EX-4.10 3 c83084_ex4-10.htm

Exhibit 4.10

 

PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL

EXECUTION VERSION

 

DATED 15 May 2013 as amended and restated on 18 MAY 2015

 

(1)sparrow holdings, L.P.

 

(2)CostamarE VENTURES InC.

 

FRAMEWORK DEED

 
CONTENTS    
       
clause    
     
1. interpretation   1
2. SCOPE OF BUSINESS   9
3. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS   9
4. Investment procedure   10
5. OPERATION and governance OF EACH SPV   15
6. appointment of Auditors   17
7. EXCLUDED MATTERS   17
8. split of the JV Fleet   19
9. FINANCIAL MATTERS   22
10. ACCOUNTING MATTERS   23
11. budget and business plan   24
12. DISTRibutions   25
13. TAXATION   27
14. TRANSFER OF SHARES   28
15. strategic transaction   29
16. EXCLUSIVITY, NON-COMPETE and Non-solicitation   29
17. CONFIDENTIALITY   35
18. termination ANd winding up   36
19. Guarantees, indemnities and other ASSURANCE   38
20. Representation and WARRANTIES   39
21. power of attorney by way of security   40
22. GENERAL   41
23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT   42
24. SEVERABILITY   42
25. counterparts   42
26. WAIVER   42
27. FURTHER ASSURANCE   42
28. RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES   42
29. COSTS AND EXPENSES   42
30. Non Advisory   43
31. SERVICE OF NOTICES   44
32. GOVERNING LAW and jurisdiction   45
Schedule 1-List of York Funds   47
Schedule 2-Form of Business Plan   48
Schedule 3- Form of Budget   49
Schedule 4- Example of IRR calculation   50
 

THIS DEED dated 15 May 2013 as amended and restated on 18 May 2015

 

BETWEEN:

 

1)SPARROW HOLDINGS, L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“York”);

 

2)YORK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GLOBAL ADVISORS LLC, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the State of New York (the “Fund Manager”), on behalf of itself and the York Funds (as such term is defined below);

 

3)COSTAMARE INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and, as of the date of this Agreement, listed in the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CMRE” (the “Parent”); and

 

4)COSTAMARE VENTURES INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (“Costamare”).

 

For the avoidance of any doubt, this Agreement shall apply to the Fund Manager and the Parent only where explicitly stated so herein.

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Parties (as such term is defined in clause 1) intend to engage in the business (the “Business”) of co-investing in one or more limited liability corporations formed in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (each an “SPV” and collectively the “SPVs”) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, as amended from time to time, that will each have the exclusive purpose of acquiring, maintaining, operating and disposing of an ocean-going vessel (whether in its construction phase or operational) that is intended to be used to transport containerized cargoes (each, a “Vessel” and collectively, the “Vessels”).

 

The Parties (as such term is defined in clause 1) intend that they will co-invest in Vessels by each subscribing, or procuring that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries will subscribe, for Shares (as defined in clause 1) for cash in an SPV. Each Vessel will be acquired and shall be owned by a newly and separately incorporated SPV.

 

This framework agreement, executed as a deed (the “Agreement”) sets out the terms pursuant to which the Parties (as such term is defined in clause 1) will pursue the Business and co-invest in the SPVs.

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1. interpretation

 

Definitions

 

In this Agreement:

 

  Action has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 1.1K;
     
  Affiliate means, in respect of a non-natural person, any person Controlling,
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    Controlled by or under common Control with that person;
       
  Bluebird means Bluebird Holdings, L.P., an exempted limited partnership formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands;
       
  Board has, in respect of an SPV, the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 5.2;
       
  Budget means, in respect of an SPV and/or its Vessel, the budget prepared by Costamare Shipping in relation to such SPV and/or Vessel in accordance with clause 11;
       
  Business Day means a day on which banks in the city of London (England), the city of New York (USA), and the city of Athens (Greece) are open for business generally;
       
  Business Plan means, in respect of an SPV and/or its Vessel, the business plan prepared by Costamare in relation to such SPV and/or Vessel in accordance with clause 11;
       
  Commitment Period means the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the earlier of:
       
    (a) 15 May 2020;
       
    (b) the date that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to clauses 18.1D, 18.2 or 18.3;
       
    (c) the date that York serves notice on Costamare pursuant to clause 3.10;
       
    (d) the date that Costamare serves notice on York pursuant to clause 3.11; and
       
    (e) the date that York does not participate in an Investment Opportunity presented to it in accordance with clause 2.1, which has an acquisition price which, when aggregated with all other Investment Opportunities presented to it in accordance with clause 2.1 on or after 16 May 2015 and in which York has elected not to participate, equals or exceeds US$500,000,000 unless agreed otherwise in writing by Costamare.
       
  Commitments means, together, the Costamare Commitment and the York Commitment and Commitment means either of them;
       
  Container Entity means a business or company which the majority of its value is attributable to Vessels owned by such business or company, as determined by a valuation to be obtained from an independent and reputable third party valuer appointed by York and CMRE acting jointly or, if York and CMRE do not agree the identity of such valuer within 5 Business Days (from the first date on which York
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    or CMRE has suggested a valuer) either York or CMRE may ask the president for the time being of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England to appoint a valuer and such appointment shall be binding on both York and CMRE;
     
  Control

means in relation to a non-natural person, the ability of any person directly or indirectly to:

 

-  appoint and/or remove: (a) a majority of the board of directors; or (b) any other body or entity that by operation of law or otherwise is entitled to direct the activities, of such non-natural person (including a general partner or trustee);

 

-  exercise, or direct the exercise of, more than 50% of the voting rights of that body corporate or firm; or

 

-  direct or otherwise control its day to day affairs,

 

and Controlling and Controlled shall be construed accordingly;

 

  Controlling
Equity Stake
means, in respect of a company, business or any non-natural person, such equity stake which provides its holder with Control over such company, business or non-natural person.
     
  Costamare
Commitment
means the US$ amount that Costamare shall elect to invest for the purposes of the Business in accordance with this Agreement;
     
  Costamare Director means, in relation to an SPV, a director of such SPV appointed by the relevant Costamare Shareholder of such SPV;
     
  Costamare
Option
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 3.6;
     
  Costamare
Option Notice
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 3.7;
     
  Costamare
Partners
means Costamare Partners LP, a limited partnership formed under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands;
     
  Costamare
Shareholder
means, in relation to an SPV, Costamare or any wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Costamare which Costamare elects by notice to York to be the shareholder of such SPV;
     
  Costamare
Shareholder
Shares
means, in relation to an SPV, shares of all classes in the capital of such SPV created or in issue for the time being and registered in the name of the relevant Costamare Shareholder.
     
  Costamare
Shipping
means Costamare Shipping Co. S.A. of Panama City, Republic of Panama;
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  Costamare
Split Right
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 8;
     
  Deemed Sale has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 8.6;
     
  Default
Interest Rate
means 20 per cent, calculated on a daily basis and compounded quarterly;
     
  Director means, in relation to an SPV, a York Director or a Costamare Director of such SPV and Directors shall be construed accordingly;
     
  Effective Date means the later of:
     
    (a) the date of this Agreement; and
       
    (b) the date all conditions precedent set out in clause 22.7 have been satisfied.
       
