller to acquire a
Japanese-built, dry-bulk Post-Panamax class resale newbuild vessel. We had the option to finance up to 50% of the purchase
price of the vessel through the issuance of our Common Stock to the seller. In November 2018, November 2019 and April 2020,
we exercised our option and issued 1,441,048, 3,963,964 and 2,951,699 shares of our Common Stock respectively to the
seller, to finance the first instalment of $3.3 million, the second instalment of $6.6 million and part of the third installment of $3.3
million, respectively of the purchase price of the vessel.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur,
may depress the market price for our Common Stock. These sales could also impair our ability to raise additional capital through
the sale of our equity securities in the future.
Our existing stockholders may also experience significant dilution in the future as a result of any future offering.
We also entered into a registration rights agreement in connection with our initial public offering with Vorini Holdings Inc., one
of our principal stockholders, pursuant to which we have granted it and certain of its transferees the right, under certain circum-
stances and subject to certain restrictions, to require us to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”), shares of our Common Stock held by them. Under the registration rights agreement, Vorini Holdings Inc. and certain of its
transferees have the right to request us to register the sale of shares held by them on their behalf and may require us to make
available shelf registration statements permitting sales of shares into the market from time to time over an extended period. In
addition, those persons have the ability to exercise certain piggyback registration rights in connection with registered offerings
initiated by us. Registration of such shares under the Securities Act would, except for shares purchased by affiliates, result in
such shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of such
registration.
The market price of our Common Stock may be adversely affected by sales of substantial amounts of our Common Stock
pursuant to our ATM Program.
In August 2020, the Company filed a prospectus supplement with the SEC and entered into a sales agreement (the “Sales Agree-
ment”) with a sales agent (the “Sales Agent”), under which we may offer and sell shares of Common Stock from time to time up
to aggregate net offering proceeds of $23,500,000 through an ATM Program. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had not
offered to sell and has not sold any shares of Common Stock under the ATM Program. As of March 15, 2021, the Company had
sold 3,200,457 shares of its common stock with aggregate net offering proceeds of $8.9 million under the ATM Program.
Subject to certain limitations in the Sales Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver notices
to the sales agent at any time throughout the term of the Sales Agreement. The number of shares that are sold by the Sales Agent
after delivering a notice will fluctuate based on the market price of the shares of Common Stock during the sales period and limits
we set with the Sales Agent. Because the sales of the shares offered hereby are made directly into the market or in negotiated
transactions, the prices which we sell these shares will vary and these variations may be significant. Purchasers of the shares
we sell, as well as our existing shareholders, will experience significant dilution if we sell shares at prices significantly below the
price at which they invested. Furthermore, all of our shares of Common Stock sold in the offering will be freely tradable without
restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. As a result, a substantial number of our shares of Common Stock may
be sold in the public market following this offering, which may cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline. This could
make it more difficult for you to sell your shares of Common Stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate and could impair
our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.
We may adopt share repurchase programs which may affect the market for our Common Stock and Preferred Shares,
including affecting our share price or increasing share price volatility.
The Company may, from time to time, repurchase Common Stock or Preferred Shares in the open market, in privately negoti-
ated transactions or otherwise, depending upon several factors, including market and business conditions, the trading price of
our Common Stock and other investment opportunities. The repurchase programs may be limited, suspended or discontinued
at any time without prior notice. In June 2019, we announced a share repurchase program under which we could, from time to
time, purchase up to 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate on the open market. In March 2020, we expanded
such share repurchase program to provide for the repurchase of an additional 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock on the open
35
20Annual Report market. In March 2020, we announced a preferred share repurchase program under which we could, from time to time, purchase
up to 100,000 shares of each of our Series C Preferred Shares and Series D Preferred Shares on the open market. Repurchases
of our Common Stock or Preferred Shares pursuant to any repurchase programs could affect our stock price and increase trading
volatility. As of March 15, 2021, we have no active repurchase program for Common Stock or Preferred Shares.
There is no guarantee of a continuing public market for you to resell our common or preferred stock.
Our Common Stock and Preferred Shares trade on the NYSE. We cannot assure you that an active and liquid public market for
our Common Stock or Preferred Shares will continue, which would likely have a negative effect on the price of our Common
Stock or Preferred Shares, as applicable, and impair your ability to sell or purchase our Common Stock or Preferred Shares, as
applicable, when you wish to do so. In January 2016, we announced that we received notice from the NYSE indicating that the
trading price of our Common Stock was not in compliance with the NYSE’s continuing listing standard that requires a minimum
average closing price of $1.00 per share over a period of 30 consecutive trading days. On June 1, 2016, the NYSE notified
us that our average stock price for the 30-trading days ended May 31, 2016 was above the NYSE’s minimum requirement
of $1.00 based on a 30-trading day average and, accordingly, that the Company was no longer considered below the NYSE’s
$1.00 continued listing standard.
In the future, if our Common Stock falls below the continued listing standard of $1.00 per share again or otherwise fails to
satisfy any of the NYSE continued listing requirements, and if we are unable to cure such deficiency during any subsequent
cure period, our Common Stock could be delisted from the NYSE. If our Common Stock ultimately were to be delisted for any
reason, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including:
~ limited availability of market quotations for our Common Stock;
~ a limited amount of news and analyst coverage for us;
~ a decreased ability for us to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future;
~ limited liquidity for our shareholders due to thin trading; and
~ loss of preferential tax rates for dividends received by certain non-corporate United States holders, loss of “mark-to-mar-
ket” election by United States holders in the event we are treated as a ‘’passive foreign investment company’’, and loss of
our tax exemption under Section 883 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (although we believe
that we will not satisfy the requirements for this exemption).
We have adopted a shareholders rights plan which could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire us while the
plan remains in effect.
We have in effect a shareholders rights plan that is intended to enable all shareholders to realize the long-term value of their
investment in the Company and to protect against any person or group from gaining control of the Company through coercive or
otherwise unfair takeover tactics. The shareholders rights plan is not intended to deter offers that are fair and otherwise in the
best interests of the Company’s shareholders. In connection with the Company’ s adoption of the shareholders rights plan, the
Company declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of our Common Stock.
The Rights will be exercisable on the earlier of (1) the tenth day after the public announcement that a person or group acquires
ownership of 10% or more of the Company’s Common Stock without the approval of the Board or (2) the tenth business day (or
such later date as determined by the Board) after a person or group announces a tender or exchange offer which would result in
that person or group holding 10% or more of the Company’s Common Stock. Polys Hajioannou, the Company’s Chairman and
chief executive officer, and Nicolaos Hadjioannou are excluded persons for purposes of the shareholders rights plan and shares
of our Common Stock held by Mr. Hajioannou or Mr. Hadjioannou and entities controlled by and/or affiliated or associated with
Mr. Hajioannou or Mr. Hadjioannou or members or their respective families are not subject to the restrictions of the shareholders
rights plan.
The Rights also become exercisable if a person or group that already beneficially owns 10% or more of our Common Stock (other
than one or more of the excluded persons described above) acquires any additional shares of our Common Stock without the ap-
proval of the Board. If the Rights become exercisable, all Rights holders (other than the person or group triggering the Rights) will
be entitled to acquire certain of our securities at a substantial discount. The Rights may substantially dilute the stock ownership
of a person or group attempting to take over our company without the approval of the Board, and the rights plan could make it
more difficult for a third-party to acquire our company or a significant percentage of our outstanding shares of Common Stock,
without first negotiating with the Board.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents and Management Agreements could make it difficult for our
stockholders to replace or remove our current board of directors and together with our adoption of a shareholders rights
plan could have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect
the market price of the shares of our Common Stock.
Several provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws could make it difficult for our stockholders to change the compo-
sition of our board of directors in any one year, preventing them from changing the composition of our management. In addi-
tion, the same provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that stockholders may consider favorable.
These provisions:
~ authorize our board of directors to issue “blank check” preferred stock without stockholder approval;
~ provide for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms;
~ prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors;
36
Safebulkers20 ~ authorize the removal of directors only for cause;
~ prohibit stockholder action by written consent unless the written consent is signed by all stockholders entitled to vote on
the action;
~ establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our board of directors or for proposing matters that
can be acted on by stockholders at stockholder meetings; and
~ provide that special meetings of our stockholders may only be called by the chairman of our board of directors, chief execu-
tive officer or a majority of our board of directors.
Pursuant to our shareholders rights plan any person that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our board of directors
may have their shareholdings substantially diluted.
Each Manager may terminate the applicable Management Agreement prior to the end of its term if there is a change in directors
after which at least one of the members of our board of directors is not a continuing director. “Continuing directors” means, as of
any date of determination, any member of our board of directors who was (a) a member of our board of directors on May 29, 2018
or (b) nominated for election or elected to our board of directors with the approval of a majority of the directors then in office who
were either directors on May 29, 2018 or whose nomination or election was previously so approved. In the event that either Man-
agement Agreement is so terminated, the Company shall pay to Safe Bulkers Management an amount in cash equal to the Man-
agement Fees paid or payable to either Manager, in the aggregate, during the 36 months preceding the applicable termination.
These anti-takeover provisions, including the provisions of our shareholders rights plan, could substantially impede the ability
of public stockholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a result, may adversely affect the market price of our Common
Stock and your ability to realize any potential change of control premium.
The amount of cash we have available for dividends on or to redeem our Preferred Shares will not depend solely on our
profitability.
The actual amount of cash we will have available for dividends or to redeem our Preferred Shares will depend on many factors,
including the following:
~ changes in our operating cash flow, capital expenditure requirements, working capital requirements and other cash needs;
~ restrictions under our existing or future credit facilities or any future debt securities, including existing restrictions under
our existing credit facilities on our ability to pay dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or if the
payment of the dividend would result in an event of default and restrictions on our ability to redeem securities;
~ the amount of any cash reserves established by our board of directors; and
~ restrictions under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 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.
The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our net income or loss for the period, which will be
affected by non-cash items, and our board of directors in its discretion may elect not to declare any dividends. As a result of these
and the other factors mentioned above, we may pay dividends during periods when we record losses and may not pay dividends
during periods when we record net income.
The laws of the Republic of Liberia and of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where our vessel-owning subsidiaries are incorpo-
rated, generally prohibit the payment of dividends other than from surplus or net profits, or while a company is insolvent or would
be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. Our subsidiaries may not have sufficient funds, surplus or net profits
to make distributions to us. In addition, under guarantees we have entered into with respect to certain of our subsidiaries’ exist-
ing credit facilities, we are subject to financial and other covenants, which may limit our ability to pay dividends and redeem the
Preferred Shares. These and future agreements may limit our ability to pay dividends on and to redeem the Preferred Shares. We
also may not have sufficient surplus or net profits in the future to pay dividends.
Our Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests, they are subordinate to our debt and your interests could be
diluted by the issuance of additional preferred shares, including additional Preferred Shares and by other transactions.
The Preferred Shares represent perpetual equity interests in us and, unlike our indebtedness, will not give rise to a claim for
payment of a principal amount at a particular date. As a result, holders of the Preferred Shares may be required to bear the
financial risks of an investment in the Preferred Shares for an indefinite period of time. Our Preferred Shares are subordinate
to all of our existing and future indebtedness and to any other senior securities we may issue in the future with respect to as-
sets available to satisfy claims against us. Each series of our Preferred Shares rank pari passu with one another and any class
or series of capital stock established after the original issue date of such preferred shares that is not expressly subordinated
or senior to such preferred shares as to the payment of dividends and amounts payable upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up. As of December 31, 2020, we had aggregate debt outstanding of $616.2 million, of which $81.3 million was the current
portion of long term debt payable within the next 12 months. Our existing indebtedness restricts, and our future indebtedness
may include restrictions on, our ability to pay dividends on or redeem preferred shares. Our articles of incorporation currently
authorize the issuance of up to 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which, as
of December 31, 2020, 2,297,504 shares of Series C Preferred Shares and 3,195,050 shares of Series D Preferred Shares
were issued and outstanding. Of the blank check preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares have been designated Series A Partici-
pating Preferred Stock in connection with our adoption of a shareholders rights plan as described under “Item 10. Additional
Information—B. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws—Shareholders Rights Plan.” The issuance of additional preferred shares
on a parity with or senior to the Preferred Shares would dilute the interests of holders of such shares, and any issuance of pre-
37
20Annual Report ferred shares senior to such preferred shares or of additional indebtedness could affect our ability to pay dividends on, redeem
or pay the liquidation preference on our Preferred Shares.
The liquidation preference amount on our Preferred Shares is fixed and Preferred shareholders will have no right to re-
ceive any greater payment regardless of the circumstances.
The payment due upon a liquidation to holders of any series of our Preferred Shares is fixed at the redemption preference of
$25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of liquidation. If, in the case of our liquidation, there are re-
maining assets to be distributed after payment of this amount, you will have no right to receive or to participate in these amounts.
Furthermore, if the market price for our Preferred Shares is greater than the liquidation preference, Preferred shareholders will
have no right to receive the market price from us upon our liquidation.
Holders of Preferred Shares have extremely limited voting rights.
The voting rights of holders of Preferred Shares are extremely limited. Our Common Stock is the only class or series of our shares
carrying full voting rights. Holders of Preferred Shares have no voting rights other than the ability (voting together as a class with
all other classes or series of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, including all of
the Preferred Shares), subject to certain exceptions, to elect one director if dividends for six quarterly dividend periods (whether
or not consecutive) payable on our Preferred Shares are in arrears and certain other limited protective voting rights.
Our ability to pay dividends on and to redeem our Preferred Shares is limited by the requirements of the laws of the Re-
public of the Marshall Islands, the laws of the Republic of Liberia and existing and future agreements.
The laws of the Republic of Liberia and of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where our vessel-owning subsidiaries are incorpo-
rated, generally prohibit the payment of dividends other than from surplus or net profits, or while a company is insolvent or would
be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. Our subsidiaries may not have sufficient funds, surplus or net profits
to make distributions to us. In addition, under guarantees we have entered into with respect to certain of our subsidiaries’ exist-
ing credit facilities, we are subject to financial and other covenants, which may limit our ability to pay dividends and redeem the
Preferred Shares. These and future agreements may limit our ability to pay dividends on and to redeem the Preferred Shares. We
also may not have sufficient surplus or net profits in the future to pay dividends.
Tax Risks
In addition to the following risk factors, you should read “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Tax Considerations—Marshall Is-
lands Tax Considerations,” “Item 10. Additional Information—E. Tax Considerations—Liberian Tax Considerations,” and “Item 10.
Additional Information —E. Tax Considerations—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” for a more complete discus-
sion of expected material Marshall Islands, Liberian and United States federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing
of our Common Stock and Preferred Shares.
We may earn shipping income that will be subject to United States income tax, thereby reducing our cash available for
distributions to you.
Under United States tax rules, 50% of our gross income attributable to shipping that begins or ends in the United States may be
subject to a 4% United States federal income tax (without allowance for deductions). The amount of this income may fluctuate,
and we may not qualify for any exemption from this United States tax. Many of our charters contain provisions that obligate the
charterers to reimburse us for this 4% United States tax. To the extent we are not reimbursed by our charterers, the 4% United
States tax will decrease our cash that is available for dividends.
For a more complete discussion, see the section entitled “Item 10. Additional Information—Tax Considerations—E. United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations—Taxation of Operating Income in General.”
United States tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which could have adverse United
States federal income tax consequences to United States holders.
A non-United States corporation will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for United States federal
income tax purposes if either (a) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive in-
come” or (b) 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, “passive income” includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange
of investment property, and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connec-
tion 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.” United States stockholders of a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous United States federal
income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC, and the gain, if any,
they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC. In particular, United States holders who are individuals
would not be eligible for preferential tax rates otherwise applicable to qualified dividends.
Based on our current operations and anticipated future operations, we believe that it is more likely than not that we currently
will not be treated as a PFIC. In this regard, we intend to treat gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our period
time chartering activities as services income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, we believe that our income from our period
time chartering activities should not constitute “passive income,” and that the assets we own and operate in connection with the
production of that income should not constitute passive assets.
38
Safebulkers20 There are legal uncertainties involved in this determination. In Tidewater Inc. v. United States, 565 F.3d 299 (5th Cir. 2009),
the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that, contrary to the position of the United States Internal Revenue
Service, or the “IRS,” in that case, and for purposes of a different set of rules under the Code, income received under a period time
charter of vessels should be treated as rental income rather than services income. If the reasoning of this case were extended to
the PFIC context, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our period time chartering activities would be treated
as rental income, and we would probably be a PFIC. The IRS has stated that it disagrees with the holding in Tidewater and has
specified that income from period time charters should be treated as services income. However, the IRS’ statement with respect
to the Tidewater decision was an administrative action that cannot be relied upon or otherwise cited as precedent by taxpayers. In
light of these authorities, the IRS or a United States court may not accept the position that we are not a PFIC, and there is a risk
that the IRS or a United States court could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, we may constitute a PFIC for a future taxable
year if there were to be changes in our assets, income or operations.
If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our United States stockholders will face adverse United
States tax consequences. See “Item 10. Additional Information—E. “Tax Considerations—United States Federal Income Tax Con-
siderations—United States Federal Income Taxation of United States Holders” for a more comprehensive discussion of the United
States federal income tax consequences to United States stockholders if we are treated as a PFIC.
ITEM 4.
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A.History and Development of the Company
Safe Bulkers, Inc. was incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands on December 11, 2007, under the BCA, for the pur-
pose of acquiring ownership of various subsidiaries that either owned or were scheduled to own vessels. We are controlled by
the Hajioannou family, which has a long history of operating and investing in the international shipping industry, including a long
history of vessel ownership. Vassos Hajioannou, the late father of Polys Hajioannou, our chief executive officer, first invested in
shipping in 1958. Polys Hajioannou has been actively involved in the industry since 1987, when he joined the predecessor of
Safety Management.
Over the past 27 years under the leadership of Polys Hajioannou, we have sold or contracted to sell 16 drybulk vessels during
periods of what we viewed as favorable second-hand market conditions and have contracted to acquire 51 drybulk newbuilds and
seven drybulk second-hand vessels. Also under his leadership, we have expanded the classes of drybulk vessels in our fleet and
the aggregate carrying capacity of our fleet has grown from 887,900 dwt prior to our initial public offering in May 28, 2008 to
3,937,000 dwt as of March 15, 2021. Information on our capital expenditure requirements are discussed in “Item 5. Operat-
ing and Financial Review and Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.” The quality and size of our current fleet, together
with our long-term relationships with several of our charter customers, are, we believe, the results of our long-term strategy of
maintaining a high quality fleet, our broad knowledge of the drybulk industry and our strong management team. In addition to ben-
efiting from the experience and leadership of Polys Hajioannou, we also benefit from the expertise of our Managers which, along
with their predecessor, have specialized in drybulk shipping since 1965, providing services to over 50 drybulk vessels. In June
2008, we completed an initial public offering of our Common Stock in the U.S. and our Common Stock began trading on the NYSE.
Our principal executive office is located at Apt. D11, Les Acanthes, 6, Avenue des Citronniers MC 98000 Monaco. Our registered
address in the Republic of the Marshall Islands is Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the
Marshall Islands MH96960 and telephone numbers are +30 2 111 888 400 and +357 25 887 200. The name of our registered
agent at such address is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc.
The SEC maintains an internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, information statements, and other information
regarding issuers that we file electronically with the SEC.
B.Business Overview
We are an international provider of marine drybulk transportation services, transporting bulk cargoes, particularly coal, grain and
iron ore, along worldwide shipping routes for some of the world’s largest consumers of marine drybulk transportation services. As
of March 15, 2021, we had a fleet of 43 drybulk vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 3,937,000 dwt.
We employ our vessels on both period time charters and spot time charters, according to our assessment of market conditions,
with some of the world’s largest consumers of marine drybulk transportation services. The vessels we deploy on period time char-
ters provide us with relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates, while the vessels we deploy in the spot market allow us
to maintain our flexibility in low charter market conditions. We have installed 20 Scrubbers materializing financial benefits on the
basis of the price differential between HFO and the Compliant fuel.
Our Fleet, Newbuilds and Employment Profile
As of March 15, 2021, our fleet comprised 43 vessels, (including a second-hand acquisition of a 2011-built Japanese, Panamax
class vessel delivered to us in March 2021), of which 15 are Panamax class vessels, 10 are Kamsarmax class vessels, 14 are
Post-Panamax class vessels and four are Capesize class vessels, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 3,937,000 dwt and an
average age of 10.3 years.
Our orderbook consists of two Japanese newbuild vessels, a Post-Panamax and a Kamsarmax class vessel, which are scheduled
to be delivered to us in the first half of 2022 and the third quarter of 2022 respectively.
We have contracted to sell two of our older Panamax class vessels, built in 2003 and 2004 scheduled to be delivered to their new
owners in April and May 2021, as part of our fleet renewal plan.
39
20Annual Report Assuming consummation of the sale of two of our vessels and delivery of the two contracted to be acquired newbuild vessels in
2022, our fleet by the end of 2022, will comprise of 13 Panamax class vessels, 11 Kamsarmax class vessels, 15 Post-Panamax
class vessels and four Capesize class vessels, and the aggregate carrying capacity of our 43 vessels will be 3,955,700 dwt.
The majority of vessels in our fleet have sister ships with similar specifications. We believe using sister ships provides cost sav-
ings because it facilitates efficient inventory management and allows for the substitution of sister ships to fulfill our period time
charter obligations.
The table below presents additional information with respect to our drybulk vessel fleet, including our newbuilds, and their de-
ployment as of March 15, 2021. Scrubber benefit for scrubber fitted vessels is calculated on the basis of the price differential
between HFO and the Compliant fuel for the specific voyage and is either presented as part of the daily charter hire or, in cases
where it cannot be defined, is not part of the stated daily charter hire.
Vessel Name
Dwt
Year
Built1
Country of
Construction
Charter
Type
Charter
Rate 2
Commis-
sions 3
Charter Period 4
Sister
Ship5
76,000
2003
Japan
Period
$15,875
5.00% Mar 2021 - May 2021
A
CURRENT FLEET
Panamax
Maria
Koulitsa
76,900
2003
Japan
Paraskevi13
74,300
2003
Japan
Vassos13
Katerina
Maritsa
76,000
2004
Japan
76,000
2004
Japan
76,000
2005
Japan
Paraskevi2
75,000
2011
Japan
Efrossini
Zoe10
75,000
2012
Japan
75,000
2013
Japan
Spot
Spot
Period
Period
Period
Spot
Period
Period
Period
Kypros Land10
77,100
2014
Japan
Period
Kypros Sea
77,100
2014
Japan
Period
Kypros Bravery
78,000
2015
Japan
Period
Kypros Sky8
77,100
2015
Japan
Period
Kypros Loyalty
78,000
2015
Japan
Period
Kypros Spirit8
78,000
2016
Japan
Period
BPI 74 4TC*
100%
5.00% Jan 2021 - Mar 2021
$9,500
5.00% Feb 2021 - Mar 2021
$11,750
5.00% Jan 2021 - Apr 2021
BPI 74 4TC*
97.5%
BPI 74 4TC*
97.5%
$23,000
$13,800
BPI 74 4TC*
101.5%
$11,650
$13,800
BPI 82 5TC*
97% - $2,150
$13,800
BPI 82 5TC*
97% - $2,150
$11,750
BPI 82 5TC*
97% - $2,150
$11,750
BPI 82 5TC*
97% - $2,150
$11,750
BPI 82 5TC*
97% - $2,150
$13,800
BPI 82 5TC*
97% - $2,150
5.00% Dec 2020 - Jun 2021
5.00% Dec 2020 - Sep 2021
5.00 % Mar 2021 - Mar 2021
5.00 % May 2021 - Mar 2022
5.00% Dec 2020 - Oct 2021
5.00% Sep 2020 - Jul 2021
3.75% Aug 2020 - Aug 2022
3.75% Aug 2022 - Aug 2025
3.75% Jul 2020 - Jul 2022
3.75% Jul 2022 - Jul 2025
3.75% Aug 2020 - Aug 2022
3.75% Aug 2022 - Aug 2025
3.75% Aug 2020 - Aug 2022
3.75% Aug 2022 - Aug 2025
3.75% Jul 2020 - Jul 2022
3.75% Jul 2022 - Jul 2025
3.75% Jul 2020 - Jul 2022
3.75% Jul 2022 - Jul 2025
A
A
A
B
B
B
H
H
I
H
I
I
C
C
C
Kamsarmax
Pedhoulas
Merchant
82,300
2006
Japan
Spot
$9,951
5.00% Dec 2020 - Apr 2021
Pedhoulas Trader
82,300
2006
Japan
Period
BPI 82 5TC* 98% 5.00% Feb 2021 - Aug 2021
Pedhoulas Leader
82,300
2007
Japan
Period
BPI 82 5TC* 98% 5.00% Dec 2020 - Jul 2021
Pedhoulas
Commander
83,700
2008
Japan
Pedhoulas Builder
81,600
2012
China
Period
Spot12
$9,950
5.00% Jun 2020 - Jul 2021
$19,514
5.00% Mar 2021 - May 2021
D
40
Safebulkers20
Pedhoulas Fighter
81,600
2012
Pedhoulas Farmer6
81,600
2012
Pedhoulas Cherry
82,000
2015
Pedhoulas Rose6
82,000
2017
China
China
China
China
Period12 BPI 82 5TC * 98% 5.00% Dec 2020 - Jun 2021
Spot12
Spot11
$21,000
5.00% Jan 2021 - Mar 2021
$22,250
5.00% Feb 2021 - Mar 2021
Period11
$13,750
5.00 % Dec 2020 - Aug 2021
Pedhoulas Cedrus
82,000
2018
Japan
Period
$13,000
3.75 % Aug 2020 - May 2021
Post-Panamax
Marina
Xenia
Sophia
Eleni
Martine
Andreas K
Panayiota K9
Agios
Spyridonas9
87,000
2006
Japan
Period12
$12,250
5.00 % Aug 2020 - Apr 2021
87,000
2006
Japan
87,000
2007
Japan
87,000
2008
Japan
Spot11
Spot11
Spot12
Spot11
$15,199
5.00 % Mar 2021 - May 2021
$31,750
5.00 % Jan 2021 - Mar 2021
$27,000
5.00 % Mar 2021 - Apr 2021
$23,000
5.00 % Mar 2021 - Apr 2021
87,000
2009
Japan
Period12
$15,100
5.00 % Mar 2021 - Dec 2021
92,000
2009 South Korea
Spot11
$32,500
5.00 % Jan 2021 - Mar 2021
92,000
2010 South Korea
Spot12
$12,400
5.00 % Jan 2021 - Mar 2021
92,000
2010 South Korea
Period12
$11,500
5.00 % Dec 2020 - Apr 2021
Venus Heritage10
95,800
2010
Japan
Spot12
$16,000
5.00 % Feb 2021 - May 2021
Venus History10
95,800
2011
Japan
Period12
$15,000
5.00 % Mar 2021 - Apr 2021
Venus Horizon
95,800
2012
Japan
Spot11
$26,047
5.00 % Jan 2021 - Apr 2021
Troodos Sun
Troodos Air
85,000
2016
Japan
Period12
$16,000
5.00 % Feb 2021 - May 2021
85,000
2016
Japan
Period12
$16,350
5.00 % Mar 2021 - Dec 2021
Troodos Oak
85,000
2020
Japan
Period
BPI 82 5TC *
109%
3.75 % June 2020 - May 2021
Capesize
Mount Troodos
181,400
2009
Japan
Period12
BCI * 103.5% 5.00 % April 2020 - June 2021
Kanaris
Pelopidas
178,100
2010
176,000
2011
China
China
Period7
$26,562
2.50 % Sep 2011 – Jun 2031
Period
$38,000
1.00 % Feb 2012 – Jan 2022
Lake Despina
181,400
2014
Japan
Period
BCI * 119%
5.00 % Feb 2021 - Jan 2022
D
D
K
E
E
E
E
E
F
F
F
G
G
G
J
J
3,937,000
Subtotal
Newbuilds
Kamsarmax
TBN Hull 1381
82,000 1H 2022
Japan
Post- Panamax
TBN Hull 11013
87,000 Q3 2022
Japan
Subtotal
TOTAL
169,000
4,106,000
(1)
(2)
(3)
For existing vessels, the year represents the year built. For our newbuild, the date shown reflects the expected delivery dates.
Quoted charter rates are the recognized daily gross charter rates. For charter parties with variable rates among periods or consecutive charter parties with
the same charterer, the recognized gross daily charter rate represents the weighted average gross daily charter rate over the duration of the applicable
charter period or series of charter periods, as applicable. In the case of a charter agreement that provides for additional payments, namely ballast bonus
to compensate for vessel repositioning, the gross daily charter rate presented has been adjusted to reflect estimated vessel repositioning expenses. Gross
charter rates are inclusive of commissions. Net charter rates are charter rates after the payment of commissions. In the case of voyage charters, the charter
rate represents revenue recognized on a pro rata basis over the duration of the voyage from load to discharge port less related voyage expenses.
Commissions reflect payments made to third-party brokers or our charterers.
41
20Annual Report (4)
(5)
The start dates listed reflect either actual start dates or, in the case of contracted charters that had not commenced as of March 15, 2021, the scheduled
start dates. Actual start dates and redelivery dates may differ from the referenced scheduled start and redelivery dates depending on the terms of the char-
ter and market conditions and does not reflect the options to extend the period time charter.
Each vessel with the same letter is a “sister ship” of each other vessel that has the same letter, and under certain of our charter contracts, may be substi-
tuted with its “sister ships.”
(6) MV Pedhoulas Farmer and MV Pedhoulas Rose were sold and leased back, in 2015 and 2017, respectively, on a bareboat charter basis for a period of 10
years, with a purchase obligation at the end of the bareboat charter period and purchase options in favor of the Company after the second year of the bare-
boat charter, at annual intervals and predetermined purchase prices.
Charterer agreed to reimburse us for part of the cost of the Scrubbers and BWTS to be installed on the vessel, which is recorded by increasing the recog-
nized daily charter rate by $634 over the remaining tenor of the time charter party.
(7)
(8) MV Kypros Sky and MV Kypros Spirit were sold and leased back in December 2019 on a bareboat charter basis for a period of eight years, with purchase
options in favor of the Company commencing three years following the commencement of the bareboat charter period and a purchase obligation at the end
of the bareboat charter period, all at predetermined purchase prices.
(9) MV Panayiota K and MV Agios Spyridonas were sold and leased back in January 2020 on a bareboat charter basis for a period of six years, with purchase
options in favor of the Company commencing three years following the commencement of the bareboat charter period and a purchase obligation at the end
of the bareboat charter period, all at predetermined purchase prices.
(10) MV Zoe, MV Kypros Land, MV Venus Heritage and MV Venus History were sold and leased back in November 2019, on a bareboat charter basis, one for a
period of eight years and three for a period of seven and a half years, with a purchase option in favor of the Company five years and nine months following
the commencement of the bareboat charter period at a predetermined purchase price.
(11) Scrubber benefit was agreed on the basis of fuel consumption of heavy fuel oil and the price differential between the heavy fuel oil and the compliant fuel
cost for the voyage and is included on the daily gross charter rate presented.
(12) Scrubber benefit was agreed on the basis of fuel consumption of heavy fuel oil and the price differential between the heavy fuel oil and the compliant fuel
cost for the voyage and is not included in the daily gross charter rate presented.
(13) Vessel agreed to be sold.
Chartering of Our Fleet
Our vessels are used to transport bulk cargoes, particularly coal, grain and iron ore, along worldwide shipping routes. We may
employ our vessels in time charters or in voyage charters.
A time charter is a contract to charter a vessel for a fixed period of time at a set daily rate and can last from a few days up to
several years, where the vessel performs one or more trips between load port(s) and discharge port(s). Based on the duration of
vessel’s employment, a time charter can be either a long-term, or period, time charter with duration of more than three months,
or a short-term, or spot, time charter with duration of up to three months. Under our time charters, the charterer pays for most
voyage expenses, such as port, canal and fuel costs, agents’ fees, extra war risks insurance and any other expenses related to
the cargoes, and we pay for vessel operating expenses, which include, among other costs, costs for crewing, provisions, stores,
lubricants, insurance, maintenance and repairs, tonnage taxes, drydocking and intermediate and special surveys.
Voyage charters are generally contracts to carry a specific cargo from a load port to a discharge port, including positioning the
vessel at the load port. Under a voyage charter, the charterer pays an agreed upon total amount or on a per cargo ton basis, and
we pay for both vessel operating expenses and voyage expenses. We infrequently enter into voyage charters. Voyage charters
together with spot time charters are referred to in our industry as employment in the spot market.
We intend to employ our vessels on both period time charters and spot time charters, according to our assessment of market con-
ditions, with some of the world’s largest consumers of marine drybulk transportation services. The vessels we deploy on period
time charters provide us with relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates, while the vessels we deploy in the spot market
allow us to maintain our flexibility in low charter market conditions. As of March 15, 2021, the average remaining duration of the
charters for our existing fleet was 1.1 years.
Our Customers
Since 2005, our customers have included over 30 national, regional and international companies, including Bunge, Cargill,
Glencore, Daiichi, Intermare Transport G.m.b.H., Energy Eastern Pte. Ltd., NYK, NS United Kaiun Kaisha, Kawasaki Kisen Kai-
sha, Oldendorff GmbH and Co. KG, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, Louis Dreyfus Commodities, ArcelorMittal or their affiliates. Dur-
ing 2020, two of our charterers, namely Viterra B.V (ex-Glencore Agriculture B.V.) and Cargill International S.A., accounted
for 26.14% of our revenues, with each one accounting for more than 10.0% of total revenues. During 2019, two of our char-
terers, namely Viterra B.V. and Bunge S.A., accounted for 31.40% of total revenues with each one accounting for more than
10.0% of total revenues. During 2018, two of our charterers, namely Viterra B.V. and Bunge S.A., accounted for 28.49% of
total revenues. We seek to charter our vessels primarily to charterers who intend to use our vessels without sub-chartering
them to third parties. A prospective charterer’s financial condition and reliability are also important factors in negotiating
employment for our vessels.
Management of Our Fleet
In May 2008, we entered into a management agreement with Safety Management and in May 2015, we entered into a manage-
ment agreement with Safe Bulkers Management, pursuant to which our Managers provided us with our executive officers, techni-
cal, administrative, commercial and certain other services. Each of these management agreements expired on May 28, 2018. In
May 2018, we entered into new Management Agreements, pursuant to which our Managers continue to provide us with technical,
administrative, commercial and certain other services. Each of the Management Agreements was effective as of May 29, 2018
and has an initial three-year term which may be extended on a three-year basis up to two times. Our arrangements with our
Managers and their performance are reviewed by our board of directors. Our management team collectively referred to in this
annual report as our “executive officers,” provide strategic management for our company and also supervise the management of
our day-to-day operations by our Managers. Our Managers report to us and our board of directors through our executive officers.
The Management Agreements with our Managers have a maximum expiration date in May 2027 and we expect to enter into new
agreements with the Managers upon their expiration. The terms of any such new agreements have not yet been determined.
42
Safebulkers20 Pursuant to the Management Agreements, in return for providing such services our Managers receive a ship management fee
of €875 per day per vessel and one of our Managers receives an annual ship management fee of €3 million. Our Managers also
receive a commission of 1.0% based on the contract price of any vessel sold by it on our behalf, and a commission of 1.0% based
on the contract price of any vessel bought by it on our behalf, including the acquisition of each of our contracted newbuilds. We
also pay our Managers a supervision fee of $550,000 per newbuild, of which 50% is payable upon the signing of the relevant
supervision agreement, and 50% upon successful completion of the sea trials of each newbuild, which we capitalize, for the on-
premises supervision by selected engineers and others on the Managers’ staff of newbuilds we have agreed to acquire pursuant
to shipbuilding contracts, memoranda of agreement, or otherwise.
Our Managers have agreed that, during the term of our Management Agreements and for a period of one year following their
termination, our Managers will not provide management services to, or with respect to, any drybulk vessels other than (a) on our
behalf or (b) with respect to drybulk vessels that are owned or operated by companies affiliated with our chief executive officer or
his family members, and drybulk vessels that are acquired, invested in or controlled by companies affiliated with our chief execu-
tive officer or his family members, subject in each case to compliance with, or waivers of, the restrictive covenant agreements en-
tered into between us and such companies. Our Managers have also agreed that if one of our drybulk vessels and a drybulk vessel
owned or operated by any such company are both available and meet the criteria for a charter being arranged by our Managers,
our drybulk vessel will receive such charter.
The foregoing description of the Management Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Management Agreements, copies of which are attached as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.2 and incorporated herein
by reference.
See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Management Agreements” for
more information.
Competition
We operate in highly competitive markets that are based primarily on supply and demand. Our business fluctuates in line with the
main patterns of trade of the major drybulk cargoes and varies according to changes in the supply and demand for these items.
We believe we differentiate ourselves from our competition by providing modern vessels with advanced designs and technologi-
cal specifications. As of March 15, 2021, our fleet had an average age of 10.3 years. The majority of our fleet has been built in
Japanese shipyards, which we believe provides us with an advantage in attracting large, well-established customers, including
Japanese customers.
The drybulk sector is characterized by relatively low barriers to entry, and ownership of drybulk vessels is highly fragmented. In
general, we compete with other owners of Panamax class or larger drybulk vessels for charters based upon price, customer rela-
tionships, operating expertise, professional reputation and size, age, location and condition of the vessel.
Crewing and Shore Employees
Our management team consists of our chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer and assistant chief financial
officer, chief operating officer, chief financial controller and assistant chief financial controller, chief compliance officer and
our internal auditor. Our Managers are responsible for the technical management of our fleet and therefore also handle the
recruiting, either directly or through crewing agents, of the senior officers and all other crew members for our vessels. As of
December 31, 2020, approximately 827 people served on board the vessels in our fleet, and our Managers employed approxi-
mately 126 people on shore.
Permits and Authorizations
We are required by various governmental and other agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses, certificates and financial as-
surances with respect to each of our vessels. The kinds of permits, licenses, certificates and financial assurances required by
governmental and other agencies depend upon several factors, including the commodity being transported, the waters in which
the vessel operates, the nationality of the vessel’s crew and the type and age of the vessel. All permits, licenses, certificates and
financial assurances currently required to operate our vessels have been obtained. Additional laws and regulations, environmental
or otherwise, may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of doing business.
Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance
General
The operation of our fleet involves risks such as mechanical failure, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage as well as
personal injury, illness and loss of life. In addition, the operation of any oceangoing vessel is subject to the inherent possibility
of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, the risk of piracy and the liabilities arising from owning
and operating vessels in international trade. The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA 90”), 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 vessel owners and operators trading
in the United States market.
Our Managers are responsible for arranging insurance for all our vessels on the terms specified in our Management Agreements,
which we believe are in line with standard industry practice. In accordance with our Management Agreements, our Managers pro-
cure and maintain hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance, freight, demurrage and defense coverage and protection and
indemnity coverage with mutual assurance associations. Due to our low incident rate and the relatively young age of our fleet, we
are generally able to procure relatively low rates for all types of insurance.
43
20Annual Report While our insurance coverage for our drybulk vessel fleet is in amounts that we believe to be prudent to protect us against normal
risks involved in the conduct of our business and consistent with standard industry practice, our Managers may not be able to
maintain this level of coverage throughout a vessel’s useful life. Furthermore, all risks may not be adequately insured against, any
particular claim may not be paid and adequate insurance coverage may not always be obtainable at reasonable rates.
Hull and machinery insurance
Our marine hull and machinery insurance covers risks of partial loss or actual or constructive total loss from collision, fire, ground-
ing, engine breakdown and other insured risks up to an agreed amount per vessel. Our vessels will each be covered up to at least
their fair market value after meeting certain deductibles per incident per vessel. We also maintain increased value coverage for
each of our vessels. Under this increased value coverage, in the event of the total loss of a vessel, we are entitled to recover
amounts in excess of the total loss amount recoverable under our hull and machinery policy.
Protection and indemnity insurance
Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual indemnity insurance provided by mutual marine protection and indemnity
associations (“P&I Associations”) formed by vessel owners to provide protection from large financial loss to one club member by
contribution towards that loss by all members.
