UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR

15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Dated: March 18, 2016

Commission File Number 001-32520

NEWLEAD HOLDINGS LTD.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

NewLead Holdings Ltd.

83 Akti Miaouli & Flessa Str.

185 38 Piraeus Greece

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  x Form 40-F  o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Yes  o No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Yes  o No  x

On March 9, 2016, Newlead Shipping S.A. (“Newlead”), a wholly owned subsidiary ship-management company of NewLead Holdings Ltd., that manages tankers, and Stralia Maritime S.A. (the “Owner”), the registered owning company of the vessel, MT Gema (“Gema” or the “Vessel”), mutually agreed to terminate the BIMCO management agreement dated March 10, 2014, pursuant to which Newlead provided the technical management of the Vessel. As of March 10, 2016, the Gema had been redelivered to the Owner and was no longer under the management of Newlead. The Vessel has already been delivered to a new ship-management company.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: March 18, 2016

NEWLEAD HOLDINGS LTD.
By:	/s/ Michail Zolotas
Name: Michail Zolotas
Title:  Chief Executive Officer