  Excluded
Matters
means, together, the matters set out in clause 7;
     
  Fourth
Anniversary
means the date falling four years after the end of the Commitment Period;
     
  Fund
Manager
includes its successors in title;
     
  Group means, in relation to any person that is a non-natural person, that person and its Affiliates, and member of a Group shall be construed accordingly;
     
 

Investment
Notice

means, in relation to an SPV, a written notice issued by the Board or, as the case may be, a Director of such SPV to the Shareholders of such SPV to contribute or procure the contribution of capital to such SPV;
     
  Investment
Opportunity
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 2.1;
     
  IRR or
Internal Rate
of Return
means, at any relevant time in respect of a York Shareholder, the annualized internal rate of return in respect of such Shareholder’s Commitment actually invested at the time in accordance with this Agreement, calculated using the then most current version of Microsoft Excel software’s “XIRR” function (which for purposes of clarity shall be net of costs, fees and expenses, if any) computed from the dates of such Shareholder making such investment until the dates of such distributions in respect thereof under clause 12.3, which annualised internal rate when applied to the relevant cash flow streams produces a net present value equal to zero. For the avoidance of doubt, such calculations shall be
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    made following the example set out in Schedule 4;
     
  JV Fleet means, at any relevant time, all Vessels which are owned by any SPV at that time;
     
  LCIA Rules means the rules of the London Court of International Arbitration;
     
  Losses has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 1.1K
     
  Management
Agreement
means, in respect of an SPV and its Vessel, each agreement to be entered into by such SPV with the relevant Manager in respect of such Vessel in the agreed form and, if more than one for a Vessel, Management Agreements shall mean, together, both or all of them;
     
  Manager means, in respect of an SPV and its Vessel, Costamare Shipping and/or, if so directed by Costamare in accordance with clause 4.2E, V.Ships Greece Ltd. Or, such other manager as shall be appointed by such SPV from time to time;
     
  Manager
Matters
means, in relation to an SPV and any relevant Management Agreement, the matters set out in such Management Agreement for the relevant Manager to decide in accordance with the terms of such Management Agreement;
     
  Newbuild
Vessel
a Vessel that is newly constructed and is acquired or ordered by an SPV prior to or simultaneously with completion of its construction;
     
  Non-
Controlling
Equity Stake
means, in respect of a company, business or any non-natural person, such equity stake, which does not provide its holder with Control over such company, business or non-natural person.
     
  Other
Relevant
Vessels
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 7.2;
     
  Parent includes its successors in title;
     
  Party means Costamare or York and “Parties” means, together, both of them;
     
  Public
Offering
means an offering of securities to the public;
     
  Relevant Sale has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 7.1;
     
  Relevant
Shares
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 7.2A;
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  Relevant
Vessel
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 7.1;
     
  Remaining
Vessels
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 8.3B;
     
  Replacement
Value Period
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 7.1;
     
  Sale Notice has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 7.1;
     
  Sale Notice
Period
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 7.1;
     
  Service
Providers
means such persons as may be appointed to act as service providers to an SPV;
     
  Shares means, in relation to an SPV, the York Shareholder Shares and the Costamare Shareholder Shares in such SPV;
     
  Shareholders means, in relation to an SPV, the York Shareholder and the Costamare Shareholder of such SPV for the time being and Shareholder, in relation to an SPV, shall mean either of them;
     
  Shareholders’
Agreement
means, in relation to an SPV, the shareholders’ agreement to be entered into between the relevant Shareholders and, where the York Shareholder in not York or the Costamare Shareholder is not Costamare, York and/or Costamare, respectively, as guarantors;
     
  Sister Vessel
and Sister
Vessels
have each the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 8.3A;
     
  Split Proposal has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 8.2;
     
  subsidiary means a subsidiary undertaking (as defined in section 1162 of the Companies Act 2006) or a subsidiary (as defined in section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006);
     
  Supervision
Agreement
means, in respect of a Newbuild Vessel, a supervision agreement in the agreed form;
     
  Strategic
Transaction
means a Public Offering, a Trade Sale or other transaction agreed between the Parties whereby the Shareholders are able, directly or indirectly, to realise all or a majority of their investment in the Business;
     
  Trade Sale a sale of the Vessels or the Business to a buyer whether by means of an asset sale or the sale of the Shares of the SPVs or a combination thereof, in each case agreed by the relevant
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    Shareholders unanimously;
     
  Unallocated
Sister Vessel
has the meaning ascribed thereto in clause 8.3A;
     
  US GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America;
     
  York
Commitment
means the US$ amount that York shall invest for the purposes of the Business in accordance with this Agreement;
     
  York
Director
means, in relation to an SPV, a director of such SPV appointed by York the relevant York Shareholder of such SPV;
     
  York Funds means together the investment funds managed or advised by the Fund Manager or one of its Affiliates and being detailed in Schedule 1, as amended from time to time;
     
  York
Shareholder
means, in relation to an SPV, York and/or a wholly owned direct subsidiary thereof; and
     
  York
Shareholder
Shares
means, in relation to an SPV, shares of all classes in the capital of such SPV created or in issue for the time being and registered in the name of the relevant York Shareholder.
     

Interpretation

 

In this Agreement:

 

1.1a reference to:

 

A.a statute or statutory provision includes a reference to:

 

(i)that statute or provision as amended, re-enacted, replaced or modified from time to time; and

 

(ii)any order, statutory instrument, regulation or other subordinate legislation made from time to time under the relevant statute;

 

B.“writing” is a reference to any mode of representing or reproducing words in a visible, non-transitory form (and includes a reference to e-mail or other mode of representing or reproducing words in electronic form);

 

C.an agreement or obligation for a Party to “procure” any action or inaction of another person under this Agreement shall be construed as an agreement or obligation for such Party to exercise its voting rights, discretions and other powers in respect of its interest in that other person or otherwise under this Agreement, and the agreement pursuant to which that Party or its Affiliate is appointed in such manner so as to procure (insofar as possible) such action or inaction (as the case may be);
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D.a person shall include any natural person, legal person or other entity (whether or not having a legal personality) and a reference to a non-natural person is a reference to any person (as so defined) other than an individual;

 

E.a “change of Control” shall occur if a person who Controls any company or undertaking ceases to do so, or if another person acquires Control of it;

 

F.the singular includes the plural and vice versa;

 

G.the masculine includes the feminine and vice versa;

 

H.a clause or a Schedule is a reference to a clause of or a schedule to this Agreement;

 

I.any phrase introduced by the terms ‘including’ or ‘in particular’, or any similar expression, shall be construed as illustrative and not limiting of any preceding words;

 

J.a month means a calendar month, a quarter means a calendar quarter and a year means a calendar year;

 

K.indemnify any person against any circumstance shall mean indemnifying it and each of its Affiliates and keeping it and each of its Affiliates harmless, on an after-tax basis, from all Actions made against it or any of its Affiliates and all Losses suffered or incurred by it or any of its Affiliates as a consequence of that circumstance, and Action shall include any action, proceedings, claim, demand and other legal recourse brought against the party to whom such indemnity is given (the indemnified party) in respect of the subject matter in relation to which such indemnity is given and Losses shall include any liability, damage, loss, compensation, award, cost, expense, charge, fine, penalty and outgoing suffered or incurred by the indemnified party in respect thereof; and

 

L.“agreed form” means:

 

(i)where a document has already been executed by all of the relevant parties, such document in its executed form;

 

(ii)prior to the execution of a document, the form of such document separately agreed in writing between the Parties as the form in which that document is to be executed;

 

1.2headings are used for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement; and

 

1.3each of the Schedules forms part of this Agreement.

 

2. SCOPE OF BUSINESS

 

2.1Costamare hereby undertakes during the Commitment Period to procure that Costamare Shipping shall present to York any opportunities for the acquisition of Vessels or shares in companies that own Vessels that Costamare Shipping has
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identified during such period (each an “Investment Opportunity” and together the “Investment Opportunities”).