Protection and indemnity insurance covers our third-party liabilities in connection with our shipping activities. This includes
third-party liability and other related expenses of injury or death of crew members, passengers and other third parties, loss or
damage to cargo, claims arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third party property, pollution arising from oil
or other substances and salvage, towing and other related costs, including wreck removal. Our coverage, except for pollution, will
be unlimited. Furthermore, within this aggregate limit, club coverage is also limited to the amount of the member’s legal liability.
Our protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution is limited to $1.0 billion per vessel per incident. Our protection
and indemnity insurance coverage in respect of passengers is limited to $2.0 billion and in respect of passengers and seamen is
limited to $3.0 billion per vessel per incident. The 13 P&I Associations that comprise the International Group of P&I Clubs (the “In-
ternational Group”) insure approximately 90.0% of the world’s commercial blue-water tonnage and have entered into a pooling
agreement to reinsure each P&I Association’s liabilities. As a member of a P&I Association that is a member of the International
Group, we are subject to calls payable to the P&I Association based on the International Group’s claim records, as well as the claim
records of all other members of the individual associations.
Although the P&I Associations compete with each other for business, they have found it beneficial to mutualize their larger risks
among themselves through the International Group. This is known as the “Pool.” This pooling is regulated by a contractual agree-
ment which defines the risks that are to be covered and how claims falling on the Pool are to be shared among the participants in
the International Group. The Pool provides a mechanism for sharing all claims in excess of $10.0 million up to, currently, approxi-
mately $8.2 billion. On that basis, all claims up to $10.0 million will be covered by each Club’s Individual Retention and all claims
in excess of $10.0 million up to $100.0 million will be covered by the Pool. The Pool is structured in three layers from $10 mil-
lion to $100 million. For amounts in excess of $30 million, the Pool is reinsured by the Group captive reinsurance vehicle, Hydra
Insurance Company Limited. Hydra is a Bermuda incorporated Segregated Accounts company in which each of the 13 Group Clubs
has its own segregated account (or “cell”) ring fencing its assets and liabilities from those of the company or any of the other Club
cells. Hydra reinsures each Club in respect of that Club’s liabilities within the Pool and reinsurance layers in which it participates.
Through the participation of Hydra, the Group Clubs can retain, within their Hydra cells, premium which would otherwise have been
paid to the commercial reinsurance markets.
For the 2021/2022 policy year, the International Group maintained a three layer GXL reinsurance program, together with an
additional Collective Overspill layer, which combine to provide commercial reinsurance cover of up to $3.1 billion per vessel per
incident, comprising of reinsurance for all claims of up to $2.1 billion per vessel per incident in excess of the $100.0 million in-
sured by the Pool and an additional $1.0 billion in excess of the aforesaid $2.1 billion per vessel per incident in respect of claims
for overspill.
War Risks Insurance
Our war risk insurance covers hull or freight damage, detention or diversions risks and P&I liabilities (including crew) arising out
of confiscations, seizure, capture, vandalism, sabotage and/or other war risks and is subject to separate limits of:
(i) each vessel’s hull and machinery value and each vessel’s corresponding increased value insured up to $400.0 million per
vessel per incident, and
(ii) for war risks P&I liabilities including crew up to $400.0 million per vessel per incident.
Inspection by Classification Societies
Every oceangoing vessel must be “classed” by a classification society. The classification society certifies that the vessel is “in
class,” signifying that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the classification
society. In addition, each vessel must comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the vessel’s country of registry, or
“flag state,” as well as the international conventions of which that flag state is a member. A vessel’s compliance with international
conventions and corresponding laws and ordinances of its flag state can be confirmed by the applicable flag state, port state con-
trol or, upon application or by official order, the classification society, acting on behalf of the authorities concerned.
The classification society also undertakes, upon request, other surveys and checks that are required by regulations and re-
quirements of the flag state. These surveys are subject to agreements made in each individual case or to the regulations of
the country concerned.
All areas subject to survey as defined by the classification society are required to be surveyed at least once per class period,
44
Safebulkers20 unless shorter intervals between surveys are prescribed elsewhere. The period between two subsequent surveys of each area
must not exceed five years. The maintenance of class, regular and extraordinary surveys of a vessel’s hull and machinery, in-
cluding the electrical plant, and any special equipment classed are required to be performed as follows:
~ Annual Surveys. For oceangoing vessels, annual surveys are conducted for their hulls and machinery, including the electri-
cal plants, and for any special equipment classed, at intervals of 12 months from the date of commencement of the class
period indicated in the certificate.
~ Intermediate Surveys. Extended annual surveys are referred to as “intermediate surveys” and typically are conducted on
the occasion of the second or third annual survey after commissioning and after each class renewal.
~ Class Renewal / Special Surveys. Class renewal surveys, also known as “special surveys,” are more extensive than inter-
mediate surveys and are carried out at the end of each five-year period. During the special survey the vessel is thoroughly
examined, including thickness-gauging to determine any diminution in the steel structures. Should the thickness be found
to be less than class requirements, the classification society would prescribe steel renewals. It may be expensive to have
steel renewals pass a special survey if the vessel is aged or experiences excessive wear and tear. A vessel owner has the
option of arranging with the classification society for the vessel’s machinery to be on a continuous survey cycle, according
to which all machinery would be surveyed within a five-year cycle. At an owner’s application, the surveys required for class
renewal may be split according to an agreed schedule to extend over the entire period of class.
Vessels are drydocked during intermediate and special surveys for repairs of their underwater parts. Intermediate surveys may
not be required for vessels under the age of 15 years. If “in water survey” notation is assigned by class, as is the case for our
vessels, the vessel owner has the option of carrying out an underwater inspection of the vessel in lieu of drydocking, subject to
certain conditions. In the event that an “in water survey” notation is assigned as part of a particular intermediate survey, dry-
docking would be required for the following special survey thereby generally achieving a higher utilization for the relevant vessel.
Drydocking can be undertaken as part of a special survey if the drydocking occurs within 15 months prior to the special survey
due date. Special survey may be extended under certain provisions for a period of up to three months from their due date. BWTS
and Scrubber installations and vessels’ upgrades are usually undertaken concurrently with the scheduled drydocking. A detailed
schedule of expected drydockings and special surveys is provided in the following table:
Vessel Name
Maria(3)
Pedhoulas Merchant(3),(4)
Koulitsa(3)
Paraskevi2
Venus Horizon(3), (4)
Kypros Spirit(3),(4)
Venus History(3), (4)
Pelopidas(3),(4),(5)
Pedhoulas Leader(3),(4)
Pedhoulas Rose(3)
Pedhoulas Fighter(3), (4)
Efrossini(3),(4)
Pedhoulas Farmer(3), (4)
Pedhoulas Builder(3), (4)
Sophia(3), (4)
Katerina(3)
Eleni(3)
Marina(3)
Lake Despina(3)
Maritsa(3)
Xenia(3),
Troodos Oak(3)
Pedhoulas Commander(3)
Kanaris(3)
Pedhoulas Cedrus(3)
Drydocking/BWTS/Scrubber(1)
Special Survey(2)
January 2021
March 2021
June 2021
April 2021
July 2021
July 2021
September 2021
November 2021
November 2021
January 2022
January 2022
February 2022
February 2022
March 2022
March 2022
May 2022
November 2022
December 2022
December 2022
January 2023
April 2023
April 2023
May 2023
June 2023
June 2023
April 2023
March 2021
April 2023
April 2021
February 2022
July 2021
September 2021
November 2021
February 2022
January 2022
August 2022
February 2022
September 2022
May 2022
June 2022
May 2024
November 2023
January 2021
January 2024
January 2025
April 2021
April 2025
May 2023
March 2025
June 2023
45
20Annual Report Vessel Name
Kypros Bravery(3)
Kypros Loyalty(3)
Zoe(3)
Kypros Sky(3)
Andreas K(3)
Pedhoulas Cherry(3)
Xenia(3)
Pedhoulas Trader(3)
Panayiota K(3)
Kypros Land(3)
Kypros Sea(3)
Martine(3)
Agios Spyridonas(3)
Mount Troodos(3)
Venus Heritage(3)
Troodos Sun(3)
Troodos Air(3)
Drydocking/BWTS/Scrubber(1)
Special Survey(2)
July 2023
July 2023
July 2023
August 2023
August 2023
August 2023
September 2023
September 2023
October 2023
December 2023
January 2024
January 2024
January 2024
March 2024
March 2024
April 2024
May 2024
January 2025
June 2025
July 2023
March 2025
August 2024
July 2020
April 2021
May 2021
April 2020
January 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2025
November 2024
December 2025
January 2021
March 2021
(1) Scheduled date for initiation of a drydocking, BWTS retrofit and/or Scrubber retrofit.
(2) Special survey date.
(3) Drydocking.
(4) BWTS retrofit.
(5) Scrubber retrofit.
Failure to timely complete repairs, surveys, or dry-dockings may affect our results of operations.
Following a survey, if any defects are found, the classification surveyor will issue a “recommendation or condition of class” which
must be rectified by the vessel owner within the prescribed time limits.
In general, insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage that a vessel be certified as “in class” by a classifica-
tion society which is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (“IACS”). All of our vessels are certified
as being “in class” by either Lloyd’s Register of Shipping, the American Bureau of Shipping or Bureau Veritas, each of which is a
member of IACS.
Regulations: Safety and the Environment
General
Our vessels are subject to international conventions and national, state and local laws and regulations in force in international
waters and the countries in which they operate or are registered, including environmental protection requirements governing the
management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of oil spills and the management of other contamina-
tion, air emissions, water discharges and ballast water.
These laws and regulations include regulations imposed by the IMO, the United Nations agency for maritime safety and the pre-
vention of pollution by ships, such as the International Convention for Prevention of Pollution from Ships (“MARPOL”), the Interna-
tional Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (“SOLAS”), International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast
Water and Sediments (“BWM Convention”) and in general implementing all related regulations adopted by the IMO, the E.U. and
other international, national and local regulatory bodies in the jurisdictions where our vessels travel and in the ports where our
vessels call. In the U.S., the requirements include OPA 90, the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act (“CERCLA”), the U.S. Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and U.S. Clean Air Act (“CAA”). Compliance with these environmental
protection requirements has imposed significant cost and expense, including the cost of vessel modifications and implementation
of certain operating procedures.
Our fleet complies with all current requirements. However, we incurred significant vessel modification expenditures in 2019
and 2020 mainly in BWTS and Scrubbers and we anticipate to incur additional expenditures in the current or subsequent fis-
cal years to comply with certain requirements, including mainly the installation of BWTS on vessels that have not yet been
installed, one additional Scrubber and the environmental upgrading of certain vessels in relation to existing and forthcoming
GHG emission regulations.
Under our Management Agreements, our Managers have assumed technical management responsibility for our fleet, including
46
Safebulkers20
compliance with all applicable government and other regulations. If the Management Agreements with our Managers terminate,
we would attempt to hire another party to assume this responsibility. In the event of termination, we might be unable to hire an-
other party to perform these and other services for the present fee structure and related costs. However, due to the nature of our
relationship with our Managers, we do not expect our Management Agreements to be terminated early.
A variety of governmental and private entities subject our vessels to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities
include the local port authorities (such as the U.S. Coast Guard, harbor master or equivalent), classification societies, flag state
administration (country of registry), charterers and terminal operators. Certain of these entities require us to obtain permits,
licenses, financial assurances and certificates for the operation of our vessels. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals
or identification of deficiencies during inspections could require us to incur substantial costs or result in the temporary suspen-
sion 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 char-
terers is leading to greater inspection and safety requirements on all vessels and may accelerate the scrapping of older vessels
throughout the drybulk shipping 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 ef-
ficiency, operational safety, quality maintenance, reduced environmental footprint, continuous training of our officers and crews
and compliance with U.S. and international regulations. Our Managers and our vessels are certified in accordance with ISO 14001
and ISO 50001 relating to environmental standards and energy efficiency. Moreover we have obtained additional class notation
for most of our fleet for the prevention of sea and air pollution while we are in the process of obtaining such class notation for
the remaining vessels. We believe that the operation of our vessels is in substantial compliance with all environmental laws and
regulations applicable to us as of the date of this annual report. However, because such laws and regulations are subject to fre-
quent change and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, such future requirements could limit our ability to do business,
increase our operating costs, force the early retirement of our vessels and/or affect their resale value, all of which could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
IMO and Other Related Regulations
IMO and other related regulations may affect our operations, impose restrictions on our vessels, or require additional invest-
ments. For example various jurisdictions have regulated or are considering the further regulation of GHG emissions from vessels
and emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides. Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted which could limit our
ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and which may materially adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations. Because such conventions, laws and regulations are often revised, or the required additional
measures for compliance are still under development, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with such conventions,
laws and regulations or the impact thereof on the resale prices or useful lives of our vessels. We are also required by various
governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses, certificates and financial assurances with
respect to our operations.
These requirements can also affect the resale prices or useful lives of our vessels or require reductions in cargo capacity, ship
modifications or operational changes or restrictions. Failure to comply with these requirements could lead to decreased avail-
ability of, or more costly 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 con-
ventions, we could incur material liabilities, including cleanup obligations and claims for natural resource, personal injury and
property damages in the event that there is a release of petroleum or other hazardous materials from our vessels or otherwise
in connection with our operations. Violations of, or liabilities under, environmental regulations can result in substantial penalties,
fines and other sanctions, including, in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels. In addition, we are subject to the
risk that we, our affiliated entities, or our or their respective officers, directors, shore employees, crew on board and agents may
take actions determined to be in violation of such environmental regulations and laws and our environmental policies. Any such
actual or alleged environmental laws regulations and policies violation, under negligence, willful misconduct or fault, could result
in substantial fines, civil and/or criminal penalties or curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect
our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation
and ability to do business. Furthermore, detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and can
consume significant time and attention of our senior management. Events of this nature would have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Such regulations are presented in the following paragraphs:
Nitrogen and Sulfur Oxide Emission Regulations: MARPOL regulates the transportation of marine pollutants and imposes stan-
dards on packing, marking, labeling, documentation, stowage, quantity limitations and pollution prevention. These requirements
have been expanded by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, which imposes additional standards for all aspects of
the transportation of dangerous goods and marine pollutants by sea.
In 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution from vessels. Annex VI became effective in 2005, and
sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from vessel exhausts and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone deplet-
ing substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur content of marine fuels and allows
for the establishment of Emission Control Areas (“ECAs”) with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions. Presently, designated
ECAs include specified areas of North America, the Caribbean, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. In 2008, the IMO Marine Environ-
ment Protection Committee (“MEPC”) adopted amendments to Annex VI regarding particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and sulfur
oxide emissions. These amendments, which entered into force in 2010, are designed to reduce air pollution from vessels by,
among other things, (i) establishing new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for new marine engines, depending
47
20Annual Report on their date of installation and (ii) implementing a progressive reduction of sulfur oxide emissions from ships:
(i) Control of Nitrogen Oxides
Nitrogen oxides emission regulations require the installation of advanced Tier III engines in newbuilds and modifications are not
expected to be required in existing vessels.
(ii) Control of Sulfur Oxides
A global 0.5% sulfur cap on marine fuels came into force on January 1, 2020, as agreed in amendments adopted in 2008 for An-
nex VI to MARPOL. reducing the previous sulfur cap of 3.5%. Vessels may use either Compliant Fuel or HFO if they are equipped
with Scrubbers. The viability of Scrubber investments mainly depends on the price differential between Compliant Fuels which
usually are more expensive and HFO. The use of Compliant Fuels during 2020 has raised concerns in relation to excess wear of
piston liners and fuel pumps. On the other hand shortage of HFO in certain ports has been experienced as only a small percent-
age of the global fleet is equipped with Scrubbers and the trading of HFO may not be economical to fuel suppliers. Furthermore,
restrictions of effluents from Scrubbers have been or are considered to be imposed in various jurisdictions, mainly in ports, which
may affect the viability of such investments.
In response to sulfur oxides emissions regulations, we have installed Scrubbers in 20 of our vessels and we expect to install one
additional Scrubber in 2021. In all vessels the Company had introduced critical spares inventory on board in order to secure
smooth operation and compliance with existing regulations. If the price differential between Compliant Fuels and HFO is narrower
than expected due to among other things, a drop in oil prices and/or a reduced demand for oil, then we may not realize any return,
or we may realize a lower return on our investment in Scrubbers than that which we expected, which could have a material ad-
verse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial position. Conversely, if the price differential between Compliant
Fuels and HFO is wider than expected, about half of our vessels that will not be equipped with Scrubbers may face difficulties in
competing with vessels equipped with Scrubbers, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash
flows and financial position.
Reduced limits of sulfur content of fuel oil for ECA passage are implemented, resulting to the use of lighter fuels, namely low
sulfur marine gas oil with a maximum sulfur content of 0.1% (“MGO”). Additional or new requirements, conventions, laws or
regulations, including the adoption of additional ECAs, or other new or more stringent emissions requirements adopted by the
IMO, the E.U., the U.S. or individual states, or other jurisdictions in which we operate, could require vessel modifications or oth-
erwise increase the costs of our operations. All our vessels may use MGO for ECA passage and the Scrubber-fitted vessels which
use HFO are able to reduce the sulfur emissions of HFO to levels corresponding to 0.1% sulfur content suitable for ECA passage.
Examples of additional requirements imposed locally from time to time are: (i) the Domestic Emission Control Areas (“DECAs”)
introduced by China, in 2015, which have designated the Pearl River Delta, the Yangtze River Delta and the Bohai-Rim Area (Bei-
jing, Tianjin and Hebei) as areas where vessels navigating, berthing and operating are required to use Compliant Fuels. As of Janu-
ary 1, 2019, China expanded the scope of the DECAs to include all coastal waters within 12 nautical miles of the mainland, (ii) US
Vessel General Permit (the “VGP”) areas. Our Scrubbers do not operate in such areas.
Greenhouse Gas Regulation – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: In February 2005, the Kyoto Proto-
col to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force. Pursuant to the Kyoto Protocol, adopting
countries are required to implement national programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, generally referred to as greenhouse
gases, which are suspected of contributing to global warming. Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international
shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol. The Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change in December 2015 contemplates commitments from each nation party thereto to take action to reduce green-
house gas emissions and limit increases in global temperatures but did not include any restrictions or other measures specific to
shipping emissions. In January 2021, the U.S. President announced that the United States intended to rejoin the Paris Agree-
ment. A new treaty may be adopted in the future that includes restrictions on shipping emissions. International and multinational
bodies or individual countries also may adopt their own climate change regulatory initiatives. The IMO recently announced its
intention to develop reduction measures for greenhouse gases from international shipping. The E.U.enacted a regulation requiring
ships over 5,000 gross tons docking in E.U. ports to monitor, report and verify greenhouse gas emissions which went into effect
in 2018. The United States or individual U.S. states could also enact environmental regulations that could affect our operations.
These or other developments may result in regulations relating to the control of greenhouse gas emissions. Any passage of cli-
mate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives in the jurisdictions where we operate could result in financial impacts on our
operations that 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.
The European Parliament and the Council of the E.U. have adopted regulation 2015/757, the EU-MRV on the monitoring, report-
ing and verification of CO2 emissions from maritime transport. It entered into force on July 1, 2015 and monitoring began Janu-
ary 1, 2018. The maritime EU-MRV regulation applies to all merchant ships of 5,000 gross tons or above on voyages from, to and
between ports under jurisdiction of E.U. member states. Companies operating the vessels will have to monitor the CO2 emissions
released while in port and for any voyages to or from a port under the jurisdiction of an E.U. member state and to keep records
on CO2 emissions on both per-voyage and annual bases. Furthermore, as of January 1, 2018, our vessels began monitoring and
reporting CO2 emissions pursuant to the IMO DCS regulation, which is part of the IMO’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions from
ships by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008. On February 4, 2019, the European Commission tabled a proposal concerning the
amendment of the EU-MRV. The main objective of the proposal was to amend the EU-MRV in order to take account of the new
IMO DCS for fuel oil consumption of ships that was introduced by the IMO in March 2018. As part of the IMO’s efforts to reduce
GHG emissions from ships, an initial IMO GHG strategy envisaged a reduction in carbon intensity of international shipping (a 40
48
Safebulkers20 % reduction of average CO2 emissions per transport work by 2030 and a 70 % reduction by 2050, compared to 2008) and a
50 % reduction in total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by 2050, compared to 2008. The globally applicable
IMO DCS system, currently runs in parallel with the EU-MRV, thus duplicating regulation for shipping companies whose ships sail
both inside and outside the EU. EU recently included international carbon emissions from the maritime sector in the EU emissions
trading system. These monitoring and reporting processes adopted by the EU-MRV and the IMO DCS regulations is considered to
be part of a market-based mechanism for a carbon tax to be adopted.
The MEPC has adopted the EEDI for newbuild vessels, which requires a minimum energy efficiency level per capacity mile (e.g.
tonne mile) for different vessel type and size segments, mandating an up to 30% improvement in design performance depending
on vessel type and size. The EEDI provides a specific figure for an individual vessel design, expressed in grams of CO2 per ship’s
capacity-mile (the smaller the EEDI the more energy efficient vessel design) and is calculated by a formula based on the technical
design parameters for a given ship. Since 1 January 2013, following an initial two year EEDI Phase 0, new vessel design needs
to meet the reference level for their vessel type. The CO2 reduction level (grams of CO2 per tonne mile) for the Phase 1 was set
to 10% and will be tightened every five years (20% for Phase 2 and 30% for Phase 3) to keep pace with technological devel-
opments of new efficiency and reduction measures. Reduction rates have been established until the period 2025 and onwards
(Phase 3) when a 30% reduction is mandated for applicable ship types calculated from a reference line representing the average
efficiency for ships built between 2000 and 2010. Furthermore, research is conducted to identify and develop alternative fuels
(e.g. ammonia, hydrogen, biofuels) to replace fossil fuels in future newbuild designs that will be able to meet the more stringent
GHG regulations 2030 onwards, including as interim solution propulsion by dual fuel engines using liquified natural gas with HFO
or Compliant Fuels.
Like the EEDI, the ‘Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index’ (“EEXI”) is a technical or ‘design’ efficiency index which requires a vessel
to achieve a required level of technical efficiency (Required EEXI) under specified reference conditions. Compliance is determined
by the vessel’s design and arrangements. This means an attained EEXI can only be changed through alterations to the vessel’s
design or machinery and not day to day operational action such as speed reduction or reduced cargo. In its simplest form, the
attained EEXI is the vessel’s grams of CO2 emitted per capacity tonne mile under the ship specific reference conditions. This is a
function of the installed engine power (kW), the specific fuel consumption of the main and auxiliary engines and a carbon factor
representing the conversion of fuel to CO2, vessel capacity and vessel reference speed. The Required EEXI is the vessel’s required
maximum grams of CO2 emitted by the vessel per capacity dwt tonne mile under reference conditions, given its type and capacity.
To comply with the regulation, the attained EEXI for a vessel must be less than or equal to the Required EEXI.
At the MEPC that took place in November 2020, new measures were approved, affecting all existing cargo vessels with expected
entry into force on January 2023 (subject to adoption at MEPC in June 2021).
The EEDI phases for newbuild vessels and its retroactive application of the EEDI to all existing and in service cargo above a certain
size, known as the the EEXI, sets new technical efficiency standard for existing ships. This will impose a requirement equivalent
to EEDI Phase 2 or 3 (with some adjustments) to all existing ships regardless of year of build and is intended an a one-off certi-
fication. Entry into force is expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2022, but no later than 1 January 2023. Demonstration of
compliance will be required by the vessel’s first survey for the issue or endorsement of the International Air Pollution Prevention
Certification, following entry into force. In addition to the upcoming EEDI Phase 3, a possible Phase 4 can be introduced later this
decade, further tightening requirements for newbuilds.
Furthermore, a mandatory Carbon Intensity Indicator (“CII”) – e.g. Annual Efficiency Ratio – grams of CO2 per dwt-mile, and rat-
ing scheme is introduced, where all cargo vessels above 5,000 GT are given a rating of A to E every year. The rating thresholds
will become increasingly stringent towards 2030. For ships that achieve a D rating for three consecutive years or an E rating, a
corrective action plan needs to be developed as part of the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (“SEEMP”) and approved.
Technical specifications regarding baselines, methods of calculations and ship-specific requirements will be established through
guidelines to be finalized and approved at MEPC in June 2021.
In addition, the SEEMP will be strengthened (Enhanced SEEMP) to include mandatory content, such as an implementation plan on
how to achieve the CII targets, and making it subject to approval. These new requirements for existing ships will be reviewed by
the end of 2025, with particular focus on the enforcement of the carbon intensity rating requirements.
GHG reduction measures adopted, or further additional measures to be adopted by the IMO, EU and other jurisdictions for reach-
ing 2030 goals may impose operational and financial restrictions, carbon tax or an emission trading system on less efficient
vessels starting from 2023, gradually affecting younger vessels, even newbuilds after 2030, reducing their trade and competi-
tiveness, increasing their environmental compliance costs, imposing additional energy efficiency investments, or even making
such vessels obsolete. This or other developments may result in financial impacts on our operations that we cannot predict with
certainty at this time, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In response to the above GHG environmental regulations we monitor CO2 vessel emissions pursuant to the IMO DCS and EU-MRV,
assessing in parallel the applicability of relevant energy efficiency measures. Furthermore, we pursue a fleet renewal strategy
having entered into memoranda of agreement for the sale of two of our older vessels, built 2003 and 2004, and for the acquisi-
tion of two dry-bulk newbuild vessels with EEDI complying with IMO Phase 3 requirements.
Ballast Water Treatment System: In 2004 the IMO adopted the “BWM Convention, implementing regulations call for a phased
introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits. The
BWM Convention took effect in September 2017. Many of the implementation dates in the BWM Convention had already passed
prior to its effectiveness, so that the period of installation of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements would be extremely
short, with several thousand ships a year needing to install BWTS. For this reason, on December 4, 2013, the IMO Assembly
49
20Annual Report passed a resolution revising the application dates of the BWM Convention so that they are triggered by the entry into force date
and not the dates originally in the BWM Convention. This, in effect, makes all vessels constructed before September 8, 2017
“existing vessels” and allows for the installation of a BWTS on such vessels at the first renewal survey following entry into force
of the convention. In July 2017, the implementation scheme was further changed to require vessels with International Oil Pol-
lution Prevention (“IOPP”) certificates expiring between September 8, 2017 and September 8, 2019 to comply at their second
IOPP renewal. Each vessel in our current fleet has been issued a Ballast Water Management Plan Statement of Compliance by the
classification society with respect to the applicable IMO regulations and guidelines. In addition, we are required to install BWTS in
each vessel in our fleet during the next drydocking and as of March 15, 2021 we had 31 of our vessels equipped with U.S. Coast
Guard approved BWTS and plan to install BWTS on the remaining vessels of our fleet the following years.
Polar Code: In November 2014 and May 2015, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and MEPC, respectively, each adopted
relevant parts of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Water (the “Polar Code”). The Polar Code entered into force
on January 1, 2017. The Polar Code covers design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue as well as
environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in the waters surrounding the two poles. It also includes mandatory
measures regarding safety and pollution prevention as well as recommendatory provisions. Ships intending to operate in the ap-
plicable areas must have a Polar Ship Certificate. This requires an assessment of operating in said waters and includes operational
limitations, additional safety equipment and plans or procedures, necessary to respond to incidents involving possible safety or
environmental consequences. A Polar Water Operational Manual is also needed on board the ship for the owner, operator, master,
and crew to have sufficient information regarding the ship to assist in their decision-making process. The Polar Code applies to
new ships constructed after January 1, 2017. After January 1, 2018, ships constructed before January 1, 2017 are required
to meet the relevant requirements by the earlier of their first intermediate, or renewal survey. These requirements have not had
and we do not expect they will have a material effect on our operations.
Discharge of garbage: The IMO adopted new guidelines in 2012 under the revised Annex V to MARPOL, which prohibit discharge
of garbage into the open sea, with certain exceptions, and require vessels to dispose of garbage at port garbage reception facili-
ties. These guidelines became effective in January 2013. These requirements have not had and we do not expect they will have
a material effect on our operations.
Bunker Convention: In 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage
(the “Bunker Convention”), which imposes strict liability on ship owners for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying
states caused by discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention also requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross
tons to maintain insurance in specified amounts to cover their liability for relevant pollution damage. The Bunker Convention
became effective on November 21, 2008. Liability limits under the Bunker Convention were increased as of June 2015. With
respect to non-ratifying states, including the United States, liability for spills and releases of oil carried as bunker in ship’s bunkers
typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur. The IMO
also adopted a requirement, which became effective in 2011, that vessels traveling through the Antarctic region (waters south
of latitude 60 degrees south) must use lower density fuel. This requirement has not had and we do not expect that it will have a
material effect on our operations, which do not involve Antarctic travel.
ISM Code: The operation of our vessels is also affected by the requirements set forth in the IMO’s International Safety Manage-
ment (“ISM”) Code. The ISM Code requires vessel owners or any other person, such as a manager or bareboat charterer, who has
assumed responsibility for the operation of a vessel from the vessel owner and on assuming such responsibility has agreed to take
over all the duties and responsibilities imposed by the ISM Code, to develop and maintain an extensive SMS that includes the adop-
tion of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing
procedures for dealing with emergencies. The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a “Safety Management Certificate”
for each vessel they operate from the government of the vessel’s flag state. The certificate verifies that the vessel operates in
compliance with its approved SMS. Currently, our Managers have the requisite documents of compliance and safety management
certificates for each of the vessels in our fleet for which the certificates are required by the IMO. Our Managers are required to
renew these documents of compliance and safety management certificates every five years. Compliance is externally verified on
an annual basis for the Managers and between the second and third years for each vessel by the applicable flag state.
Although all our vessels are currently ISM Code-certified, such certification may not be maintained by all our vessels at all times.
Non-compliance with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, invalidate existing insurance or decrease avail-
able insurance coverage for the affected vessels and result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports. For example,
the U.S. Coast Guard and E.U. authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from
trading in U.S. and E.U. ports.
The Maritime Labour Convention: The International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention was adopted in 2006
(“MLC 2006”). The basic aims of the MLC 2006 are to ensure comprehensive worldwide protection of the rights of seafarers (the
MLC 2006 is sometimes called the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights) and, to establish a level playing field for countries and ship owners
committed to providing decent working and living conditions for seafarers, protecting them from unfair competition on the part
of substandard ships. The MLC 2006 was ratified on August 20, 2012, and all our vessels were certified by August 2013, as
required. The MLC 2006 requirements have not had, and we do not expect that the MLC 2006 requirements will have, a material
effect on our operations.
U.S. Regulations
The U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990: OPA 90 established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection of the
environment from oil spills and cleanup of oil spills. OPA 90 applies to discharges of any oil from a vessel, including discharges
50
Safebulkers20 of fuel and lubricants. OPA 90 affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade in the U.S., its territories and possessions or
whose vessels operate in U.S. waters, which includes the U.S.’ territorial sea and its two hundred nautical mile exclusive economic
zone. While our vessels do not carry oil as cargo, they do carry lubricants and fuel oil (“bunkers”), which subjects our vessels to
the requirements of OPA 90.
Under OPA 90, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly
liable (unless the discharge of pollutants 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 pollutants from
their vessels, including bunkers.
OPA 90 preserves the right to recover damages under other existing laws, including maritime tort law.
Effective December 21, 2015, the U.S. Coast Guard adopted regulations that adjust the limits of liability of responsible parties
under OPA 90 and established a procedure for adjusting the limits for inflation every three years. Effective November 12, 2019,
those limits were adjusted to the greater of $1,200 per gross ton or $997,100 per non-tank vessel. These limits of liability do
not apply if an incident was directly caused by violation of applicable U.S. safety, construction or operating regulations or by a
responsible party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, or if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to
cooperate and assist in connection with oil removal activities. As a result of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulting from the
explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, bills have been introduced in the U.S. Congress to increase the limits of OPA li-
ability for all vessels, including tanker vessels.
All owners and operators of vessels over 300 gross tons are required to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence
of financial responsibility sufficient to meet their potential aggregate liabilities under OPA 90 and CERCLA, which is discussed
below. An owner or operator of a fleet of vessels is required only to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility in an amount
sufficient to cover the vessel in the fleet having the greatest maximum liability under OPA 90 and CERCLA. We have complied with
these requirements by providing a financial guarantee evidencing sufficient self-insurance. We have satisfied these requirements
and obtained a U.S. Coast Guard certificate of financial responsibility for all of our vessels.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s regulations concerning certificates of financial responsibility provide, in accordance with OPA 90, that
claimants may bring suit directly against an insurer or guarantor that furnishes certificates of financial responsibility and that
the insurer or guarantor may only assert limited defenses. Certain organizations that had typically provided certificates of finan-
cial responsibility under pre-OPA 90 laws, including the major protection and indemnity organizations, have declined to furnish
evidence of insurance for vessel owners and operators if they are subject to direct actions or required to waive insurance policy
defenses. This requirement may limit the availability of coverage required by the U.S. Coast Guard and could increase our costs of
obtaining this insurance for our fleet, as well as the costs of our competitors that also require such coverage.
We currently maintain, for each of our vessels, oil pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1.0 billion per
incident. Although our vessels carry a relatively small amount of bunkers, a spill of oil from one of our vessels could be cata-
strophic under certain circumstances. We also carry hull and machinery protection and indemnity insurance to cover the risks
of fire and explosion.
Losses as a result of fire or explosion could be catastrophic under some conditions. While we believe that our existing insurance
coverage is adequate, 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. If the damages from a catastrophic spill exceed
our insurance coverage, the payment of those damages could have a severe, adverse effect on us and could possibly result in
our insolvency.
OPA 90 requires the owner or operator of any non-tank vessel of 400 gross tons or more that carries oil of any kind as a fuel for
main propulsion, including bunkers, to prepare and submit a response plan for each vessel. These vessel response plans include
detailed information on actions to be taken by vessel personnel to prevent or mitigate any discharge or substantial threat of such
a discharge of ore from the vessel due to operational activities or casualties. All of our vessels have U.S. Coast Guard-approved
response plans.
OPA 90 specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring
within their boundaries, and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for oil spills. In some cases,
states which have enacted such legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining vessels owners’ responsibilities
under these laws. We intend to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.
The U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act: CERCLA applies to spills or releases of
hazardous substances other than petroleum or petroleum products, whether on land or at sea. CERCLA imposes joint and several
liability, without regard to fault, on the owner or operator of a ship, vehicle or facility from which there has been a release, and on
other specified parties. Liability under CERCLA is generally limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $0.5 million per vessel
carrying non-hazardous substances ($5.0 million for vessels carrying hazardous substances), unless the incident is caused by
gross negligence, willful misconduct or a violation of certain regulations, in which case liability is unlimited. As described above,
owners and operators of vessels must establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility suf-
ficient to meet their potential liabilities under CERCLA.
The U.S. Clean Water Act: The CWA prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in navigable waters and imposes strict
liability in the form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges. It also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal,
remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under the more recently enacted OPA 90 and CERCLA, dis-
cussed above. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regulates the discharge in U.S. ports of ballast water and other
substances incidental to the normal operation of vessels. Under EPA regulations, commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in
51
20Annual Report length are required to obtain coverage under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) the VGP to discharge
ballast water and other wastewater into U.S. waters by submitting a Notice of Intent (a “NOI”). The VGP requires vessel owners
and operators to comply with a range of best management practices and reporting and other requirements for a number of inci-
dental discharge types and incorporates current U.S. Coast Guard requirements for ballast water management, as well as supple-
mental ballast water requirements. We have submitted NOIs for our vessels operating in U.S. waters and anticipate incurring costs
to meet the requirements of the VGP. In addition, various states have enacted legislation restricting ballast water discharges and
the introduction of non-indigenous species considered to be invasive. These and any similar ballast water discharge restrictions
enacted in the future could increase the costs of operating in the relevant waters.
The 2013 VGP became effective in December 2013 and remains in effect during the implementation of the 2018 Vessel Incident
Discharge Act (the “VIDA”), as discussed below. The 2013 VGP requires most vessels to meet numeric ballast water discharge
limits on a staggered schedule based on the first dry docking after January 1, 2014, or January 1, 2016 (depending on vessel
ballast capacity). The 2013 VGP also imposes more strict technology-based limits in the form of best management practices for
discharges related to oil-to-sea interfaces and requires routine inspections, monitoring, reporting, and recordkeeping. The 2013
VGP also requires vessel modifications and the installation of ballast treatment equipment which will significantly increase the
cost of investments to comply with such requirements.
For the first time, the 2013 VGP contains numeric ballast water discharge limits for most vessels. The 2013 VGP also contains
more stringent effluent limits for oil to sea interfaces and exhaust gas scrubber washwater, which will improve environmental
protection of U.S. waters. The EPA has also improved the efficiency of several of the VGP’s administrative requirements, includ-
ing allowing electronic recordkeeping, requiring an annual report in lieu of the one-time report and annual noncompliance report,
and requiring small vessel owners and/or operators to obtain coverage under the VGP by completing and agreeing to the terms
of a Permit Authorization and Record of Inspection form. The 2013 vessel general permit requires the use of an environmentally
acceptable lubricant for all oil to sea interfaces for vessels or alternative seal systems, unless technically infeasible. The intent of
this new requirement is to reduce the environmental impact of lubricant discharges on the aquatic ecosystem by increasing the
use of environmentally acceptable lubricants for vessels operating in waters of the U.S. We believe all our vessels are in compli-
ance with the 2013 VGP.
On December 4, 2018, the VIDA was signed into law, establishing a new framework for the regulation of vessel incidental dis-
charges under the CWA. The VIDA requires the EPA to develop performance standards for those discharges within two years of
enactment and requires the U.S. Coast Guard to develop implementation, compliance and enforcement regulations within two
years of the EPA’s promulgation of standards. Under the VIDA, all provisions of the 2013 VGP will remain in force and effect
until the U.S. Coast Guard’s regulations are finalized. On October 26, 2020, the EPA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
– Vessel Incident Discharge National Standards of Performance in the Federal Register for public comment. The comment period
closed on November 25, 2020.
U.S. Air Emission Requirements: In 2008, the U.S. ratified the amended Annex VI of MARPOL, addressing air pollution from
ships, which went into effect in 2009. In December 2009, the EPA announced its intention to publish final amendments to the
emission standards for new marine diesel engines installed on ships flagged or registered in the U.S. that are consistent with
standards required under recent amendments to Annex VI of MARPOL. The regulations include near-term standards that began in
2011 for newly built engines requiring more efficient use of engine technologies in use today and long-term standards that began
in 2016 requiring an 80 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions below current standards. The CAA also requires states to
adopt State Implementation Plans (“SIPs”) designed to attain air quality standards. Several SIPs regulate emissions resulting from
vessel loading and unloading operations by requiring the installation of vapor control equipment.
New or more stringent air emission regulations which may be adopted could require significant capital expenditures to retrofit
vessels and could otherwise increase our investment and operating costs.
Other Environmental Initiatives
The E.U. has adopted legislation that (1) requires member states to refuse access to their ports by certain substandard vessels,
according to vessel type, flag and number of previous detentions; (2) obliges member states to inspect at least 25.0% of vessels
using their ports annually and increase surveillance of vessels posing a high risk to maritime safety or the marine environment; (3)
provides the E.U. with greater authority and control over classification societies, including the ability to seek to suspend or revoke
the authority of negligent societies; and (4) requires member states to impose criminal sanctions for certain pollution events,
such as the unauthorized discharge of tank washings. It is also considering legislation that will affect the operation of vessels and
the liability of owners for oil pollution. While we do not believe that the costs associated with our compliance with these adopted
and proposed E.U. initiatives will be material, it is difficult to predict what additional legislation, if any, may be promulgated by the
E.U. or any other country or authority.
Several U.S. states, such as California, adopted more stringent legislation or regulations relating to the permitting and manage-
ment of ballast water discharges compared to EPA regulations. These requirements do not currently impact our operational costs,
as such technologies are not currently available. However if a decision is made to comply with such requirements, we could incur
additional investment during the installation of any such ballast water treatment plants.
On June 29, 2017, the Global Industry Alliance (the “GIA”) was officially inaugurated. The GIA is a program, under the Global
Environmental Facility-United Nations Development Program-IMO project, which supports shipping, and related industries, as they
move towards a low carbon future. Organizations including, but not limited to, ship owners, operators, classification societies, and
oil companies, signed to launch the GIA.