 

2.2The acquisition of a Vessel and, if relevant, the incorporation of the relevant SPV for all transactions that will be governed by this Agreement shall require the unanimous approval in writing of both Parties.

 

2.3The business of each SPV shall be to acquire, maintain, operate, and/or dispose of a single Vessel with the objective of maximising the value of the relevant Shareholders’ investment in such SPV.

 

2.4The Parties will invest in the Business in accordance with this Agreement.

 

3. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

 

3.1York agrees to invest its Commitment as calculated in accordance with this clause 3 and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

3.2Costamare agrees to invest its Commitment as calculated in accordance with this clause 3 and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

3.3Costamare and York will capitalize and initially own the SPVs directly or through wholly-owned direct subsidiaries, always in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. In the event that a York Shareholder of an SPV is a subsidiary of York, then York will be a party to the Shareholders’ Agreement of such SPV so as to guarantee the performance of such subsidiary under such Shareholders’ Agreement. In the event that a Costamare Shareholder of an SPV is a subsidiary of Costamare, then Costamare will be a party to the Shareholders’ Agreement of such SPV so as to guarantee the performance of such subsidiary under such Shareholders’ Agreement.

 

3.4Subject to clauses 3.6 to 3.8, in relation to an SPV agreed to be incorporated up to (and including) 14 May 2015 (other than in relation to an SPV to be incorporated pursuant to a Permitted Transaction which shall be dealt with under clause 16):

 

A.York will, or will procure that another York Shareholder will, subscribe for Shares in such SPV representing in aggregate seventy-five percent (75%) of the equity required for the purchase of the Vessel to be acquired by such SPV; and

 

B.Costamare will, or will procure that another Costamare Shareholder will, subscribe for Shares in such SPV representing the remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of the equity required for the purchase of such Vessel.

 

3.5Subject to clauses 3.6 to 3.8, in relation to an SPV agreed to be incorporated on or after 15 May 2015 (other than in relation to an SPV to be incorporated pursuant to a Permitted Transaction which shall be dealt with under clause 16):

 

A.Costamare will, or will procure that another Costamare Shareholder will, subscribe for Shares in such SPV representing in aggregate between twenty-five percent (25%) and seventy-five percent (75%) of the equity required for the purchase of the Vessel to be acquired by such SPV. Costamare shall stipulate the exact percentage of equity it wishes to subscribe for, when the
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relevant Investment Opportunity is presented to York for the purposes of clause 4.1; and

 

B.York will, or will procure that another York Shareholder will, subscribe for Shares in such SPV representing the remaining of the equity required for the purchase of such Vessel following the subscription of the relevant Costamare Shareholder under clause 3.5A.

 

3.6Costamare may at its sole discretion decide to increase the relevant Costamare Shareholder’s percentage participation in the Shares of an SPV up to a maximum percentage of:

 

A.in the case of an SPV incorporated and subscribed for in accordance with clause 3.4, forty-nine percent (49%),

 

B.in the case of an SPV incorporated and subscribed for in accordance with clause 3.5, the lesser of (i) seventy-five percent (75%) and (ii) a percentage representing an increase of thirty per cent (30%) of the percentage shareholding participation already subscribed for in such SPV in accordance with clause 3.5,

 

and in each case, shall be required to contribute an equivalent percentage of the equity required for the purchase of the Vessel to be acquired by such SPV (each such right to increase the relevant Costamare’s Shareholder percentage participation in the Shares of such SPV, a “Costamare Option”) by serving notice on York in accordance with clause 3.7.

 

3.7Each time that Costamare wishes to exercise a Costamare Option under clauses 3.6A and/or 3.6B, Costamare shall send written notice to York specifying the exact percentage of Shares to which it wishes to increase the relevant Costamare Shareholder’s ownership of the respective SPV (the “Costamare Option Notice”). A Costamare Option Notice shall be transmitted:

 

A.in the case of an SPV acquiring a Newbuild Vessel, within three (3) months from the date the SPV enters into a shipbuilding contract or, as the case may be, a memorandum of agreement for the acquisition of such Newbuild Vessel;

 

B.in the case of an SPV acquiring a Vessel other than a Newbuild Vessel, within one (1) month from the date the SPV enters into the memorandum of agreement to acquire such Vessel.

 

The provision of a Costamare Option Notice in accordance with this clause shall be irrevocable and in each case, Costamare shall procure that the relevant Costamare Shareholder shall complete the purchase of the relevant Shares within fifteen (15) Business Days of delivery of the relevant Costamare Option Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, no more than one Costamare Option Notice may be delivered with respect to each SPV.

 

3.8In the event that Costamare exercises a Costamare Option in respect of an SPV:

 

A.prior to the relevant Shareholders having subscribed for and been issued with Shares in such SPV in accordance with clauses 3.4 or 3.5, the Board of that
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SPV shall adjust the number of Shares to be subscribed for by each Shareholder and the required Shareholders’ respective capital contributions in the Investment Notice for that SPV in accordance with the percentages set out in the Costamare Option Notice (by issuing the number of Shares stipulated therein to Costamare Shareholder and the remaining number of Shares to the York Shareholder);

 

B.after the relevant Shareholders having subscribed for and paid for Shares in such SPV in accordance with clauses 3.4 or 3.5 (with the first payment made for, or in respect of, these Shares by the relevant York Shareholder being the “Initial Contribution”), then Costamare shall procure that the relevant Costamare Shareholder shall purchase, and York shall procure that the relevant York Shareholder shall sell, such number of the York Shareholder Shares in such SPV as required for such Costamare Shareholder to meet its respective percentage specified in the Costamare Option Notice, and at a purchase price equal to: the aggregate of the purchase price paid by the York Shareholder for such Shares and the proportion of any capital contributions (by way of equity injection, shareholder loans or otherwise) made by the York Shareholder into the relevant SPV corresponding to those Shares following the Initial Contribution.

 

3.9Unless otherwise agreed between the Parties, all subscriptions for Shares in an SPV shall be in cash and each Shareholder of an SPV shall subscribe at the same price per Share for such SPV.

 

3.10The Commitment Period shall terminate upon York serving notice to this effect on Costamare within ten (10) Business Days of York becoming aware that:

 

A.Costamare Shipping has been subject to a change of Control;

 

B.Mr. Konstantinos Konstantakopoulos ceases to be involved in the day to day operational activities of Costamare for a period exceeding 120 consecutive days; or

 

C.it has the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to clause 18.3.

 

3.11The Commitment Period shall terminate upon Costamare serving notice to this effect on York within ten (10) Business Days of Costamare becoming aware that:

 

A.the York Funds (either any one of them or all of them together) no longer own all the interests in York;

 

B.any two of Mr. James Dinan, Mr. William Vrattos and Mr. Akbar Rafiq are no longer involved in the business decisions of York, Bluebird or the Fund Manager (or their respective successors, permitted assigns or permitted transferees), (provided however that a termination notice following Costamare’s becoming aware of the event described in this sub-paragraph B may only be served by Costamare on or after 15 May 2015); or

 

C.it has the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to clause 18.3.
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3.12Subject always to clauses 3.10 and 3.11, to the extent that in relation to an Investment Opportunity which has been approved in accordance with this Agreement any part of the acquisition price of the Vessel relating to such Investment Opportunity remains outstanding at the end of the Commitment Period, then, notwithstanding the end of the Commitment Period, the relevant Commitments required to be invested for the purposes of such Investment Opportunity shall be available or (if not yet contributed by the Shareholders) be contributed by the Shareholders for investment even after the end of the Commitment Period for as long as it is needed for the relevant Investment Opportunity to be completed.