52
Safebulkers20 The China Maritime Safety Administration (the “China MSA”) issued the Regulation on Data Collection of Energy Consumption for
Ships in November 2018. This regulation is effective as of January 1, 2019 and requires ships calling on Chinese ports to report
fuel consumption and transport work details directly to the China MSA. This regulation also contains additional requirements for
Chinese-flagged vessels (domestic and international) and other non-Chinese-flagged international navigating vessels.
The United States is currently experiencing changes in its environmental policy, the results of which have yet to be fully deter-
mined. For example, in April 2017, the U.S. President signed an executive order regarding the environment that targets the United
States’ offshore energy strategy, which affects parts of the maritime industry and may affect our business operations. Additional
legislation or regulation applicable to the operation of our ships that may be implemented in the future could negatively affect
our profitability.
Inventory of Hazardous Materials
Hong Kong Convention: On May 15, 2009, the IMO adopted the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environ-
mentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 (the “Hong Kong Convention”). The Hong Kong Convention will enter into force two
years after it has been ratified by 15 states representing 40% of the world fleet. The Hong Kong Convention has not yet entered
into force. One of the key requirements of the Hong Kong Convention will be for ships over 500 gross tonnes operating in inter-
national waters to maintain an Inventory of Hazardous Materials (an “IHM”). Only warships, naval auxiliary and governmental,
non-commercial vessels are exempt from the requirements of the Hong Kong Convention. The IHM has three parts:
~ Part I - hazardous materials inherent in the ship’s structure and fitted equipment;
~ Part II - operationally generated wastes; and
~ Part III - stores.
Once the Hong Kong Convention has entered into force, each new and existing ship will be required to maintain Part I of IHM.
E.U. Ship Recycling Regulation: On November 20, 2013, the E.U. adopted Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 (the “E.U. Ship Re-
cycling Regulation”), which seeks to facilitate the ratification of the Hong Kong Convention and sets forth rules relating to vessel
recycling and management of hazardous materials on vessels. In addition to new requirements for the recycling of vessels, the
E.U. Ship Recycling Regulation contains rules for the control and proper management of hazardous materials on vessels and pro-
hibits or restricts the installation or use of certain hazardous materials on vessels. The E.U. Ship Recycling Regulation applies to
vessels flying the flag of an E.U. member state and certain of its provisions apply to vessels flying the flag of a third country calling
at a port or anchorage of a member state. For example, when calling at a port or anchorage of a member state, a vessel flying the
flag of a third country will be required, among other things, to have on board an IHM that complies with the requirements of the
E.U. Ship Recycling Regulation and the vessel must be able to submit to the relevant authorities of that member state a copy of a
statement of compliance issued by the relevant authorities of the country of the vessel’s flag verifying the inventory. The E.U. Ship
Recycling Regulation took effect on non-E.U.-flagged vessels calling on E.U. ports of call beginning as of December 31, 2020.
Vessel Security Regulations
Several initiatives have been implemented to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the Maritime Transportation Se-
curity Act of 2002 (the “MTSA”) came into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, the U.S. Coast Guard issued regu-
lations in July 2003 requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject
to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to SOLAS created a chapter of the convention dealing
specifically with maritime security. This chapter came into effect in July 2004 and imposes various detailed security obligations
on vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code (the “ISPS
Code”). Among the various requirements are:
~ on-board installation of automatic information systems to enhance vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communications;
~ on-board installation of ship security alert systems;
~ the development of vessel security plans; and
~ compliance with flag state security certification requirements.
The U.S. Coast Guard regulations, intended to align with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from
MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board a valid “International Ship Security Certificate” that attests
to the vessel’s compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. We have implemented the various security mea-
sures addressed by the IMO, SOLAS and the ISPS Code, and we have approved ISPS certificates and plans on board all our vessels,
which have been certified by the applicable flag state.
Cyber Security
Recent action by the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee and U.S. agencies indicate that cyber security regulations for the maritime
industry are likely to be further developed in the near future in an attempt to combat cyber security threats. The Maritime Safety
Committee, at its 98th session in June 2017, adopted Resolution MSC.428(98) - Maritime Cyber Risk Management in Safety
Management Systems. The resolution encouraged administrations to ensure that cyber risks are appropriately addressed in exist-
ing safety management systems (as defined in the ISM Code) no later than the first annual verification of the company’s Document
of Compliance after January 1, 2021. In response to the above cyber security resolution we performed a cyber security risk as-
sessment for our vessels and implemented next generation firewall and incident reporting for the majority of the vessels in our
fleet, while we are in the process of concluding such implementation for the remaining vessels. We also incorporated the cyber
risk management system into the ship management system (SMS) for all vessels in our fleet.
53
20Annual Report Coronavirus Outbreak
As of March 2020, the outbreak of the 2019-nCoV has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The 2019-
nCoV has resulted in globally reduced industrial activity with lower demand for cargoes such as iron ore and coal, contributing
to lower drybulk rates in 2020. The outbreak of the 2019-nCoV in China and other countries in early 2020, led to a number
of countries, ports and organizations to take measures against its spread, such as quarantines and restrictions on travel. Such
measures were taken initially in Chinese ports, where we conduct a large part of our operations, and gradually expanded to other
countries globally covering most ports where we conduct business. These measures have and to the extent that the pandemic
is not controlled may continue to cause trade disruptions due to, among other things, the unavailability of personnel, increased
risks to our crew and personnel’s well being and operations and delays and increased expenses in substituting crew members.
We operate in a sector of the economy that has been and to the extent that the pandemic is not controlled may continue to be
adversely impacted by the effects of trade disruptions due to the spread of the 2019-nCoV. Such trade disruptions had adversely
affected the level of imports to and exports from China and other countries, which in turn had adversely affected the demand for
our services, our business and results of operations, dry bulk shipping rates and the international shipping industry as a whole.
The global slowdown of manufacturing as a result of 2019-nCov, also reflected in the GDP drop by 3.5% in 2020 according to
the international monetary fund (“IMF”) data, had an impact on the global supply chain along with a consequential impact on con-
struction projects and other downstream industries which had an adverse effect on our business. Disruption had spread to other
markets, including key dry bulk and other commodity markets (e.g., copper, iron ore, zinc, nickel and lithium). Our business and
the drybulk shipping industry as a whole had been impacted not only from a reduced demand for drybulk shipping services, but
also from a reduced workforce and delays of crew changes as a result of quarantines applicable in several countries and ports,
delays of vessels as a result of port checks due to cases, or suspected cases, of the 2019-nCoV amongst crew and diversion of
vessels to ports where crew changes continued to take place.
Furthermore, scheduled dry-dockings, annual and intermediate surveys and unscheduled ship repairs and upgrades, have been
delayed as a result of the impact of the 2019-nCoV outbreak on the repair yard workforce and the availability and transporta-
tion ability of technical teams to attend vessels. Any such delays or any failures to conduct repairs or upgrades, drydockings or
surveys in a timely manner may affect our results of operations. Difficulties have also been presented in relation to secondhand
vessel acquisitions and vessel sales deliveries. The Company has entered into agreements for the sale of two of its older vessels,
and these sales are expected to be consummated during the next few months. Any delays in the consummation of the sale caused
by the 2019-nCoV outbreak could lead to the cancellation of such sales. The Company has also entered into agreements for
the acquisition of two newbuilds with delivery in 2022. If the pandemic continues in 2022 and similar restrictive measures are
adopted for its control the following year, delays may be expected in relation to the deliveries of our newbuilds and our newbuild
program, which will affect our results of operations and our financial condition.
The extent and duration to which the 2019-nCoV outbreak and measures taken in response thereto may continue to negatively
impact our business, financial performance and operating results, remain largely uncertain and dependent on future developments
that cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as the severity and transmission rate of the various new 2019-nCoV types,
the effectiveness of the vaccines, the extent to which vaccines are available to our crew, and the effectiveness of the containment
actions taken, including travel and cargo restrictions, and the impact of these and other factors on the shipping industry as a
whole. As a result, it is not possible to ascertain the overall impact of the 2019-nCoV on our business. However, the occurrence
of any of the foregoing events or other epidemics or an increase in the severity or duration of the 2019-nCoV and any new virus
wave, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, value of our
vessels, and our ability to pay dividends.
Disclosure of Activities Pursuant to Section 13(r) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 added Section 13(r) to the Exchange Act. Section
13(r) requires an issuer to disclose whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or deal-
ings relating to Iran. Disclosure is required even where the activities, transactions or dealings are conducted in compliance with
applicable law. Provided in this section is information concerning the activities of us and our affiliates that occurred in 2020 and
which we believe may be required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act.
In 2020, our vessels did not make any port calls to Iran.
Our charter party agreements for our vessels restrict the charterers from calling in Iran in violation of E.U., U.S. or United Nation
sanctions and that has not been authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. There
can be no assurance that 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).
On January 16, 2016, the U.S. and the E.U. lifted nuclear-related sanctions on Iran through the implementation of the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (“JCPOA”) among the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S.), the E.U. and
Iran to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful. All activities, transactions and dealings reported in this
section occurred after the implementation of the JCPOA. However, U.S. nuclear-related sanctions have been re-imposed effective
August 7, 2018 and November 5, 2018 as a result of the withdrawal of the U.S. from the JCPOA. We may charter our vessels
to charterers and sub-charterers, including, as the case may be, Iran-related parties, who may make, or may sublet the vessels to
sub-charterers who may make, port calls to Iran, so long as the activities continue to be permissible and not sanctionable under
applicable U.S. and E.U. and other applicable laws.
Seasonality
We operate our vessels in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in demand and, as a result, in charter rates.
54
Safebulkers20 Seasonality is related to several factors and may result in quarter-to-quarter volatility in our results of operations, which could
affect the amount of dividends, if any, that we pay to our stockholders. For example the market for marine drybulk transportation
services is typically stronger in the fall months in anticipation of increased consumption of coal in the northern hemisphere dur-
ing the winter months and the grain export season from North America. Similarly, the market for marine drybulk transportation
services is typically stronger in the spring months in anticipation of the South American grain export season due to increased
distance traveled known as ton mile effect, as well as increased coal imports in parts of Asia due to additional electricity demand
for cooling during the summer months. Demand for marine drybulk transportation services is typically weaker at the beginning of
the calendar year and during the summer months. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns during these periods tend to disrupt
vessel scheduling and supplies of certain commodities.
C.
Organizational Structure
Safe Bulkers, Inc. is a holding company with 50 subsidiaries, 23 of which are incorporated in Liberia, and 27 in the Republic of the
Marshall Islands, each as of March 15, 2021. Our subsidiaries are wholly-owned by us. A list of our subsidiaries as of March 15,
2021 is set forth in Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report.
D.
Property, Plant and Equipment
We have no freehold or material leasehold interest in any real property. We occupy office space at Apt. D11, Les Acanthes, 6,
Avenue des Citronniers, MC98000 Monaco, where our principal executive office is established. We also occupy office space at
5th floor, 61 rue du Rhone, 1204, Geneva, Switzerland, where a representation office is established. Other than our vessels, we
do not have any material property. Our vessels are subject to priority mortgages, which secure our obligations under our various
credit facilities. For further details regarding our credit facilities, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B.
Liquidity and Capital Resources—Credit Facilities.”
ITEM 4A.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 5.
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial state-
ments and the notes to those statements included elsewhere in this annual report. This discussion includes forward-looking state-
ments that involve risks and uncertainties. As a result of many factors, such as those set forth under “Item 3. Key Information—D.
Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-
looking statements. Please see the section “Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this annual report.
Overview
Our business is to provide international marine drybulk transportation services by operating vessels in the drybulk sector of the
shipping industry. We deploy our vessels on a mix of period time and spot time charters according to our assessment of market
conditions, adjusting the mix of these charters to take advantage of the relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates asso-
ciated with period time charters, or to profit from attractive spot time charter rates during periods of strong charter market condi-
tions, or to maintain employment flexibility that the spot market offers during periods of weak time charter market conditions. We
believe our customers, some of which have been chartering our vessels for over 26 years, enter into period time and spot time
charters with us because of the quality of our modern vessels and our record of safe and efficient operations.
Our Managers
Our operations are managed by our Managers, Safety Management and Safe Bulkers Management, under the supervision of our
executive officers and our board of directors. Under our Management Agreements, our Managers provide us with technical, ad-
ministrative and commercial services and our executive management. Both of our Managers are controlled by Polys Hajioannou.
See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party Transactions—Management Agreements” for
more information.
Our operating results are largely driven by the following factors:
A. Operating Results
~ 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 (also referred to as voyage days) as the total number of days in a period during
which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession net of off-hire days associated with scheduled maintenance, which in-
cludes major repairs, drydockings, vessel upgrades or special or intermediate surveys. Available days are used to measure
the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.
55
20Annual Report ~ 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, excluding scheduled maintenance. Operating days are used to measure the
aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.
~ Fleet utilization on ownership days. We calculate fleet utilization on ownership days by dividing the number of our operat-
ing days during a period by the number of our ownership days during that period.This measure demonstrates the percent-
age of time in the relevant period our vessels generate revenue. During the three years ended December 31, 2020, our
average annual fleet utilization on ownership days rate was approximately 93.30%.
~ Fleet utilization on available days. We calculate fleet utilization on available days by dividing the number of operating days
by the number of our available days during that period. Fleet utilization is used to measure a company’s ability to efficiently
find suitable employment for its vessels and minimize the number of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons such as
scheduled repairs, vessel upgrades, drydockings or special surveys. During the three years ended December 31, 2020, our
average annual fleet utilization on available days rate was approximately 96.17%.
~ Time charter equivalent rates. We define time charter equivalent rates (“TCE rates”) as our revenues less commissions and
voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period. TCE rate is a standard ship-
ping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on period time charters
and spot time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter rates for vessels on
voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts, while charter rates for vessels on period time charters
and spot time charters generally are expressed in such amounts. We use TCE to compare period-to-period changes in our
performance despite changes in the mix of charter types and it assists investors and our management in evaluating our
financial performance. We have only rarely employed our vessels on voyage charters and, as a result, generally our TCE
rates approximate our time charter rates.
The following table reflects our revenues, commissions, voyage expenses, time charter equivalent revenue, available days and
time charter equivalent rate for the periods indicated:
Revenues
Less commissions
Less voyage expenses
Time charter equivalent revenue
Available days
Time charter equivalent rate
Year Ended December 31,
2019
2020
(in thousands of U.S. dollars except available days and
time charter equivalent rate)
$
$
$
206,682 $
8,921
13,715
184,046 $
14,373
12,805 $
206,035
7,877
41,582
156,576
14,829
10,559
~ Daily vessel operating expenses. We define vessel operating expenses to include the costs for crewing, insurance, lubri-
cants, spare parts, provisions, stores, repairs, maintenance, statutory and classification expense, drydocking, intermedi-
ate and special surveys, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous items. Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by
dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period. Our ability to control our fixed and variable
expenses, including our daily vessel operating expenses, also affects our financial results. In addition, factors beyond our
control can cause our vessel operating expenses to increase, including developments relating to market premiums for
insurance, cost of lubricants and changes in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to currencies in which certain of our
expenses are denominated, such as certain crew wages.
~ Daily vessel operating expenses excluding drydocking and pre-delivery expenses. We calculate daily vessel operating ex-
penses excluding drydocking and pre-delivery expenses by dividing vessel operating expenses excluding drydocking and
pre-delivery expenses for the relevant period by ownership days for such period. This measure assists our management
and investors by increasing the comparability of our performance from period to period. Drydocking expenses include costs
of shipyard, paints and agent expenses, and pre-delivery expenses include initially supplied spare parts, stores, provisions
and other miscellaneous items provided to a newbuild or second-hand acquisition prior to their operation, which costs may
vary from period to period.
~ Daily general and administrative expenses. We define general and administrative expenses to include daily management
fees and daily company administration expenses as defined below. Daily vessel general and administrative expenses are
calculated by dividing general and administrative expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.
~ Daily management fees. We define management fees to include the fees payable to our Managers for managing our fleet.
Daily management fees are calculated by dividing management fees by ownership days for the relevant period.
~ Daily company administration expenses. We define company administration expenses to include expenses incurred related
to the administration of our company such as legal costs, audit fees, independent directors’ compensation, listing fees to
NYSE and other miscellaneous expenses. Daily company administration expenses are calculated by dividing company ad-
ministration expenses by ownership days for the relevant period.
The following table reflects our ownership days, available days, operating days, fleet utilization, TCE rates, daily vessel
56
Safebulkers20
operating expenses, daily vessel operating expenses excluding drydocking and pre-delivery expenses, daily general and
administrative expenses and daily management fees for the periods indicated:
Ownership days
Available days
Operating days
Fleet utilization on ownership days
Fleet utilization on available days
TCE rates
Daily vessel operating expenses
Daily vessel operating expenses excluding drydocking
and pre-delivery expenses
Daily general and administrative expenses consisting of:
(a) Daily management fees
(b) Daily company administration expenses
Revenues
Year ended December 31,
2019
14,965
14,373
14,012
93.63 %
97.49 %
12,805
4,582
4,257
1,379
1,206
173
$
$
$
$
$
$
2020
15,266
14,829
13,709
89.80 %
92.45 %
10,559
4,591
4,226
1,408
1,237
171
$
$
$
$
$
$
Our revenues are driven primarily by the number of vessels in our fleet, the number of days during which our vessels operate and
the amount of daily charter rates that our vessels earn under our charters, which, in turn, are affected by a number of factors,
including:
~ levels of demand and supply in the drybulk shipping industry;
~ the age, condition and specifications of our vessels;
~ the duration of our charters;
~ our decisions relating to vessel acquisitions and disposals;
~ the amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels;
~ the availability of our vessels, which is related to the amount of time that our vessels spend in drydock undergoing repairs
and the amount of time required to perform necessary maintenance or upgrade work; and
~ other factors affecting charter rates for drybulk vessels.
Revenue is recognized as earned on a straight-line basis over the charter period in respect of charter agreements that provide for
varying rates. The difference between the revenue recognized and the actual charter rate is recorded either as unearned revenue
or accrued revenue (see “—Unearned Revenue / Accrued Revenue” below). Commissions (address and brokerage), regardless
of charter type, are always charged to us and are deferred and amortized over the related charter period and are presented as a
separate line item in revenues to arrive at net revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Revenues from our period time charters comprised 80.2%, 67.7% and 48.7%, respectively, of our charter revenues for the
years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020. The revenues from our spot time charters and voyage charters comprised
19.8%, 32.3% and 51.3%, respectively, of our charter revenues for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Unearned Revenue / Accrued Revenue
Unearned revenue as of December 31, 2020 includes: (i) cash received prior to the balance sheet date relating to services to be
rendered after the balance sheet date amounting to $4.7 million and (ii) deferred revenue resulting from straight-line revenue
recognition in respect of charter agreements that provide for variable charter rates amounting to $5.1 million.
Unearned revenue as of December 31, 2019 includes: (i) cash received prior to the balance sheet date relating to services to be
rendered after the balance sheet date amounting to $1.8 million and (ii) deferred revenue resulting from straight-line revenue
recognition in respect of charter agreements that provide for variable charter rates amounting to $1.9 million.
Accrued revenue as of December 31, 2020 represents revenue in the amount of $0.6 million earned prior to cash being received
in respect of charter agreements that provide for variable charter rates.
Accrued revenue as of December 31, 2019 represents revenue in the amount of $0.6 million earned prior to cash being received
in respect of charter agreements that provide for variable charter rates.
Commissions
We pay commissions currently ranging up to 5.0% on our period time and spot time charters, to unaffiliated ship brokers, to
brokers associated with our charterers and to our charterers. These commissions are directly related to our revenues, from which
they are deducted. The amount of our total commissions to unaffiliated ship brokers and other brokers associated with our char-
terers and to our charterers might grow, as revenues increase due to improving market conditions and delivery of our contracted
newbuild vessels, or decrease as a result of deteriorating market conditions. These commissions do not include fees we pay to our
Managers, which are described under “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Management of Our Fleet.”
57
20Annual Report
Voyage Expenses
We charter our vessels primarily through period time charters and spot time charters under which the charterer is responsible for
most voyage expenses, such as the cost of bunkers, port expenses, agents’ fees, canal dues, extra war risks insurance and any
other expenses related to the cargo. We are responsible for the remaining voyage expenses such as draft surveys, hold cleaning,
bunkers during ballast period or for vessel repositioning, courier and other minor miscellaneous expenses related to the voyage.
We expect that our voyage expenses will decrease in the future if fewer vessels are employed in the spot market, in which case
vessel repositioning costs should decrease. We generally do not employ our vessels on voyage charters under which we would be
responsible for all voyage expenses.
Vessel Operating Expenses
Vessel operating expenses include costs for crewing, insurance, lubricants, spare parts, provisions, stores, repairs, maintenance,
statutory and classification expense, drydocking, intermediate and special surveys, tonnage taxes and other minor miscellaneous
items. We expect that our vessel operating expenses will slowly increase in the future as our fleet grows. Our crewing costs,
which are a significant part of our vessel operating expenses, may increase in the future due to the limited supply and increase
in demand for well-qualified crew. Furthermore, we expect that insurance costs, drydocking, maintenance, spare parts and stores
costs will increase from the levels achieved in 2020 as our vessels age. A portion of our vessel operating expenses including crew
wages paid to our Greek crew members are in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. These expenses may increase or decrease as
a result of fluctuation of the U.S. dollar against these currencies.
Depreciation
We depreciate our drybulk vessels on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of each vessel. Depreciation is based on
the cost of the vessel less its estimated residual value. We estimate the useful life of our vessels to be 25 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. Furthermore, we estimate the residual value of our vessels is equal to the product of its lightweight tonnage
and estimated scrap rate, which is estimated to be $182 per light-weight ton.
Vessels, Net
Vessels are stated at their historical cost, which consists of the contracted purchase price and any direct material expenses in-
curred upon acquisition (including improvements, on-site supervision expenses incurred during the construction period if the ves-
sels are newbuilds, commissions paid, delivery expenses and other expenditures to prepare the vessel for her initial voyage), less
accumulated depreciation and impairment charges, if any. Financing costs incurred during the construction period of the vessels if
the vessels are newbuilds are also capitalized and included in the vessels’ cost. Certain subsequent expenditures for conversions
and major improvements are also capitalized if it is determined that they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity
or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2020, we capitalized interest amounting to $114 thousand and $184 thousand, respectively.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses consist of management fees paid to our Managers and expenses incurred relating to the
administration of the Company.
Management fees paid to our Managers include services offered to us for managing our vessels (i.e., chartering, operations, tech-
nical, supply, crewing and accounting services), the services provided to us by our executive officers as well as the preparation of
disclosure documents and the preparation for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Pursuant to the terms of the Management
Agreements with our Managers, for the provision of such services, we pay a daily ship management fee of €875 per vessel and
pay Safe Bulkers Management an annual ship management fee of €3 million.
Expenses related to the administration of our company primarily include legal costs, audit fees, independent directors’ compensa-
tion, listing fees to the NYSE and other miscellaneous expenses such as director and officer liability insurance costs and public
relations expenses.
Interest Expense and Other Finance Costs
We incur interest expense on outstanding indebtedness under our existing loan and credit facilities, which we include in inter-
est expense. We also incurred financing costs in connection with establishing those facilities, which are deferred and amortized
over the period of the facility. The amortization of the finance costs is included in amortization and write-off of deferred finance
charges. We will incur additional interest expense in the future on our outstanding borrowings and under future borrowings.
Inflation
Inflation has only a moderate effect on our expenses given current economic conditions. In the event that significant global infla-
tionary pressures appear, these pressures would increase our operating, voyage, administrative and financing expenses.
Early Redelivery Income/(Cost), Net
Early redelivery cost reflects amounts payable to charterers for early termination of a period time charter resulting from our re-
quest for early redelivery of a vessel. We generally request such early redelivery when we would like to take advantage of a favor-
able period time charter market environment and believe that an opportunity to enter into a similarly priced period time charter
is not likely to be available when the relevant vessel is scheduled to be redelivered.
Early redelivery income reflects amounts payable to us for early termination of a period time charter resulting from a charterer’s
request for early redelivery of a vessel. We may accept such requests from charterers when we believe that we are compensated
for a substantial portion of the contracted revenue, reduce our third party risk or maintain the opportunity to re-employ the vessel
58
Safebulkers20 either in the spot market or in the period time charter market at adequate levels.
We have entered into such arrangements for early redelivery, and incurred such costs or earned such income in the past and we
may continue to do so in the future, depending on market conditions.
Critical Accounting Policies
We prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make estimates in the
application of our accounting policies based on our best assumptions, judgments and opinions. We base these estimates on the
information currently available to us and on various other assumptions we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Ac-
tual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Following is a discussion of the accounting
policies that involve a high degree of judgment and the methods of their application. For a further description of our material ac-
counting policies, please read Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
Impairment of vessels
The Company reviews for impairment its vessels held and used whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. When the estimate of undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges,
expected to be generated by the use of the vessel is less than its carrying amount, we are required to evaluate the asset for an
impairment loss. Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the vessel.
The carrying values of our vessels may not represent their fair market value at any point in time since the market prices of
second-hand vessels tend to fluctuate with changes in charter rates and the cost of newbuilds. Historically, both charter rates and
vessel values tend to be cyclical. Declines in the fair market value of vessels, prevailing market charter rates, vessel sale and pur-
chase considerations, and regulatory changes in drybulk shipping industry, changes in business plans or changes in overall market
conditions that may adversely affect cash flows are considered as potential impairment indicators. In the event the independent
fair market value of a vessel is lower than its carrying value, we determine undiscounted projected net operating cash flow for
such vessel and compare it to the vessel carrying value.
The undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for each vessel are determined by considering the charter revenues from ex-
isting time charters for the fixed vessel days and an estimated daily time charter equivalent for the unfixed days, using the twelve
month budgeted rates for the unchartered period of the first twelve months, the Forward Freight Agreement (“FFA”) rates for the
unchartered period of the second twelve months and the most recent historical 10-year average daily rates of similar size vessels
thereafter, until the end of the remaining estimated useful life of the asset, adding an estimated premium on future daily charter
rates for vessels with installed Scrubbers based on an estimated price difference between the bunker fuel types, until the end
of the remaining useful life of the asset, net of brokerage commissions; expected outflows for vessel operating expenses which
include drydocking costs, voyage expenses and management fees. The undiscounted cash flows incorporate various factors, such
as estimated future charter rates, estimated vessel operating costs, estimated vessel utilization rates, estimated remaining lives
of the vessels (assumed to be 25 years from the initial delivery of each vessel from the shipyard) and estimated salvage value of
the vessels based on period end ten-year historical average demolition prices per light-weight ton. In addition, the undiscounted
cash flow estimates incorporate a probability weighted approach for developing estimates of future cash flows for specific vessels
when alternative courses of action, including the likelihood of sale, are under consideration.
Historically, a full shipping cycle has variable duration. Since 2008, when we identified impairment indications for the first time,
we have used the ten-year average of the one-year time charter rate for the computation of an estimated daily time charter rate
for the unfixed days for each of our vessel types. We use the historical ten-year average, as we believe it captures on average the
highs and lows of a full shipping cycle, and therefore, is considered a reasonable estimation of expected future time charter rates
over the remaining useful life of our vessels.
These assumptions are based on historical trends as well as future expectations. Although management believes that the as-
sumptions used to evaluate potential impairment are reasonable and appropriate, such assumptions are highly subjective.
Our impairment test as of December 31, 2020, on our vessels held and used, which also involved sensitivity tests on the future
time charter rates, (which is the input that is most sensitive to variations), allowing for variances ranging from 0.7% to 10.0%
for eight of our vessels, and higher variations for the remaining fleet, depending on the vessel type on time charter rates from our
base scenario, indicated no impairment on any of our vessels that were held and used. Although the variance of sensitivity tests
on the future time charter rates is lower than that as of December 31, 2019, we believe that the shipping cycle has reached its
trough based on the current FFA and spot rates for 2021, 2022 and 2023, and the period and spot time charter rates recently
contracted by the Company and based on the increased fair values of our vessels subsequent to year end as compared to Decem-
ber 31, 2020. In particular, as of March 15, 2021, our contracted TCE rate for the remainder of 2021, calculated on the basis
of all existing contracts and customary assumptions in relation to voyage expenses, was $16,870, as compared to the lower TCE
for 2018, 2019 and 2020 of $13,102, 12,805, and of $10,559, respectively.
Our analysis for the year ended December 31, 2019, on our vessels held and used, which also involved sensitivity tests on the
future time charter rates, (which is the input that is most sensitive to variations), allowing for variances of up to 3.0%, depending
on the vessel type on time charter rates from our base scenario, indicated no impairment on any of our vessels that were held
and used.
Our comparison of the actual 2020 net receipts to the forecast net receipts used in the impairment test performed for the year
ended December 31, 2019 indicated a negative variance of 42.3%, between actual net receipts during 2020 and net receipts
forecast by the Company for the same period, due to the effects of 2019-nCov in the dry bulk market rates during 2020, which
were not anticipated. Our comparison of the actual 2019 net receipts to the forecast net receipts used in the impairment test
performed for the year ended December 31, 2018 indicated a favorable variance of 75.6%, between actual net receipts during
59
20Annual Report 2019 and net receipts forecast by the Company for the same period, due to improvements in the dry bulk market rates during
2019, which were not anticipated.
To assist investors in evaluating the possible impact on future results of operations, the following table shows the effect on the
Company’s impairment analysis of using the 3-year, 5-year and 15-year historical average daily rates as of December 31, 2020,
as opposed to using the 10-year historical average daily rates.
10-Year
3-Year
Impairment
Charge
5-Year
Impairment
Charge
15-Year
Impairment
Charge
Historical
Average
Daily Rates
Historical
Average
Daily Rates
(in USD
million)
Historical
Average
Daily Rates
(in USD
million)
Historical
Average
Daily Rates
(in USD
million)
Panamax Class Vessels $
10,644 $
11,812
— $
10,473
— $
18,622
Kamsarmax Class
Vessels
Post Panamax Class
Vessels
$
$
11,283 $
12,521
— $
11,101
— $
19,740
11,922 $
13,230
— $
11,730
— $
20,857
Capesize Class Vessels $
14,785 $
16,104
— $
13,930
36.0 $
31,857
Total
—
36.0
—
—
—
—
—
At each quarter-end, the Company assesses the assumptions used for performing its impairment analysis, and considers the ap-
propriate duration of historical average charter rates to be used.
While the Company intends to continue to hold and operate its vessels, the following table presents the carrying values of the
Company’s vessels and indicates whether their estimated fair market values, were below their carrying values as of December
31, 2019 and December 31, 2020. The carrying value of each of the Company’s vessels does not necessarily represent its
fair market value or the amount that could be obtained if the vessel was sold. The Company’s estimates of basic market values
assume that the vessels are all in good and seaworthy condition without need for repair and, if inspected, would be certified as
being in class without recommendations of any kind and are based on the estimated market values for our vessels received from
third-party independent shipbrokers approved by our banks. In addition, because vessel market values are highly volatile, these
estimates may not be indicative of either the current or future prices that the Company could achieve if it were to sell any of the
vessels. The Company would not record impairment for any of the vessels for which the fair market value is below its carrying
value unless and until the Company either determines to sell the vessel for a loss or determines that the vessel’s carrying value
is not recoverable.
To assist investors in evaluating the possible impact on future results of operations, the following table shows the number of
vessels whose estimated basic market value, exceeded their carrying value and their aggregate carrying value in each case, as of
December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, respectively. For purposes of this calculation, we have assumed that the vessels
would be sold at a price that reflects our estimate of their current basic market values. Our estimate of basic market values is
determined based on independent ship brokers valuations who determine the fair value based on recent vessel sales and purchase
activity which take into account relevant sales and negotiations in progress, newbuilding prices, demolition prices, rates and
trends in relevant sectors, vessel specifications and yards.
Vessels whose fair market value was below
their carrying value
Vessels whose carrying value was written down to their
estimated fair market value
Vessels whose fair market value, exceeded their carrying
value
Total
As of December 31, 2019
As of December 31, 2020
Number of
vessels
Aggregate
Carrying
Value
($ US Million)
Number of
vessels
Aggregate
Carrying
Value
($ US Million)
29 (1)
778.2
35 (2)
861.7
—
12
41
—
—
—
166.5
944.7
6
41
80.5
942.2
(1) As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate carrying value of these 29 vessels was $153.9 million more than their fair market value, based on broker quotes.
60
Safebulkers20
(2) As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate carrying value of these 35 vessels was $195.9 million more than their fair market value, based on broker quotes.
The increase of $42.0 million in the aggregate carrying value of the vessels whose fair market value was below their carrying
value as of December 31, 2020, as compared to December 31, 2019, reflects the effects of 2019-nCoV, which resulted in the
decrease of global demand for drybulk vessel services, lower charter rates and lower fair market values of vessels. There has been
an increase of fair market values of dry bulk vessels subsequent to year end as compared to December 31, 2020.
Recent accounting pronouncements
Refer to Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
Results of Operations
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to year ended December 31, 2019
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we had an average of 41.7 drybulk vessels in our fleet. During the year ended De-
cember 31, 2019, we had an average of 41.0 drybulk vessels in our fleet.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we acquired Troodos Oak, a Post-Panamax newbuild vessel.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we did not acquire any vessels.
Revenues
Revenues decreased by 0.3%, or $0.7 million, to $206.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 from $206.7 mil-
lion during the year ended December 31, 2019, mainly due to the decrease in revenues earned during 2020 due to the lower
prevailing charter rates.
Commissions
Commissions to unaffiliated ship brokers, other brokers associated with our charterers and our charterers during the year ended
December 31, 2020 amounted to $7.9 million, a decrease of $1.0 million, or 11.2%, compared to $8.9 million during the year
ended December 31, 2019. Commissions as a percentage of revenues decreased to 3.8% of revenues during the year ended
December 31, 2020 compared to 4.3% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Voyage expenses
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded voyage expenses of $41.6 million, compared to $13.7 million during
the year ended December 31, 2019, a 203.6% increase mainly due to increased vessel repositioning expenses, decreased prices
of fuel sold as well as increased quantity of bunkers consumed under certain time charters for which the Company receives vari-
able consideration based on charterers consumption.
Vessel operating expenses
Vessel operating expenses increased by 2.2% to $70.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 from $68.6 million
during the year ended December 31, 2019, of which 2.0% is attributable to the increase in ownership days from 14,965 in
2019 to 15,266 in 2020. Daily operating expenses increased by 0.2% to $4,591 during the year ended December 31, 2020
from $4,582 during the year ended December 31, 2019.
The increase in vessel operating expenses was primarily attributed to:
(i) the increase in repairs, maintenance and drydocking costs by 13.5% to $10.1 million in 2020, compared to $8.9 million
in 2019, primarily due to older and larger vessels dry docked during 2020. During 2020, 10 drydockings were fully com-
pleted and two partially completed compared to 13 drydockings fully completed and one partially completed during 2019.
(ii) the decrease in lubricant costs by 10.9% to $4.1 million in 2020, compared to $4.6 million in 2019, primarily due to
decreased consumption; and
(iii) the increase in crew wages, repatriation and related crew costs expenses by 2.1% to $34.4 million in 2020, compared
to $33.7 million in 2019, primary due to increased repatriation, travelling and various crew expenses mainly as a result
of 2019-nCoV.
Other factors influencing vessel operating expenses, such as costs for crew and insurance expenses, had a minor effect on the
increased operating expenses.
The Company expenses drydocking and pre-delivery costs as incurred, which costs may vary from period to period. Vessel op-
erating expenses excluding vessel drydocking and pre-delivery costs increased by 1.3% to $64.5 million in 2020, compared to
$63.7 million in 2019, due to completed dry-dockings affecting costs of spares and repairs and maintenance as above. Drydock-
ing expense is related to the number of drydockings in each period and pre-delivery expense is related to the number of vessel
deliveries and second-hand acquisitions in each period. Certain other shipping companies may defer and amortize drydocking
expense. Daily operating expenses, excluding vessel drydocking and pre-delivery costs, decreased by 0.7% to $4,226 during the
year ended December 31, 2020 from $4,257 during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Depreciation
Depreciation expense increased by 8.0% to $54.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $50.3 million
during the year ended December 31, 2019, due to i) the delivery of our newbuild vessel MV Troodos Oak and ii) new investments
in Scrubbers and BWTS installation, which increased the carrying value of our vessels.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses increased by 4.4% to $21.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, compared
to $20.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase of $0.9 million is mainly due to the increase in the
61
20Annual Report management fees charged by our Managers of $18.9 million in 2020 from $18.1 million in 2019. Management fees in 2020
compared to 2019 increased due to: (i) increase of ownership days from 14,965 in 2019 to 15,266 in 2020 and (ii) increase
associated to the strengthening of the exchange rate of Euro versus USD.
As a result:
~ Daily general and administrative expenses which consist of daily management fees and daily company administration ex-
penses, increased by 2.1% to $1,408 during the year ended December 31, 2020, from $1,379 during the year ended
December 31, 2019;
~ Daily management fees increased by 2.6% to $1,237 during the year ended December 31, 2020, from $1,206 during
the year ended December 31, 2019; and
~ Daily company administration expenses decreased by 0.9% to $171 during the year ended December 31, 2020, from
$173 during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Interest expense
Interest expense decreased by 20.9% to $21.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to $26.8 million,
during the year ended December 31, 2019. This was due to the decrease in the weighted average interest rate of our outstanding
indebtedness of 3.382% per annum (“p.a.”) for the year ended December 31, 2020 , compared to the weighted average interest
rate of our outstanding indebtedness of 4.624% p.a. for the year ended December 31, 2019, and the increase in average loans
outstanding of $621.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to the average loans outstanding of $577.4
million during the year ended December 31, 2019. The total principal amount of loans outstanding as of December 31, 2020
was $616.2 million, compared to $605.8 million as of December 31, 2019.
The discussion relating to the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to year ended December 31, 2018, can be found in the
Company’s 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on March 25, 2020, under ITEM 5. OPERATING AND
FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS - Year ended December 31, 2019 compared to year ended December 31, 2018.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2020, we had liquidity of $171.2 million consisting of cash, cash equivalents and bank time deposits of
$101.8 million, $22.2 million in restricted cash, $1.0 million available under our revolving credit facility, up to $20.0 million
available under a financing agreement and $26.2 million available under a sale and lease back agreement that one of our subsid-
iaries entered into in 2020. The Company had an existing fleet of 42 vessels and two newbuild vessels in our orderbook; remain-
ing capital expenditure requirements relating to the purchase consideration of the two newbuilds amounted to $52.0 million,
which includes $1.7 million supervision costs and commissions payable to our Manager, with scheduled payments of $0.6 million
in 2021, and $51.4 million in 2022; and remaining vessel upgrades and improvements, relating to BWTS investments of $2.7
million, with scheduled payments of $1.8 million in 2021, and $0.9 million in 2022. As of December 31, 2020, our aggregate
debt outstanding was $616.2 million of which $81.3 million relates to the current portion of long term debt payable within the
next 12 months. The current portion of long term debt, includes an amount of $4.0 million which has been classified as liability
directly associated with assets held for the sale of the vessel Paraskevi, which was repaid subsequent to December 31, 2020.
As of March 15, 2021, we had liquidity of $188.2 million consisting of cash, cash equivalents and bank time deposits of $116.3
million, $21.3 million in restricted cash, $4.4 million available under the revolving credit facility and up to $20.0 million avail-
able under a financing agreement and $26.2 million available under a sale and lease back agreement that one of our subsidiaries
entered into in 2020. The Company had an existing fleet of 43 vessels and two newbuild vessels in our orderbook; aggregate
remaining capital expenditure requirements for the acquisition of the two newbuilds, amounted to $52.0 million, of which $0.6
million is payable in 2021 and $51.4 million payable in 2022; and remaining vessel upgrades and improvements, relating to the
Scrubbers and BWTS investments, of $3.4 million, with scheduled payments of $2.5 million in 2021, and $0.9 million in 2022.
Our primary liquidity needs are to fund financing expenses, debt repayment or refinancing, vessel operating expenses, general and
administrative expenses, capital expenditures in relation to vessel acquisitions and vessel improvements, and dividend payments
to our stockholders. We anticipate that our primary sources of funds will be existing cash and cash equivalents and bank time
deposits as of December 31, 2020 of $101.8 million, cash generated from operations, committed aggregate borrowing capacity
of up to $47.2 million and, possibly, other future equity or debt financing.
In our opinion, the contracted cash flow from operations, the committed borrowing capacity, the proceeds from the ATM, and the
existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund the operations of our fleet and any other present financial require-
ments of the Company, including our working capital requirements, and our capital expenditure requirements at least through the
end of the first quarter of 2022. However, we may seek and refinance our debt which may result in additional indebtedness and/
or deferring repayments to later periods, and/or lower interest rates interest to maintain a strong cash position. In addition we
may issue common equity. Future needs in relation to financing and investing activities may involve equity issuance or refinancing
of existing debt and financing of any future fleet replacement and expansion program or fleet upgrades and improvements, in ad-
dition to use of our existing cash and operating cash surplus. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets
for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering, including the actual or
perceived credit quality of our charterers and the market value of our fleet, as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from,
among other things, general economic conditions, weakness in the financial and equity markets and contingencies and uncertain-
ties that are beyond our control. To the extent that market conditions deteriorate, charterers may default or seek to renegotiate
charter contracts, and vessel valuations may decrease, resulting in a breach of our debt covenants. In addition, refinancing of our
existing debt in the future may be difficult. Our contracted revenues may decrease and we may be required to make additional
62
Safebulkers20 prepayments under existing loan facilities, resulting in additional financing needs.
A failure to fulfill our capital expenditures commitments generally results in a forfeiture of advances paid with respect to the con-
tracted newbuild vessel and a write-off of capitalized expenses. In addition, we may also be liable for other damages for breach
of contract. A failure to satisfy our financial commitments could result in the acceleration of our indebtedness and foreclosure on
our vessels. Such events could adversely impact the dividends we intend to pay, and could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operation.
We paid dividends to our common stockholders each quarter between the date of our initial public offering in June 2008 and
the second quarter of 2015. We have not paid any dividends to our common stockholders since the second quarter of 2015.
During 2020, we declared and paid four quarterly consecutive dividends of $0.50 per share for each, of Series C Preferred
Shares, totaling $4.6 million, and of Series D Preferred Shares, totaling $6.4 million. In January 2021, we declared and paid
a dividend of $0.50 per share for each of Series C Preferred Shares, totaling $1.1 million, and of Series D Preferred Shares,
totaling $1.6 million.
Our future liquidity needs will impact our dividend policy. The declaration and payment of dividends, if any, 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:
(i) our earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and available sources of liquidity; (ii) decisions in relation to our lever-
age and growth strategies; (iii) provisions of Marshall Islands and Liberian law governing the payment of dividends; (iv) restrictive
covenants in our existing and future debt instruments; and (v) global financial conditions. Dividends on our Common Stock might
continue not to be paid in the future. In addition, cash dividends on our Common Stock are subject to the priority of dividends on
our Preferred Shares.
Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents increased to $90.0 million as of December 31, 2020, compared to $78.9 million as of December 31,
2019. 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 were primarily held in U.S. dollars.
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $63.4 million in 2020, $58.3 million in 2019 and $85.4 million in 2018,
consisting of net income after non-cash items of $44.9 million, $68.7 million and $77.8 million respectively plus a increase in
working capital of $18.5 million during 2020, an decrease in working capital of $10.4 million during 2019 and a increase in
working capital of $7.6 million during 2018 respectively.
The major drivers of the change of net cash provided by operating activities are the increased cash outflows related to operating
expenses of $1.5 million in 2020 compared to 2019, the increased cash outflows related to voyage expenses of $27.9 million
in 2020 compared to 2019, and the increased cash outflows related to management fees of $0.8 million in 2020 compared to
2019, counter balanced by the increased inflows related to net revenues of $0.4 million in 2020 compared to 2019, and de-
creased outflows related to interest expense of $5.6. The major drivers of the cash inflow of the working capital during 2020 are
the increased accounts payable of $2.5 million as a result of the difference in the timing of payments, the increased unearned rev-
enue of $6.1 million as a result of the timing of revenue collection and the recognition of straight line revenue for charter parties
we entered in 2020 and the decreased accounts receivable of $10.5 million in 2020 compared to 2019, as a result of decreased
outstanding bunker settlement from charterers due to decreased number of vessels in the spot market. The major drivers of the
cash outflow of the working capital during 2019 are the increased inventories of $5.5 million, as a result of the increased bunker
inventory due to increased number of vessels in the spot market and the increased accounts receivable of $4.2 million, as a result
of increased outstanding bunker settlement from charterers due to increased number of vessels in the spot market.
The major drivers of the change of net cash provided by operating activities are the increased cash outflows related to operating
expenses of $5.1 million in 2019 compared to 2018, the increased cash outflows related to voyage expenses of $7.3 million
in 2019 compared to 2018, and the increased cash outflows related to management fees of $1.5 million in 2019 compared to
2018, counter balanced by the increased inflows related to net revenues of $4.6 million in 2019 compared to 2018. The major
drivers of the cash outflow of the working capital are the increased inventories of $5.5 million in 2019 compared to 2018, as a
result of the increased bunker inventory due to increased number of vessels in the spot market and the increased accounts receiv-
able of $4.2 million in 2019 compared to 2018, as a result of increased outstanding bunker settlement from charterers due to
increased number of vessels in the spot market.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities were $34.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $36.8 mil-
lion for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in cash flows used in investing activities of $2.0 million from 2019
is mainly attributable to the following factors: (i) an increase of $11.2 million in payments for vessel acquisitions, advances for
vessels under construction and major improvements during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period
of 2019; and (ii) a net decrease of $15.7 million in time deposits during the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to a net
decrease of $2.4 million during the same period of 2019.
Net cash flows used in investing activities were $36.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $63.7 million
for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in cash flows used in investing activities of $26.9 million from 2018 is
mainly attributable to the following factors: (i) a decrease of $6.7 million in payments for vessel acquisitions, advances for vessels
under construction and major improvements during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period of 2018;
and (ii) a net decrease of $2.4 million in time deposits during the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to a net increase of
$17.8 million during the same period of 2018.
63
20Annual Report Net Cash Used in/ Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities were $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to net cash flows
provided by financing activities of $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. This increase in cash flows used in financ-
ing activities of $17.8 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, is mainly attributable to a decrease in proceeds
from long-term debt by $85.2 million, an increase in repurchases of common and preferred stock by $1.9 million and an increase
in payments of common stock offering expenses by $0.3 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2019, offset by a
decrease of $69.3 million in long term debt principal payments, and an decrease of $0.3 million in the payment of deferred financ-
ing costs compared to the year ended December 31, 2019.
Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to net cash
flows used in financing activities of $15.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase in cash flows provided
by financing activities of $24.1 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, is mainly attributable to a decrease
of $28.4 million in long term debt principal payments, a decrease in repurchases of common and preferred stock by $5.9 mil-
lion compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, offset by a decrease in proceeds from long-term debt by $9.9 million, an
increase in dividends paid of $0.1 million and an increase of $0.2 million in the payment of deferred financing costs compared to
the year ended December 31, 2018.
Credit Facilities
We operate in a capital intensive industry which requires significant amounts of investment, and we fund a portion of this invest-
ment through long-term debt. We or our subsidiaries have generally entered into financing arrangements in order to finance the
acquisition of our vessels, to refinance existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. In 2020, (a) two of our sub-
sidiaries consummated sale and lease back transactions, that had been entered into in 2019 for two of our vessels, whereby the
two vessels were sold to third parties and immediately leased back to us under bareboat charters for six years with a purchase
obligation for both vessels at the end of the bareboat period and with purchase options at predetermined dates and prices during
the period of the bareboat charter. The proceeds from these transactions were used to repay the credit facilities secured by the
relevant vessels and for general corporate purposes. In view of the purchase obligation at the end of the bareboat charters, we
have assessed that these transactions are financing transactions, (b) one of our subsidiaries entered into a credit facility which
was used to finance the acquisition of a newbuild vessel owned by this subsidiary, (c) one of our subsidiaries entered into a sale
and lease back transaction for one of our newbuild vessels, whereby the newbuild vessel will be sold to a third party upon its de-
livery in 2022 and immediately leased back to us under bareboat charters for ten years with a purchase obligation for the vessel
at the end of the bareboat period and with purchase options at predetermined dates and prices during the period of the bareboat
charter. In view of the purchase obligation at the end of the bareboat charter, we have assessed that this transaction will be ac-
counted as a financing transaction upon its completion in 2022, (d) one of our subsidiaries entered into a credit facility which will
be used to finance the acquisition of a newbuild vessel in 2022 upon her delivery and (e) we amended one of our credit facilities
for general corporate purposes increasing the available amount by $10 million and extending the tenor by up to two years.
During 2020, we received proceeds of $92.4 million of indebtedness under our credit facilities and we repaid $82.0 million of our
indebtedness. As of December 31, 2020, we had 23 outstanding financing arrangements with a combined outstanding balance
of $616.2 million. These debt facilities had maturity dates between 2021 and 2027. For a description of our debt facilities as of
December 31, 2020, please see Note 7 of the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. During
2021, we are scheduled to repay $81.3 million of our long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2020.
The term of our 23 financing arrangements outstanding as of December 31, 2020, ranged from less than one to 10 years. They
are generally repaid by quarterly or semi-annual principal installments and a balloon payment due on maturity, with the excep-
tion of two credit facilities which are repaid by principal installments every 45 days and a balloon payment due on maturity equal
to the purchase obligation. We generally pay interest at LIBOR plus a margin, except for six facilities, two of which the principal
amounts are deemed to bear a fixed interest and four of which a portion of the principal amounts is deemed to bear interest at a
fixed rate. Please see Note 7 of the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.
The obligations under our financing arrangements are secured by, among other types of security, first priority mortgages over the
vessels owned by the respective borrower subsidiaries, first priority assignments of all insurances and earnings of the mortgaged
vessels or ownership of the vessels under sale and leaseback financing and guarantees by us. One of the credit facilities that we
have entered into is not secured by any securities.
Covenants Under Credit Facilities
The credit facilities impose operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions in our existing credit facilities generally
limit our subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, and subject to exceptions set forth in such credit facilities:
~ pay dividends if an event of default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of the payment of such divi-
dends;
~ enter into certain long-term charters without the lenders’ consent;
~ incur additional indebtedness, including through the issuance of guarantees;
~ change the flag, class or management of the vessel mortgaged under such facility or terminate or materially amend the
management agreement relating to such vessel;
~ create liens on their assets;
~ make loans;
~ make investments;
~ make capital expenditures;
64
Safebulkers20 ~ undergo a change in ownership or control or permit a change in ownership and control of our Managers;
~ sell the vessel mortgaged under such facility; and
~ change our chief executive officer.
Our existing credit facilities also require certain of our subsidiaries to maintain financial ratios and satisfy financial covenants.
Depending on the credit facility, certain of our subsidiaries are subject to financial ratios and covenants requiring that these
subsidiaries:
~ meet the Minimum Value Covenant of 105%, 115% or 120%, as the case may be, for credit facilities outstanding;
~ maintain a minimum cash balance per vessel with the respective lender from $150,000 to $1,000,000 as the case
may be; and
~ ensure that we comply with certain financial covenants under the guarantees described below.
In addition, under guarantees we have entered into with respect to certain of our subsidiaries’ existing credit facilities, we are
subject to financial covenants. Depending on the facility, these financial covenants include the following:
~ under the Consolidated Leverage Covenant, our total consolidated liabilities divided by our total consolidated assets (based
on the market value of all vessels owned or leased on a finance lease taking into account their employment, and the book
value of all other assets) must not exceed 85%;
~ under the Net Worth Covenant, our total consolidated assets (based on the market value of all vessels owned or leased on
a finance lease taking into account their employment, and the book value of all other assets) less our total consolidated
liabilities must not be less than $150 million ;
~ under the EBITDA Covenant, the ratio of our EBITDA over consolidated interest expense must not be less than 2.0:1, on a
trailing 12 months’ basis;
~ under the Maximum Debt Covenant, our consolidated debt in relation to the 41 vessels that were owned by the our sub-
sidiaries as of December 31, 2019, must not exceed $630 million;
~ under the Control Covenant, a minimum of 30% or 35%, as the case may be, of our shares shall remain directly or indi-
rectly beneficially owned by the Hajioannou family for the duration of the relevant credit facilities and, in the case of one
facility, Polys Hajioannou beneficially holds a minimum of 20% of the voting and ownership rights; and
~ payment of dividends is subject to no event of default having occurred and be continuing or would occur as a result of the
payment of such dividends.
The Minimum Value Covenant, Consolidated Leverage Covenant, EBITDA Covenant, Net Worth Covenant and Control Covenant do
not apply to the loan facility of our subsidiary Shikokuepta Shipping Inc. The Minimum Value Covenant and EBITDA Covenant do
not apply to financing agreements entered into by our subsidiaries Maxeikosiena Shipping Corporation, and Youngtwo Shipping
Corporation. The EBITDA Covenant does not apply to financing agreements entered into by our subsidiaries Shikokuokto Ship-
ping Corporation, Gloversix Shipping Corporation, Pentakomo Shipping Corporation and Maxdekatria Shipping Corporation. The
Minimum Value Covenant does not apply to financing agreements entered into by our subsidiaries Maxdeka Shipping Corporation,
Shikoku Friendship Shipping Company, Shikokutessera Shipping Inc. and Glovertwo Shipping Corporation. The Maximum Debt
Covenant only applies to a credit facility entered by us which is not secured by any securities.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants that were in effect with respect to its loan
and credit facilities.
We have not incurred expenditures relating to research and development, patents or licenses for the last three years.
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses
D. Trend Information
Our results of operations depend primarily on the charter hire rates that we are able to realize, and the demand for drybulk vessel
services. During 2017, the BDI experienced significant volatility, reaching an annual low of 685 on February 14, 2017 and an
annual high of 1,743 on December 12, 2017. During 2018, the BDI remained volatile, reaching an annual low of 948 on April 6,
2018 and an annual high of 1,774 on July 24, 2018. During 2019, the BDI, remained volatile, reaching an annual low of 595
on February 11, 2019 and an annual high of 2,518 on September 4, 2019. During 2020, the BDI once again remained volatile
reaching an annual low of 393 on May 14, 2020 and an annual high of 2,097 on October 6, 2020. As of March 15, 2021, the
BDI was 1,983. During the first quarter of 2021, the BDI has increased significantly also affected by the news of the development
of vaccines against 2019-nCoV, despite its continuing effects and the Chinese New Year, where in the past a low charter market
has been observed.
The increase during the first months of 2021 in charter rates in the drybulk market reflects in part the fact that the supply of
drybulk vessels in the market has been decreasing and the orderbook reached a very low point. Newbuild and second-hand vessel
prices have increased during 2021, as a result of the increase in demand for drybulk vessel services influenced by global financial
conditions which remain volatile. Certain events affecting the global economy could also influence the demand for dry-bulk ves-
sels, such as the continuing effects of 2019-nCoV. There has been volatility in recent years in BDI affecting supply and demand
equilibrium. See also “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risks Inherent in Our Industry and Our Business—The international drybulk
shipping industry is cyclical and volatile, having reached historical highs in 2008 and historical lows in 2016. Charter rates im-
proved in 2019, but have been volatile during 2020, due in part to the impact of 2019-nCoV, which resulted in relatively lower
charter rates, and higher crew and related costs. Cyclicality and volatility may lead to reductions and reductions in the charter
65
20Annual Report rates we are able to obtain in vessel values and in our earnings, results of operations and available cash flow.”
As of March 15, 2021, 21 of our 43 vessels are employed or scheduled to be employed in period time charters with outstanding
duration of more than three months, 13 of which include daily charter rates linked to the BDI. Additionally, we believe we have
structured our capital expenditure requirements, debt commitments and liquidity resources in a way that will provide us with
financial flexibility (see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - B. Liquidity and Capital Resources” for more
information).
Our TCE rate for the periods ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 was $13,102, $12,805 and $10,559 respectively, as
a result of our increasing exposure to prevailing spot market conditions. During 2020, Viterra B.V. (ex.Glencore Agriculture B.V.)
accounted for 15.01% and Cargill International S.A. accounted for 11.13% of our revenues.
During 2020, 15.9% of our revenue was derived from three vessels with long period time charters, contracted in previous years
with original durations of 10 to 20 years and with a weighted average TCE rate of $29,398. The remaining 84.1% of our revenue
was derived from the employment of 39 vessels, under voyage spot and period time charters with original durations up to 5 years
with a TCE rate of $9,110.
During 2019, 15.6% of our revenue was derived from three vessels with long period time charters, contracted in previous years
with original durations of 10 to 20 years and with a weighted average TCE rate of $28,786. The remaining 84.4% of our revenue
was derived from the employment of 38 vessels, under voyage spot and period time charters with original durations up to 3 years
with a TCE rate of $11,487.
As of March 15, 2021, we had a total of 43 vessels in our fleet. As of March 15, 2021, we have contracted 46% of our expected
ownership days for the remainder of 2021. Our contracted TCE rate for the remainder of 2021, calculated on the basis of all
existing contracts and customary assumptions in relation to voyage expenses, as of March 15, 2021, was $16,870.
Our employment profile as of March 15, 2021, included two period time charter contracts contracted in previous years with
original durations of 10 to 20 years, with an average expected remaining charter duration of 5.7 years and with an expected TCE
rate for the remainder of 2021 of $31,528, six period time charter contracts contracted in previous years with original durations
of 5 years, with an average expected remaining charter duration of 4.5 years and with an expected TCE rate for the remainder of
2021 of $12,065, and 35 spot and period time charters with an expected average remaining charter duration of 3.2 months,
and an expected TCE rate of $16,829. Vessels whose charters expire or are early redelivered or terminated within 2021 will be
chartered at prevailing charter market conditions, which may substantially influence our revenues, the valuation of our vessels,
our results of operations and our dividend distributions.
In December 2020, the Company agreed the early termination of an existing charter of the Capesize-class vessel MV Lake Des-
pina, which was contractually due to expire in January 2024. In exchange for the early redelivery of the vessel, the charterer paid
the Company cash compensation of $8.1 million, 50% of which was paid in December 2020 and recorded under trade accounts
payable, and the balance in January 2021. The vessel was redelivered in February 2021 whereupon the termination cash com-
pensation was recognized as income. As of March 15, 2021, we had not received any notice of early redelivery or termination for
any of our charters with the exception of the aforementioned charter of the Capesize-class vessel MV Lake Despina.
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2020, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2020 were:
F. Contractual Obligations
Total
Less than1
year (2021)
1-3 years
(2022-2023)
Long-term debt obligations
$
616,224 $
81,284 $
238,497 $
3-5 years
(2024-
2025)
More than 5
years (after
January 1,
2026)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
57,754
238,689 $
Interest payments (1)
Payments to our Managers (2) (3)
Newbuild contracts (3)
Scrubbers and BWTS (4)
Total
58,590
70,351
50,284
2,745
798,194
17,202
20,679
—
1,813
120,978
26,414
41,400
50,284
932
357,527
12,538
2,436
8,272
—
—
259,499
—
—
—
60,190
(1). Amounts shown reflect estimated interest payments we expect to make with respect to our long-term debt obligations and interest rate swaps. The interest
payments reflect an assumed LIBOR-based applicable interest rate of 0.258% (the six-month LIBOR rate as of December 31, 2020), plus the relevant mar-
gin of the applicable credit facility and the estimated net settlement of our interest rate swaps. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Interest Rate Swaps” for more information.
(2). Represents the daily ship management fee of €875 per vessel and the annual ship management fee of €3,000,000 prorated to the actual days based on the
66
Safebulkers20
management fees currently in effect calculated based on the exchange rate of €/US$ as of December 31, 2020. In addition, it includes amounts payable to
our Managers under the Management Agreements in respect of the acquisition fees and the supervision fees for Hull No. 1381 and Hull No. 11013, of $1.7
million, which are described elsewhere herein.
(3). Represents outstanding contractual payments under the memorandum of agreements for the acquisition of Hull No. 1381 and Hull No. 11013. It does not
include the amounts payable to our Managers for supervision fees and commissions, under such memorandum of agreements, which are included under
“Payments to our Managers” on the above table.
(4). Amounts shown reflect estimated payments we expect to make with respect to our BWTS obligations calculated based on the exchange rate of €/US$ as
of December 31, 2020, according to contracts with the relevant equipment suppliers. It does not include payments we expect to make to the relevant
shipyards.
ITEM 6.
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table sets forth, as of March 15, 2021, information regarding our directors and executive officers.
Name
Polys Hajioannou
Dr. Loukas Barmparis
Konstantinos Adamopoulos
Ioannis Foteinos
Christos Megalou
Frank Sica
Ole Wikborg
Age
54
58
58
62
61
70
65
Position
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Class I Director
President, Secretary and Class II Director
Chief Financial Officer and Class III Director
Chief Operating Officer and Class I Director
Class II Director
Class III Director
Class I Director
Certain biographical information about each of these individuals is set forth below. The term of our Class I directors expires in
2021, the term of our Class II directors expires in 2022 and the term of our Class III directors expires in 2023.
Polys Hajioannou is our Chief Executive Officer and has been Chairman of our board of directors since 2008. Mr. Hajioannou
also serves with Safe Bulkers Management Ltd. in Cyprus, which provides technical, commercial and administrative management
services to the Company, and prior to that, with its predecessor Alassia Steamship Co., Ltd., which he joined in 1987. Mr. Hajioan-
nou was elected as a member of the board of directors of the Union of Greek Shipowners in 2006 and served on the board until
February 2009. Mr. Hajioannou is a founding member and Vice-President of the Union of Cyprus Shipowners. Mr. Hajioannou is
a member of the Lloyd’s Register Hellenic Advisory Committee. In 2011, Mr. Hajioannou was appointed to the board of directors
of the Hellenic Mutual War Risks Association (Bermuda) Limited and in 2013 he was elected to the board of directors of the UK
Mutual Steam Ship Assurance Association (Bermuda) Limited where he served until 2016. In that year, he was elected member
to the newly established UK Club Bermuda Members’ Committee. Mr. Hajioannou holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nautical
studies from Sunderland University.
Dr. Loukas Barmparis is our President and Secretary and has been a member of our board of directors since 2008. Dr. Barmparis
also serves as the technical manager of Safe Bulkers Management Ltd., which he joined in December 2016. Between 2009 and
2016, he was the technical manager of Safety Management Overseas S.A. Until 2009, he was the project development manager
of the affiliated Alassia Development S.A., responsible for renewable energy projects. Prior to joining our Manager and Alassia
Development S.A., from 1999 to 2005 and from 1993 to 1995, Dr. Barmparis was employed at N. Daskalantonakis Group,
Grecotel, one of the largest hotel chains in Greece, as technical manager and project development general manager. During the
interim period between 1995 and 1999, Dr. Barmparis was employed at Exergia S.A. as an energy consultant. Dr. Barmparis
holds a master of business administration (“M.B.A.”) from the Athens Laboratory of Business Administration, a doctorate from the
Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, a master of applied science from the University of Toronto and a diploma in
mechanical engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Konstantinos Adamopoulos is our Chief Financial Officer and has been a member of our board of directors since 2008. Mr.
Adamopoulos also serves as the finance manager of Safe Bulkers Management Ltd., which he joined in December 2016. Prior to
joining us, Mr. Adamopoulos was employed at Calyon, a financial institution, as a senior relationship manager in shipping finance
for 14 years. Prior to this, from 1990 to 1993, Mr. Adamopoulos was employed by the National Bank of Greece in London as an
account officer for shipping finance and in Athens as deputy head of the export finance department. Prior to this, from 1987 to
1989, Mr. Adamopoulos served as a finance officer in the Greek Air Force. Mr. Adamopoulos holds a Bachelor of Science degree
in business administration from the Athens School of Economics and Business Science and an M.B.A. in finance from the Cass
Business School, City, University of London.
Ioannis Foteinos is our Chief Operating Officer and has been a member of our board of directors since February 2009. Mr.
Foteinos has over 30 years of experience in the shipping industry. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in nautical studies from
Sunderland University, he joined the predecessor of Safety Management in 1987, where he served as Chartering Manager until
2017. Presently he serves as Chartering Manager with Safe Bulkers Management Ltd. in Cyprus, which he joined in May 2017.
Christos Megalou has been a member of our board of directors since 2016 and serves as a member of our audit and our corporate
67
20Annual Report governance, nominating and compensation committee. Mr. Megalou has been the Chief Executive Officer of Piraeus Bank SA since
2017. Mr. Megalou has been a Distinguished Fellow of the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils in Washington, D.C. since
2016. From 2015 to 2016, Mr. Megalou served as senior advisor to Fairfax Financial Holdings. From 2013 to 2015, Mr. Megalou
served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of Eurobank Ergasias SA and was the Deputy Chairman of
the Hellenic Bank Association in Greece. From 2010 to 2013, Mr. Megalou served as Chairman of the Hellenic Bankers Association
in the U.K. From 1997 to 2013, he was Vice-Chairman of Southern Europe, Co-head of Investment Banking for Southern Europe and
Managing Director in the Investment Banking Division of Credit Suisse in London. From 1991 to 1997, he was a Director at Barclays
de Zoete Wedd. From 1991 to 1996, he was Deputy Chairman of the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce. He started his career in
1984 as an auditor in Arthur Andersen in Athens. Mr. Megalou holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University
of Athens and an M.B.A. in finance from Aston University in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Frank Sica has been a member of our board of directors and of our corporate governance, nominating and compensation com-
mittee, and a member and chairman of our audit committee, since 2008. Mr. Sica is also director of CSG Systems International,
an account management and billing software company for communication industries, JetBlue Airways Corporation, a commercial
airline, and Kohl’s Corporation, an owner and operator of department stores. Mr. Sica has served as a Partner at Tailwind Capital,
a private equity firm, since 2006. From 2004 to 2005, Mr. Sica was a Senior Advisor to Soros Private Funds Management. From
1998 to 2003, Mr. Sica worked at Soros Fund Management where he oversaw the direct real estate and private equity investment
activities of Soros. From 1988 to 1998, Mr. Sica was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley. Mr. Sica holds a bachelor’s degree
from Wesleyan University and an M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.
Ole Wikborg has been a member of our board of directors and of our audit committee and chairman and member of our corporate
governance, nominating and compensation committee since 2008. Mr. Wikborg has been involved in the marine and shipping
industry in various capacities for over 35 years. From 2002 to 2016, Mr. Wikborg has served as a member of the management
team, a director and a senior underwriter of the Norwegian Hull Club, based in Oslo, Norway. In 2016, he moved to London to take
up the position as the head of the London branch of Norwegian Hull Club, established that year. From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Wikborg
also served as a member and chairman of the Ocean Hull Committee of the International Union of Marine Insurance (“IUMI”). Since
2006, he has served as Vice President and a member of the Executive Board of the IUMI, and he was elected as President of IUMI
from 2010 to 2014. Since 1997, Mr. Wikborg has served as a board member of the Central Union of Marine Insurers, based in
Oslo, and was that organization’s Chairman from 2009 to 2013. From 1997 until 2002, Mr. Wikborg served as the senior vice
president and manager of the marine and energy division of the Zurich Protector Insurance Company ASA. Prior to his career in
marine insurance, Mr. Wikborg served in the Royal Norwegian Navy, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander.
B. Compensation of Directors and Senior Management
Our Managers, pursuant to the terms of the applicable Management Agreements, have historically provided to us our executive of-
ficers. For the year ended December 31, 2020, none of the executive officers and senior management were employed directly by
us. For a discussion of the fees payable to our Managers, refer to “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B.
Related Party Transactions—Management Agreements.” Also, we do not have any service contracts with any of our non-executive
directors that provide for benefits upon termination of their services.
Non-executive independent directors of the Company are paid an annual fee in the amount of $40,000 plus reimbursement for
their out-of-pocket expenses.
In addition, the chairman of the audit committee, Frank Sica, receives the annual equivalent of $60,000 in the form of shares
of our Common Stock. Ole Wikborg and Christos Megalou receive the annual equivalent of $30,000 in the form of shares of our
Common Stock.
No amounts are set aside or accrued by us to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits.
C. Board Practices
Information regarding the period which each director served and the date of expiration of each director’s current term is
included in “Item 6A. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—A. Directors and Senior Management.” As of December 31,
2020, we had seven members on our board of directors. The board of directors may change the number of directors to not less
than three, nor more than 15, by a vote of a majority of the entire board. Each director shall be elected to serve until the third
succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, except in
the event of death, resignation or removal. A vacancy on the board created by death, resignation, removal (which may only be for
cause), or failure of the stockholders to elect the entire class of directors to be elected at any election of directors or for any other
reason, may be filled only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum,
at any special meeting called for that purpose or at any regular meeting of the board of directors. None of our directors is a party
to service contracts with us providing for benefits upon termination of employment.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the full board of directors held four meetings. Each director attended all of the
meetings of committees of which the director was a member in person or electronically. Our board of directors has determined
that each of Messrs. Sica, Megalou and Wikborg are independent within the current meanings of independence employed by the
corporate governance rules of the NYSE and the SEC. Stockholders who wish to send communications on any topic to the board of
directors or to the independent directors as a group, or to the chairman of the audit committee, Mr. Frank Sica, or to the chairman
of the corporate governance, nominating and compensation committee, Mr. Ole Wikborg, may do so by writing to our Secretary,
68
Safebulkers20 Dr. Loukas Barmparis, Safe Bulkers, Inc., e-mail: directors@safebulkers.com.
Corporate Governance
The board of directors and our Company’s management have engaged in an ongoing review of our corporate governance practices
in order to oversee our compliance with the applicable corporate governance rules of the NYSE and the SEC.
We have adopted a number of key documents that are the foundation of the Company’s corporate governance, including:
~ a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for all officers and employees, which incorporates a Code of Ethics for directors and
a Code of Conduct for corporate officers;
~ a Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee Charter; and
~ an Audit Committee Charter.
These documents and other important information on our governance are posted on our website and may be viewed at http://
www.safebulkers.com. We will also provide a paper copy of any of these documents upon the written request of a stockholder.
Stockholders may direct their requests to the attention of our Secretary, Dr. Loukas Barmparis, Safe Bulkers, Inc., e-mail: direc-
tors@safebulkers.com. Our website, and the information contained on, or hyperlinked from, our website are not part of this An-
nual Report, other than the documents that we file with the SEC that are expressly incorporated herein or therein by reference.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Audit Committee
Our audit committee consists of Ole Wikborg, Christos Megalou and Frank Sica, as chairman. Our board of directors has deter-
mined that Frank Sica qualifies as an audit committee “financial expert,” as such term is defined in Regulation S-K promulgated
by the SEC. The audit committee is responsible for:
~ the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of independent auditors and approving any non-audit services
performed by such auditor;
~ assisting the board in monitoring the integrity of our financial statements, the independent auditors’ qualifications and
independence, the performance of the independent accountants and our internal audit function and our compliance with
legal and regulatory requirements;
~ discussing the annual audited financial and quarterly statements with management and the independent auditors;
~ discussing earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating
agencies;
~ discussing policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management;
~ meeting separately, and periodically, with management, internal auditors and the independent auditor;
~ reviewing with the independent auditor any audit problems or difficulties and management’s responses;
~ setting clear hiring policies for employees or former employees of the independent auditors;
~ annually reviewing the adequacy of the audit committee’s written charter, the internal audit charter, the scope of the an-
nual internal audit plan and the results of internal audits;
~ reporting regularly to the full board of directors; and
~ handling such other matters that are specifically delegated to the audit committee by the board of directors from time
to time.
Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee
Our corporate governance, nominating and compensation committee consists of Christos Megalou, Frank Sica and Ole Wikborg, as
chairman. The corporate governance, nominating and compensation committee is responsible for:
~ nominating candidates, consistent with criteria approved by the full board of directors, for the approval of the full board of
directors to fill board vacancies as and when they arise, as well as putting in place plans for succession, in particular, of the
chairman of the board of directors and executive officers;
~ selecting, or recommending that the full board of directors select, the director nominees for the next annual meeting of
shareholders;
~ developing and recommending to the full board of directors corporate governance guidelines applicable to us and keeping
such guidelines under review;
~ overseeing the evaluation of the board and management;
~ reviewing regularly the board structure, size and composition, taking into account the importance of a diverse composite
mix of ethnicities, ages, gender, race, geographic locations, education and professional skills, backgrounds and experience,
among other characteristics;
~ maintaining a commitment to supporting, valuing and leveraging diversity in the composition of the Board among other
qualities that the board believes serve the best interest of the Company and its stockholders; and
~ handling such other matters that are specifically delegated to the corporate governance, nominating and compensation
committee by the board of directors from time to time.
D. Employees
Our executive officers are provided by our Managers. As of December 31, 2020, our Managers employed approximately 827
people serving on board the vessels in our fleet, and approximately 126 people on shore.
E. Share Ownership
The Common Stock and Preferred Shares beneficially owned by our directors and executive officers and/or companies affiliated
with these individuals is included in “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—A. Major Shareholders” below.
69
20Annual Report Equity Compensation Plans
We have agreed to provide the chairman of the audit committee, Mr. Frank Sica, as part of his remuneration, the annual equiva-
lent of $60,000 in the form of shares of our Common Stock, and our non-executive independent directors, Mr. Ole Wikborg
and Mr. Christos Megalou, as part of their remuneration, the annual equivalent of $30,000 each, in the form of shares of our
Common Stock.
ITEM 7.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY
TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our outstanding Common Stock and Pre-
ferred Shares as of March 15, 2021 held by:
~ each person or entity that we know beneficially owns 5.0% or more of our Common Stock;
~ our officers and directors; and
~ all our directors and officers as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. In general, a person who has voting power or invest-
ment power with respect to securities is treated as a beneficial owner of those securities.
Beneficial ownership does not necessarily imply that the named person has the economic or other benefits of ownership. For
purposes of this table, shares subject to options, warrants or rights or shares exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2021 are
considered as beneficially owned by the person holding those options, warrants or rights. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote
for each share held. The applicable percentage of ownership for each stockholder is based on 105,398,127 shares of Common
Stock outstanding as of March 15, 2021. Information for certain holders is based on their latest filings with the SEC or informa-
tion delivered to us. Except as noted below, the address of all stockholders, officers and directors identified in the table and the
accompanying footnotes below is in care of our principal executive offices.
Identity of Person
or Group
5% Beneficial Owners:
Vorini Holdings Inc.(1)
Bellapais Maritime Inc.(2)
Kyperounta Maritime Inc.(2)
Lefkoniko Maritime Inc.(2)
Akamas Maritime Inc.(2)
Chalkoessa Maritime Inc.(2)
Nicolaos Hadjioannou(3)
Officers and Directors:
Polys Hajioannou (4)
Dr. Loukas Barmparis
Konstantinos Adamopoulos
Ioannis Foteinos
Frank Sica
Ole Wikborg
Christos Megalou
All executive officers and direc-
tors as a group (7 persons)
* Less than 1%
Number of
Shares of
Common
Stock
Owned
Percentage
of Common
Stock
Number of
Shares of
Series C
Preferred
Shares
Percentage
of Series C
Preferred
Shares
Number of
Shares of
Series D
Preferred
Shares
Percentage of
Series D
Preferred
Shares
19,426,015
18.43 %
5,000,000
5,000,000
5,000,000
8,555,412
5,400,000
4.74 %
4.74 %
4.74 %
8.12 %
5.12 %
21,426,015
20.33 %
48,381,427
45.90 %
*
*
*
*(5)
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
*
*
*
*
—
—
— %
— %
— %
— %
— %
— %
— %
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— %
— %
— %
— %
— %
— %
— %
— %
72,615
2.27 %
*
*
*
*
—
—
*
*
*
*
— %
— %
— %
— %
48,995,467
46.49 %
25,000
1.09 % 109,615
3.43 %
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Controlled by Polys Hajioannou and his family.
Controlled by Polys Hajioannou.
By virtue of shares owned indirectly through Vorini Holdings, Inc. and other entities he controls.
By virtue of shares owned indirectly through Vorini Holdings, Inc., Bellapais Maritime Inc., Kyperounta Maritime Inc., Lefkoniko Maritime Inc., Akamas Mari-
time Inc., Chalkoessa Maritime Inc. and other entities he controls.
Partly held in a trust controlled by Frank Sica for the benefit of his family members.
In June 2008, we completed a registered public offering of our shares of Common Stock in which the selling stockholder was
70
Safebulkers20
Vorini Holdings Inc., and our Common Stock began trading on the NYSE. Our major stockholders have the same voting rights as
our other stockholders. As of March 15, 2021, we had 15 stockholders of record; three of these stockholders of record were
located in the U.S. and held an aggregate 64,094,153 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 60.81% of our
outstanding shares of Common Stock. However, one of the U.S. stockholders of record is Cede & Co., a nominee of The Depository
Trust Company, which holds 63,781,100 shares of our Common Stock. Accordingly, we believe that the shares held by Cede &
Co. include shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by both holders in the U.S. and non-U.S. beneficial owners. We are not
aware of any arrangements the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in our change of control. We are not aware of
any significant changes in the percentage ownership held by any major stockholders since our initial public offering.
The Hajioannou family owns approximately 48.93% of our outstanding Common Stock. They are able to control the outcome of
matters on which our stockholders are entitled to vote, including the election of our entire board of directors and other significant
corporate actions. Shares of our Common Stock held by the Hajioannou family do not have different or unique voting rights.
B. Related Party Transactions
Management Affiliations
Our chief executive officer, Polys Hajioannou controls our Managers and other companies which lease office space to us. Our
Managers, along with the predecessor to Safety Management, have provided services to vessels since 1965 and continue to pro-
vide technical, administrative, commercial and certain other services which support our business, as well as comprehensive ship
management services such as technical supervision and commercial management, including chartering our vessels, pursuant to
our Management Agreements described below.
Management Agreements
Under our Management Agreements, our Managers are responsible for providing us with executive, technical, administrative com-
mercial and certain other services, which include the following:
Technical Services
These services include managing day-to-day vessel operations, performing general vessel maintenance, ensuring regulatory
compliance and compliance with the law of the flag state of each vessel and of the places where the vessel operates, ensuring
classification society compliance, supervising the maintenance and general efficiency of vessels, arranging the hire of qualified
officers and crew, training, transportation and lodging, insurance (including handling and processing all claims) of, and appropriate
investigation of any charterer concerns with respect to, the crew, conducting union negotiations concerning the crew, perform-
ing normally scheduled drydocking and general and routine repairs, arranging insurance for vessels (including marine hull and
machinery, protection and indemnity and risks insurance), purchasing stores, supplies, spares, lubricating oil and maintenance
capital expenditures for vessels, appointing supervisors and technical consultants, providing technical support, shoreside support
and shipyard supervision, and attending to all other technical matters necessary to run our business.
Commercial Services
These services include chartering the vessels that we own, assisting in our chartering, locating, purchasing, financing and nego-
tiating the purchase and sale of our vessels, supervising the design and construction of newbuilds, and such other commercial
services as we may reasonably request from time to time.
Administrative Services
These services include providing or arranging for all services necessary to the engagement, employment and compensation of
certain of our employees, officers, consultants and directors, administering payroll services, assistance with the preparation of
our tax returns and financial statements, assistance with corporate and regulatory compliance matters not related to our vessels,
procuring legal and accounting services, assistance in complying with U.S. and other relevant securities laws, human resources
(including provision of our executive officers and directors of our subsidiaries), cash management and bookkeeping services,
development and monitoring of internal audit controls, disclosure controls and information technology, assistance with all regula-
tory and reporting functions and obligations, furnishing any reports or financial information that might be requested by us and
other non-vessel related administrative services, assistance with office space, providing legal and financial compliance services,
overseeing banking services (including the opening, closing, operation and management of all of our accounts, including mak-
ing deposits and withdrawals reasonably necessary for the management of our business and day-to-day operations), arranging
general insurance and director and officer liability insurance (at our expense), providing all administrative services required for
any subsequent debt and equity financings and attending to all other administrative matters necessary to ensure the professional
management of our business.
Reporting Structure
Our Managers report to us and to our board of directors through our executive officers.