 

4. Investment procedure

 

4.1Other than in relation to a Permitted Transaction under clause 16, within five (5) Business Days of presentation of an Investment Opportunity and the related Business Plan by Costamare, York will notify Costamare in writing if (i) it approves of the relevant Investment Opportunity and the relevant Business Plan, in which case the remaining of this clause 4 shall apply or (ii) it rejects the relevant Investment Opportunity and/or the relevant Business Plan, in which case clauses 16.4 and 16.5 shall apply (but for the purposes of clause 16.4, it shall be deemed that the five (5) Business Days period provided therein has lapsed when York rejects the relevant Investment Opportunity under this clause 4.1).

 

4.2Within three (3) Business Days of approval of an Investment Opportunity and any Business Plan by York as set out in clause 4.1, the Parties shall promptly name the Shareholders to incorporate the SPV to implement the relevant Investment Opportunity and procure that such Shareholders shall:

 

A.proceed with the incorporation of the relevant SPV with Shares being issued to the relevant Shareholders in accordance with clause 3;

 

B.appoint in relation to such SPV a Board in accordance with the provisions of clause 5;

 

C.enter into a Shareholders’ Agreement;

 

D.procure that the relevant SPV’s constitutional documents reflect, to the extent permitted by law, the provisions of such Shareholders’ Agreement;

 

E.procure that the relevant SPV enters into a Management Agreement with Costamare Shipping and/or, if directed by Costamare in writing, V.Ships Greece Ltd.; and

 

F.if a Newbuild Vessel is to be acquired, procure that the relevant SPV enters into a Supervision Agreement with Costamare Shipping,

 

Provided however that any of the actions set out above may be omitted in respect of an Investment Opportunity to the extent any such action has been completed in connection with a previous non-finalised Investment Opportunity.

 

4.3As soon as possible after the matters set out in clause 4.2 being implemented, (a) the Board of the relevant SPV shall procure that such SPV enters into a definitive agreement with the relevant counterparty in connection with the relevant Investment
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Opportunity in respect of which such SPV has been incorporated and (b) the Shareholders of such SPV or, as the context may require, the Board of such SPV shall prepare and/or obtain and/or provide any other documentation required for the execution of such Investment Opportunity as set out in its Business Plan.

 

4.4Within three (3) Business Days of the relevant definitive agreement being entered into by an SPV in accordance with clause 4.3, the Board of such SPV or, failing that, any Director of such SPV, shall issue such SPV’s first Investment Notice setting out the capital contribution of the relevant Shareholders and the timing of such contribution. The Parties agree that:

 

A.once the relevant SPV has been incorporated to acquire a Vessel:

 

(i)the first Investment Notice issued in respect of such SPV shall:

 

(1)be for the full amount of the first instalment of the acquisition price of such Vessel as set out in the Business Plan for such Vessel and which is not at the time of the relevant Investment Notice to be funded by funds other than the relevant Shareholders’ equity under this Agreement; and

 

(2)require that the relevant contributions are paid to such SPV not later than five (5) Business Days after the relevant notice is delivered to the Parties;

 

(ii)any subsequent Investment Notices in respect of such SPV shall:

 

(1)be for the full amount of the instalment of the acquisition price of such Vessel then due and for which no other Investment Notice has been issued and which is not at the time of relevant Investment Notice to be funded by funds other than the relevant Shareholders’ equity under this Agreement; and

 

(2)require that the relevant contributions are paid to such SPV not later than two (2) Business Days after the relevant notice is delivered to the Parties;

 

B.in all other cases, any Investment Notice shall be issued by the relevant Board only and shall be in an amount and for a timing as such Board may unanimously agree; and

 

C.upon an Investment Notice being issued, the Parties shall procure that the relevant Shareholders shall capitalize the relevant SPV in a proportion pro rata to their respective shareholding in that SPV at the relevant time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the applicable Shareholders’ Agreement.

 

4.5In the event that a Shareholder fails to satisfy its required capital contribution pursuant to an Investment Notice (the “Non-Participating Shareholder”), within ten (10) Business Days of such failure, the other relevant Shareholder shall have the right, at its sole discretion and without prejudice to any rights it may have in respect of the
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Non-Participating Shareholder’s failure to perform its obligations in respect of the relevant SPV:

 

A.to advance the corresponding amount in debt to the SPV, such advance to be subject to:

 

(i)carrying interest at the Default Interest Rate;

 

(ii)ranking ahead of any other Shareholder of such SPV or unsecured debt of such SPV; and

 

(iii)being repaid prior to any distributions being made to the Shareholders of such SPV in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the relevant Shareholders’ Agreement; or

 

B.to terminate this Agreement in accordance with clause 18.3B; or

 

C.to do nothing in relation to such failure.

 

4.6Any capital contribution made to an SPV that has called for a Vessel acquisition and is not invested on or prior to thirty (30) days from the date of such capital contribution shall be returned to the relevant Shareholders within three (3) Business Days thereafter, unless the said Shareholders agree otherwise in writing. Any capital returned to the Shareholders in accordance with this clause shall not be distributed pursuant to clause 12.3.

 

5. OPERATION and governance OF EACH SPV

 

5.1An SPV will have no employees, other than the crew employed on its Vessel.

 

5.2Each SPV shall have a five (5) person Board of Directors (in respect of such SPV, the “Board”), made up of three York Directors and two Costamare Directors.

 

5.3The relevant York Shareholder shall have the right to appoint and maintain in office in each SPV, three York Directors.

 

5.4The relevant Costamare Shareholder shall have the right to appoint and maintain in office in each SPV, two Costamare Directors.

 

5.5Each of the Shareholders of an SPV shall procure that, at all times during the continuance of this Agreement, there shall be appointed by it and maintained in office as Directors the number of Directors set out in clauses 5.3 and 5.4 respectively. Each Shareholder of an SPV agrees not to appoint a Director under this clause 5 without the other Shareholder’s prior consent, unless the York Director to be appointed is an employee of the Fund Manager or the Costamare Director to be appointed is an employee of Costamare or the Manager. Save with the written consent of each of the Shareholders of an SPV, no Director of an SPV shall be appointed otherwise than pursuant to clause 5.3 or clause 5.4.

 

5.6Each Shareholder of an SPV shall have the right to remove any Director of an SPV appointed by it and appoint another Director in his place. Any such appointment or removal shall be effected by giving notice in writing (signed by a director or the
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secretary of the Shareholder lodging the notice) to the secretary of the SPV at its registered office or at a Board meeting, and shall take effect (subject to any contrary intention expressed in the notice) when the notice is so delivered.

 

5.7If a York Shareholder removes a York Director from his office, the York Shareholder shall be responsible for and shall indemnify the relevant Costamare Shareholder and the relevant SPV against any claim by such Director arising out of such removal, whether for unfair or wrongful dismissal or otherwise. The same provision shall apply, mutatis mutandis, if a Costamare Shareholder shall remove a Director appointed by it.

 

5.8The Board of each SPV shall procure that such SPV obtains a market-standard Directors’ and Officers’ insurance policy that would cover all members of the Board of such SPV for their entire time in office.

 

5.9The members of the Board of an SPV shall not be entitled to any remuneration in their capacity as Directors of such SPV or to any travel or other out-of-pocket expenses.

 

5.10The Chairman of the Board shall be appointed by the York Directors (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be a York Director), but shall not have a second or casting vote.