Compensation of Our Managers
On May 29, 2008, Safe Bulkers signed a management agreement with Safety Management and on May 29, 2015, Safe Bulkers
signed a management agreement with Safe Bulkers Management (collectively the “Old Management Agreements”). Under the
Old Management Agreements, the Managers provided to Safe Bulkers executive officers and management services to vessel-
owning subsidiaries. Each vessel-owning subsidiary had entered into, or in the case of vessels not yet delivered, would enter
into, a management agreement with either one of the Managers (the “Old Ship Management Agreements”). Under these Old
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20Annual Report Ship Management Agreements, chartering, operations, technical and accounting services were provided to the vessels by the
Manager. In accordance with the Old Management Agreements and the Old Ship Management Agreements, the Manager re-
ceived a fixed fee per vessel calculated proportionally by the number of ownership days (the “Old Fixed Fee”), a fixed bareboat
fee of $250 per managed vessel per day for bareboat charters (the “Old Bareboat Fee”) and a variable fee calculated on gross
freight, charter hire, ballast bonus and demurrage (the “Old Variable Fee”). In addition, under the supervision agreements with
respect to newbuilds, the Manager received a supervision fee of $550,000 in exchange for on-site supervision services with
respect to all newbuilds, of which 50% was payable upon the signing of the relevant Supervision Agreement, and 50% was
payable upon successful completion of the sea trials of each newbuild (the “Old Supervision Fee”). Furthermore, under the Old
Management Agreements, the Manager received a sales fee of 1.00% calculated on the contract price for each vessel sold (the
“Old Sale Fee”), payable upon the conclusion of the vessel sale, and an acquisition fee of 1.00% calculated on the contract
price of each vessel constructed or purchased (the “Old Acquisition Fee”), payable upon the conclusion of the vessel acquisition
in exchange for services provided in relation to a sale or an acquisition of a vessel respectively.
The Old Management Agreements provided inter alia that to the extent the executive officers were not provided by the Manager
but were instead employed by Safe Bulkers, the management fee payable by Safe Bulkers was reduced, in arrears, by an amount
equal to the aggregate costs of compensation and benefits and other incidental costs borne by the Company as a result of such
employment.
The management fees could be adjusted annually effective May 29 of each year, the anniversary of our entry into the Old Man-
agement Agreements. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and from January 1, 2018 until May 28,
2018, the Old Supervision Fee, the Old Sale Fee, the Old Bareboat Fee and the Old Acquisition Fee remained unchanged as per
above. On May 29, 2015, the Old Fixed Fee was adjusted to $975 per day from $800 per day and the Old Variable Fee was ad-
justed to 0.00% from 1.25%.
On May 29, 2018, following the expiration of the Old Management Agreements, the Company signed the Management Agree-
ments with the Managers, which have an initial term of three years expiring on May 28, 2021 and can be extended for two
additional terms of three years each. The fees provided by the Management Agreements are fixed until May 29, 2021 and
upon mutual agreement with the Managers, can be adjusted for a subsequent term of three years each time in May 29, 2021
and May 29, 2024.
Under our Management Agreements, in return for providing executive officers and technical, commercial and administrative ser-
vices, our Managers receive a ship management fee of €875 per day per managed vessel for vessels in our fleet and $250 per
managed vessel per day for bareboat charters and one of our Managers receives an annual ship management fee of €3 million.
Further, our Managers receive a commission of 1.0% based on the contract price of any vessel bought and a commission of 1.0%
based on the contract price of any vessel sold by it on our behalf, including any contracted newbuild. We also pay our Managers a
supervision fee of $550,000 per newbuild, of which 50.0% is payable upon the signing of the relevant supervision agreement,
and 50.0% is payable upon successful completion of the sea trials of each newbuild, for the on-premises supervision of all new-
builds we have agreed to acquire pursuant to shipbuilding contracts, memoranda of agreement, or otherwise.
The management fees do not cover capital expenditure, financial costs and operating expenses for our vessels and our general and
administrative expenses such as directors, and officers’ liability insurance, legal and accounting fees and other similar third party
expenses. More specifically, we reimburse expenses incurred on our behalf by our Managers or their personnel directly related to
the operation and management of our vessels, such as:
~ interest, principal and other financial costs;
~ voyage expenses;
~ vessel operating expenses including crewing costs, surveyor’s attendance fees, bunkers, lubricant oils, spares, survey fees,
classification society fees, maintenance and repair costs, tonnage taxes and vetting expenses;
~ commissions, remuneration or disbursements due to lawyers, brokers, agents, surveyors, consultants, financial advisors,
investment bankers, insurance advisors;
~ deductibles, insurance premiums and/or P&I calls; and
~ postage, communication, traveling, victualing and other out of pocket expenses.
Each year, our Managers prepare and submit to us a detailed draft budget for the next calendar year, which includes a statement
of estimated revenue, estimated general and administrative expenses and a proposed budget for capital expenditures, repairs or
alterations. Once approved by us, this draft budget becomes the approved budget.
Term and Termination Rights
Subject to the termination rights described below, the initial term of the Management Agreements will expire three years after
the effective date (May 29, 2018) and is renewable for up to two additional three-year periods. After the expiration of the initial
term, each Management Agreement will be automatically extended on a three-year basis up to two times, subject to our ability
to terminate each Management Agreement upon written notice at least 24 months prior to the end of the current term. Each
Management Agreement will expire on May 29, 2027 and we expect to enter into new agreements with the Managers upon their
expiration. The terms of any such new agreements have not yet been determined.
Our Managers’ Termination Rights
Each Manager may terminate the applicable Management Agreement prior to the end of its term if:
~ an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000 payable by us is not paid when due or if due on demand, within 20 business
days following demand by the Manager;
~ we default in the performance of any other material obligation under the Management Agreement and the matter is unre-
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Safebulkers20 solved within 20 business days after we receive written notice of such default from the Manager;
~ the management fee determined by arbitration in respect of any three-year period following the initial term is unsatisfacto-
ry to the Manager, in which case the Manager may terminate the Management Agreement effective at the end of such term;
~ any acquisition of our shares or a merger, consolidation or similar transaction results in any “person” or “group” acquiring
40.0% or more of the total voting power of our or the resulting entity’s outstanding voting securities, and such percentage
represents a higher percentage of such voting power than that held directly or indirectly by Polys Hajioannou;
~ the approval by our shareholders of a proposed merger, consolidation, recapitalization or similar transaction, as a result of
which any person acquiring our shares of Common Stock becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 40.0% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding voting securities of
the resulting entity following such transaction, and such percentage represents a higher percentage of such voting power
than that held directly or indirectly by Polys Hajioannou; or
~ there is a change in directors after which at least one of the members of our board of directors is not a continuing director.
“Continuing directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of our board of directors who was:
~ a member of our board of directors on May 29, 2018; or
~ nominated for election or elected to our board of directors with the approval of a majority of the directors then in office who
were either directors on May 29, 2018 or whose nomination or election was previously so approved.
Our Termination Rights
In addition to certain standard termination rights, we may terminate each Management Agreement prior to the end of its term if:
~ the Manager commits a willful and material breach in the performance of any material obligation under our Management
Agreement and the matter is not resolved within 40 business days after the Manager receives from us written notice of
such default;
~ an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000 payable by the Manager to us or third parties under our Management Agree-
ment is not paid or accounted for within 10 business days following written notice by us; or
~ any time after May 29, 2024, upon our delivery of 12 months’ written notice to the Manager (a “Third Term Termination
Notice”).
A “willful and material breach” means, a material breach of the applicable Management Agreement, as determined by a final,
non-appealable judgment of a court or independent tribunal of competent jurisdiction, that is a consequence of a deliberate act
undertaken by the breaching party, with knowledge that the taking of such act would cause a breach of the applicable Management
Agreement, and which act has subjected the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to uninsured liability, individually or
in the aggregate, in an amount in excess of $100,000,000.
Termination Fees
In the event that either Management Agreement is terminated prior to the fully-extended expiration date other than pursuant to
(a) the Company’s termination of the applicable Management Agreement due to the Manager’s ceasing to conduct business, insol-
vency or force majeure, (b) a termination resulting from the Manager’s willful and material breach of the applicable Management
Agreement or (c) a termination pursuant to a validly-delivered termination notice by the Company to the Manager (other than
a Third Term Termination Notice), then, within three business days of such termination, the Company shall pay to Safe Bulkers
Management an amount in cash equal to the Management Fees paid or payable to each Manager, in the aggregate, during the 36
months preceding the applicable termination.
Non-Competition
Each Manager has agreed that, during the term of our Management Agreement and for one year after its termination, such Manag-
er will not provide any management services to, or with respect to, any drybulk vessels, other than in the following circumstances:
(a) pursuant to its involvement with us; or
(b) with respect to drybulk vessels that are owned or operated by companies affiliated with our chief executive officer or his
family members, subject in each case to compliance with, or waivers of, the restrictive covenant agreements entered into
between us and companies affiliated with our chief executive officer.
Each Manager has also agreed that if one of our drybulk vessels and a drybulk vessel owned or operated by a company affiliated
with our chief executive officer are both available and meet the criteria for a charter being fixed by such Manager, our drybulk
vessel will receive such charter.
Sale of Our Manager
Each Manager has agreed that, during the term of the Management Agreement and for one year after its termination, each Man-
ager will not transfer, assign, sell or dispose of all or substantially all of its business that is necessary for the performance of
its services under the Management Agreement without the prior written consent of our board of directors. Furthermore, during
such period, in the event of any proposed change in control of the Manager, we have a 30-day right of first offer to purchase such
Manager. Each Management Agreement defines a “proposed change in control of the Manager” to mean (a) the approval by the
board of directors of the Manager or the shareholders of the Manager of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets
or property of the Manager necessary for the performance of its services under the Management Agreement; or (b) the approval
of any transaction that would result in: (i) Polys Hajioannou or Vorini Holdings Inc., or any entity controlled by, or under common
control with, any of the above, beneficially owning, directly or indirectly, less than 60.0% of the outstanding voting securities
or voting power of the Manager or Machairiotissa Holdings Inc. (the sole shareholder of the Manager), respectively, or (ii) Polys
Hajioannou or Vorini Holdings Inc., or any entity controlled by, or under common control with, any of the above, together with all
73
20Annual Report directors, officers and employees of the Manager beneficially owning, directly or indirectly, less than 80.0% of the outstanding
voting securities or voting power of the Manager or Machairiotissa Holdings Inc., respectively.
Each Management Agreement also provides us the right to obtain certain information about the ownership of the Manager.
The foregoing description of the Management Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Management Agreements, copies of which are attached as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.2 and incorporated herein
by reference.
Restrictive Covenant Agreements
Under the restrictive covenant agreements entered into with us, Polys Hajioannou, Vorini Holdings Inc., Machairiotissa
Holdings Inc., or any entity controlled by, or under common control with, any of the above (together, the “Hajioannou Enti-
ties”), have agreed to restrictions on their ownership or operation of any drybulk vessels or the acquisition, investment in or
control of any business involved in the ownership or operation of drybulk vessels, subject to the exceptions described below.
In the case of Polys Hajioannou, the restricted period continues until the later of (a) one year following the termination of
his service as our director and (b) one year following the termination of his employment with us. In the case of the Hajio-
annou Entities, the restricted period continues until one year following the termination of both Management Agreements.
Notwithstanding these restrictions, Polys Hajioannou and the Hajioannou Entities are permitted to engage in the restricted
activities during the restricted periods in the following circumstances:
(a) pursuant to their involvement with us;
(b) pursuant to their involvement with a Manager, subject to compliance with, or waivers of, the applicable Management
Agreement;
(c) with respect to certain permitted acquisitions (as defined below), provided that (i) any commercial management of
drybulk vessels controlled by the restricted individuals and entities in connection with such permitted acquisition is
performed by either of the Managers and (ii) the restricted individuals and entities comply with the requirements for
permitted acquisitions described below;
(d) with respect to the direct or indirect ownership, operation or financing by our chief executive officer of a maximum
of eight drybulk vessels on the water at any one time and an unlimited number of contracts with shipyards for new-
build drybulk vessels as part of his estate or family planning, provided that (i) such drybulk vessels or newbuilding
contracts have been first offered to us and refused by the majority of our independent directors and (ii) such vessels
have been acquired on pricing terms and conditions that are not more favorable than those offered to us; and
(e) pursuant to their passive ownership of up to 9.99% of the outstanding voting securities of any publicly traded com-
pany that is engaged in the business of owning or operating drybulk vessels.
As noted above, Polys Hajioannou and the Hajioannou Entities are permitted to engage in restricted activities with respect
to two types of permitted acquisitions. One such permitted acquisition is an acquisition of a drybulk vessel or an acquisi-
tion or investment in a drybulk vessel business on terms and conditions as to price that are not more favorable, and on such
other terms and conditions that are not materially more favorable, than those first offered to us and refused by a majority
of our independent directors. The second type of permitted acquisition is an acquisition of a group of vessels or a business
that includes non-drybulk vessels and non-drybulk vessel businesses, provided that less than 50.0% of the fair market
value of the acquisition is attributable to drybulk vessels or drybulk vessel businesses. Under this second type of permitted
acquisition, we must be promptly given the opportunity to buy the drybulk vessels or drybulk vessel businesses included in
the acquisition for their fair market value plus certain break-up costs. Both types of permitted acquisitions require that the
commercial management of any drybulk vessels acquired as permitted acquisitions be performed by either of our Managers.
The commercial management of any drybulk vessel or contract for a newbuild drybulk vessel owned, operated or financed by
Polys Hajioannou and entities affiliated with him for his estate or family planning purposes is not required to be managed
by either of our Managers.
Polys Hajioannou and the Hajioannou Entities have also agreed that if one of our drybulk vessels and a drybulk vessel owned
or operated by any of the Hajioannou Entities are both available and meet the criteria for a charter being fixed by either of
our Managers, our drybulk vessels will receive such charter.
The restrictive covenant agreements further provide that for each drybulk vessel or contract for a newbuild drybulk vessel
owned, operated or financed by Polys Hajioannou or a Hajioannou Entity other than through us, Polys Hajioannou or the
applicable Hajioannou entity is required to deliver to us a written report with respect to such vessel or newbuild within the
first quarter of each fiscal year. The report for any drybulk vessel is required to include certain information, such as charter
information with respect to charters arranged or in place during the period between the first day of the previous fiscal year
and the date of the report, including the type of charter employment (e.g., time or voyage charters), the charter rate, com-
missions paid to brokers or other third parties, the charter period and the total revenues earned with respect to charters
conducted during such period, running costs with respect to such drybulk vessel in the previous fiscal year, expected date
of next drydocking and the estimated cost of such drydocking, and date of the next special survey. The report for any con-
tracted newbuild drybulk vessel is required to include charter information, if any, with respect to charters arranged as of the
date of the report, including the type of charter employment, the charter rate, commissions paid to brokers or other third
parties and the charter period.
The foregoing description of the restrictive covenant agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the restrictive covenant agreements, copies of which are attached as Exhibit 4.3 and Exhibit 4.4
and incorporated herein by reference.
74
Safebulkers20 Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the closing of our initial public offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Vorini Holdings
Inc., one of our principal stockholders, pursuant to which we have granted it and certain of its transferees the right, under certain
circumstances and subject to certain restrictions, to require us to register under the Securities Act shares of our Common Stock
held by those persons. Under the registration rights agreement, Vorini Holdings Inc. and certain of its transferees have the right
to request us to register the sale of shares held by them on their behalf and may require us to make available shelf registration
statements permitting sales of shares into the market from time to time over an extended period. In addition, those persons have
the ability to exercise certain piggyback registration rights in connection with registered offerings initiated by us. Vorini Holdings
Inc. currently owns 19,426,015 shares entitled to these registration rights.
Principal executive office lease
The Company leases office space from a company controlled by Polys Hajioannou, at Apt. D11, Les Acanthes, 6, Avenue des Cit-
ronniers, MC98000 Monaco, where our principal executive office is established. The office space lease contract has a remaining
duration of three years up to February 2023 with an annual lease payment in the amount of 63,000 Euros equivalent to about
$76,000 as of December 31, 2020.
Interest Rate Swap Facility - Revolving Credit Facility - Term Loan Facility
During 2020, the Company entered into an interest rate swap facility with a financial institution for a notional amount of up to
$80.0 million and agreed with the same financial institution the increase of $10.0 million and the extension of the tenor by up to
two years of an existing revolving credit facility that had been signed in 2019 for an original amount of $20.0 million, and the ar-
rangement of another secured facility for an amount up to $20.0 million, which will be available for drawing in 2022 upon delivery
of the respective newbuild vessel that will secure such credit facility.
Christos Megalou, one of the independent members of the board of directors of the Company, currently serves as the Chief Execu-
tive Officer of this financial institution. As such, the above transactions are considered ‘’related party transactions’’. The transac-
tions were unanimously approved by the board of directors of the Company. Mr Megalou recused himself from any consideration
of, and voting on, the transactions by the board of directors of the Company.
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See “Item 18. Financial Statements” below for more information.
Legal Proceedings
We are not 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 other proceedings that are pending or threatened which may have a
significant effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
The nature of our business exposes us to the risk of lawsuits for damages or penalties relating to, among other things, personal
injury, property casualty and environmental contamination. 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. However, such claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expendi-
ture of significant financial and managerial resources.
Dividend Policy
During 2018, we declared and paid one quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share of Series B Preferred Shares, totaling $0.2 million,
and four quarterly consecutive dividends of $0.50 per share, of Series C Preferred Shares, totaling $4.6 million, and of Series D
Preferred Shares, totaling $6.4 million. During 2019, we declared and paid four quarterly consecutive dividends of $0.50 per
share, of Series C Preferred Shares, totaling $4.6 million, and of Series D Preferred Shares, totaling $6.4 million. During 2020,
we declared and paid four quarterly consecutive dividends of $0.50 per share, of Series C Preferred Shares, totaling $4.6 million,
and of Series D Preferred Shares, totaling $6.4 million. In January 2021, we declared and paid a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per
share, of Series C Preferred Shares, totaling $1.1 million, and of Series D Preferred Shares, totaling $1.6 million.
On February 20, 2018, we completed the redemption of the outstanding 379,514 Series B Preferred Shares at a redemption
price of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Share plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
From and after the Redemption Date, all distributions on the Series B Preferred Shares ceased to accumulate, such Series B Pre-
ferred Shares are no longer outstanding, and all rights of the holders of such shares terminated, except for the right to receive
the redemption amount.
We currently do not intend to pay dividends on shares of our Common Stock. The declaration and payment of dividends, if any,
75
20Annual Report 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: (a) our earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and available sources of liquidity, (b) decisions in
relation to our growth and leverage strategies, (c) provisions of Marshall Islands and Liberian law governing the payment of divi-
dends, (d) restrictive covenants in our existing and future debt instruments and (e) global financial conditions. We may continue
not to pay dividends in the future. Our ability to pay dividends may be limited by the amount of cash we can generate from opera-
tions following the payment of fees and expenses and the establishment of any reserves, as well as additional factors unrelated to
our profitability. In addition, cash dividends on our Common Stock are subject to the priority of dividends on our Preferred Shares.
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. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
and Preferred Shares” for a discussion of the risks related to our ability to pay dividends.
No significant change has occurred since the date of the annual financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F.
B. Significant Changes
ITEM 9.
THE OFFER AND LISTING
Trading on the NYSE
Since our initial public offering in the U.S. on May 29, 2008, our Common Stock has been listed on the NYSE under the symbol
“SB” Since June 18, 2013, our Series B Preferred Shares had been listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SB PR B.” As a result
of the redemption of all of our remaining outstanding Series B Shares on the Redemption Date, a Form 25 was filed by the NYSE
with the SEC on February 21, 2018, and, accordingly, Series B Preferred Shares were delisted from the NYSE on March 5, 2018.
Since May 7, 2014, our Series C Preferred Shares have been listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SB. PR. C.” Since June 30,
2014, our Series D Preferred Shares have been listed on the NYSE under the symbol “SB. PR. D.”
ITEM 10.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. Share Capital
Under our articles of incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of which, as of December 31, 2020 and March 15, 2021, 102,174,594 and 102,432,555 shares were is-
sued and outstanding, respectively, and 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which,
as of December 31, 2020 and March 15, 2021, 2,297,504 shares of Series C Preferred Shares and 3,195,050 shares of Series
D Preferred Shares were issued and outstanding. Of this blank check preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares have been designated
Series A Participating Preferred Stock in connection with our adoption of a shareholders rights plan as described below under “—
Shareholders Rights Plan.” All of our shares of stock are in registered form.
Please see Note 8 of the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report for a discussion of the history
of our share capital.
B. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our purpose, as stated in our articles of incorporation, is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now
or hereafter be organized under the BCA. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws do not impose any limitations on the ownership
rights of our stockholders.
The rights of our stockholders are set forth in our articles of incorporation and bylaws, as well as the BCA. Amendments to our
articles of incorporation require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote, except
that amendments to certain provisions of our articles of incorporation dealing with the rights of stockholders, the board of direc-
tors, our bylaws and amendments to the articles of incorporation require the affirmative vote of at least 75.0% of all outstand-
ing shares entitled to vote. Amendments to our bylaws require the affirmative vote of at least 75.0% of all outstanding shares
entitled to vote.
Under our bylaws, annual stockholder meetings will be held at a time and place selected by our board of directors. The meetings
may be held inside or outside of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Special meetings may be called by the chairman of the board
of directors, the chief executive officer or by the chief executive officer or secretary at the request of a majority of the board of
directors. Our board of directors may set a record date between 15 and 60 days before the date of any meeting to determine the
stockholders that will be eligible to receive notice and vote at the meeting. Our bylaws permit stockholder action by unanimous
written consent.
We are registered with the Registrar of Corporations of the Marshall Islands under registration number 27394.
Directors
Under our articles of incorporation and bylaws, our directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at each annual meeting of
76
Safebulkers20 the stockholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election. There is no provision for cumulative voting. Our articles
of incorporation and bylaws provide for a staggered board of directors whereby directors shall be divided into three classes: Class
I, Class II and Class III. The term of our Class I directors expires in 2021, the term of our Class II directors expires in 2022 and the
term of our Class III directors expires in 2023. At each annual meeting, individuals elected as directors are elected to hold office
until the third succeeding annual meeting.
Pursuant to the provisions of our bylaws, the board of directors may change the number of directors to not less than three, nor
more than 15, by a vote of a majority of the entire board. Each director shall be elected to serve until the third succeeding annual
meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, except in the event of death,
resignation or removal. A vacancy on the board created by death, resignation, removal (which may only be for cause), or failure
of the stockholders to elect the entire class of directors to be elected at any election of directors or for any other reason may be
filled only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, at any special
meeting called for that purpose or at any regular meeting of the board of directors. The board of directors has the authority to fix
the amounts which shall be payable to the non-employee members of our board of directors for attendance at any meeting or for
services rendered to us.
Common Stock
Each outstanding share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Sub-
ject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of shares of Common Stock are
entitled to receive ratably all dividends, if any, declared thereon by our board of directors out of funds legally available for divi-
dends. 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 preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our
Common Stock will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution. Holders of Common Stock do not
have conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities. All outstanding shares of Common Stock
are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of Common Stock are subject to the rights of
the holders of any shares of preferred stock which we may issue in the future. Our Common Stock is not subject to any sinking
fund provisions and no holder of any shares will be required to make additional contributions of capital with respect to our shares
in the future. There are no provisions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws discriminating against a shareholder because of
his or her ownership of a particular number of shares.
On August 3, 2020, our shareholders granted discretionary authority to the Company’s board of directors to effect one or more
reverse stock splits of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, at ratios within the range from 1-for-2
up to 1-for-5 in the aggregate. Our board of directors has not elected to implement the reverse stock split. If our board of direc-
tors determines to implement a reverse stock split, depending on the ratio for such reverse stock split determined by our board of
directors, no less than two and no more than five shares of our existing common stock will be combined into one share of common
stock. Our board of directors may implement a reverse stock split at any time on or before the day immediately preceding the
company’s annual meeting of shareholders in 2021. Our board may, in its discretion, elect not to implement any reverse stock
split if it determines that a reverse stock split would not be in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.
We are not aware of any limitations on the rights to own our Common Stock, including rights of non-resident or foreign stockhold-
ers to hold or exercise voting rights on our Common Stock, imposed by foreign law or by our articles of incorporation or bylaws.
Preferred Stock
Our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors, without any further vote or action by our stockholders, to issue up
to 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, of which 1,000,000 shares have been designated Series A Participating
Preferred Stock, in connection with our adoption of a shareholder rights plan as described below under “—Shareholders Rights
Plan,” and as of December 31, 2020 and March 15, 2021, 2,297,504 have been designated as Series C Preferred Shares and
3,195,050 have been designated as Series D Preferred Shares, and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock
established by our board of directors, 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 re-
strictions of such series; and
~ the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series.
Shareholders Rights Plan
General
Our board of directors declared a dividend of one right for each outstanding share of Safe Bulkers’ common stock. The dividend
was paid on August 20, 2020 to the shareholders of record on August 17, 2020. As a result, each share of our Common Stock
includes a right that entitles the holder to purchase from us a unit consisting of one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Partici-
pating Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $5.20 per unit, subject to specified adjustments. The rights are issued pursuant to
a shareholders rights agreement between us and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as rights agent. Until a right is
exercised, the holder of a right will have no rights to vote or receive dividends or any other shareholders rights.
The rights may have anti-takeover effects. The rights will cause substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to ac-
quire us without the approval of our board of directors. As a result, the overall effect of the rights may be to render more difficult
or a merger, tender offer or other business combination involving the Company that is not supported by our board of directors.
77
20Annual Report Because our board of directors can approve a redemption of the rights or a permitted offer, the rights should not interfere with a
merger or other business combination approved by our board of directors. The adoption of the rights agreement was approved by
our board of directors on August 6, 2020.
We have summarized the material terms and conditions of the rights agreement and the rights below. For a complete description
of the rights, we encourage you to read the stockholder rights agreement, which we have filed as an exhibit to this annual report.
Detachment of the Rights
The rights are attached to all certificates representing our outstanding common stock and will attach to all common stock certifi-
cates we issue prior to the rights distribution date that we describe below. The rights are not exercisable until after the rights dis-
tribution date and will expire at the close of business on August 5, 2030, unless we redeem or exchange them earlier as described
below. The rights will separate from the common stock and a rights distribution date will occur, subject to specified exceptions,
on the earlier of the following two dates:
(i). ten days following the first public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons or an “acquiring
person” has acquired or obtained the right to acquire beneficial ownership of 10% or more of our outstanding common
stock; or
(ii). ten business days following the start of a tender or exchange offer that would result, if closed, in a person becoming an
“acquiring person.”
Derivative positions are included for purposes of determining beneficial ownership.
Shares owned by Polys Hajioannou, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or Nicolaos Hadjioannou and entities
controlled by and/or affiliated or associated with Mr. Hajioannou or Mr. Hadjioannou or members or their respective families are
not subject to the restrictions of the Rights Plan and shareholders who beneficially owned 10% or more of Safe Bulkers’ out-
standing common stock prior to the first public announcement by the Company of the adoption of the rights plan will not trigger
any penalties under the rights plan so long as they do not acquire beneficial ownership of any additional shares of common stock
at a time when they still beneficially own 10% or more of such common stock.
Until the rights distribution date:
~ our common stock certificates will evidence the rights, and the rights will be transferable only with those certificates; and
~ any new shares of common stock will be issued with rights, and new certificates will contain a notation incorporating the
rights agreement by reference.
As soon as practicable after the rights distribution date, the rights agent will mail certificates representing the rights to holders of
record of common stock at the close of business on that date. As of the rights distribution date, only separate rights certificates
will represent the rights.
We will not issue rights with any shares of common stock we issue after the rights distribution date, except as our board of direc-
tors may otherwise determine.
Flip-In Event
A “flip-in event” will occur under the rights agreement when a person becomes an acquiring person. If a flip-in event occurs and
we do not redeem the rights as described under the heading “—Redemption of Rights” below, each right, other than any right that
has become void, as described below, will become exercisable at the time it is no longer redeemable for the number of shares of
common stock, or, in some cases, cash, property or other of our securities, having a current market price equal to two times the
exercise price of such right.
If a flip-in event occurs, all rights that then are, or in some circumstances that were, beneficially owned by or transferred to an
acquiring person or specified related parties will become void in the circumstances which the rights agreement specifies.
Flip-Over Event
A “flip-over event” will occur under the rights agreement when, at any time after a person has become an acquiring person:
~ we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction; or
~ 50% or more of our assets, cash flows or earning power is sold or transferred.
If a flip-over event occurs, each holder of a right, other than any right that has become void as we describe under the heading
“—Flip-in event” above, will have the right to receive the number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company having a
current market price equal to two times the exercise price of such right.
Antidilution
The number of outstanding rights associated with our common stock is subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or
subdivision, combination or reclassification of our common stock occurring prior to the rights distribution date. With some excep-
tions, the rights agreement does not require us to adjust the exercise price of the rights until cumulative adjustments amount to
at least 1% of the exercise price. It also does not require us to issue fractional shares of our preferred stock that are not integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a share, and, instead, we may make a cash adjustment based on the market price of the com-
mon stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise. The rights agreement reserves us the right to require, prior to the
occurrence of any flip-in event or flip-over event, that, on any exercise of rights, that a number of rights must be exercised so that
we will issue only whole shares of stock.
Redemption of Rights
At any time until ten days after the date on which the occurrence of a flip-in event is first publicly announced, we may redeem
78
Safebulkers20 the rights in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price of $0.01 per right. The redemption price is subject to adjustment for
any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring before the date of redemption. At our option, we may pay that
redemption price in cash, shares of common stock or any other consideration our board of directors may select. The rights are not
exercisable after a flip-in event until they are no longer redeemable. If our board of directors timely orders the redemption of the
rights, the rights will terminate on the effectiveness of that action.
Exchange of Rights
We may, at our option, exchange the rights (other than rights owned by an acquiring person or an affiliate or an associate of an
acquiring person, which have become void), in whole or in part. The exchange must be at an exchange ratio of one share of com-
mon stock per right, subject to specified adjustments at any time after the occurrence of a flip-in event and prior to:
~ any person other than our existing shareholder becoming the beneficial owner of common stock with voting power equal
to 50% or more of the total voting power of all shares of common stock entitled to vote in the election of directors; or
~ the occurrence of a flip-over event.
Amendment of Terms of Rights
While the rights are outstanding, we may amend the provisions of the rights agreement only as follows:
~ to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
~ to make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of holders of rights, excluding the interests of any acquiring
person; or
~ to shorten or lengthen any time period under the rights agreement, except that we cannot change the time period when
rights may be redeemed or lengthen any time period, unless such lengthening protects, enhances or clarifies the benefits
of holders of rights other than an acquiring person.
~ At any time when no rights are outstanding, we may amend any of the provisions of the rights agreement, other than de-
creasing the redemption price.
Dissenters’ rights of appraisal and payment
Under the BCA, our stockholders have the right to dissent from various corporate actions, including any merger or sale of all, or
substantially all, of our assets not made in the usual course of our business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares
as designated in the BCA. In the event of any amendment of our articles of incorporation, a stockholder also has the right to dis-
sent and receive payment for his or her shares if the amendment alters certain rights in respect of those shares. The dissenting
stockholder must follow the procedures set forth in the BCA to receive payment. In the event that we and any dissenting stock-
holder fail to agree on a price for the shares, the BCA procedures involve, among other things, the institution of proceedings in the
high court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or in any appropriate court in any jurisdiction in which our shares are primarily
traded on a local or national securities exchange. The value of the shares of the dissenting stockholder is fixed by the court after
reference, if the court so elects, to the recommendations of a court-appointed appraiser.
Stockholders’ Derivative Actions
Under the BCA, any of our stockholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a
derivative action, provided that the stockholder bringing the action is a holder of common stock of our shares both at the time
the derivative action is commenced and at the time of the transaction to which the action relates. The action must set forth with
particularity the stockholder’s efforts to have the Board initiate such action or the reason for not making any such effort.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The BCA authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors and officers to corporations and their
stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties. Our articles of incorporation include a provision
that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions taken as a director to the fullest extent per-
mitted by law.
Our bylaws provide that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by law. We are also expressly
authorized to advance certain expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements and court costs) to our directors and of-
ficers and carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees for
some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors
and executive officers.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders
from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing
the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise
benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, stockholders’ investments may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs
of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which
indemnification is sought.
Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Several provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws, which are summarized in the following paragraphs, may have anti-
takeover effects. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile change of
control and enhance the ability of our board of directors to maximize stockholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer
79
20Annual Report to acquire us. However, these anti-takeover provisions could also delay, defer or prevent (a) the merger or acquisition of our
company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, includ-
ing attempts that may result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by the stockholders, and (b) the removal of
incumbent officers and directors.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our articles of incorporation, our board of directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our
stockholders, to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, of which 1,000,000 shares have been designat-
ed Series A Participating Preferred Stock, in connection with our adoption of a shareholder rights plan as described above under
“-Shareholder Rights Plan” and as of December 31, 2020 and March 15, 2021, 2,297,504 have been designated as Series C
Preferred Shares and 3,195,050 have been designated as Series D Preferred Shares. As of the Redemption Date, no shares of
Series B Preferred Shares remained outstanding. Our board of directors may issue shares of preferred stock on terms calculated
to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or the removal of our management.
Classified Board of Directors
Our articles of incorporation provide for a board of directors serving staggered, three-year terms. Approximately one-third of our
board of directors will be elected each year. This classified board provision could discourage a third party from making a tender
offer for our shares or attempting to obtain control of our company. It could also delay stockholders who do not agree with the
policies of the board of directors from removing a majority of the board of directors for two years.
Election and Removal of Directors
Our articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our bylaws require parties other than the
board of directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. Our articles of incorporation and
bylaws also provide that our directors may be removed only for cause. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the
removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Calling of Special Meeting of Stockholders
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may only be called by our Chairman of
the board of directors, chief executive officer or secretary of the Company, at the request of a majority of our board of directors.
Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations
Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an an-
nual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary.
Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days
prior to the first anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and
content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may impede stockholders’ ability to bring matters before an annual meeting
of stockholders or to make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of stockholders.
C. Material Contracts
Not applicable.
D. Exchange Controls and Other Limitations
Affecting Security Holders
Under Marshall Islands law, there are currently no restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange con-
trols or restrictions that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident and non-Marshall Islands
citizen holders of our Common Stock.
E. Tax Considerations
Marshall Islands Tax Considerations
We are a non-resident domestic Marshall Islands corporation. Because we do not, and we do not expect that we will, conduct busi-
ness or operations in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law we are not subject to tax on income
or capital gains and our stockholders (so long as they are not citizens or residents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands) will
not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation or withholding on dividends and other distributions (including upon a return of capital)
we make to our stockholders. In addition, so long as our stockholders are not citizens or residents of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands, our stockholders will not be subject to Marshall Islands stamp, capital gains or other taxes on the purchase, holding or
disposition of our Common Stock or Preferred Shares, and our stockholders will not be required by the Republic of the Marshall
Islands to file a tax return relating to our Common Stock or Preferred Shares.
Each stockholder is urged to consult its tax counselor or other advisor with regard to the legal and tax consequences, under the
laws of pertinent jurisdictions, including the Republic of the Marshall Islands, of its investment in us.
Further, it is the responsibility of each stockholder to file all state, local and non-U.S., as well as U.S. federal tax returns that may
be required of it.
80
Safebulkers20 Liberian Tax Considerations
Some of our vessel-owning subsidiaries are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia. The Republic of Liberia enacted
a new income tax act effective as of January 1, 2001 (the “New Act”) which did not distinguish between the taxation of “non-res-
ident” Liberian corporations, such as our subsidiaries, which conduct no business in Liberia and were wholly exempt from taxation
under the income tax law previously in effect since 1977, and “resident” Liberian corporations which conduct business in Liberia
and are, and were under the prior law, subject to taxation. The New Act was amended by the Consolidated Tax Amendments Act
of 2011 which was published and became effective on November 1, 2011 (the “Amended Act”). The Amended Act specifically
exempts from taxation non-resident Liberian corporations such as our Liberian subsidiaries that engage in international shipping
(and not exclusively in Liberia) and that do not engage in other business or activities in Liberia other than as specifically enumer-
ated in the Amended Act. In addition, the Amended Act made such exemption from taxation retroactive to the effective date of
the New Act.
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion of United States federal income tax matters is based on the Code, judicial decisions, administrative
pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the United States Department of the Treasury as of the date
hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not address any United States
state or local taxes, any United States federal tax other than federal income tax or the tax on net investment income imposed by
Section 1411 of the Code. This discussion does not purport to address the tax consequences of owning our stock to all categories
of investors, some of which (such as financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-
exempt organizations, insurance companies, United States expatriates, persons holding our stock as part of a hedging, integrated,
conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, pass-through entities and
investors therein, persons who own, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, 10% or more of the vote or value
of our stock, traders or dealers in securities or currencies and United States holders whose functional currency is not the United
States dollar) may be subject to special rules. This discussion only addresses holders that hold the stock as a capital asset. This
discussion is based upon our beliefs and expectations concerning our past, current and anticipated activities, income and assets
and those of our subsidiaries, the direct, indirect and constructive ownership of our stock and the trading and quotation of our
stock. Should any such beliefs or expectations prove to be incorrect, the conclusions described herein could be adversely affected.
You are encouraged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences of the ownership of our stock aris-
ing in your own particular situation under United States federal, state, local or foreign law.
If a partnership holds our stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the
activities of the partnership. Partners in a partnership holding our stock are encouraged to consult their tax advisors.
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
Taxation of Operating Income in General
General
Unless exempt from United States federal income taxation under the rules discussed below, a foreign corporation is subject to
United States 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 shipping 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
the gross shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the
United States, exclusive of certain U.S. territories and possessions, constitutes income from sources within the United States,
which we refer to as “U.S. source gross 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 prohibited by law from engaging in transportation that produces income 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
United States federal income tax.
We are subject to a 4% tax imposed without allowance for deductions for such taxable year, as described in “Taxation in the
Absence of Exemption”, unless we qualify for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code, the requirements of which
are described in detail below. For our 2020 taxable year, we were exempt from U.S federal tax on our U.S. source gross ship-
ping income.
Exemption of Operating Income from United States Federal Income Taxation
Under Section 883 of the Code and the regulations thereunder, we will be exempt from United States federal income taxation on
our U.S.-source shipping income if:
~ we are organized in a foreign country (our “country of organization”) that grants an “equivalent exemption” to corporations
organized in the United States one of the following is true; and
~ more than 50% of the value of our stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by “qualified shareholders”, that are persons (i)
81
20Annual Report who are “residents” of our country of organization or of another foreign country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to
corporations organized in the United States, and (ii) we satisfy certain substantiation requirements, which we refer to as
the “50% Ownership Test”; or
~ our stock is “primarily” and “regularly” traded on one or more established securities markets in our country of organiza-
tion, in another country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to United States corporations, or in the United States, which
we refer to as the “Publicly-Traded Test”.
The jurisdictions where we and our shipowning subsidiaries are incorporated grant “equivalent exemptions” to United States
corporations. Therefore, we will be exempt from United States federal income taxation with respect to our U.S. source shipping
income if we satisfy either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test.
50% Ownership Test
Under the regulations, a foreign corporation will satisfy the 50% Ownership Test for a taxable year if (i) for at least half of the
number of days in the taxable year, more than 50% of the value of its stock is owned, directly or constructively through the
application of certain attribution rules prescribed by the regulations, by one or more shareholders who are residents of foreign
countries that grant “equivalent exemption” to corporations organized in the United States and (ii) the foreign corporation satis-
fies certain substantiation and reporting requirements with respect to such shareholders. Holders of warrants will not be treated
as constructive owners of shares for purposes of the 50% Ownership Test.
We satisfied the 50% Ownership Test for our 2020 taxable year, and expect that we will be able to satisfy that test going forward.
Publicly-Traded Test
The regulations provide that the stock of a foreign corporation will be considered to be “primarily traded” on an established se-
curities market in a country if the number of shares of each class of stock used to satisfy the Publicly Traded Test that is traded
during the taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such class that
is traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country.
Under the regulations, the stock of a foreign corporation will be considered “regularly traded” if one or more classes of its stock
representing 50% or more of its outstanding shares, by total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and
by total combined value of all classes of stock, are listed on one or more established securities markets (such as NASDAQ Capital
Market), which we refer to as the “listing threshold”.
The regulations further require that with respect to each class of stock relied upon to meet the listing requirement: (i) such class of
the stock is traded on the market, other than in minimal quantities, on at least sixty (60) days during the taxable year or one-sixth
(1/6) of the days in a short taxable year; and (ii) the aggregate number of shares of such class of stock traded on such market 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. Even if a foreign corporation does not satisfy both tests, the regulations provide that the trading
frequency and trading volume tests will be deemed satisfied by a class of stock if such class of stock is traded on an established
market in the United States and such class of stock is regularly quoted by dealers making a market in such stock.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the regulations provide, in pertinent part, that a class of stock will not be considered to be “regu-
larly traded” on an established securities market for any taxable year in which 50% or more of the vote and value of the outstand-
ing shares of such class of stock are owned, actually or constructively under specified attribution rules, on more than half the days
during the taxable year by persons who each own directly or indirectly 5% or more of the vote and value of such class of stock,
whom we refer to as “5% Shareholders”. We refer to this restriction in the regulations as the “Closely-Held Rule”.
For purposes of being able to determine our 5% Shareholders, the regulations permit a foreign corporation to rely on Schedule
13G and Schedule 13D filings with the Commission. The regulations further provide that an investment company that is regis-
tered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, will not be treated as a 5% Shareholder for such purposes.
Additionally, holders of warrants will not be treated as constructive owners of shares for purposes of the Closely Held Rule.
The Closely-Held Rule will not disqualify a foreign corporation, however, if it can establish and substantiate that qualified share-
holders own, actually or constructively under specified attribution rules, sufficient shares in the closely-held block of stock to
preclude the shares in the closely-held block that are owned by non-qualified 5% Shareholders from representing 50% or more
of the value of such class of stock for more than half of the days during the tax year. An analysis of our shareholding in 2020
confirmed that we can satisfy that more than 50% of our shares were held for more than half of the days in the 2020 taxable year
by qualified 5% Shareholders in combination with the shares held by less than 5% shareholders.
Due to the factual nature of the issues involved, there can be no assurance that we or any of our subsidiaries will qualify for the
benefits of Section 883 of the Code for our subsequent taxable years.
Taxation in Absence of Exemption
To the extent the benefits of Section 883 are unavailable, our U.S. source gross 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, otherwise referred to as the “4% Tax”. 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% Tax.
To the extent the benefits of the Section 883 exemption are unavailable and our U.S. source gross 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 gross shipping income, net of applicable deductions, would be subject to the U.S. federal corporate income tax cur-
rently imposed at a rate of 21%. In addition, we may be subject to the 30% “branch profits” tax on earnings effectively connected
82
Safebulkers20 with the conduct of such trade or business, as determined after allowance for certain adjustments, and on certain interest paid or
deemed paid attributable to the conduct of our U.S. trade or business.
Our U.S. source gross 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 gross 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 leasing of a vessel, is attributable to
a fixed place of business in the United States.
We do not intend to have, or permit circumstances that would result in having, any vessel operating to the United States on a regu-
larly scheduled basis, or earning income from the leasing of a vessel attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States.
Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of our shipping operations and other activities, we believe that none of our U.S.
source gross shipping income will be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
Taxation of Gain on Sale of Assets
Regardless of whether we qualify for the exemption under Section 883 of the Code, we will not be subject to United States 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
(as determined under United States 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) passes to the buyer outside of the United
States. We expect that any sale of a vessel will be so structured that it will be considered to occur outside of the United States.
United States Federal Income Taxation of United States Holders
You are a “United States holder” if you are a beneficial owner of our stock and you are a United States citizen or resident, a United
States corporation (or other United States entity taxable as a corporation), an estate the income of which is subject to United
States 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 United States persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of that trust.
Distributions on Our Stock
Subject to the discussion of PFICs (as defined below), any distributions with respect to our stock that you receive from us, other
than distributions in liquidation and distributions in redemption of our stock that are treated as exchanges, will generally con-
stitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or “qualified dividend income” as described below, to the extent of
our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under United States tax principles). Distributions in excess of
our earnings and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of your tax basis in our stock (on a
dollar-for-dollar basis) and thereafter as capital gain. Because we do not intend to determine our earnings and profits on the basis
of United States federal income tax principles, any distribution paid will generally be reported as a “dividend” for United States
federal income tax purposes.
Because we are not a United States corporation, if you are a United States corporation (or a United States entity taxable as a
corporation), you will not be entitled to claim a dividends-received deduction with respect to any distributions you receive from us.
Dividends paid with respect to our stock will generally be treated as “passive category income” for purposes of computing allow-
able foreign tax credits for United States foreign tax credit purposes.
If you are an individual, trust or estate, dividends you receive from us should be treated as “qualified dividend income” taxed at
preferential rates, provided that:
(a) the Common Stock or Preferred Shares on which the dividends are paid are readily tradable on an established securities
market in the United States (such as the NYSE);
(b) we are not a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (see the
discussion below under “—PFIC Status”);
(c) you own our stock for more than (x) in the cases where the dividends on the Preferred Shares are attributable to a period or
periods aggregating in excess of 366 days, 90 days in the 181-day period beginning 90 days before the date on which the
Preferred Shares become ex-dividend or (y) in all other cases, 60 days in the 121-day period beginning 60 days before
the date on which the stock becomes ex-dividend;
(d) you are not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related
property; and
(e) certain other conditions are met.
Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend.” Generally, an extraordinary dividend is: (i) a dividend in an amount that is
equal to (or in excess of) (x) 10%, in the case of Common Stock, or (y) 5%, in the case of the Preferred Shares, of your adjusted
tax basis in (or the fair market value of, in certain circumstances) a share of our stock or (ii) dividends received within a one-year
period that, in the aggregate, equal or exceed 20% of your adjusted tax basis in (or fair market value of in certain circumstances)
a share of our stock. If we pay an “extraordinary dividend” on our stock that is treated as “qualified dividend income” and if you
are an individual, estate or trust, then any loss you derive from a subsequent sale or exchange of such stock will be treated as
long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.
83
20Annual Report There is no assurance that dividends you receive from us will be eligible for preferential rates. Dividends you receive from us that
are not eligible for any preferential rate will be taxed at the ordinary income rates.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Stock
Provided that we are not a PFIC for any taxable year and except as provided in the discussion under “Redemption of Stock,” you
generally will recognize taxable gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our stock, in an amount equal to the
difference between the amount realized by you from such sale, exchange or other disposition and your tax basis in such stock.
Such gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period is greater than one year at the time of the
sale, exchange or other disposition. Such capital gain or loss will generally be treated as United States source income or loss, as
applicable, for United States foreign tax credit purposes. Your ability to deduct capital losses against ordinary income is subject
to limitations.
Redemption of Stock
In the case of a redemption of stock (including a disposition of stock to us or persons related to us), unless the redemption satis-
fies one of the tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code for treating the redemption as a sale or exchange, the redemption
will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a distribution. If the redemption is treated as a sale or exchange of the United
States holder’s stock, the United States holder’s treatment will be as discussed above in “—Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition
of Stock.” The redemption will be treated as a sale or exchange only if it (i) is “substantially disproportionate,” (ii) constitutes
a “complete termination of the holder’s stock interest” in us or (iii) is not “essentially equivalent to a dividend,” each within the
meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code. In determining whether any of the alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code is met,
shares of our capital stock actually owned, as well as shares considered to be owned by the United States holder by reason of
certain constructive ownership rules, must be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the alternative
tests of Section 302(b) of the Code is satisfied with respect to a particular holder of the stock will depend on that holder’s particu-
lar facts and circumstances as of the time the determination is made, United States holders should consult their own tax advisors
to determine their tax treatment of a redemption of stock in light of their own particular investment circumstances.
PFIC Status
Special United States income tax rules apply to you if you hold stock in a non-United States corporation that is classified as
a“passive foreign investment company” (or “PFIC”) for United States income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a PFIC
in any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules, either:
(a) at least 75% of our gross income for such taxable year consists of “passive income” (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains
and rents derived other than in the active conduct of a rental business); or
(b) at least 50% of the average value of our assets during such taxable year consists of “passive assets” (i.e., assets that
produce, or are held for the production of, passive income).
For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, we will be treated as earning and owning our proportionate share of the in-
come 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 we earn, or are deemed to earn, in connection with the performance of services will not constitute passive income.
By contrast, rental income will generally constitute passive income (unless we are treated under certain special rules as deriving
our rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business).
Because we have chartered all of our vessels to unrelated charterers on the basis of period time and spot time charter contracts
(and not on the basis of bareboat charters) and because we expect to continue to do so, we believe that currently we should not be
treated as being and should not become a PFIC. We believe it is more likely than not that our gross income derived from our time
charter activities constitutes active service income (as opposed to passive rental income) and, as a result, our vessels constitute
active assets (as opposed to passive assets) for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. We believe there is legal author-
ity supporting this position, consisting of case law and United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) pronouncements concerning
the characterization of income derived from time charters as service income for other tax purposes. However, there is no legal
authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing PFICs or relating to circumstances substantially similar to
ours. Moreover, in Tidewater Inc. v. United States, 565 F.3d 299 (5th Cir. 2009), the United States Court of Appeals for the
Fifth Circuit held that, contrary to the position of the IRS in that case, and for purposes of a different set of rules under the Code,
income received under a time charter of vessels should be treated as rental income rather than services income. If the reasoning
of the Fifth Circuit case were extended to the PFIC context, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our time
chartering activities would be treated as rental income, and we would probably be a PFIC. The IRS has stated that it disagrees with
the holding in Tidewater and has specified that income from period time charters should be treated as services income. However,
the IRS’ statement with respect to the Tidewater decision was an administrative action that cannot be relied upon or otherwise
cited as precedent by taxpayers.
We have not sought, and we do not expect to seek, an IRS ruling on this matter. As a result, the IRS or a court could disagree with
our position that we are not currently a PFIC. No assurance can be given that this result will not occur. In addition, although we in-
tend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid, to the extent possible, being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year,
we cannot assure you that the nature of our operations will not change in the future, or that we can avoid PFIC status in the future.
As discussed below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, you generally would be subject to one of three different
United States income tax regimes, depending on whether or not you make certain elections. Additionally, you would be required
to file annual information returns with the IRS.
Taxation of United States Holders That Make a Timely QEF Election
84
Safebulkers20 If we were treated as a PFIC, and if you make a timely election to treat us as a “Qualified Electing Fund” for United States tax
purposes (a “QEF Election”), you would be required to report each year your allocable share of our ordinary earnings and our net
capital gain for our taxable year that ends with or within your taxable year, regardless of whether we make any distributions to
you. Such income inclusions would not be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to “qualified dividend income.” Your
adjusted tax basis in our stock would be increased to reflect such taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of
earnings and profits that had previously been taxed would result in a corresponding reduction in your adjusted tax basis in our
stock and would not be taxed again once distributed. You would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or
other disposition of our stock. Even if you make a QEF Election for one of our taxable years, if we were a PFIC for a prior taxable
year during which you held our stock and for which you did not make a timely QEF Election, you would also be subject to the more
adverse rules described below under “—Taxation of United States Holders That Make No Election.”
You would make a QEF Election with respect to any year that our company is treated as a PFIC by completing and filing IRS
Form 8621 with your United States income tax return in accordance with the relevant instructions. If we were to become
aware that we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, we would notify all United States holders of such treatment
and would provide all necessary information to any United States holder who requests such information in order to make the
QEF election described above.
Taxation of United States Holders That Make a Timely “Mark-to-Market” Election
Alternatively, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we expect, our stock is treated as “marketable stock,”
you would be allowed to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to our stock, provided that you complete and file IRS Form
8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions. If that election is made, you generally would include as ordinary income in each
taxable year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of our stock at the end of the taxable year over your adjusted tax basis
in our stock. You also would be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of your adjusted tax basis in our stock
over its fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as
a result of the mark-to-market election). Your tax basis in our stock would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amount.
Gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our stock would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized on
the sale, exchange or other disposition of the 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 you.
Taxation of United States Holders That Make No Election
Finally, if we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and if you did not make either a QEF Election or a “mark-to-market”
election for that year, you would be subject to special rules with respect to (a) any excess distribution (that is, the portion of any
distributions received by you on our stock in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by
you in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, your holding period for our stock) and (b) any gain realized on the sale,
exchange or other disposition of our stock. Under these special rules:
(1) the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over your aggregate holding period for our Common Stock;
(2) the amount allocated to the current taxable year would be taxed as ordinary income; and
(3) the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the
applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with
respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.
If an individual dies while owning our stock, the individual’s successor generally would not receive a step-up in tax basis with re-
spect to such stock for United States tax purposes.
United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-United States Holders
You are a “non-United States holder” if you are a beneficial owner of our stock (other than a partnership for United States tax
purposes) and you are not a United States holder.
Distributions on Our Stock
You generally will not be subject to United States income or withholding taxes on dividends you receive from us with respect to our
stock, unless that income is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If you are entitled
to the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty with respect to those dividends, that income generally is taxable in the United
States only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Our Stock
You generally will not be subject to United States income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or
other disposition of our stock, unless:
(a) the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If you are entitled to the
benefits of an applicable income tax treaty with respect to that gain, that gain generally is taxable in the United States only
if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States; or
(b) you are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of disposition and
certain other conditions are met.
If you are engaged in a United States trade or business for United States tax purposes, you will be subject to United States tax with
respect to your income from our 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 in the same manner as if you were a United States holder. In
addition, if you are a corporate non-United States holder, your earnings and profits that are attributable to the effectively connected
85
20Annual Report income (subject to certain adjustments) may be subject to an additional United States branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, or at a
lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
United States Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, if you are a non-corporate United States holder, dividend payments (or other taxable distributions) made within the
United States will be subject to information reporting requirements and backup withholding tax if you:
(1) fail to provide us with an accurate taxpayer identification number;
(2) are notified by the IRS that you have failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on your federal income
tax returns; or
(3) in certain circumstances, fail to comply with applicable certification requirements.
United States holders who are individuals generally will be required to report certain information with respect to an interest in our
stock by attaching a completed IRS Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, with their tax return for each
year in which they hold an interest in our stock. These requirements are subject to exceptions, including an exception for shares
held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions and an exception applicable if the aggregate value of all “specified
foreign financial assets” (as defined in the Code) held by the United States holder (and, as applicable, by his or her spouse) does
not exceed a specified minimum amount.
If you are a non-United States holder, you may be required to establish your exemption from information reporting and backup
withholding by certifying your status on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI or W-8IMY, as applicable. If you sell our stock to
or through a United States office or broker, the payment of the sales proceeds is subject to both United States backup withholding
and information reporting unless you certify that you are a non-United States person, under penalties of perjury, or you other-
wise establish an exemption. If you sell our stock through a non-United States office of a non-United States 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, United States information reporting requirements (but not backup withholding) will apply to a payment of
sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United States, if you sell our stock through a non-United States office of
a broker that is a United States person or has certain other connections with the United States.
Backup withholding tax is not an additional tax. Rather, you generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under backup
withholding rules that exceed your income tax liability by accurately completing and timely filing a refund claim with the IRS. You
should consult your own tax advisor regarding the application of the backup withholding and information reporting rules.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. In accordance
with these requirements, we file reports and other information as a foreign private
issuer with the SEC. You may inspect reports and other information regarding regis-
trants, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC without charge at a web site
maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
86
Safebulkers20 PART II
ITEM 11.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
MARKET RISK
A. Quantitative Information About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to market risks relating to changes in interest rates because we have floating rate debt outstanding, which is based
on U.S. dollar LIBOR plus, in the case of each credit facility, a specified margin. Our objective is to manage the impact of interest
rate changes on our earnings and cash flow in relation to our borrowings and to this effect, when we deem appropriate, we use
derivative financial instruments.
We did not have any outstanding interest rate derivatives and we did not enter into any interest rate derivative contracts during
2019. During 2020 we entered into several interest rate derivative contracts. The total notional principal amount of these swaps
as of December 31, 2020 was $244.3 million. The swaps have specified rates and durations. Refer to the table in Note 13 of
the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report which summarizes the interest rate swaps in place
as of December 31, 2020. Under these transactions, the counterparty bank effects quarterly floating-rate payments to us for
the relevant amount based on the three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR and we make quarterly payments to the bank on the relevant
amount at the respective fixed rates. We may enter into additional interest rate swap agreements in order to manage future inter-
est costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates. We entered into these interest rate swap agreements to mitigate
our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and at a time when we believed long-term interest rates were reasonably low. None of
our interest rate swap meets hedge accounting criteria under accounting guidance relating to Derivatives and Hedging. Although
we are exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance in connection with such swap agreements, because the
counterparties are major financial institutions, we consider the risk of loss due to their nonperformance to be minimal. Through
these swap transactions, we effectively hedged the interest rate exposure of 44% of our loans outstanding as of December 31,
2020, which bear interest at LIBOR.
The following table sets forth the sensitivity of our existing loans as of December 31, 2020, as to a 100 basis point increase in
LIBOR, taking into account our interest rate swap agreements that are currently in place, during the next five years, and reflects
the additional interest expense.
Year
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Amount
$
2.6
million
1.8
million
0.6
million
—
million
0.1
million
Freight Derivatives and Bunker Swaps
We are subject to markets risks relating to changes in charter rates because we have entered into a certain number of FFA’s on the
Panamax index maturing in 2021 and 2022. Generally freight derivatives may be used to hedge a vessel owner’s exposure to the
charter market for a specified route and period of time. Upon settlement, if the contracted charter rate is less than the average of
the rates reported on an identified index for the specified route and time period, the seller of the FFA is required to pay the buyer
the settlement sum, being an amount equal to the difference between the contracted rate and the settlement rate, multiplied by
the number of days of the specified period. Conversely, if the contracted rate is greater than the settlement rate, the buyer is
required to pay the seller the settlement sum. If we take positions in FFAs or other derivative instruments we could suffer losses
in the settling or termination of these agreements. This could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flow.
Our FFA derivatives do not qualify as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes and therefore gains or losses are recognized in
earnings. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred a net unrealized loss on FFAs of $0.2 million. We did not have any
outstanding FFA derivatives during the year ended December 2019.
We are also subject to markets risks relating to changes in the prices of bunkers prices because we have entered into a certain
number of bunker swap contracts to manage our exposure to fluctuations of bunker price differentials associated with the con-
sumption of bunkers by our vessels. Bunker swaps are agreements between two parties to exchange cash flows at a fixed price
on bunkers, where volume, time period and price are agreed in advance. If we take positions in bunker swaps or other derivative
instruments we could suffer losses in the settling or termination of these agreements. This could adversely affect our results of
operations and cash flow.
87
20Annual Report
We used these bunker swaps as an economic hedge to reduce the risk on bunker price differentials. Our bunker swaps do not
qualify as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes and therefore gains or losses are recognized in earnings. Bunker swaps are
treated as assets/liabilities until they are settled. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, we entered into a num-
ber of bunker swaps. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred a gain on bunkers swaps of $0.2 million, whereas for
the year ended December 31, 2019, we incurred a loss of $0.1 million.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars, but for the year ended December 31, 2020 we incurred approximately 28.3%
of our vessel operating expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and the vast majority of our management fees to our
Managers in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 26.7% of our outstanding accounts
payable were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and were subject to exchange rate risk, as their value fluctuates
with changes in exchange rates.
A hypothetical 10.0% immediate and uniform adverse move in all currency exchange rates from the rates in effect as of Decem-
ber 31, 2020, would have increased our vessel operating expenses by approximately $2.0 million, our management fees to our
Managers by approximately $1.9 million and the fair value of our outstanding accounts payable by approximately $0.2 million.
As of December 31, 2020, the majority of our outstanding contractual obligations to our Managers were denominated in Euros,
equivalent to $70.4 million. A hypothetical 10% immediate adverse move in the Euro exchange rate from the rate in effect as of
December 31, 2020, would have increased our outstanding contractual obligations to our Managers by approximately $6.8 mil-
lion. While, from time to time, we have in the past used financial derivatives in the form of foreign exchange forward agreements
to mitigate the risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations, currently, no such instruments are in place, although we may enter
into foreign exchange forward agreements in the future in relation to the remaining expenditures denominated in Euros.
ITEM 12.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER
THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 13.
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14.
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS
OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
A. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders
We adopted a shareholder rights plan on August 6, 2020, that authorizes the issuance to our existing stockholders of preferred
share rights and additional shares of Common Stock if any third party seeks to acquire control of a substantial block of our Com-
mon Stock. See “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws—Shareholder Rights Plan” included in
this annual report for a description of the shareholders rights plan.
ITEM 15.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
A. Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness
of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the
Exchange Act as of December 31, 2020. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined under SEC rules as controls and other
procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or sub-
mits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. Disclosure controls
and procedures include without limitation controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed
by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s man-
agement, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate,
to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of dis-
closure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and
procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving
their control objectives. Based on our evaluation, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer have concluded that our
disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020.
88
Safebulkers20 B. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Finan-
cial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act and for the assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over finan-
cial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s
principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the Company’s board
of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and
the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements
in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with au-
thorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) 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 misstate-
ments. 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.
In making its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, management, including the
chief executive officer and chief financial officer, used the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission of 2013 (“COSO”).
Management concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. Deloitte Certi-
fied Public Accountants S.A. (“Deloitte”), our independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the financial statements
included herein and our internal control over financial reporting and has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 which is reproduced in its entirety in Item 15(c) below.
C. Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Safe Bulkers, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of Decem-
ber 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control —
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, of the Company and our report
dated March 30, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assess-
ment 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 indepen-
dent 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 mate-
rial 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 of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reli-
ability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally ac-
cepted 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
89
20Annual Report company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors 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, pro-
jections 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/ Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.
Athens, Greece
March 30, 2021
During the period covered by this annual report, we have made no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that
have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
D. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
ITEM 16.
[RESERVED]
ITEM 16A.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
Our Audit Committee consists of three independent directors, Ole Wikborg, Christos Megalou and Frank Sica, who is the chair-
man of the committee. Our board of directors has determined that Frank Sica, whose biographical details are included in “Item 6.
Directors, Senior Management and Employees—A. Directors and Senior Management,” qualifies as an audit committee “financial
expert,” as such term is defined in Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.
ITEM 16B.
CODE OF ETHICS
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for all officers and employees of our company, which incorporates a
Code of Ethics for directors and a Code of Conduct for corporate officers, a copy of which is posted on our website, and may be
viewed at http://www.safebulkers.com/corp_ethics.htm. We will also provide a paper copy of this document free of charge upon
written request by our stockholders. Stockholders may direct their requests to the attention of Dr. Loukas Barmparis, Secre-
tary, Safe Bulkers, Inc., e-mail: directors@safebulkers.com, telephone: +30 2111 888 400, +357 25 887 200. No waivers of
the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics have been granted to any person during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
ITEM 16C.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 by the Company’s principal
accounting firm, Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm and member of
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Limited, by the category of service, were as follows:
Audit fees
All other fees
Total fees
2019
2020
(in thousands)
320 $
13
333 $
378
19
397
$
$
Audit fees represent compensation for professional services rendered for the integrated audit of the consolidated financial state-
ments of the Company and for the review of the quarterly financial information as well as in connection with the review of the
Annual Report, review of registration statements and related consents and comfort letters and any other audit services required
for SEC or other regulatory fillings. Other fees represent fee for professional services rendered in connection with assistance
provided with the Company’s cyber security assessment, including cyber awareness training.
Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
The audit committee charter sets forth our policy regarding retention of the independent auditors, giving the audit committee
responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the independent auditors. The audit com-
mittee charter provides that the committee is responsible for reviewing and approving in advance the retention of the independent
90
Safebulkers20
auditors for the performance of all audit and lawfully permitted non-audit services. The chairman of the audit committee or in the
absence of the chairman, any member of the audit committee designated by the chairman, has authority to approve in advance
any lawfully permitted non-audit services and fees. The audit committee is authorized to establish other policies and procedures
for the pre-approval of such services and fees. Where non-audit services and fees are approved under delegated authority, the
action must be reported to the full audit committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
ITEM 16D.
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS
FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not Applicable.
ITEM 16E.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AF-
FILIATED PURCHASERS
Preferred Stock
On February 20, 2018, the Company completed the redemption of all remaining outstanding 379,514 Series B Preferred Shares
at a redemption price of $25.00 per Series B Preferred Share plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends to, but excluding, the
Redemption Date. From and after the Redemption Date, all distributions on the Series B Preferred Shares ceased to accumulate,
such Series B Preferred Shares are no longer outstanding, and all rights of the holders of such shares terminated.
On March 19, 2020, the Company announced a share repurchase program under which it may from time to time purchase up to
100,000 Series C Preferred Shares and up to 100,000 Series D Preferred Shares on the open market. The Company’s share re-
purchase program does not obligate it to purchase any of its Preferred Shares, and the share repurchase program may be modified
or terminated at any time without prior notice. Any such purchases will be made in the open market in compliance with applicable
laws and regulations. As of December 31, 2020, 2,496 Series C Preferred Shares and 4,950 Series D Preferred Shares had
been repurchased and cancelled under this repurchase at an average price of $11.87 and $11.95, respectively.
Common Stock
In June 2019, the Company implemented a new program for the repurchase of an amount of up to 5,000,000 shares of its
common stock. In March 2020, we expanded such share repurchase program to provide for the repurchase of an additional
1,500,000 shares of Common Stock on the open market which expired in June 2020. Any such purchases were made in the
open market in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. All 6,126,579 shares of Common Stock repurchased under this
program were canceled.
Details on the shares purchased under such program as of March 15, 2021, are set forth in the table below:
Total Number of Shares
of Common Stock
Purchased(a)
Average Price Paid per
Share of Common Stock
Total Number of Common Shares
Purchased as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs
Period
June 2019
November 2019
December 2019
Total
January 2020
February 2020
March 2020
April 2020
May 2020
June 2020
Total
Total 2019 & 2020
1,361
845,022
155,913
1,002,296
69,788
1,017,724
1,853,225
916,179
989,490
277,877
5,124,283
6,126,579
1.45
1.69
1.74
1.70
1.39
1.33
1.17
1.10
0.97
1.03
1.15
1.24
(a) All purchases were made on the open market in accordance with Rule 10b-18 and Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act.
1,361
845,022
155,913
1,002,296
69,788
1,017,724
1,853,225
916,179
989,490
277,877
5,124,283
6,126,579
91
20Annual Report ITEM 16F.
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not Applicable.
ITEM 16G.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Statement of Significant Differences Between our Corporate Governance Practices and the NYSE Corpo-
rate Governance Standards for U.S. Non-Controlled Issuers
Overview
Pursuant to certain exceptions for foreign private issuers, we are not required to comply with certain of the corporate governance
practices followed by U.S. companies under the NYSE listing standards. However, pursuant to Section 303.A.11 of the NYSE
Listed Company Manual and the requirements of Form 20-F, we are required to state any significant differences between our
corporate governance practices and the practices required by the NYSE. We believe that our established practices in the area of
corporate governance are in line with the spirit of the NYSE standards and provide adequate protection to our shareholders. For
example, our audit committee consists solely of independent directors. The significant differences between our corporate gover-
nance practices and the NYSE standards applicable to listed U.S. companies are set forth below.
Independent Directors
The NYSE requires that listed companies have a majority of independent directors. As permitted under Marshall Islands law and
our bylaws, our board of directors consists of a majority of non-independent directors.
Executive Sessions
The NYSE requires that non-management directors meet regularly in executive sessions without management. The NYSE also
requires that all independent directors meet in an executive session at least once a year. As permitted under Marshall Islands
law and our bylaws, our non-management directors do not regularly hold executive sessions without management and we do not
expect them to do so.
Corporate Governance, Nominating and Compensation Committee
The NYSE requires that a listed U.S. company have a nominating/corporate governance committee and a compensation com-
mittee, each composed of independent directors. As permitted under Marshall Islands law and our bylaws, we have a combined
corporate governance, nominating and compensation committee, which at present is comprised solely of independent directors.
Shareholder Approval Requirements
The NYSE requires that a listed U.S. company obtain prior shareholder approval for certain issuances of authorized stock or the
approval of, and material revisions to, equity compensation plans. However, as permitted under Marshall Islands law, we do not
need to obtain prior shareholder approval in connection with such issuances or equity compensation plans.
ITEM 16H.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not Applicable.
ITEM 17.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not Applicable.
ITEM 18.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reference is made to pages F-1 through F-41 incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 19.
EXHIBITS
92
Safebulkers20 Exhibit
Description
1.1
First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-150995))
1.2
Articles of Amendment of First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 99.1 on the Company’s Form 6-K, filed on October 8, 2009)
1.3
First Amended and Restated Bylaws (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2
on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-150995))
2.1
Form of Registration Rights Agreement between Safe Bulkers, Inc. and Vorini Holdings Inc. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.2 on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-150995))
2.2
Shareholders Rights Agreement, dated August 5, 2020, between Safe Bulkers, Inc.
and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.
on the Company’s Form 6-K, filed on August 6, 2021)
2.3
Specimen Share Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
on the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-150995))
2.4
2.5
2.6
Statement of Designation of the 8.00% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares
(Par Value $0.01 Per Share) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4
on the Company’s Form 8-A12B filed on May 7, 2014)
Statement of Designation of the 8.00% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares
(Par Value $0.01 Per Share) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4
on the Company’s Form 8-A12B filed on June 30, 2014)
Statement of Designation of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of Series A Participating Preferred Stock
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 on the Company’s Form 6-K, filed on August 6, 2021)
2.7
Description of Securities
4.1
Management Agreement, dated May 29, 2018, between Safety Management Overseas S.A.
and Safe Bulkers, Inc.
4.2
Management Agreement, dated May 29, 2018, between Safe Bulkers Management Limited
and Safe Bulkers, Inc.
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
Second Amended and Restated Restrictive Covenant Agreement, dated August 2, 2017, among Safe Bulkers,
Inc., Polys Hajioannou, Vorini Holdings Inc. and Machairiotissa Holdings Inc. (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.3 on the Company’s Form 20-F, filed on March 2, 2018)
Second Amended and Restated Restrictive Covenant Agreement, dated August 2, 2017, between
Safe Bulkers, Inc. and Polys Hajioannou (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4
on the Company’s Form 20-F, filed on March 2, 2018)
Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated October 3, 2018, by and among Safe Bulkers, Inc.,
DNB Bank ASA, as Mandated Lead Arranger, DNB Bank ASA, as Agent, DNB Bank ASA, as Swap Provider,
and DNB Bank ASA, as Security Agent
Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated March 28, 2019, by and among Safe Bulkers, Inc.,
DNB Bank ASA, as Mandated Lead Arranger, DNB Bank ASA, as Agent, DNB Bank ASA, as Swap Provider,
and DNB Bank ASA, as Security Agent
At-The-Market Equity Offering Sales Agreement between Safe Bulkers, Inc. and DNB Markets, Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 on the Company’s Form 6-K, filed on August 7, 2020)
8.1
List of Subsidiaries
93
20Annual Report
Exhibit
Description
12.1
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
12.2
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
13.1
Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as added by
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.2
Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as added
by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
15.1
Consent of Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.
101
The following materials from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2020, formatted in lnline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2020; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the
years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for
the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and autho-
rized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
SIGNATURES
March 30, 2021
By: /s/ KONSTANTINOS ADAMOPOULOS
Name: Konstantinos Adamopoulos
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Director
94
Safebulkers20
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended
December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-2
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-9
F1
20Annual Report REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Safe Bulkers Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of De-
cember 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial state-
ments”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also 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, 2020, based on criteria established
in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission and our report dated March 30, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting.
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 re-
quired 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 state-
ments, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examin-
ing, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluat-
ing 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.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the consolidated financial
statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or
disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or
complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated finan-
cial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion
on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Vessel Impairment – Future Charter Rates – Refer to Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements.
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s evaluation of its vessels for impairment involves an initial assessment of each vessel to determine whether events
or changes in circumstances exist that may indicate that the carrying amount of the vessel is greater than its fair value and may
no longer believed to be recoverable. Total vessels as of December 31, 2020 were $942.2 million.
If indicators of impairment exist for a vessel, the Company determines the recoverable amount by estimating the undiscounted
future cash flows associated with the vessel. If the carrying value of the vessel exceeds its undiscounted future net cash flows,
the carrying value is reduced to its fair value. The undiscounted cash flows incorporate various factors and significant assump-
tions, including estimated future charter rates. Future charter rates reflect the rates currently in effect for the duration of their
current charters, and an estimated daily time charter equivalent for the unchartered period using the twelve month budgeted rate
for the vessel class for the first year; the Forward Freight Agreement charter rate for the vessel class for the second year; and
thereafter, the most recent ten-year historical time charter average for the vessel class adding an estimated premium for vessels
with installed scrubbers.
We identified future charter rates used in the undiscounted future cash flows analysis as a critical audit matter because of the
complex judgements made by management to estimate future charter rates and the significant impact they have on undiscounted
cash flows expected to be generated over the remaining useful life of the vessel.
This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort when performing audit procedures to evaluate
the reasonableness of management’s projected charter rates.
How the Critical Audit Matter was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the future charter rates utilized in the undiscounted future cash flows included the following
among others:
F2
Safebulkers20 ~ We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s review of the impairment analysis, including the future charter
rates used within the undiscounted future cash flows analysis.
~ We evaluated the reasonableness of the Company’s estimate of future charter rates by:
~ Evaluating the Company’s methodology for estimating the future charter rates by using our industry experience.
~ Comparing the future charter rates utilized in the undiscounted future cash flow analysis to (1) historical rate information
by vessel class published by third parties, (2) the Company’s historical rates, (3) the Company’s budget, (4) other external
market sources, including analysts’ reports, market reports on spreads on marine fuel (for determination of premium for
scrubber fitted vessels), reports on prospective market outlook and (5) other internal information, such as communica-
tions to the board of directors.
/s/ Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.
Athens, Greece
March 30, 2021
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2007.
F3
20Annual Report SAFE BULKERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2020
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for share and per share data)
December 31,
Notes
2019
2020
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
Time deposits
Accounts receivable
Assets held for sale
Due from Manager
Inventories
Derivative assets current
Accrued revenue
Restricted cash
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total current assets
FIXED ASSETS:
Vessels, net
Advances for vessels
Total fixed assets
OTHER NON CURRENT ASSETS:
Deferred financing costs
Restricted cash
Derivative assets long-term
Accrued revenue
Other non current assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt, net
Liability directly associated with assets held for sale
Unearned revenue
Trade accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Derivative liabilities current
Due to Manager
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt, net
Unearned revenue Long-term
Derivative liabilities long-term
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MEZZANINE EQUITY - Redeemable non-controlling interest
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 200,000,000 authorized, 104,251,019
and 102,174,594 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2020,
respectively
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 authorized, 2,300,000 and
2,297,504 Series C Preferred Shares, 3,200,000 and 3,195,050 Series D
Preferred Shares, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2020,
respectively
Additional paid in capital
Retained earnings
Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders’ equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
F4
6
3
13
17
4
5
13
17
7
6
17
14
13
3
7
17
13
10
9
8
8
$
78,938 $
27,440
15,359
—
558
9,265
—
158
—
4,271
135,989
944,706
19,294
964,000
258
13,701
—
455
240
1,114,643
64,054
—
3,040
12,965
6,595
121
9
86,784
536,995
648
—
274
624,701
90,038
11,780
4,884
8,057
48
12,036
99
557
3,400
3,835
134,734
942,164
9,126
951,290
160
18,754
54
75
562
1,105,629
75,784
3,983
6,223
13,480
4,663
582
—
104,715
531,883
3,536
1,396
1,240
642,770
17,200
18,112
104
102
55
55
356,963
115,620
472,742
1,114,643
354,284
90,306
444,747
1,105,629
Safebulkers20
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED December 31, 2018, 2019 AND 2020
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for share and per share data)
Years Ended December 31,
Notes
2018
2019
2020
REVENUES:
Revenues
Commissions
Net revenues
EXPENSES:
Voyage expenses
Vessel operating expenses
Depreciation
General and administrative expenses
- Management fee to related parties
- Company administration expenses
Early redelivery cost, net
Other operating expense
Operating income
OTHER (EXPENSE)/INCOME:
Interest expense
Other finance cost
Interest income
Gain/(loss) on derivatives
Foreign currency (loss)/gain
Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges
Net income/(loss)
Less preferred dividend attributable
to preferred shareholders
Less Mezzanine equity measurement
Net income/(loss) available to common shareholders
Earnings/(loss) per share in U.S. Dollars,
basic and diluted
Weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted
11
$
$
201,548
(8,357)
193,191
$
206,682
(8,921)
197,761
12
4
3,16
16
7
13
$
$
19
(6,378)
(63,512)
(48,067)
(16,536)
(2,706)
(105)
—
55,887
(25,713)
(973)
929
18
(670)
(1,794)
27,684
11,384
—
16,300
0.16
(13,715)
(68,569)
(50,310)
(18,050)
(2,589)
(63)
(414)
44,051
(26,815)
(714)
1,558
(121)
(76)
(1,845)
16,038
11,498
$
$
199
4,341
0.04
$
$
206,035
(7,877)
198,158
(41,582)
(70,086)
(54,269)
(18,884)
(2,618)
—
(241)
10,478
(21,233)
(641)
604
(1,303)
916
(1,726)
(12,905)
11,500
908
(25,313)
(0.25)
101,604,339
101,686,312
102,617,944
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
F5
20Annual Report
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED December 31, 2018, 2019 AND 2020
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
Common
Stock
Treasury
Stock
Preferred
Stock
Additional
Paid in
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Total
59 $ 361,202 $ 95,105 $ 456,348
27,684
—
27,684
—
—
—
(4)
—
3,296
—
(9,484)
120
—
—
—
—
3,297
(617)
(9,488)
120
—
—
(11,510)
55 $ 355,134 $ 111,279 $ 465,834
16,038
—
(11,510)
16,038
—
—
—
—
—
—
6,596
(4,151)
(736)
120
—
—
—
—
—
6,600
(4,153)
—
120
(199)
(199)
—
—
(11,498)
55 $ 356,963 $ 115,620 $ 472,742
(12,905)
—
(12,905)
(11,498)
—
—
3,297
(89)
(6,007)
120
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(908)
3,300
(89)
(6,012)
120
(908)
—
55 $ 354,284 $
—
(11,501)
(11,501)
90,306 $ 444,747
Balance as of January 1, 2018
Net income
Issuance of common stock
Repurchase of common stock
Repurchase and cancellation
of preferred stock
Share based compensation
Preferred share dividends declared
Balance as of December 31, 2018
Net income
Issuance of common stock
Repurchase and cancellation
of common stock
Cancellation of common treasury stock
Share based compensation
Mezzanine equity measurement
Preferred share dividends declared
Balance at December 31, 2019
Net loss
Issuance of common stock
Repurchase and cancellation
of preferred treasury stock
Repurchase and cancellation
of common stock
Share based compensation
Mezzanine equity measurement
Preferred share dividends declared
Balance at December 31, 2020
$
$
$
$
102 $
—
(120) $
—
1
—
—
—
—
(617)
—
—
—
103 $
—
—
(737) $
—
4
(2)
(1)
—
—
—
104 $
—
3
(5)
—
—
—
102 $
—
—
737
—
—
—
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
F6
Safebulkers20
SAFE BULKERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018, 2019 AND 2020
(In thousands of U.S. Dollars)
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income/(loss)
Adjustments to reconcile (net loss)/income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation
Other non cash items
Amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges
Unrealized loss on derivatives
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain)/loss
Share based compensation
Change in:
Accounts receivable
Due from Manager
Inventories
Accrued revenue
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Due to Manager
Trade accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Non current assets / Other liabilities
Unearned revenue
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Vessel advances
Increase in bank time deposits
Maturity of bank time deposits
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt
Principal payments of long-term debt
Dividends paid
Payment of deferred financing costs
Payment of common stock offering expenses
Repurchase of common stock
Repurchase of preferred stock
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Financing Activities
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest (excluding capitalized interest):
Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Unpaid financing fees
Part payment of vessel advances through issuance of common stock and pre-
ferred stock
Unpaid dividend on preferred stock
December 31,
2018
2019
2020
27,684
16,038
(12,905)
48,067
—
1,794
60
119
120
(534)
(23)
88
1,771
(1,097)
23
2,630
2,625
—
2,122
85,449
(45,932)
(60,795)
43,057
(63,670)
187,513
(179,725)
(11,387)
(1,873)
(3)
(617)
(9,488)
(15,580)
6,199
(119)
56,510
62,590
50,310
279
1,845
121
(10)
120
(4,217)
41
(5,540)
476
(1,448)
(14)
5,045
(2,892)
104
(1,974)
58,284
(39,240)
(84,969)
87,424
(36,785)
177,575
(151,335)
(11,495)
(2,052)
—
(4,153)
—
8,540
30,039
10
62,590
92,639
54,269
241
1,726
1,704
(254)
120
10,475
510
(3,531)
(19)
436
(9)
2,455
1,049
1,038
6,071
63,376
(50,444)
(93,793)
109,453
(34,784)
92,400
(81,995)
(11,497)
(1,762)
(338)
(6,012)
(89)
(9,293)
19,299
254
92,639
112,192
23,849
29,348
20,943
540
440
111
20,175
6,600
3,300
123
128
134
F7
20Annual Report Unpaid common stock offering expenses
Unpaid capital expenditure
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash – Current assets
Restricted cash – Non current assets
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown
in the statement of cash flows
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
December 31,
—
5,611
—
1,028
51,879
310
10,401
78,938
—
13,701
56
964
90,038
3,400
18,754
62,590
92,639
112,192
F8
Safebulkers20 SAFE BULKERS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands of United States Dollars—except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)
1.Basis of Presentation and General Information
Safe Bulkers, Inc., (“Safe Bulkers”) was formed on December 11, 2007, under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Safe Bulkers’ common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “SB.”