 

5.11A quorum of the Board of an SPV shall consist of two Directors, at least one of whom shall be a York Director of such SPV and at least one of whom shall be a Costamare Director of such SPV.

 

5.12Board meetings shall be held at least once every quarter and may be attended via telephone. At least five (5) Business Days’ written notice of a Board meeting of an SPV shall be given to each Director of such SPV, provided that a Board meeting of an SPV may be convened by giving not less than 48 hours’ notice if the interests of such SPV would be likely to be adversely affected to a material extent if the business to be transacted at such Board meeting were not dealt with as a matter of urgency, or on less than 48 hours’ notice if all Directors of the said SPV agree. An agenda identifying in reasonable detail the issues to be considered by the Directors of the relevant SPV at any such meeting (and copies of any relevant papers to be discussed at the meeting) shall be distributed in advance of the meeting to all such Directors not less than two (2) Business days prior to the date fixed for such meeting. In lieu of a quarterly board meeting provided for in this clause 5.12, the Directors may act with respect to any matters that may be addressed at such quarterly board meeting by execution and delivery of a unanimous written consent of the Board.

 

5.13Any Director may call a meeting of the Board on which he holds office with reasonable advance notice.

 

5.14The Board of each SPV shall have the sole authority to manage such SPV, except that all Manager Matters in respect of such SPV shall remain the responsibility of and at the discretion of the relevant Manager during its appointment, in accordance with the terms of the relevant Management Agreement relating to such SPV.

 

5.15Except for decisions concerning Excluded Matters and Manager Matters, the Board of an SPV shall unanimously decide on all issues governing the affairs of such SPV. Only the Excluded Matters in connection with an SPV shall require a simple majority
15

vote of its Board. The Manager Matters relating to an SPV shall be decided by the relevant Manager and not the Board of such SPV.

 

5.16With respect to each SPV, the Parties shall or, if applicable, shall procure that each Shareholder of such SPV shall use all reasonable endeavours to procure that its respective appointees to the Board of such SPV shall ensure (to the extent that they are able) that the said SPV operates in compliance with:

 

A.its Business Plan;

 

B.its Budget;

 

C.its Articles of Incorporation and by-laws;

 

D.the relevant Management Agreement or, if applicable, Management Agreements;

 

E.its Supervision Agreement, if any;

 

F.its Shareholders’ Agreement; and

 

G.this Agreement.

 

5.17The Shareholders of an SPV shall use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that their respective appointees as Directors shall attend each Board meeting of such SPV and to procure that a quorum (in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the relevant Shareholders’ Agreement) is present throughout each such meeting.

 

5.18In the event that a Director is of the opinion that there is a conflict between his fiduciary duties to the relevant SPV and his role as an appointed Director of a Shareholder of such SPV in voting on any particular matter being considered by the Board of such SPV, he may require that such matter is instead determined by the Shareholders of such SPV either in writing or at a meeting of the said Shareholders. In such circumstances the Directors of such SPV shall not be required to vote on that particular matter and shall await the determination of the Shareholders of such SPV, provided however that in respect of any Excluded Matter, the Shareholders of such SPV shall be voting in accordance with the same voting requirements applicable herein for such Excluded Matter.

 

5.19For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing provisions of this clause 5 shall apply equally to each SPV, as if references to the Board, to a Board meeting, to a York Director and to a Costamare Director were references to the board of directors of such SPV, to a meeting of such board, to a director of such SPV appointed by the relevant York Shareholder and to a director of such SPV appointed by the relevant Costamare Shareholder respectively.

 

5.20The Parties will procure that the provisions of this Agreement are contained in the Shareholders’ Agreement for each SPV and each Party will exercise its voting rights (or procure the exercise of any voting rights within its direct or indirect control) in relation to the SPV to give effect to the corporate governance and other terms and requirements contained in this clause 5.
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6. appointment of Auditors

 

6.1The Parties shall procure that each SPV shall appoint as its auditors Ernst & Young, Greece, but not any of its partners which is at the time of appointment acting for the Parent and its subsidiaries.

 

6.2The Parties shall procure that all SPVs appoint the same auditor.

 

7. EXCLUDED MATTERS

 

7.1The following matters shall be deemed Excluded Matters and decided upon a simple majority of the Board of the relevant SPV:

 

A.the sale of its Vessel to an independent third party at arm’s length terms, provided always that the period for Costamare exercising the Costamare Option or, as the case may be, the Costamare Split Right for such SPV, has expired (being the 10 Business Days Periods referred to in clause 8.1 and any applicable subsequent period, to the extent Costamare has (or is deemed to have) elected to exercise its Split Right), or the Option Right has been cancelled or terminated (in each case, in accordance with this Agreement and the Omnibus Agreement), and that the following procedure is applied in the order set out below prior to any such decision being resolved:

 

(i)first, upon the relevant York Shareholder’s transmittal of written notice (the “Sale Notice”) to the relevant Costamare Shareholder of its intent to demand that the Board of the relevant SPV procures the sale (the “Relevant Sale”) of its Vessel (the “Relevant Vessel”), the relevant Costamare Shareholder shall have five (5) Business Days to accept or reject the Sale Notice (the “Sale Notice Period”);

 

(ii)second, if the relevant Costamare Shareholder rejects the Sale Notice or the Sale Notice Period lapses without response, then the Shareholders of the relevant SPV and, if applicable, the Parties shall work together for fifteen (15) Business Days following the earlier of the rejection of the Sale Notice and the end of the Sale Notice Period (the “Replacement Value Period”) to determine, to the extent possible and taking into account the parameters set forth in clause 7.2, the number of York Shareholder Shares in one or more of the remaining SPVs to be transferred to the relevant Costamare Shareholder (the “Relevant Shares”) in exchange for its Shares in such SPV; and

 

(iii)third, if the Replacement Value Period lapses without the relevant Shareholders and, if applicable, the Parties agreeing the Relevant Shares in accordance with clause 7.1A(ii), then the Costamare Split Right under clause 8.1C shall be deemed as having been exercised by Costamare on the last day of the Replacement Value Period (without any action required on the part of Costamare), unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing;

 

B.the termination of its Management Agreement in accordance with its terms for cause (as such term is defined in the Management Agreement); and
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C.the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of such SPV in connection with the sale of its Vessel in accordance with clause 7.1A.

 

7.2For purposes of determining the Relevant Shares, the Shareholders of the relevant SPV and, if applicable, the Parties will:

 

A.attempt to allocate to the relevant Costamare Shareholder in the order set out below:

 

(i)first, York Shareholder Shares in any SPVs owning Sister Vessels to the Relevant Vessel; and

 

(ii)second, if there are no more York Shareholder Shares in SPVs owning Sister Vessels to allocate as per paragraph (i) above, York Shareholder Shares in any other SPVs;

 

B.take into account, among other things:

 

(i)the market value of the Relevant Vessel and of any other Vessel owned by an SPV the Shares of which form part of the Relevant Shares (the “Other Relevant Vessels”), in each case as determined by a valuation obtained by an independent and reputable third-party ship valuer jointly appointed by the Parties (each such valuation to take into account the value of any charter or other employment agreement of the relevant Vessel in excess of twelve months at the time such valuation is obtained (without taking into account any options of the charterer of the Relevant Vessel to extend contained therein));

 

(ii)the counterparty risk of the charterer of the Relevant Vessel and of the Other Relevant Vessels; and

 

(iii)the liabilities and/or any other assets of all relevant SPVs.