Polys Hajioannou and his family, by virtue of shares owned indirectly through various private entities are the controlling share-
holders of Safe Bulkers and as a result control the outcome of matters on which shareholders are entitled to vote, including the
election of the entire board of directors and other significant corporate actions.
Since Safe Bulkers’ initial public offering, Safe Bulkers has successfully completed five additional public common stock offerings
and three preferred stock offerings.
As of December 31, 2020, Safe Bulkers held 50 wholly-owned companies (which are referred to herein as “Subsidiaries”) which
together owned and operated a fleet of 42 drybulk vessels and were scheduled to acquire two additional newbuild vessels (the
“Newbuilds”).
Safe Bulkers and its Subsidiaries are collectively referred to in the notes to the consolidated financial statements as the
“Company.”
The Company’s principal business is the ownership and operation of drybulk vessels. The Company’s vessels operate worldwide,
carrying drybulk cargo for the world’s largest consumers of marine drybulk transportation services. Safety Management Overseas
S.A., a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Panama (“Safety Management”) and Safe Bulkers Management
Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Cyprus (“Safe Bulkers Management,” and, together with Safety
Management, the “Managers,” and either of them “the Manager”), related parties both controlled by Polys Hajioannou, provide
technical, commercial and administrative management services to the Company.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the operations, assets and liabilities of the Company, and of its
Subsidiaries listed below.
Subsidiary
Vessel Name
Type
Built
Paraskevi
Maria
Koulitsa
Vassos
Katerina
Maritsa
Maxeikosiepta Shipping Corporation (“Maxeikosiepta”)(1)(5)
Marindou Shipping Corporation (“Marindou”)(1)
Maxeikosiexi Shipping Corporation (“Maxeikosiexi”)(1)
Avstes Shipping Corporation (“Avstes”)(1)(6)
Kerasies Shipping Corporation (“Kerasies”)(1)
Marathassa Shipping Corporation (“Marathassa”)(1)
Kyotofriendo One Shipping Corporation (“Kyotofriendo One”)(2)(7) Paraskevi 2
Maxeikositessera Shipping Corporation (“Maxeikositessera”)(2)
Glovertwo Shipping Corporation (“Glovertwo”)(2)
Shikokutessera Shipping Inc. (“Shikokutessera”)(2)
Shikokupente Shipping Inc. (“Shikokupente”)(2)
Gloverfour Shipping Corporation (“Gloverfour”)(2)
Shikokuokto Shipping Corporation (“Shikokuokto”)(2)
Gloverfive Shipping Corporation (“Gloverfive”)(2)
Gloversix Shipping Corporation (“Gloversix”)(2)
Pemer Shipping Ltd. (“Pemer”)(1)
Petra Shipping Ltd. (“Petra”)(1)
Pelea Shipping Ltd. (“Pelea”)(1)
Vassone Shipping Corporation (“Vassone”)(2)
Maxeikosi Shipping Corporation (“Maxeikosi”)(1)
Maxeikositria Shipping Corporation (“Maxeikositria”)(1)
Maxeikosiena Shipping Corporation (“Maxeikosiena”)(1)
Youngone Shipping Corporation (“Youngone”)(2)
Youngtwo Shipping Corporation (“Youngtwo”)(2)
Pinewood Shipping Corporation (“Pinewood”)(2)(3)
Marinouki Shipping Corporation (“Marinouki”)(1)
Soffive Shipping Corporation (“Soffive”)(1)
Vasstwo Shipping Corporation (“Vasstwo”)(1)
Efrossini
Zoe
Kypros Land
Kypros Sea
Kypros Bravery
Kypros Sky
Kypros Loyalty
Kypros Spirit
Pedhoulas Merchant
Pedhoulas Trader
Pedhoulas Leader
Pedhoulas Commander
Pedhoulas Builder
Pedhoulas Fighter
Pedhoulas Farmer
Pedhoulas Cherry
Pedhoulas Rose
Pedhoulas Cedrus
Marina
Sophia
Xenia
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Panamax
Kamsarmax
Kamsarmax
Kamsarmax
Kamsarmax
Kamsarmax
Kamsarmax
Kamsarmax
Kamsarmax
Kamsarmax
Kamsarmax
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax
January 2003
April 2003
April 2003
February 2004
May 2004
January 2005
April 2011
February 2012
July 2013
January 2014
March 2014
January 2015
March 2015
June 2015
July 2016
March 2006
May 2006
March 2007
May 2008
May 2012
August 2012
September 2012
July 2015
January 2017
June 2018
January 2006
June 2007
August 2006
F9
20Annual Report Subsidiary
Vessel Name
Type
Built
Eleni
Eniaprohi Shipping Corporation (“Eniaprohi”)(1)
Martine
Eniadefhi Shipping Corporation (“Eniadefhi”)(1)
Andreas K
Maxdodeka Shipping Corporation (“Maxdodeka”)(1)
Agios Spyridonas
Pentakomo Shipping Corporation (“Pentakomo”)(2)
Panayiota K
Maxdekatria Shipping Corporation (“Maxdekatria”)(1)
Venus Heritage
Maxdeka Shipping Corporation (“Maxdeka”)(2)
Venus History
Shikoku Friendship Shipping Company (“Shikoku”)(2)
Venus Horizon
Maxenteka Shipping Corporation (“Maxenteka”)(2)
Troodos Sun
Shikokuepta Shipping Inc. (“Shikokuepta”)(2)
Troodos Air
Shikokuexi Shipping Inc. (“Shikokuexi”)(2)
Troodos Oak
Monagrouli Shipping Corporation (“Monagrouli”)(2)
Kanaris
Maxpente Shipping Corporation (“Maxpente”)(1)
Pelopidas
Eptaprohi Shipping Corporation (“Eptaprohi”)(1)
Lake Despina
Maxtessera Shipping Corporation (“Maxtessera”)(2)
Mount Troodos
Shikokuennia Shipping Corporation (“Shikokuennia”)(2)
TBN - H 1381
Agros Shipping Corporation (“Agros”)(2)(4)
TBN -H 11013
Lofou Shipping Corporation (“Lofou”)(2)(4)
—
Gloverthree Shipping Corporation (“Gloverthree”)(2)
—
Staloudi Shipping Corporation (“Staloudi”)(1)
Gloverseven Shipping Corporation (“Gloverseven”)(2)
—
Kyotofriendo Two Shipping Corporation (“Kyotofriendo Two”)(2)(3) —
—
Maxeikosipente Shipping Corporation (“Maxeikosipente”)(1)
November 2008
February 2009
September 2009
January 2010
April 2010
December 2010
September 2011
February 2012
January 2016
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax
Post-Panamax March 2016
April 2020
Post-Panamax
March 2010
Capesize
November 2011
Capesize
January 2014
Capesize
November 2009
Capesize
April 2022
Kamsarmax
April 2022
Post-Panamax
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(1) Incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Liberia.
(2) Incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
(3) In July 2016, the Shipsales Contract relating to Hull No. 1552, initially contracted by Kyotofriendo Two, was novated to Pinewood. Under an agreement
with an unaffiliated third party, upon delivery of the vessel, named Pedhoulas Cedrus, to Pinewood in June 2018, 100 shares of Series A Preferred Stock
of Pinewood were issued to the unaffiliated third party for proceeds in the equivalent of $16,875 at the time of issuance, which were used to finance part of
the cost of such vessel. Such shares had preference over shares of common stock of Pinewood with respect to distributions by, and liquidation of, Pinewood.
Furthermore, under this agreement, Pinewood agreed to (i) pay its own expenses out of its own funds, (ii) keep its assets and funds separate from the assets
and funds of the Company, (iii) refrain from holding its assets and/or creditworthiness as being available to satisfy any of the obligations of the Company
and (iv) take, or refrain from taking, certain other actions designed to ensure that the assets of Pinewood are not available to creditors of Safe Bulkers or
its other subsidiaries. All Series A Preferred Stock were redeemed by Pinewood in February 2021, and as a result all previously mentioned restrictions no
longer exist.
(4) Estimated completion date for newbuild vessels as of December 31, 2020.
(5) Vessel held for sale. Sale is scheduled to be consummated in April 2021. See Note 6 and subsequent events Note 20.
(6) Vessel scheduled to be sold in May 2021. See subsequent events Note 20.
(7) The Company acquired the vessel as second-hand in March 2021. See subsequent events Note 20.
For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 the following charterers individually accounted for more than 10% of
the Company’s revenues as follows:
Viterra B.V. (ex-Glencore Agriculture B.V.)
Bunge S.A.
Cargill International S.A.
December 31,
2018
14.73 %
13.76 %
— %
2019
21.03 %
10.37 %
— %
2020
15.01 %
— %
11.13 %
Coronavirus Outbreak: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (the “2019-
nCoV”) outbreak a pandemic. In response to the outbreak, many countries, ports and organizations, including those where we
conduct a large part of our operations, have implemented measures to combat the outbreak, such as quarantines and travel re-
strictions, which may continue to cause trade disruptions and volatility in the commodity markets. We have experienced and may
continue to experience lower drybulk rates, as a result of the reduction of the global demand for dry bulk cargoes such as iron ore
and coal, and additional costs to effect crew changes. Although to date there has not been any significant effect on our operating
activities due to 2019-nCoV other than the decrease in market rates in 2020, which have recovered in 2021, and increased crew
cost, the extent to which a new wave of the 2019-nCoV will impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition
will depend on future developments, which are uncertain and cannot be predicted, including among others, new information which
may emerge concerning the severity of the virus and the effectiveness of the actions taken to contain or treat its impact or any
F10
Safebulkers20
resurgence or mutation of the virus, the availability and effectiveness of vaccines and their global deployment. Accordingly, an
estimate of the future impact cannot be made at this time.
2.Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with ac-
counting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include all accounts of the Company. All
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the 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. Significant estimates may include vessel valuations, the valuation of amounts due from charterers, residual
value of vessels and the useful life of vessels. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss): The Company follows the accounting guidance relating to Statement of Comprehensive
Income, which requires separate presentation of certain transactions that are recorded directly as components of shareholders’
equity. The Company has no other comprehensive income/(loss) and accordingly comprehensive income/(loss) equals net in-
come/(loss) for the periods presented.
Foreign Currency Translation: The reporting and functional currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar (“USD”). Transactions
incurred in other currencies are translated into USD using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transaction. On the bal-
ance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in other currencies are translated into USD to reflect the
end-of-period exchange rates. Resulting gains or losses from foreign currency transactions are recorded within Foreign currency
gain/(loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in the period in which they arise.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of current, call, time deposits and certificates of deposit with
original maturities of three months or less and which are not restricted for use or withdrawal.
Time Deposits: Time deposits are held with banks with original maturities longer than three months. In the event remaining
maturities are shorter than 12 months, such deposits are classified as current assets; if original maturities are longer than 12
months, such deposits are classified as non-current assets.
Restricted Cash: Restricted cash represents minimum cash deposits or cash collateral deposits required to be maintained with
certain banks under the Company’s borrowing arrangements or in relation to bank guarantees issued on behalf of the Company.
In the event that the obligation relating to such deposits is expected to be terminated within the next 12 months, these deposits
are classified as current assets; otherwise they are classified as non-current assets.
Accounts Receivable: Accounts receivable reflect trade receivables from time or voyage charters and other receivables from
operational activities, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. On each balance sheet date, all potentially uncollectible accounts
are assessed individually for purposes of determining the appropriate provision for doubtful accounts. No allowance for doubtful
accounts was recorded for any of the periods presented.
Inventories: Inventories consist of bunkers and lubricants owned by the Company remaining on board the vessels at the end of
each reporting period, which are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first–in, first-
out method. Inventories consist of $5,422 and $8,346 of bunkers and of $3,843 and $3,690 of lubricants as of December 31,
2019 and 2020, respectively.
Vessels, Net: Vessels are stated at their cost, which consists of the contracted purchase price and any direct material expenses
incurred upon acquisition (including improvements, on-site supervision expenses and financing costs incurred during the con-
struction period for vessels under construction, commissions paid, delivery expenses and other expenditures to prepare the ves-
sel for her initial voyage), less accumulated depreciation and impairment, if any. Certain subsequent expenditures for conversions,
major improvements and regulatory requirements are also capitalized if it is determined that they appreciably extend the life,
increase the earning capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels.
Vessels’ Depreciation: Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the vessels, after
considering the estimated residual value. The Company estimates the useful life of its vessels to be 25 years from the date of
initial delivery from the shipyard. Second-hand vessels are depreciated from the date they become available for use through their
remaining estimated useful life.
Accounting for Special Survey and Drydocking Costs: Special survey and drydocking costs are expensed in the period incurred
and are included in vessel operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Repairs and Maintenance: Repair and maintenance expenses, including major overhauling and underwater inspection expens-
es, are expensed when incurred and are included in vessel operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements
of operations.
Impairment of Vessels: The Company follows the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 360-10, “Property, Plant
and Equipment” (“ASC 360-10”), which requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than
their carrying amounts. If indicators of impairment are present, the Company performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscount-
ed future net cash flows of the related long-lived vessels. Various factors including anticipated future charter rates, estimated
scrap values, future drydocking costs and estimated voyage and vessel operating costs are included in this analysis. If the carrying
value of the related vessel exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its estimated fair value and the
F11
20Annual Report difference is recorded as an impairment loss in the consolidated statements of operations.
Assets Held for Sale: The Company may dispose of certain of its vessels when suitable opportunities occur, including prior to the
end of their useful lives. The Company classifies assets as being held for sale when the following criteria are met: (i) management
is committed to sell the asset; (ii) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition; (iii) an active program to locate
a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated; (iv) the sale of the asset is probable,
and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year; (v) the asset is being actively
marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value; and (vi) 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.
Long-lived assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less the cost to sell
the asset. These assets are no longer depreciated once they meet the criteria of being held for sale. As of December 31, 2020
the vessel Paraskevi and the related inventory on board was classified as held for sale as all relevant conditions were met. There
were no assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019.
Deferred Financing Costs: Financing fees incurred for obtaining new loans and credit facilities are deferred and amortized over
the term of the respective loan or credit facility using the effective interest rate method. The unamortized deferred financing costs
are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related loan and credit facility in the consolidated balance
sheet. Deferred financing costs relating to undrawn facilities are presented under non-current assets in the consolidated balance
sheet. Any unamortized balance of costs relating to loans repaid or refinanced is expensed in the period in which the repayment
or refinancing is made, subject to the guidance regarding Debt Extinguishment. Any unamortized balance of costs related to
credit facilities repaid and terminated is expensed in the same period. Any unamortized balance of costs relating to the credit
facilities refinanced is deferred and amortized over the term of the respective refinanced credit facility in the period in which the
refinancing occurs, subject to the provisions of the accounting guidance relating to Changes in Line-of-Credit or Revolving-Debt
Arrangements.
Derivative Instruments: The Company may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts, interest rate derivatives, bunker fuel
price derivatives and forward freight contracts to create economic hedges for its exposure to foreign currency movement, interest
rates of its loan obligations, bunker fuel consumed by its vessels and freight rates relating to the fluctuation of the vessel charter
markets and on certain other obligations. When such derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting the Company records these
financial instruments in the consolidated balance sheet at their fair value as either a derivative asset or a liability, and recognizes
the fair value changes thereto in the consolidated statements of operations. When the derivatives do qualify for hedge accounting,
depending upon the nature of the hedge, changes in fair value of the derivatives are either offset against the fair value of assets,
liabilities or firm commitments through income, or recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) (effective portion) until the
hedged item is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31,
2019 and December 31, 2020, no derivatives were accounted for as accounting hedges.
Financial Instruments:
(a) Interest rate risk: The Company’s interest rates and long-term loan repayment terms are described in Note 7. The Com-
pany manages its interest rate risk by entering into interest rate derivative instruments which are described in Note 13.
(b) Concentration of credit risk: Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations
of credit risk, consist principally of trade accounts receivable, cash and cash equivalents, time deposits and derivative
instruments. 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 trade accounts receivable. The Company
places its cash and cash equivalents, time deposits and other investments with high credit quality financial institutions.
The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of financial institutions it transacts with. The
Company may be exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by its counterparties to derivative instruments;
however, the Company may limit its exposure by transacting with counterparties with high credit ratings.
(c) Fair value measurement: In accordance with the requirements of accounting guidance relating to Fair Value Measurement,
the Company classifies and discloses assets and liabilities carried at fair value in one of the following three 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.
Treasury stock: The Company records the repurchase of its shares at cost based on the settlement dates of repurchase trans-
actions. These shares are classified as treasury stock, as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. Treasury shares are included in
authorized and issued shares but excluded from outstanding shares.
Accounting for Revenues and Related Expenses: The Company generates its revenues from charterers for the charter hire of its
vessels. Vessels are chartered under time charter or infrequently under voyage contracts.
A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a specific period of time and a specified daily fixed charter hire rate, or a rate
linked to either the Baltic Exchange Panamax Index (‘’BPI’’) or to the Baltic Exchange Capesize Index (‘’BCI’’). The charter hire is
generally payable in advance. The Company’s time charter agreements are classified as operating leases pursuant to Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842 - Leases, because (i) the vessel is an identifiable asset, (ii) the Company does not have sub-
stantive substitution rights and (iii) the charterer has the right to control the use of the vessel, during the term of the contract, and
derives the economic benefits from such use. Time charter revenue is recognized when a charter agreement exists, the vessel is
made available to the charterer and collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured. Time charter revenues are recognized
as earned on a straight-line basis over the term of the charter as service is provided. Revenues from time charter may also include
F12
Safebulkers20 ballast bonus, which is an amount paid by the charterer for repositioning the vessel at the charterer’s disposal (delivery point),
which is recognized as revenue over the term of the charter, and other miscellaneous revenues from vessel operations. Time
charter hire is typically payable 15 or 30 days in advance as determined in the charter party agreement. On implementation of
ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the Company elected to apply a package of practical expedients under ASC 842, which allowed the
Company, not to reassess (i) whether any existing contracts, on the date of adoption, contained a lease, (ii) lease classification of
existing leases classified as operating leases in accordance with ASC 840 and (iii) initial direct costs for any existing leases. ASC
842 also provides a practical expedient to lessors by class of underlying asset, to not separate non lease components from the as-
sociated lease component when the following criteria are met (i) the timing and pattern of transfer for the lease component is the
same as those for the non-lease component associated with that lease component and (ii) the lease component, if accounted for
separately, would be classified as an operating lease. The Company, making use of this practical expedient for lessors, has elected
not to separate the lease and non-lease components included in the time charter revenue but rather to recognize operating lease
revenue as a combined single lease component for all time charter contracts as the related lease component, the hire of a vessel,
and non-lease component, the fees for operating and maintaining the vessel, have the same timing and pattern of transfer (both
the lease and non-lease components are earned by passage of time) and the predominant component is the lease.
Expenses relating to the Company’s time charters are vessel operating expenses and certain voyage expenses, which are paid
by the Company and recognized as incurred. Vessel operating expenses that are paid by the Company include costs for crewing,
insurance, lubricants, spare parts, provisions, stores, repairs, maintenance, statutory and classification expense, drydocking, in-
termediate and special surveys and other minor miscellaneous expenses. Voyage expenses which are also recognized as incurred
by the Company include costs for draft surveys, hold cleaning, postage, extra war risk insurance and other minor miscellaneous
expenses related to the voyage. Voyage expenses relating to bunkers consumption during the ballast period are considered
contract fulfillment costs and are capitalized and amortized over the term of the charter when they meet the following criteria
according to ASC 340-40-25-5: (i) the costs relate directly to a contract or to an anticipated contract that the entity can specifi-
cally identify, (ii) the costs generate or enhance resources of the entity that will be used in satisfying, or in continuing to satisfy,
performance obligations in the future and (iii) the costs are expected to be recovered. The charterer is responsible for paying the
cost of bunkers and other voyage expenses (e.g., port expenses, agents’ fees, canal dues, extra war risks insurance and any other
expenses related to the cargo). Certain voyage expenses paid by the Company such as extra war risk insurance may be recovered
from the charterer; such amounts recovered are recorded as Other Income within Revenues.
Vessels are also chartered under voyage charters, where a contract is made for the use of a vessel under which the Company is
paid freight on the basis of moving cargo from a loading port to a discharge port. The Company accounts for a voyage charter
when all the following criteria are met: (i) the parties to the contract have approved the contract in the form of a written charter
agreement or fixture recap and are committed to perform their respective obligations, (ii) the Company can identify each party’s
rights regarding the services to be transferred, (iii) the Company can identify the payment terms for the services to be transferred,
(iv) the charter agreement has commercial substance (that is, the risk, timing, or amount of the future cash flows is expected to
change as a result of the contract) and (v) it is probable that the Company will collect substantially all of the consideration to which
it will be entitled in exchange for the services that will be transferred to the charterer. The voyage contracts are considered service
contracts which fall under the provisions of ASC 606 because the Company as the ship-owner retains the control over the opera-
tions of the vessel such as directing the routes taken or the vessel speed. In a voyage charter contract, the performance obliga-
tions begin to be satisfied once the vessel begins loading the cargo. The Company determined that its voyage charters consist of a
single performance obligation which is met evenly as the voyage progresses and hence, the voyage revenues are recognized on a
straight line basis over the duration of the voyage from commencement of the loading to completion of discharge. Probable losses
on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses can be estimated. Related expenses are operating expenses, bunkers
and voyage expenses and are all paid for by the Company. The costs incurred during the period prior to commencement of loading
the cargo, primarily bunkers, are deferred as they represent setup costs and recorded as a current asset and are amortized on a
straight-line basis as the related performance obligations are satisfied. Costs incurred prior to loading which are directly related
to the voyage, primarily bunkers, may be deferred, as they represent setup costs, if they meet certain conditions, and are amor-
tized on a straight-line basis as the related performance obligations are satisfied over the duration of the voyage from load port
to discharge port. Such deferred costs are presented in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance
Sheets. Costs incurred during the voyage are expensed as incurred.
Voyage hire is typically paid partially upon initiation of the voyage and partially upon completion of the performance obligation.
During the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, there has been one instance in
2018 and two instances in 2020, where a vessel was employed under a voyage charter. The voyage charter during the year
ended December 31, 2018 had begun and ended in the same period. One of the voyage charters that begun during the year ended
December 31, 2020 ended in the same period, while the remaining voyage charter ended after December 31, 2020.
Unearned revenue includes: (i) cash received prior to the balance sheet date relating to services to be rendered after the balance
sheet date and (ii) deferred revenue resulting from straight-line revenue recognition in respect of charter agreements that provide
for varying charter rates. Accrued revenue results from straight-line revenue recognition in respect of charter agreements that
provide for varying charter rates.
Commissions (address and brokerage), regardless of charter type, are always paid by the Company, are deferred and amortized
over the related charter period and are presented as a separate line item in revenues to arrive at net revenues in the accompany-
ing consolidated statements of operations.
Taxes: Entities within the group that are incorporated under the laws of either the Republic of Liberia or the Republic of the
Marshall Islands are not subject to Liberian or Marshall Islands income taxes. However, each vessel-owning Subsidiary is subject
F13
20Annual Report to registration and tonnage taxes under the laws of the Republic of Cyprus or the Republic of the Marshall Islands depending on
where each Company’s vessel is registered. As of January 1, 2013, each vessel managed in Greece is subject to tonnage tax,
under the laws of the Republic of Greece. These registration and tonnage taxes are recorded within Vessel operating expenses in
the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and none are considered income taxes.
Furthermore, until the year ended December 31, 2018 each Subsidiary was subject to a 4.00% U.S. federal tax in respect of its
U.S. source shipping income (imposed on gross income without the allowance for any deductions). For our 2019 and 2020 tax-
able years, we were exempt from U.S federal tax on our U.S. source gross shipping income.
Such taxes have been recorded within Voyage expenses. If such taxes were recovered from the charterers such amounts recovered
were recorded within Revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Dividends: Dividends are recorded in the period in which they are declared by the Company’s board of directors.
Earnings/(Loss) Per Share: The computation of basic earnings/(loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of com-
mon stock outstanding during the year and includes the shares issuable to the audit committee chairman and the independent
directors at the end of each year for services rendered. The computation of basic earnings/(loss) per share is calculated after
deducting the preferred stock dividends paid and accrued (including any deemed dividend) from net income/(loss) divided by the
weighted average number of shares.
Segment Reporting: The Company reports financial information and evaluates its operations by total charter revenue and not
by the type of vessel or vessel employment for its customers. The Company’s vessels have similar operating and economic char-
acteristics. As a result, management, including the chief operating decision makers, reviews operating results solely by revenue
per day and operating results of the fleet, and thus the Company has determined that it operates under one reportable segment.
Furthermore, when the Company charters a vessel to a charterer, the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide and, as a
result, the disclosure of geographic information is impracticable.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
Reference Rate Reform: In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate
Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”).” ASU 2020-
04 provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the guidance in U.S. GAAP on contract modifications and hedge
accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered
Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. In January 2021, the FASB issued Accounting
Standard Update (“ASU”) 2021-01 (Topic 848), which amends and clarifies the existing accounting standard issued in March
2020 (“ASU”) 2020-04 for Reference Rate Reform. Reference rates such as LIBOR, are widely used in a broad range of financial
instruments and other agreements. The ASU permits entities to elect certain optional expedients and exceptions when account-
ing for derivative contracts and certain hedging relationships affected by changes in the interest rates used for discounting cash
flows, for computing variation margin settlements, and for calculating price alignment interest in connection with reference rate
reform activities under way in global financial markets (the “discounting transition”). The ASU 2020-04 is effective for adoption
at any time between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2022, for all entities and the ASU 2021-01 is effective for all enti-
ties as of January 7, 2021 through December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has not made any contract
modifications to replace the reference rate in any of its agreements and has yet not evaluated the effects of this standard on its
consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
3.Transactions with Related Parties
A. The Managers
The Company enters from time to time into management agreements with the Managers for the provision of executive officers and
management services to vessel-owning Subsidiaries. Pursuant to the management agreements, the vessel-owning Subsidiaries
enter into separate ship management agreements with either one of the Managers under which chartering, operations, technical
and accounting services are provided to the vessels. Pursuant to the management agreements, the Subsidiaries that have entered
into agreements to acquire newbuild vessels are required to enter into supervision agreements with either one of the Managers.
The Managers under these agreements receive fees, (the “Fees”), comprised of ship management fees, (the “Ship Management
Fees”), supervision fees, (the “Supervision Fees”) and sale and purchase commissions, (the “Commissions”). The Managers are
both related parties that are controlled by Polys Hajioannou.
On May 29, 2018, following the expiration of the old management agreements, Safe Bulkers signed new management agree-
ments with the Managers (the “Management Agreements”). The Management Agreements have an initial term of three years ex-
piring on May 28, 2021 and can be extended for two additional terms of three years each. The fees provided by the Management
Agreements are fixed until May 29, 2021 and upon mutual agreement with the Managers, can be adjusted for a subsequent term
of three years each time on May 29, 2021 and May 29, 2024.
In accordance with the Management Agreements, the Managers receive:
~ Ship Management Fees comprised of a daily ship management fee of €875 per vessel, payable monthly in arrears to the
respective Manager and an annual ship management fee of €3,000,000 payable quarterly in arrears to only one of the
Managers;
~ Supervision Fees of $550 with respect to each newbuild for the services rendered by one of the Managers under the super-
vision agreement of which 50% is payable upon the signing of the relevant supervision agreement, and 50% is payable
upon successful completion of the sea trials of each newbuild; and
~ Commissions equal to 1.00% calculated on the price set forth in the memorandum of agreement or other sale and purchase
F14
Safebulkers20 newbuild contract, or any other vessel bought or sold by the Company, payable upon final delivery of such vessel to the rel-
evant purchaser. No commissions are charged on sale and lease back transactions.
For the period starting January 1, 2017 to May 28, 2018 the old management agreements provided for Ship Management Fees
of $0.975 per day per vessel, Supervision Fees and Commissions were in line with those noted above.
The Ship Management Fees are recorded in Management Fees to Related Parties within General and Administrative Expenses (re-
fer to Note 15). The Commissions on purchase of newbuilds or second-hand vessels and the Supervision Fees are recorded in Ad-
vances for vessels (refer to Note 5). The Commissions on sale are recorded in Gain or Loss on sale of assets, as the case may be.
Amounts due from Manager under the management agreements were $558 and $48 as of December 31, 2019 and December
31, 2020, respectively. Amounts due to Manager under the management agreements were $9 and $0 as of December 31, 2019
and December 31, 2020, respectively.
The Fees charged by our Managers comprised the following:
Ship Management Fees
Supervision Fees
Commissions
Year Ended December 31,
$
2018
16,536
275
586
$
2019
18,050
275
—
$
2020
18,884
275
330
B. Credit Facilities and Interest Rate Swap Facility
During 2020, Lofou entered into a credit facility (refer to Note 7) with a financial institution for an amount up to $20,000, which
will be available for drawing in 2022 upon delivery to Lofou of the newbuild vessel that will secure such credit facility. The Com-
pany agreed with the same financial institution the increase of the available amount by $10,000 and the extension of the tenor
by up to two years of an existing revolving credit facility that had been signed in 2019 for an original amount of $20,000.
During 2020, the Company entered into an interest rate swap facility with the same financial institution, for a notional amount of
up to $80,000. One of the independent members of the board of directors of the Company currently serves as the Chief Execu-
tive Officer of this financial institution. The transactions were evaluated and approved by the board of directors of the Company
excluding that independent member of the board of directors of the Company.
C. Principal Executive Office Lease
The Company leases office space from a company controlled by Polys Hajioannou, at Apt. D11, Les Acanthes, 6, Avenue des Cit-
ronniers, MC98000 Monaco, where our principal executive office is established. The office space lease contract is for the period
until February 2023 with an annual lease payment in the amount of EUR 63,000 equivalent to $76 as of December 31, 2020,
and is recorded in “General and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
4.Vessels, Net
Vessels, net are comprised of the following:
Balance, January 1, 2019
Transfer from Advances for vessels
Depreciation expense
Balance, December 31, 2019
Transfer from Advances for vessels
Transfer to Assets held for sale
Depreciation expense
Balance, December 31, 2020
Vessel
Cost
1,272,351
39,725
—
1,312,076
59,265
(13,881)
—
1,357,460
Accumulated
Depreciation
(317,060)
—
(50,310)
(367,370)
—
6,343
(54,269)
(415,296)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Net Book
Value
955,291
39,725
(50,310)
944,706
59,265
(7,538)
(54,269)
942,164
Transfer from Advances for vessels represents advances paid for vessels under construction and vessels acquisitions which
were delivered to the Company, completed vessel improvements in respect of ballast water treatment systems (“BWTS”) and
sulfur oxide exhaust gas cleaning systems (“Scrubbers”), and vessel improvements in respect of second-hand vessels acquired
and comprised:
~ During the year ended December 31, 2019: BWTS and Scrubbers retrofitting on several vessels; and
~ During the year ended December 31, 2020: Delivery to the Company of Troodos Oak (ex-Hull No. S 1772) and BWTS and
Scrubbers retrofitting on several vessels.
Transfer to Assets held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2020 relates to the vessel Paraskevi; refer to Note 6 below.
Consistent with prior practices, we reviewed all our vessels for impairment and none were found to be impaired at December 31,
2019 and December 31, 2020.
F15
20Annual Report As of December 31, 2020, 31 vessels owned by the Company with a carrying value of $679,761 had first priority mortgages
registered as security for certain of the Company’s loans and credit facilities, while title of ownership is held by the relevant lender
for another 10 vessels with a carrying value of $242,994 to secure the relevant sale and lease back financing transactions. See
further Note 7.
5.Advances for Vessels
Advances for vessels are comprised of the following:
Balance, January 1, 2019
Additions for advances, including capitalized expenses and interest
Transferred to vessel cost (refer to Note 4)
Balance, December 31, 2019
Additions for advances, including capitalized expenses and interest
Transferred to vessel cost (refer to Note 4)
Balance, December 31, 2020
$
$
8,596
50,423
(39,725)
19,294
49,097
(59,265)
9,126
Advances paid for vessels represent advances paid for vessel acquisitions, vessels under construction and vessel improvements
and comprise payments of instalments that were due to the respective shipyard or third-party sellers, capitalized interest, certain
capitalized expenses and expenditures for major improvements and regulatory compliance. During December 31, 2019 and De-
cember 31, 2020, such payments were made for the following vessels:
~ During the year ended December 31, 2019: advances for Troodos Oak, BWTS and Scrubbers retrofitting and improve-
ments for several vessels; and
~ During the year ended December 31, 2020: advances for Troodos Oak, Hull 1381, Hull 11013, BWTS and Scrubbers
retrofitting and improvements for several vessels.
6. Assets Held for Sale
Assets held for sale of $8,057 as of December 31, 2020, represents the carrying value of the vessel Paraskevi of $7,538 plus
the value of bunkers and lubricants onboard on the same date. A Memorandum of Agreement (‘MoA’) was entered into with an
unrelated third party on January 21, 2021, for her sale at a price of $7,300, which is expected to be consummated in April 2021
on delivery of the vessel to her new buyers. The independent brokers’ valuation of the vessel Paraskevi as of December 2020,
was $8,000 and hence there was no impairment indicator. The Company, in the context of its plan to gradually renew its fleet by
selling certain of its older vessels, in November 2020, determined to dispose of this vessel and commenced seeking interested
buyers. At that time, the Company concluded that the vessel met all the criteria for asset held for sale classification, and ceased
her depreciation.
7.
Long Term Debt
Long term debt is comprised of the following borrowings:
Borrower
Maxdekatria 1
Pentakomo 1
Maxeikosiepta 1
Safe Bulkers 1
Maxtessera 1
Shikokupente - Shikokuennia - Pemer - Petra 1
Shikokupente 1
Shikokuennia 1
Shikokuepta 1
Petra 1
Pemer 1
Avstes 1
Maxeikositria 1
Maxeikosi 1
Maxpente 1
Maxeikositessera 1
Maxenteka 1
Safe Bulkers 1
F16
Commencement
July 2018
July 2018
December 2018
April 2019
November 2018
July 2019
August 2018
October 2018
February 2016
November 2018
November 2018
June 2019
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
September 2017
November 2018
December 31,
Maturity
January 2020
January 2020
February 2021
June 2022
October 2022
January 2023
August 2023
October 2023
February 2024
November 2023
November 2023
May 2024
August 2024
August 2024
August 2024
August 2024
August 2024
August 2024
2019
10,250
10,250
4,500
10,000
24,000
10,000
13,455
15,267
18,783
7,343
7,343
6,190
11,239
11,239
16,750
11,700
13,934
27,500
2020
—
—
4,000
8,000
22,000
8,510
12,927
14,385
17,150
6,135
6,135
5,985
10,893
10,893
16,100
11,310
13,536
22,250
Safebulkers20
Safe Bulkers 1
Maxeikosiexi 1
Marathassa 1
Marinouki 1
Kerasies 1
Soffive 1
Eptaprohi 1
Pelea - Vasstwo - Eniaprohi - Vassone 1
Safe Bulkers 2
Maxdeka 3
Shikoku Friendship 3
Shikokutessera 3
Glovertwo 3
Maxeikosiena 3
Pentakomo 3
Maxdekatria 3
Youngtwo 3
Monagrouli 1
Shikokuokto 3
Gloversix 3
Total
Current portion of long-term debt
Liability directly associated with assets held for
sale
Long-term debt
Total debt
Current portion of deferred financing costs
Deferred financing costs directly associated with
assets held for sale
Deferred financing costs non-current
Total deferred financing costs
Total debt
Less: Total deferred financing costs
Total debt, net of deferred financing costs
Less: Current portion of long-term debt, net of
current portion of deferred financing costs
Less: Liability directly associated with assets
held for sale
Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs,
non-current
1.Credit facility.
2.Revolving credit facility.
3.Sale and leaseback financing transaction.
November 2014
September 2015
September 2015
September 2015
September 2015
September 2015
September 2015
December 2018
December 2019
November 2019
November 2019
November 2019
November 2019
September 2015
January 2020
January 2020
January 2017
April 2020
December 2019
December 2019
December 31,
September 2024
March 2023
March 2023
March 2023
March 2023
March 2023
March 2023
December 2024
December 2024
August 2025
August 2025
August 2025
August 2025
September 2025
January 2026
January 2026
January 2027
April 2027
December 2027
December 2027
86,504
5,186
5,622
8,487
5,942
9,193
43,294
44,750
—
21,020
22,111
21,459
20,209
19,292
—
—
22,207
—
20,000
20,800
605,819
65,473
79,758
4,432
4,820
7,263
5,097
7,853
37,053
43,250
29,000
19,076
20,066
19,502
18,344
18,058
14,500
14,500
21,203
25,520
18,000
18,720
616,224
77,284
—
4,000
540,346
605,819
1,419
534,940
616,224
1,500
—
17
3,351
4,770
605,819
4,770
601,049
3,057
4,574
616,224
4,574
611,650
64,054
75,784
—
3,983
536,995
531,883
The above table includes ten facilities whereby the relevant vessels were formerly owned by our respective subsidiaries and
have been sold to third parties and taken back by us on a bareboat charter basis with either an obligation to purchase them or
a purchase option at the end of the respective charter period or an option to buy them during the respective charter period at
predetermined purchase prices. Ownership will revert back to the Company on settlement of the outstanding amounts. Details of
these facilities are as follows:
Each of Maxeikosiena and Youngtwo entered into a sale and leaseback agreement in 2015 and 2017, respectively, with third
party companies, subsidiaries of a financial institution, regarding the respective vessel owned by the relevant subsidiary. The
proceeds from the agreement entered by Maxeikosiena were used to fully prepay the amount outstanding under a previous credit
facility secured by the respective vessel, and the proceeds from the agreement entered into by Youngtwo were used for general
corporate purposes. Under these agreements, each vessel was sold and leased back on a bareboat charter basis for a period of 10
years, with a purchase obligation at the end of the 10th year. Furthermore, each subsidiary holds an option to purchase back the
F17
20Annual Report
respective vessel after the second year of the bareboat charter, at annual intervals and predetermined purchase prices. In view of
the obligation of the subsidiaries to purchase the respective vessels at the end of the bareboat charter, the Company has assessed
that these transactions be recorded as financing transactions.
Each of Shikokutessera, Maxdeka, Shikoku and Glovertwo entered into a sale and leaseback agreement in November 2019, with
third party companies, subsidiaries of a financial institution, regarding the respective vessel owned by the relevant subsidiary.
The proceeds from each of these agreements were used to fully prepay the amount outstanding under previous credit facilities
secured by the respective vessels and for general corporate purposes. Under these agreements, the respective vessel was sold
and leased back on a bareboat charter basis, in the case of the vessel owned by Shikokutessera for a period of 8 years, and in the
case of the other three vessels for seven and a half years. Each respective subsidiary holds an option to purchase back its respec-
tive vessel five years and nine months after the commencement of the respective bareboat charter. The sale and leaseback agree-
ments include onerous provisions for the relevant subsidiaries in the event that such options are not exercised. The Company has
verbally committed to exercise this purchase option for all four vessels. In view of this commitment and the onerous provisions if
the options are not exercised, the Company has assessed that these transactions be recorded as financing transactions.