 

7.3If the Costamare Split Right is deemed to have been exercised pursuant to clause 7.1A(iii) or is otherwise validly exercised in accordance with clause 8, the Board of an SPV shall not be entitled to resolve upon a simple majority for the sale of its Vessel.

 

7.4If the Shareholders of the relevant SPV and, if applicable, the Parties agree the Relevant Shares in connection with a Relevant Sale, such Relevant Sale shall not take place prior to all steps necessary for such Relevant Shares to be transferred to the relevant Costamare Shareholder or as Costamare may otherwise direct have been completed.

 

7.5The Parties will procure that the provisions of clauses 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 are contained in the Shareholders Agreement for each SPV.

 

8. split of the JV Fleet

 

8.1Notwithstanding clause 7.1, the Parties agree that:
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A.at any time that Costamare has the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to clause 18.2;

 

B.on the Fourth Anniversary;

 

C.at any time that a Replacement Value Period lapses without the Shareholders of the relevant SPV and, if applicable, the Parties, reaching agreement on the Relevant Shares in respect of a Relevant Sale; or

 

D.at any time that Costamare has the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to clause 18.3,

 

Costamare will have ten (10) Business Days from:

 

(i)in the case of clause 8.1A, the right under clause 18.2 accruing;

 

(ii)in the case of clause 8.1B, the Fourth Anniversary;

 

(iii)in the case of clause 8.1C, the last day of the relevant Replacement Value Period;

 

(iv)in the case of clause 8.1D and in the event clause 18.3A applies, becoming aware of the right to terminate under clause 18.3A;

 

(v)in the case of clause 8.1D and in the event clause 18.3B applies, the right under clause 18.3B accruing; or

 

(vi)in the case of clause 8.1D and in the event clause 18.3C applies, the right under clause 18.3C accruing,

 

to elect to divide the JV Fleet in accordance with clauses 8.2 and 8.3 (the “Costamare Split Right”). For the avoidance of any doubt, in the event clause 7.1A(iii) is triggered, the Costamare Split Right shall be deemed as having been exercised by Costamare on the last day of the Replacement Value Period (without any action required on the part of Costamare and without the need for the ten (10) Business Days provided for in this clause to elapse). Also, for the avoidance of doubt, each Party shall be taking 100 percent ownership of its allocated SPV/Vessel after the allocation steps described in clause 8.3.

 

8.2Costamare shall have forty five (45) days from the date it exercises the Costamare Split Right within which to prepare a proposal for consideration by York, specifying the value of each parcel and of each Vessel in such parcel (on terms consistent with clause 7.2B) (the “Split Proposal”). If Costamare fails to deliver to York the Split Proposal within such period, then the Board of each SPV shall be entitled to resolve the sale of its Vessel to an unrelated third party and on arm’s length terms, upon simple majority and without any further delay. Following delivery of the Split Proposal by Costamare to York, York shall then have forty five (45) days within which to respond to Costamare’s proposal and, in the case of clause 8.3B, choose a parcel. If York fails within such period to:

 

A.respond in respect of Costamare’s allocation pursuant to clause 8.3A, York shall be deemed to have accepted such allocation; and
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B.choose a parcel under clause 8.3B within the above period Costamare may choose which parcel York is to receive.

 

8.3In preparing the Split Proposal, Costamare shall apply the following procedure:

 

A.First, with respect to Vessels of same characteristics (i.e., vessels of same type, same year of construction, and with similar nature of charter and charterer) (together the “Sister Vessels” and each a “Sister Vessel”), Costamare will propose a split of such Sister Vessels in two parcels, each parcel to be prepared on the basis of the relevant Shareholders’ relevant cumulative percentage of shareholding in the SPVs owning the Sister Vessels to be split pursuant to this clause. To the extent that any Sister Vessel cannot be allocated in full as per this clause 8.3A to a parcel (such Sister Vessel, shall be referred to as the “Unallocated Sister Vessel”), the relevant Shareholders’ shareholding in the relevant SPV shall not be taken into account in deciding the split of the Sister Vessels under this clause 8.3A and Costamare shall include the Unallocated Sister Vessel in the parcels to be prepared in accordance with the principles set out in clause 8.3B.

 

B.Second, with respect to any Vessels that are not Sister Vessels or are an Unallocated Sister Vessel (together the “Remaining Vessels”), Costamare shall divide them in two parcels as most nearly reflect a fifty percent share of the Remaining Vessels at the time, both in terms of value and type of Vessel and nature of charter and charterer.

 

8.4To the extent that the value of the relevant percentage shareholding of the York Shareholders (the “York Shareholding”) or the Costamare Shareholders (the “Costamare Shareholding”), respectively, in the Remaining Vessels at the time (as if all SPVs owning Remaining Vessels at the time were held by a holding company and the Shareholders of each SPV were holding their share in the SPVs through such holding) is in excess of the value of the parcel that such Shareholders (the “reduced Shareholders”) are to receive pursuant to this clause 8.3B (the “excess value”), the other Shareholders (the “increased Shareholders”) shall in their sole discretion:

 

(i)either pay to the reduced Shareholders an additional cash consideration in United States Dollars equal to the excess value (the “Cash Balancing Payment”); or

 

(ii)satisfy the Cash Balancing Payment in kind by transferring to the reduced Shareholders ownership of a Vessel or Vessels of value equal to the Cash Balancing Payment and verified by an independent ship valuer appointed jointly by the Parties (the “In-Kind Balancing Payment”), provided however that any such transfer to effect an In-Kind Balancing Payment shall not result in the reduced Shareholder owning less than 100% of any Vessel or any Vessel-owning entity; or

 

(iii)satisfy the Cash Balancing Payment partly in cash and party by an In-Kind Balancing Payment (the “Mixed Balancing Payment”, and together with the Cash Balancing Payment and the In-Kind Balancing Payment, the “Balancing Payments” and each a “Balancing Payment”), provided however that any Mixed Balancing Payment
20

shall not result in the reduced Shareholder owning less than 100% of any Vessel or any Vessel-owning entity.

 

8.5In the event that there is to be a split of the JV Fleet at the time in accordance with clause 8.1, then the Parties will promptly upon (and in any event within thirty days of) determination of which parcel each Party is to receive under clauses 8.1 and 8.3, procure that the relevant Shareholders complete such Share transfers as are required to ensure that after such transfers each Party or its nominees owns one hundred percent (100%) of the SPVs of the Vessels allocated to it and any Balancing Payments required under clause 8.4 shall be made.

 

8.6Following the exercise by Costamare of the Costamare Split Right under clause 8.1, the Costamare Shareholders shall continue to be entitled to receive distributions pursuant to clause 12.3 attributed to the Costamare Incentive Allocations from the SPVs of the Vessels which have been allocated to York pursuant to this clause 8, always up to the Costamare Shareholding and until the earlier of (i) the sale to an unrelated third party on arm’s length terms of the last of the Vessels which have been allocated to York pursuant to this clause 8 and (ii) the Fourth Anniversary. If York sells a Vessel it has been allocated in accordance with the terms of this clause 8 prior to the Fourth Anniversary, the value of such Vessel for the purpose of calculating the Parties’ entitlements to distributions pursuant to clause 12.3 will be the purchase price provided for such Vessel in the relevant sale contract. To the extent that York fails to sell a Vessel it has been allocated in accordance with the terms of this clause 8 by the Fourth Anniversary, such Vessel shall be deemed as being sold to a third party on the Fourth Anniversary (a “Deemed Sale”) and the value of such Vessel for the purpose of calculating the Parties’ entitlements to distributions pursuant to clause 12.3 in respect of a Deemed Sale shall be the market value of such Vessel on the Fourth Anniversary as determined by an independent ship valuer (on terms consistent with clause 7.2B(i)) appointed jointly by the Parties for such purpose at the time.

 

8.7Subject always to this Agreement being terminated pursuant to clause 18.2B, in the event that following the exercise of a Costamare Split Right, more Vessels are acquired by SPVs under this Agreement (such Vessels, the “post split Vessels”), the provisions of clauses 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6 shall continue to apply for any such post split Vessels.

 

9. FINANCIAL MATTERS

 

9.1The Parties agree that an SPV, in addition to the proceeds of the subscriptions for Shares referred to in clause 3, shall use reasonable endeavours to obtain finance by way of commercial borrowing from third parties on an arm’s length basis for working capital, acquisition of Vessel or other purposes, in accordance with its Business Plan or Budget.

 

9.2No Shareholder shall pledge, charge, create a mortgage or otherwise encumber its Shares in an SPV (other than pursuant to a floating charge granted over its entire assets and undertaking).

 

9.3No Shareholder shall enter into any derivative arrangements pursuant to which it transfers some or all of the economic rights attaching to its Shares in an SPV or is required to make payments calculated by reference to the returns generated by the economic rights attaching to its Shares in an SPV.
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9.4The Parties will procure that the provisions of this clause 9 are contained in the Shareholders’ Agreement for each SPV.

 

10. ACCOUNTING MATTERS

 

10.1The Parties shall procure that each SPV shall at all times maintain accurate and complete accounting and other financial records in accordance with the requirements of all applicable laws and US GAAP.

 

10.2In addition to the information required by clause 11.4, the Board shall procure that each SPV shall prepare and deliver (or cause to be prepared and delivered) to its respective Shareholders:

 

A.unaudited financial statements of that SPV in respect of each quarter, without accompanying notes, in a format agreed by the relevant Shareholders within 60 days of the end of the quarter in question;

 

B.a monthly cash flow statement in a form agreed by the relevant Shareholders within 15 days of the end of the month in question;

 

C.audited financial statements of that SPV in respect of each fiscal year within 120 days of the end of such fiscal year; and

 

D.such other information in relation to the financial position and affairs of that SPV as each Shareholder may from time to time reasonably require.

 

10.3Each SPV shall have a financial year ending on 31 December.

 

10.4Each Shareholder of an SPV and its authorised representatives shall be allowed access at all reasonable times to examine the books and records of such SPV.

 

10.5Each Shareholders of an SPV shall have the right to arrange or conduct an audit or review of any financial information relating to such SPV (at such Shareholder’s own cost) at any time during the course of a financial year.

 

10.6The Parties will procure that the provisions of this clause 10 are contained in the Shareholders’ Agreement for each SPV.

 

11. budget and business plan

 

11.1Each time an Investment Opportunity is presented pursuant to clause 2.1, Costamare shall also prepare a Business Plan in relation to such Investment Opportunity in the form set out in Schedule 2 and deliver the same to York in accordance with the provisions of clause 4.1.

 

11.2Once an SPV has been incorporated and a Vessel has been acquired, Costamare shall procure that the relevant Manager prepares a Budget for each financial year in relation to such SPV and its Vessel (starting from the calendar year the relevant Vessel is acquired) in the form set out in Schedule 3. The first Budget of an SPV shall be submitted to the Board of such SPV no later than the commencement of operations of the Vessel of such SPV, and shall require approval by way of a unanimous vote of the relevant Board. Each subsequent Budget of an SPV shall be submitted not later than
22

60 days before the commencement of the financial year for which the relevant Budget has been prepared for and shall also require approval by way of unanimous vote of the relevant Board.

 

11.3Costamare shall also procure that the relevant Manager prepares when necessary a variance report on the then current Budget of the relevant SPV (indicating the actual current position of such SPV (accepting that such information is not prepared to an audit standard) in relation to each line item of such Budget) on a quarterly basis during each financial year. Any such variance report shall be submitted to the Board of such SPV as soon as it is available. Within 14 days of receipt of the relevant variance report, any Director shall be entitled to request such further information as may reasonably be required to enable him or her to reach an informed view as to the content, reasonableness and prudence of the variance report in question.

 

11.4The Board of each SPV will regularly review the Budget for such SPV during the course of the financial year of such SPV. Each Board may propose changes to the Budget relevant to it during the course of the relevant financial year, any such changes shall require approval by way of a unanimous vote of the relevant Board. The Parties agree that the relevant Manager may revise the Budget of a Vessel at any time, provided that Costamare furnishes to the Board of the relevant SPV a revised Budget for such Vessel, as soon as practicable after the relevant revisions are determined by the relevant Manager.

 

11.5The provisions of clause 30 shall be deemed incorporated mutatis mutandis in any Business Plan or Budget delivered under this Agreement and the person preparing any such Business Plan or Budget shall bear no responsibility whatsoever to any SPV, their respective Shareholders, the Parties or otherwise.
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12. DISTRibutions

 

12.1Unless otherwise determined by unanimous consent of the Board of an SPV, upon the sale or total loss of its Vessel, the relevant SPV shall declare and pay a cash dividend to its Shareholders as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event within thirty (30) days after receipt of the relevant sale or insurance proceeds, equal to the maximum amount permitted by law after the Board deducts from the said proceeds all actual and contingent liabilities of such SPV at the time. Any other income of an SPV, net of reasonable reserves to be established by a unanimous decision of the Board, will be distributed to its Shareholders on the basis of such Shareholders’ agreement regarding dividend policy at the time of incorporating such SPV.

 

12.2The Parties will establish a committee consisting of one appointee by each Party that will supervise any distribution of dividends or any other payments by an SPV to its Shareholders (the “Distributions Committee”). For purposes of calculating such distributions, the Distributions Committee will aggregate the financial results of all SPVs and will maintain an aggregate IRR calculation for the entire Business and all SPVs.

 

12.3For all purposes, distributions from all SPVs (including all net proceeds received by the Shareholders from a Strategic Transaction (whether in cash or deemed as realised in cash) in accordance with clause 12.6) will be aggregated and distributions will be made as follows:

 

A.First, one hundred percent (100%) to the Shareholders on a pro rata basis until they have received an amount equal to their total drawn down and invested Commitments;

 

B.Second, one hundred percent (100%) to the Shareholders on a pro rata basis until they have received a return equal to ten percent (10%) Internal Rate of Return (the “First Preferred Return”) on their total drawn down and invested Commitments;

 

C.Third, with respect to any distributions after the First Preferred Return has been met and up to the Shareholders receiving a return equal to fifteen percent (15%) Internal Rate of Return on their total drawn down and invested Commitments (the “Second Preferred Return”), ninety percent (90%) to all the Shareholders on a pro rata basis and ten percent (10%) to the Costamare Shareholders (the “Costamare First Step Incentive Allocation”) on a pro rata basis;

 

D.Fourth, with respect to any distributions after the Second Preferred Return has been met and up to the Shareholders receiving a return equal to twenty percent (20%) Internal Rate of Return on their total drawn down and invested Commitments (the “Third Preferred Return”), eighty-two and a half percent (82.5%) to all the Shareholders on a pro rata basis and seventeen and a half percent (17.5%) to the Costamare Shareholders (the “Costamare Second Step Incentive Allocation”) on a pro rata basis;

 

E.Fifth, with respect to any distributions after the Third Preferred Return has been met and up to the Shareholders receiving a thirty-five percent (35%) Internal Rate of Return on their total drawn down and invested Commitments
24

(the “Fourth Preferred Return”), eighty percent (80%) to all the Shareholders on a pro rata basis and twenty percent (20%) to the Costamare Shareholders (the “Costamare Third Step Incentive Allocation”) on a pro rata basis; and

 

F.Finally, with respect to any distributions after the Fourth Preferred Return has been met (the “Fifth Preferred Return”; and, together with the Second Preferred Return, the Third Preferred Return and the Fourth Preferred Return, the “Preferred Returns”), seventy percent (70%) to all the Shareholders on a pro rata basis and thirty percent (30%) to the Costamare Shareholders (the “Costamare Fourth Step Incentive Allocation”, and together with the Costamare First Step Incentive Allocation, Costamare Second Step Incentive Allocation, and Costamare Third Step Incentive Allocation, the “Costamare Incentive Allocations”) on a pro rata basis.