Each of Shikokuokto and Gloversix entered into a sale and leaseback agreement in December 2019, with third party companies,
subsidiaries of a financial institution, regarding the respective vessel owned by the relevant subsidiary. The proceeds from each
of these agreements were used to fully prepay the amount outstanding under previous credit facilities secured by the respective
vessels and for general corporate purposes. Under these agreements, each vessel was sold and leased back on a bareboat charter
basis for a period of 8 years, with a purchase obligation at the end of the 8th year. Furthermore, each respective subsidiary holds
an option to purchase back its respective vessel after the third year of the bareboat charter, at predetermined purchase prices. In
view of the obligation of the subsidiaries to purchase the respective vessels at the end of the bareboat charter, the Company has
assessed that these transactions be recorded as financing transactions.
Each of Pentakomo and Maxdekatria entered into a sale and leaseback agreement in January 2020, with third party companies,
subsidiaries of a financial institution, regarding the respective vessel owned by the relevant subsidiary. The proceeds from each
of these agreements were used to fully prepay the amount outstanding under previous credit facilities secured by the respective
vessels and for general corporate purposes. Under these agreements, each vessel was sold and leased back on a bareboat charter
basis for a period of 6 years, with a purchase obligation at the end of the 6th year. Furthermore, each respective subsidiary holds
an option to purchase back its respective vessel after the third year of the bareboat charter, at predetermined purchase prices. In
view of the obligation of the subsidiaries to purchase the respective vessels at the end of the bareboat charter, the Company has
assessed that these transactions be recorded as financing transactions.
During 2020, upon delivery of the newbuild vessel owned by it, Monagrouli drew down the relevant credit facility of $26,400,
which is repayable over seven years through quarterly principal instalments and a balloon payable on maturity.
During 2020, Agros entered into a sale and leaseback agreement, with an unrelated third party for $26,200, regarding the
newbuild vessel Agros has agreed to acquire. The transaction will be consummated in 2022 upon delivery of the vessel to Agros.
Under the agreement, the vessel will be sold and leased back on a bareboat charter basis for a period of 10 years, with a purchase
obligation at the end of the 10th year. Furthermore, Agros holds an option to purchase back the vessel after the third year of the
bareboat charter, at predetermined purchase prices. In view of the obligation of Agros to purchase the vessel at the end of the
bareboat charter, the Company has assessed that this transaction be recorded as financing transaction.
During 2020, Lofou entered into a credit facility with a financial institution for $20,000, regarding the newbuild vessel Lofou has
agreed to acquire. The facility will be available for drawing upon delivery of the vessel to Lofou in 2022 and will be repayable over
seven years through quarterly principal instalments and a balloon payable on maturity.
In addition to the above described facilities, in January 2021, Pinewood entered into a sale and leaseback agreement, with an
unrelated third party, regarding the vessel owned by Pinewood. This transaction was consummated in February 2021 and the pro-
ceeds were used for the redemption of all issued and outstanding shares of Pinewood’s series A cumulative redeemable perpetual
preferred stock and for general corporate purposes. Under the agreement, the vessel was sold and leased back on a bareboat
charter basis for a period of 10 years, with a purchase obligation at the end of the 10th year. Furthermore, Pinewood holds an
option to purchase back the vessel after the third year of the bareboat charter, at predetermined purchase prices. In view of the
obligation of Pinewood to purchase the vessel at the end of the bareboat charter, the Company has assessed that this transaction
be recorded as financing transaction.
Our credit and loan facilities bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin, except for each of Maxeikosiena and Youngtwo loan facili-
ties and for a portion of each of Shikokutessera, Maxdeka, Shikoku and Glovertwo loan facilities. Each of the Maxeikosiena and
Youngtwo loan facilities are deemed to incur interest at a fixed rate calculated so that the initial facility amount be amortized to
maturity down to the purchase obligation price of each vessel. A portion of each of the Shikokutessera, Maxdeka, Shikoku and
Glovertwo loan facilities are deemed to incur interest at a fixed rate calculated so that the initial facility amount be amortized to
maturity down to the purchase option price of each vessel.
Our loans and credit facilities are generally repayable by either quarterly or semi-annual principal instalments and a balloon pay-
ment due on maturity, with the exception of the Maxeikosiena and Youngtwo loan facilities, that are repayable by principal instal-
ments every 45 days out of a portion of the bareboat hire payment and a balloon payment due on maturity equal to the purchase
obligation. The fair value of debt outstanding on December 31, 2020 amounted to $620,642 when valuing the Maxeikosiena,
Youngtwo, Shikokutessera, Maxdeka, Shikoku and Glovertwo loan facilities on the basis of the deemed equivalent fixed rate, as
applicable on December 31, 2020, which are considered to be Level 2 items in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.
In addition to the Agros and Lofou financings, noted above, which will be available upon delivery of the respective vessels, as of
F18
Safebulkers20 December 31, 2020, an amount of $1,000 was available for drawdown under the revolving credit facility. The estimated mini-
mum annual principal payments required to be made after December 31, 2020, based on the loan and credit facility agreements
as amended, are as follows:
To December 31,
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 and thereafter
Total
$
$
81,284
118,733
119,764
171,855
66,834
57,754
616,224
Total interest incurred on long-term debt for the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020
amounted to $25,713, $26,929 and $21,417, respectively, which includes interest capitalized of $0, $114 and $184 for the
years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The average interest rate (includ-
ing the margin) for all bank loan and credit facilities during the years December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 and December
31, 2020 was 4.428% p.a., 4.624% p.a. and 3.382% p.a., respectively.
Except for the Safe Bulkers revolving credit facility, the outstanding of which amounted to $29,000, as of December 31, 2020,
and is unsecured, all the remaining, loan and credit facilities were secured as follows:
~ First priority mortgages over the vessels owned by the Company or title of ownership for the vessels under sale and lease
back finance arrangements;
~ First priority assignment of all insurances and earnings of the relevant vessels; and
~ Corporate guarantee from Safe Bulkers in respect of facilities entered into by the Subsidiaries.
The loan and credit facility agreements contain debt covenants including restrictions as to changes in management and ownership
of the vessels, entering into certain long-term charters, additional indebtedness and mortgaging of vessels without the respective
lender’s prior consent, minimum vessel insurance cover ratio requirements, as well as minimum fair vessel value ratio to out-
standing loan principal requirements (the “Minimum Value Covenant”). The Minimum Value Covenant must not fall below 105%,
115% or 120% as the case may be. The borrowers are permitted to pay dividends to their owners as long as no event of default
under the respective loan has occurred or has not been remedied or would occur as a result of the payment of such dividends.
Certain of the loan and credit facility agreements require the respective borrowers to maintain at all times a minimum balance in
each vessel operating account, from $150 to $1,000.
The Safe Bulkers facilities and the corporate guarantees of the Company include the following financial covenants:
~ total consolidated liabilities divided by total consolidated assets (based on the market value of all vessels owned or leased
on a finance lease taking into account their employment, and the book value of all other assets), must not exceed 85%
(the “Consolidated Leverage Covenant”);
~ total consolidated assets (based on the market value of all vessels owned or leased on a finance lease taking into ac-
count their employment, and the book value of all other assets) less its total consolidated liabilities must not be less than
$150,000 (the “Net Worth Covenant”);
~ the ratio of EBITDA over consolidated interest expense must not be less than 2.0:1, on a trailing 12 months’ basis (the
“EBITDA Covenant”);
~ consolidated debt in relation to the 41 Subsidiaries that owned vessels as of the date the covenant was agreed (December
2019) must not exceed $630,000 (the “Maximum Debt Covenant”);
~ a minimum of 30% or 35%, as per the relevant agreement, of its voting and ownership rights shall remain directly or in-
directly beneficially owned by the Hajioannou family for the duration of the relevant credit facilities and in the case of one
facility Polys Hajioannou beneficially holds a minimum of 20% of the voting and ownership rights (the “Control Covenant”):
and
~ payment of dividends is subject to no event of default having occurred and be continuing or would occur as a result of the
payment of such dividends.
The Minimum Value Covenant, Consolidated Leverage Covenant, EBITDA Covenant, Net Worth Covenant and Control Covenant do
not apply to the Shikokuepta loan facility. The Minimum Value Covenant and EBITDA Covenant do not apply to the Maxeikosiena
and Youngtwo financing agreements. The EBITDA Covenant does not apply to the Shikokuokto, Gloversix, Pentakomo and Max-
dekatria financing agreements. The Minimum Value Covenant does not apply to the Maxdeka, Shikoku Friendship, Shikokutessera
and Glovertwo financing agreements. The Maximum Debt Covenant only applies to the Safe Bulkers revolving credit facility.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants in effect, with respect to its loans and credit
facilities.
8.Share Capital
As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, the Company had 200,000,000 shares of authorized common stock of
$0.001 par value, of which 104,251,019 and 102,174,594 were issued and outstanding respectively.
F19
20Annual Report
Each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.
Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, holders of shares of common stock
are entitled to receive ratably all dividends, if any, declared by the Company’s board of directors out of funds legally available for
dividends. Upon the Company’s dissolution or liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, after pay-
ment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if
any, the holders of the common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata the remaining assets available for distribution. Holders
of common stock do not have conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any of the Company’s securities. All
outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of com-
mon stock are subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock which may be issued. The Company’s common
stock is not subject to any sinking fund provisions and no holder of any shares will be required to make additional contributions of
capital with respect to the Company’s shares in the future. There are no provisions in the Company’s articles of incorporation or
bylaws discriminating against a shareholder because of his or her ownership of a particular number of shares.
As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, the Company had 20,000,000 shares of authorized preferred stock of
$0.01 par value, of which 2,300,000 and 2,297,504 Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares (the “Series
C Preferred Shares”), respectively, and 3,200,000 and 3,195,050 Series D Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Shares
(the “Series D Preferred Shares” and, together with the Series C Preferred Shares, the “Preferred Shares”), respectively, were
issued and outstanding, respectively. In addition, 1,000,000 shares have been designated Series A Participating Preferred Stock
in connection with our adoption of a shareholder rights plan.
Holders of Preferred Shares have no voting rights other than the ability (voting together as a class with all other classes or series
of preferred stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, including all of the Preferred Shares),
subject to certain exceptions, to elect one director if dividends for six quarterly dividend periods (whether or not consecutive) pay-
able on the Company’s Preferred Shares are in arrears and certain other limited protective voting rights. The Company’s Preferred
Shares are subordinate to all of existing and future indebtedness.
Common stock
In June 2016, the Company implemented a program for the repurchase of an amount of up to 2,000,000 shares of its common
stock. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had repurchased 113,076 shares of common stock under this repurchase pro-
gram, which were canceled in 2019.
In November 2018, November 2019, and April 2020 the Company issued to an unaffiliated third party 1,441,048, 3,963,964,
and 2,951,699 shares of common stock to pay the first, second and fourth instalment of $3,300, $6,600, and $3,300, respec-
tively, of the purchase price of the Troodos Oak.
In December 2018, the Company implemented a new program for the repurchase of an amount of up to 3,000,000 shares of its
common stock. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had repurchased 345,012 shares of common stock under the repur-
chase program, which were held as treasury shares. An additional 1,332,182 shares of common stock were repurchased until
February 5, 2019. All 1,677,194 repurchased shares of common stock were subsequently canceled in 2019. This program was
terminated in February 2019.
In June 2019, the Company implemented a new program for the repurchase of an amount of up to 5,000,000 shares of its com-
mon stock. An amount of 1,361 common shares were repurchased and canceled during 2019. This program was terminated in
October 2019.
In October 2019, the Company implemented a new program for the repurchase of an amount of up to 3,000,000 shares of its
common stock. An amount of 1,000,935 common shares were repurchased and canceled during 2019. This program was ter-
minated in December 2019.
In December 2019, the Company implemented a new program for the repurchase of an amount of up to 1,500,000 shares of its
common stock. In March 2020, the Company terminated the program, having repurchased and canceled an amount of 1,500,000
shares of common stock during the first quarter of 2020.
In March 2020, the Company implemented a new program for the repurchase of an amount of up to 2,000,000 shares of its com-
mon stock, which was expanded for an additional 2,000,000 shares of its common stock. In June 2020, the Company terminated
the program, having repurchased and canceled an amount of 3,624,283 shares of common stock.
In August 2020, the Company filed a prospectus supplement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, under which it may
offer and sell shares of its common stock from time to time up to aggregate net offering proceeds of $23,500 through an “at-the-
market” equity offering program (the “ATM Program”). As of December 31, 2020, the Company had not offered to sell and has
not sold any shares under the ATM Program. As of March 15, 2021, the Company had offered and sold common shares under the
ATM Program. Refer to subsequent events Note 20.
Pursuant to arrangements approved by the Company’s shareholders and the nominating and compensation committee, effective
July 1, 2008, in respect of the audit committee chairman and effective January 1, 2010, in respect of the other independent
directors of the Company, the audit committee chairman receives the equivalent of $15 every quarter, and the other independent
directors each receive the equivalent of $7.50, all payable in arrears in the form of newly-issued Company common stock as part
compensation for services rendered as audit committee chairman and independent directors, respectively. The number of shares
to be issued is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day prior to the end of
each quarter in which services were provided and the shares are issued as soon as practicable following the end of the quarter.
During the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, 18,996 shares, 36,937 shares
and 48,079 shares, respectively, were issued to the audit committee chairman and 18,996 shares, 36,937 shares and 48,079
F20
Safebulkers20 shares, respectively, were issued in aggregate to the two other independent directors of the Company.
Preferred stock
In May 2014, the Company successfully completed a public offering, whereby 2,300,000 shares of Series C Preferred shares
were issued and sold at a price of $25.00 per share. The net proceeds of the public offering and the private placement were
$55,504, net of underwriting discount of $1,744 and offering expenses of $252. The Series C Preferred Shares were issued
for cash and pay cumulative quarterly dividends at a rate of 8% per annum from their date of issuance, i.e. $2.00 per preferred
share. The declaration of such dividend is subject to the discretion of the Company’s board of directors. At any time on or after
May 31, 2019, the Series C Preferred Shares may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part at a redemption
price of $25.00 per share plus unpaid dividends. The Series C Preferred Shares are not convertible into common stock and are
not redeemable at the option of the holder.
In June 2014, the Company successfully completed a public offering, whereby 3,200,000 shares of Series D Preferred Shares
were issued and sold at a price of $25.00 per share. The net proceeds of the public offering and the private placement were
$77,420 net of underwriting discount of $2,369 and offering expenses of $211. The Series D Preferred Shares were issued for
cash and pay cumulative quarterly dividends at a rate of 8% per annum from their date of issuance, i.e. $2.00 per preferred share.
The declaration of such dividend is subject to the discretion of the Company’s board of directors. At any time on or after June 30,
2019, the Series D Preferred Shares may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, in whole or in part at a redemption price
of $25.00 per share plus unpaid dividends. The Series D Preferred Shares are not convertible into common stock and are not
redeemable at the option of the holder.
In March 2020, the Company implemented a program for the repurchase up to 100,000 Series C Preferred Shares and up to
100,000 Series D Preferred Shares on the open market. Under the statement of designation of the respective series of preferred
shares, any such shares repurchased by the Company were cancelled. As of December 31, 2020, 2,496 Series C Preferred
Shares and 4,950 Series D Preferred Shares had been repurchased and cancelled under this repurchase program.
The payment due upon liquidation to holders of any series of the Company’s preferred shares is fixed at the redemption prefer-
ence of $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of liquidation. The liquidation price of the Series C
Preferred Shares and Series D Preferred Shares as of December 31, 2020 was $58,242 and $80,995, respectively.
9.Mezzanine equity
Mezzanine equity represents the USD equivalent of 100 shares of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock
(the “Series A Preferred Shares”) of our subsidiary Pinewood issued in June 2018 to an unaffiliated third party investor (the “In-
vestor”) in the amount of JPY1,854,900,000 plus accrued dividend. As of December 31, 2019 and 2020, the USD equivalent
amounted to $17,072, and $17,978, plus accrued dividend of $128 and $134, respectively. These shares were issued as partial
payment for the cost of the vessel Pedhoulas Cedrus owned by Pinewood.
Such shares had preference over shares of common stock of Pinewood with respect to distributions by, and liquidation of, Pine-
wood. The Series A Preferred Shares did not entitle the Investor to any voting rights (other than in limited circumstances in the
case of certain events of default under the terms of their issuance), and they might be redeemed at the option of Pinewood at any
time or at the option of the Investor upon the third anniversary of the issuance date. Such option to redeem the Series A Preferred
Shares by the Investor met the criteria for classification as mezzanine equity. The Investor was entitled to a dividend of 2.95%
p.a. from the Series A Preferred Shares. The declaration of such dividend was subject to the discretion of Pinewood’s board of di-
rectors and dividends accrued and cumulated irrespective of such declaration. The Investor was entitled to nominate one director
to the board of Pinewood, representing a minority of Pinewood’s board of directors.
The payment due upon liquidation to the Investor of Series A Preferred Shares was fixed at the redemption preference of
JPY1,854,900,000 plus accumulated and unpaid dividends to the date of liquidation. The liquidation price of the Series A Pre-
ferred Shares as of December 31, 2020 was JPY1,868,654,641, equivalent to $18,112.
In February 2021, Pinewood, after giving due notification, exercised its option and redeemed all Series A Preferred Shares, paying
at the time to the Investor a liquidation price of JPY1,863,295,328, equivalent to $17.6 million which included accumulated
dividends to the date of liquidation. Refer to subsequent events Note 20.
10.Commitments and Contingencies
(a) Capital expenditure commitments relating to our vessels and vessels under construction are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2021
2022
Total
Due to
Shipyards/Sellers
$
— $
50,284
50,284
Due to Manager
Other
Commitments
550 $
1,141
1,691
1,813 $
932
2,745
Total
2,363
52,357
54,720
Other commitments represent contracted costs related to the purchase of BWTS and Scrubbers to be installed on certain of the
fleet vessels.
(b) Other contingent liabilities
The Company and its Subsidiaries have not been involved in any legal proceedings, that may have, or have had, a significant effect
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20Annual Report on their business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity, nor is the Company aware of any proceedings that are pend-
ing or threatened that may have a significant effect on its business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. From time
to time 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, shipyards, insurance
providers and other claims relating to the operation of the Company’s vessels. Management is not aware of any material claims or
contingent liabilities which should be disclosed, or for which a provision should be established 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. 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. A
maximum of $1,000,000 of the liabilities associated with the individual vessel actions, mainly for sea pollution, is covered by
P&I Club insurance.
11.Revenues
Revenues are comprised of the following:
Time charter revenue
Voyage charter revenue
Other income
Total
$
Year Ended December 31
2019
202,400 $
—
4,282
206,682
2018
191,977 $
1,113
8,458
201,548
2020
198,382
2,603
5,050
206,035
The Company generates its revenues from time charters or infrequently under voyage contracts. Time charter agreements may
have renewal options for one to 12 months. The charter party generally provides typical warranties regarding the speed and the
performance of the vessel as well as some owner protective restrictions such that the vessel is sent only to safe ports by the char-
terer, subject always to compliance with applicable sanction laws, and carry only lawful and non-hazardous cargo. The Company
typically enters into time charters ranging from one month to five years and in isolated cases on longer terms depending on mar-
ket conditions. The charterer has the full discretion over the ports visited, shipping routes and vessel speed, subject only to the
owner protective restrictions discussed above. Vessels may also be chartered under voyage charters, where a contract is made for
the use of a vessel under which the Company is paid freight on the basis of moving cargo from a loading port to a discharge port.
Voyage hire is typically paid partially upon initiation of the voyage and partially upon completion of the performance obligation.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020, the Company generated revenue from its time charters of
$191,977, $202,400 and $198,382, respectively. Scrubber fitted vessels are able to earn a premium attributable to the use
of the scrubbers installed on board the vessels, to reduce the sulfur content of fuels due to new legislation effective January 1,
2020, which amounted to $16,331 and included in time charter revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020.
As of December 31, 2020, the time charters under which the Company vessels were employed had remaining term ranging from
less than one month to six months based on the minimum duration of the contracts, excluding six vessels that were employed
under time charters for a original duration of five years and two vessels which were on long term time charters for periods of ten
or twenty years with a remaining tenor ranging between 1 to 11 years.
As of December 31, 2019, no vessel was employed under a voyage charter. As of December 31, 2020, one of the voyage
charters that began during the year was in progress and ended after December 31, 2020, and one voyage charter entered in
December 2020, had not initiated the performance obligation, i.e. the relevant vessel had not arrived at the loading port. As of
December 31, 2020, contract assets representing voyage costs of $38, incurred between the contract date and the date of the
vessel’s arrival at the loading port are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets. As of December 31, 2020, the
aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligation is $222, all of which had been col-
lected as of December 31, 2020, and the entity will recognize this revenue over the time of the voyage until its completion which
is during the first quarter of 2021.
12.Vessel Operating Expenses
Vessel operating expenses are comprised of the following:
Crew wages and related costs
Insurance
Repairs, maintenance and drydocking costs
Spares, stores and provisions
Lubricants
Taxes
F22
$
Year Ended December 31,
$
2018
33,340
3,163
6,606
13,855
3,901
842
$
2019
33,655
3,409
8,922
14,776
4,565
608
2020
34,364
3,380
10,097
14,921
4,059
642
Safebulkers20
Miscellaneous
Year Ended December 31,
Total
$
1,805
63,512
$
2,634
68,569
$
2,623
70,086
13.Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Derivatives Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and interest rate, bunker price and freight derivatives are recorded at fair value. The
carrying values of the current financial assets and current financial liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair value due to
the short-term nature of these financial instruments. Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are considered Level 1 items
as they represent liquid assets with short-term maturities. The fair values of the variable interest long-term debt approximate the
recorded values, due to their variable interest rates. The fair value of the fixed interest long-term debt is estimated using prevail-
ing market rates as of the period end. The Company believes the terms of its loans are similar to those that could be procured as
of December 31, 2020. The fair value of the long-term debt is disclosed in Note 7.
Derivative instruments
Interest rate swaps:
The Company from time to time enters into interest rate derivative contracts to manage interest costs and risk associated with
changing interest rates with respect to its variable interest loans and credit facilities. No interest rate swap transactions were
entered into during the year ended December 31, 2019. Details of interest rate swap transactions entered into as of December
31, 2020 are presented in the table below:
Counterparty (1)
SHIKOKUPENTE (2)
SHIKOKUENNIA (2)
MAXPENTE
MAXENTEKA
MAXEIKOSITESSERA
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
SAFE BULKERS
Total
Inception
Expiry
Fixed Rate
August 3, 2020
July 20, 2020
September 21, 2020
September 21, 2020
September 21, 2020
March 4, 2020
March 4, 2020
March 9, 2020
March 10, 2020
March 30, 2020
May 5, 2020
July 10, 2020
July 10, 2020
July 14, 2020
June 4, 2020
June 11, 2020
June 15, 2020
June 30, 2020
July 1, 2020
July 9, 2020
July 16, 2020
July 30, 2020
August 3, 2020
August 1, 2023
October 20, 2023
August 27, 2024
August 27, 2024
August 27, 2024
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2024
September 30, 2024
May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
June 4, 2025
June 11, 2025
June 15, 2025
June 30, 2025
July 1, 2025
July 9, 2025
July 16, 2025
July 30, 2025
August 3, 2025
0.2750 %
0.3500 %
0.3220 %
0.3220 %
0.3220 %
0.9900 %
0.9000 %
0.8000 %
0.6500 %
0.6000 %
0.4000 %
0.4000 %
0.3800 %
0.3800 %
0.5000 %
0.4500 %
0.4000 %
0.4250 %
0.3800 %
0.3600 %
0.3500 %
0.3300 %
0.3700 %
Notional amount
December
31, 2019
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
December
31, 2020
12,927
14,385
10,150
9,500
7,350
10,000
10,000
10,000
20,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
10,000
244,312
(1) Under all above swap transactions, the bank effects quarterly floating-rate payments to the Company for the relevant amount based on the three-month USD
LIBOR, and the Company effects quarterly payments to the bank on the relevant amount at the respective fixed rates.
(2) The notional amounts of the above transactions are reduced during the term of the swap transactions based on the expected principal outstanding under the
respective facility.
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
The Company from time to time may also enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to create economic hedges for its exposure
to currency exchange risk on payments relating to capital expenditure obligations or for trading purposes. Foreign exchange for-
ward contracts are agreements entered into with a bank to exchange, at a specified future date, currencies of different countries at
F23
20Annual Report
a specific rate. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had one outstanding derivative instrument relating to currency exchange
contracts for JPY500 million or USD4.8 million, entered into in November 2020 with maturity in January 2021.
Bunker Price Swaps:
In December 2019, the Company entered into a bunker fuel contract for the period January to December 2020 for 12,000
tonnes per annum or 1,000 tonnes per month to sell the spread differential between the price per ton of the 0.5% and 3.5%
sulfur content fuel respectively, with the objective of reducing the risk arising from lower spread differential, which affects the
additional revenue from the operation of Scrubbers in scrubber-fitted vessels. In January 2020, the Company entered into a
bunker fuel contract for a period until December 2020 and for 12,000 tonnes per annum of 1,000 tonnes per month to buy the
spread differential between the price per ton of the 0.5% and 3.5% sulfur content fuel respectively. Through the latter contract,
the Company closed out the position and earned during the year ended December 31, 2020 a profit of $554, which is presented
within Gain/(loss) on derivatives in the consolidated statement of operations.
In November and December 2020, the Company entered into three bunker fuel contracts for an aggregate of 36,000 tonnes per
annum or for each contract 1,000 tonnes per month for the period January 2021 to December 2021 and two bunker fuel con-
tracts for an aggregate of 24,000 tonnes per annum or for each contract 1,000 tonnes per month for the period January 2022
to December 2022 to sell the spread differential between the price per ton of the 0.5% and 3.5% sulfur content fuel respectively.
Forward Freight Agreements (“FFAs”):
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company entered into a certain number of FFAs on the Panamax index maturing
in 2021 and 2022 with the objective of reducing the risk arising from the volatility in the vessel charter rates. No FFAs were en-
tered into during the year ended December 31, 2019. The valuation of the Company’s open positions as at December 31, 2020,
is presented in the tables below.
The Company’s interest rate agreements, foreign exchange forward contracts, bunker fuel contracts and FFAs do not qualify for
hedge accounting. The Company determines the fair market value of such derivative contracts at the end of every period and ac-
cordingly records the resulting unrealized loss/gain during the period in the consolidated statement of operations.
Information on the location and amounts of derivative fair values in the consolidated balance sheets and derivative gains/losses
in the consolidated statements of operations are shown below:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Asset Derivatives
Fair Values
Liability Derivatives
Fair Values
Type of
Contract
Foreign Currency
Interest Rate
Interest Rate
Bunker Fuel
Forward Freight
Bunker Fuel
Interest Rate
Balance sheet location
$
Derivative assets / Current assets
Derivative assets / Non-current assets
Derivative liabilities / Current liabilities
Derivative liabilities / Current liabilities
Derivative liabilities / Current liabilities
Derivative liabilities / Non-current liabilities
Derivative liabilities / Non-current liabilities
Total Derivatives $
December
31, 2019
December
31, 2020
December
31, 2019
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
99 $
54
—
—
—
—
—
153 $
— $
—
—
121
—
—
—
121 $
December
31, 2020
—
—
—
408
174
116
1,280
1,978
Forward Freight
Foreign Currency
Interest Rate Contracts
Bunker Fuel Contracts
Net Gain/(Loss) Recognized
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized on Derivatives
Year ended December 31,
2018
— $
—
18
—
18 $
2019
— $
—
—
(121)
(121) $
2020
(174)
99
(1,379)
151
(1,303)
$
$
The gain or loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and is presented in Other (Expense)/Income – Gain/
(Loss) on derivatives.
The Company’s interest rate derivative instruments are pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps based on the USD LIBOR
swap rate. The fair value of the interest rate swaps is determined using a discounted cash flow approach based on expected for-
ward LIBOR swap yield curves and take into account the credit risk of the counterparty financial institutions. LIBOR swap rates are
observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full terms of the swaps and therefore are considered Level 2 items in accordance
with the fair value hierarchy. Differences in prices are observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full terms of the swaps and
therefore are considered Level 2 items in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s foreign exchange forward derivative instruments are agreements entered into with a bank to exchange, at a
F24
Safebulkers20
specified future date, currencies of different countries at a specific rate. The fair value of the foreign exchange forward derivative
instruments is determined using mid-rates based on available market rates at the time of the valuation and take into account the
credit risk of the counterparty financial institutions. Foreign exchange prices are observable at commonly quoted intervals for the
full terms of the foreign exchange forward derivative instruments and therefore are considered Level 2 items in accordance with
the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s FFA derivative instruments were receive-fixed, pay-variable swaps based on the earnings of the Panamax class
dry bulk vessels as published by the Baltic Exchange. The fair value of the FFA derivatives is determined using a discounted cash
flow approach based on the market rate of such earnings at the time of such valuation and take into account the credit risk of the
counterparty financial institutions. Differences in prices are observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full terms of the
swaps and therefore are considered Level 2 items in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s bunker fuel derivative instruments were receive-fixed, pay-variable swaps based on the difference in price be-
tween various categories of bunker fuels. The fair value of the bunker fuel swaps is determined using a discounted cash flow ap-
proach based on the difference on the market rate of each bunker fuel price at the time of such valuation and take into account the
credit risk of the counterparty financial institutions. Differences in prices are observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full
terms of the swaps and therefore are considered Level 2 items in accordance with the fair value hierarchy.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2019 and December
31, 2020.
Derivative instruments – asset position
Derivative instruments – liability position
14.Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities are comprised of the following:
Interest on long-term debt
Vessels’ operating and voyage expenses
Commissions
Interest on derivatives and other finance expenses
General and administrative expenses
Total
15.Future Minimum Time Charter Revenue
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2020
$
— $
121
153
1,978
December 31,
2019
1,588
4,223
176
511
97
6,595
$
$
2020
837
3,385
195
145
101
4,663
$
$
The future minimum time charter revenue, net of commissions, based on vessels committed to non-cancellable time charter con-
tracts (including fixture recaps) as of December 31, 2020, is as follows:
December 31,
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
Total
$
$
78,235
35,541
29,449
28,856
21,476
49,725
243,282
Revenues from time charters are not generally received when a vessel is off-hire, including time required for normal periodic
maintenance. In arriving at the minimum future charter revenues, an estimated off-hire time has been deducted, although such
estimate may not be reflective of the actual off-hire in the future.
16.General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses include management fees payable to our Managers and costs in relation to the administration
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20Annual Report
of our company. General and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 and December
31, 2020 were as follows:
Management fees – related parties
Professional fees (legal and accounting)
Directors fees and expenses
Listing fees and expenses
Miscellaneous
Total
December 31,
2018
16,536
833
477
115
1,281
19,242
$
$
2019
18,050
720
468
97
1,304
20,639
$
$
2020
18,884
832
644
93
1,049
21,502
$
$
17.Unearned Revenue /Accrued Revenue
Unearned Revenue represents cash received in advance of it being earned, whereas Accrued Revenue represents revenue earned
prior to cash being received. Revenue is recognized as earned on a straight-line basis at their average rates when charter agree-
ments provide for varying annual charter rates over their term. Total Unearned Revenue/Accrued Revenue during the periods
presented is as follows:
Unearned Revenue
Cash received in advance of service provided – Current liability
Deferred revenue resulting from varying charter rates – Current liability
Deferred revenue resulting from varying charter rates – Non-Current liability
Total Unearned Revenue
Accrued Revenue
Resulting from varying charter rates – Current asset
Resulting from varying charter rates – Non-Current asset
Total Accrued Revenue
$
$
$
December 31,
2019
1,826
1,214
648
3,688
158
455
613
$
$
$
2020
4,687
1,536
3,536
9,759
557
75
632
18.Dividends
During 2018, the Company declared and paid one quarterly consecutive dividend of $0.50 per share and one final portion divi-
dend of $0.1167 per share of Series B Preferred Shares, totaling $234, and four quarterly consecutive dividends of $0.50 per
share of Series C Preferred Shares, totaling $4,600 and of Series D Preferred Shares, totaling $6,400, respectively.
During 2019, the Company declared and paid four quarterly consecutive dividends of $0.50 per share of Series C Preferred
Shares, totaling $4,600, and four quarterly consecutive dividends of $0.50 per share of Series D Preferred Shares, totaling
$$6,400.
During 2020, the Company declared and paid four quarterly consecutive dividends of $0.50 per share of Series C Preferred
Shares, totaling $4,596, and four quarterly consecutive dividends of $0.50 per share of Series D Preferred Shares, totaling
$6,393.
During 2018, the Company’s subsidiary Pinewood declared and paid preferred dividends totaling JPY17,090,489.00 equiva-
lent to $153 comprising of its first dividend of JPY32,981.64 per share equivalent to $298.52 per share of Series A Preferred
Shares for the period June 8, 2018 to June 30, 2018, followed by a dividend of JPY137,923.25 per share equivalent to
$1,231.37 per share of Series A Preferred Shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. In addition during 2018, Pine-
wood declared a dividend of JPY137,923.25 per share equivalent to $1,226.52 per share of Series A Preferred Shares totaling
JPY13,792,325.00 equivalent to $123 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, included under the caption “Mezzanine
Equity” in the consolidated balance sheets, which was paid in January 2019.
During 2019, the Company’s subsidiary Pinewood declared and paid preferred dividends totaling JPY54,719,550.00 equivalent
to $500 comprising of a dividend of JPY134,924.92 per share equivalent to $1,217.40 per share of Series A Preferred Shares
for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, followed by a dividend of JPY136,424.08 per share equivalent to $1,234.68 per share
of Series A Preferred Shares for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 and followed by one dividend of JPY137,923.25 per share
equivalent to $1,281.22 per share of Series A Preferred Shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2019. In addition during
2019, Pinewood declared a dividend of JPY137,923.25 per share equivalent to $1,269.45 per share of Series A Preferred
Shares for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, included under the caption “Mezzanine Equity” in the consolidated balance
sheets, which was paid in January 2020.
During 2020, Pinewood declared and paid preferred dividends totaling JPY54,719,550.00 equivalent to $512 comprising of
a dividend of JPY136,051.34 per share equivalent to $1,243.12 per share of Series A Preferred Shares for the quarter ended
F26
Safebulkers20
March 31, 2020, followed by a dividend of JPY136,051.34 per share equivalent to $1,272.39 per share of Series A Preferred
Shares for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 and followed by a dividend of JPY137,546.41 per share equivalent to $1,294.87
per share of Series A Preferred Shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2020. In addition during 2020, Pinewood declared
a dividend of JPY137,546.41 per share equivalent to $1,311.62 per share of Series A Preferred Shares for the quarter ended
December 31, 2020, included under the caption “Mezzanine Equity” in the consolidated balance sheets, which was paid in Janu-
ary 2021.
19.Earnings/(loss) Per Share
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share is the same as basic earnings/(loss) per share. There are no other potentially dilutive shares.
The computation of basic earnings/(loss) per share is presented as follows:
Net income/(loss)
Less preferred dividend attributable to preferred shareholders
Less Mezzanine equity measurement
Net income/(loss) available to common shareholders
Weighted average number of shares, basic and diluted
Earnings/(loss) per share in U.S. Dollars, basic and diluted
20.Subsequent Events
December 31,
$
2018
27,684
11,384
—
16,300
101,604,339
0.16
$
2019
16,038 $
11,498
199
4,341
101,686,312
0.04
2020
(12,905)
11,500
908
(25,313)
102,617,944
(0.25)
(a) Early termination of charter: In December 2020, the Company agreed the early termination of an existing charter of the
Capesize-class vessel MV Lake Despina, which was contractually due to expire in January 2024. In exchange for the early redeliv-
ery of the vessel, the charterer paid the Company cash compensation of $8.1 million, 50% of which was paid in December 2020
and recorded under trade accounts payable, and the balance in January 2021. The vessel was redelivered in February 2021 on
which date the termination cash compensation has been recognized as income.
(b) Dividend declaration: On January 7, 2021, the board of directors declared a dividend of $0.50 per share of all classes of
preferred shares, totaling $2,746, payable to all shareholders of record as of January 22, 2021, which was paid on February 1,
2021.
(c) Vessel sale: As noted in Note 7, on January 21, 2021, Maxeikosiepta entered into a MoA with an unrelated third party, for
the sale of Paraskevi at a price of $7,300. The sale of the vessel is expected to be consummated in April 2021 and a loss on sale
of $300 is expected to be incurred.
(d) Vessel sale: On January 28, 2021, Avstes entered into a MoA with an unrelated third party, for the sale of Vassos at a price
of $8,650. Vassos did not meet all the criteria for Held for Sale classification as of December 31, 2020. The sale of the vessel is
expected to be consummated in May 2021 and a loss on sale of asset of $1,000 is expected to be incurred.
(e) Vessel purchase: On February 8, 2021, Kyotofriendo One entered into a MoA with an unrelated third party, for the purchase
of a second-hand vessel at a price of $14,050. The vessel was delivered to the Company in March 2021.
(f) Redemption of Mezzanine equity / New Financing: As noted in Note 9, in February 2021, Pinewood delivered a notice of
redemption for all issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, recorded as mezzanine equity (the “Mezzanine Equity”) with
redemption price of approximately $17.6 million, including accrued dividend. The Mezzanine Equity was issued in 2018 to a third
party investor in relation to the financing of the vessel Pedhoulas Cedrus. The redemption was completed within February 2021.
At the same time, the Company consummated a sale and lease back transaction entered into in January 2021 for Pedhoulas
Cedrus through a bareboat charter agreement with a purchase obligation at a predetermined price on termination and purchase
options after the third year in the Company’s favor. The proceeds of $24,300, were used for the redemption of all issued and
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Shares and for general corporate purposes.
(g) Common stock sold under the ATM: As of December 31, 2020, the Company had not offered to sell and has not sold any
common shares under the ATM Program. As of March 15, 2021, the Company had sold 3,200,457 common shares with aggre-
gate net offering proceeds of $8.9 million under the ATM Program.
(h) Interest rate derivatives: In February 2021, the Company entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate derivative
contract commencing February 2021 and maturing December 2025, at a fixed rate of 0.745% and for a notional amount of
$30,000.
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20Annual Report
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Safebulkers20 CORPORATE DIRECTORY
Stock Listing
Safe Bulkers’ common
stock is traded on the
New York Stock
Exchange under the
ticker symbol “SB”.
Board of Directors and
Management
Polys Hajioannou
Chief Executive Officer,
Chairman and Director
Dr. Loukas Barmparis
President, Secretary and Director
Konstantinos Adamopoulos
Chief Financial Officer,
Treasurer and Director
Ioannis Foteinos
Chief Operating Officer and Director
Frank Sica
Director
Ole Wikborg
Director
Christos Megalou
Director
Principal Executive office
Safe Bulkers, Inc.
Apt. D11, Les Acanthes
6, Avenue des Citronniers
MC98000, Monaco
Contact Details
Tel: +30 2 111 888-400
+357 25 887-200
E-mail: directors@safebulkers.com
Website
Information about Safe Bulkers’ fleet,
as well as corporate investor informa-
tion, press releases, stock quotes, and
SEC filings may be obtained through
our website at www.safebulkers.com
Transfer Agent and Registrar
American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company
6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn,
NY 11219
Tel: +1 (718) 9218210
U.S. Legal Counsel
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
200 Liberty Street
New York, NY 10281
Tel: +1 (212) 504 6000
U.K./Greek Legal Counsel
Norton Rose LLP
Building K1
1 Palea Leoforos Posidonos &
3 Moraitini street
175 64 Paleo Faliro ,Greece
Tel: +30 (210) 947-5300
Independent Auditors
Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.
Fragoklissias 3a & Granikou str.,
Marousi 151 25
Athens, Greece
Tel: + 30 (210) 678 -1100
Investor Relations/Media Contact
Nicolas Bornozis, President
Capital Link, Inc.
230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536
New York, N.Y. 10169
Tel.: (212) 661-7566
Fax: (212) 661-7526
E-Mail: safebulkers@capitallink.com
Principal Executive office
Apt. D11, Les Acanthes
6, Avenue des Citronniers
MC98000, Monaco
www. safebulkers.com
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