 

12.4The Parties will procure that the Shareholders and Directors of each SPV will take all necessary steps to ensure that the Costamare Incentive Allocations are properly allocated to the relevant Costamare Shareholders and that distributions to the relevant Costamare Shareholders in respect of the Costamare Incentive Allocations are paid simultaneously with any distributions paid to Shareholders in respect of their Preferred Returns.

 

12.5Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, without the unanimous approval of the Board of an SPV, no distribution shall be made in any form other than cash prior to the dissolution of such SPV.

 

12.6In the event that a Strategic Transaction is consummated, the net proceeds of such Strategic Transaction, after payment of all reasonable and documented fees and expenses incurred in connection with it, shall be distributed pursuant to clause 12.3. When as part of the consideration payable under a Strategic Transaction the York Shareholders do not receive cash for some or all of their Shares, the remaining shares held by the York Shareholders (or their substitutes pursuant to clause 15.2) in the case of a Public Offering or the shares or units in any listed entity received by the York Shareholders as part of the sale consideration (if the parties agree for the consideration not to be wholly in cash) in the case of any other Strategic Transaction, shall, in each case, be treated as being realised at the average of the closing price of such shares or units on the primary exchange on which they are listed for the ten trading days following such listing or other transaction, and shall be considered as a distribution under clause 12.3 together with any distributions made in respect of these shares or units held by the Shareholders (or any of their substitutes pursuant to clause 15.2) in the listed entity and any cash that the York Shareholders may have received due to such Public Offering or other Strategic Transaction. To the extent that a payment attributed to the Costamare Incentive Allocations (the “Payment”) is due to the Costamare Shareholders under clause 12.3 after such Public Offering or other Strategic Transaction and any deemed realisation, then York and/or the York Shareholders shall make a “fraction” of such Payment in cash and the remainder of such Payment shall be made in shares of the relevant listed entity immediately after the end of the ten trading days following such listing or, as the case may be, such other transaction, whereupon York and/or the York Shareholders shall deliver to Costamare or to its order such number of shares or units as their value equals such remainder. The Parties agree to procure that the Parties and all Shareholders at the time shall take whatever steps are required for the provisions of this clause 12.6 to be
25

given full effect. For the purposes of this clause “fraction” shall mean (i) in the case of a Public Offering, a fraction having as numerator the number of shares sold by the York Shareholders in the relevant Public Offering and as denominator the number of shares held by the York Shareholders immediately prior to such Public Offering being consummated and (ii) in the case of any other Strategic Transaction where part of the consideration is paid in shares and/or units of a listed entity, a fraction having as numerator the value of the shares and/or units received by the York Shareholders in relation to such Strategic Transaction and as denominator the aggregate of the value of the shares and/or units and the cash received by the York Shareholders in relation to such Strategic Transaction.

 

12.7Each time the Costamare Split Right is exercised pursuant to clause 8.1, the provisions of clause 8.6 shall apply as regards any payments to be made to the relevant Shareholders under clause 12.3, including any payments attributed to the Costamare Incentive Allocations, and such payments shall be made, as applicable, either at the time of the sale of a Vessel or at the time of the Deemed Sale of a Vessel.

 

12.8On an annual basis following the termination of the Commitment Period, as well upon completion of a Strategic Transaction or termination of this Agreement, the Parties shall determine whether on an aggregate basis taking into account all amounts realised and distributed, they have received the correct amounts pursuant to clause 12.3, including with respect to any amounts owed to Costamare Shareholders pursuant to the Costamare Incentive Allocations, and if there has been any overpayment the Shareholders receiving such overpayment shall make such payments to the other Shareholders, as are required to ensure that after receipt of such payments each Shareholder has on an aggregate basis received the amounts it should have received under clause 12.3.

 

12.9Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein but always subject to clauses 12.7 and 12.8, no Distribution shall be made if, after giving effect to the Distribution, (i) the relevant SPV would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or (ii) such Distribution is otherwise contrary to applicable law.

 

13. TAXATION

 

13.1The Parties agree that each SPV shall be incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands for so long as they may lawfully do so, subject to contrary tax advice.

 

13.2The Board of each SPV shall procure that, to the extent possible, the auditors appointed pursuant to clause 6.1 shall be instructed for and on behalf of each SPV to (i) determine whether such SPV shall be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” for purposes of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and (ii) facilitate a Shareholder in seeking to make and maintain a valid qualified electing fund election (within the meaning of Section 1295 of the Code) for such SPV characterised as a passive foreign investment company (within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code).

 

13.3The Parties agree that, to the extent requested by any Shareholder, the Board of each SPV shall make on behalf of the SPV a protective “check-the-box” election to classify the SPV as a corporation for U.S. tax purposes, provided that any request by
26

Costamare for the Board of an SPV to make an election to classify such SPV as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes shall prevail.

 

14. TRANSFER OF SHARES

 

14.1Save as permitted by this clause, no Shareholder shall sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any Share, or any interest in any Share (including any voting right attached to it), enter into any agreement in respect of the votes attaching to any Share or enter into any agreement, conditional or otherwise, to do any of the foregoing. The SPV shall procure that the Board declines to approve for registration any transfer of Shares which does not comply with the provisions of this clause 14.

 

14.2Subject always to clause 14.3, a Shareholder (the “Transferor”) may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its Shares:

 

A.to an Affiliate of the Transferor (subject to clauses 14.4 and 14.5); or

 

B.to any person with the written consent of the other Shareholder.

 

14.3It shall be a condition of any allotment, issue or transfer of a Share in an SPV or any interest therein to a person who is not a party to this Agreement that such person (the “Transferee”) shall duly adhere to and become a party to the Shareholder Agreement of such SPV (as a Shareholder of such SPV) by executing a deed of adherence to the Shareholder Agreement, and the relevant SPV shall not register the Transferee or otherwise admit such Transferee as a Shareholder of such SPV unless and until such deed of adherence has been so executed by the Transferee to the reasonable satisfaction of the Parties to this Agreement.

 

14.4Where a Shareholder (the “Original Shareholder”) has transferred Shares to an Affiliate pursuant to clause 14.2A, such Affiliate shall, if it ceases to be an Affiliate of the Original Shareholder, be obliged, as soon as practicable and in any case within five (5) Business Days after such cessation, to transfer its Shares in the SPV back to the Original Shareholder (or, if the Original Shareholder so notifies the SPV, to any continuing Affiliate of such Original Shareholder). As security for such obligation, each Affiliate which becomes a Shareholder irrevocably appoints the SPV (which accepts such appointment) as its attorney to execute any such transfer on its behalf (whether as transferor or transferee) at such consideration as the relevant Original Shareholder shall notify to the relevant SPV. In order that such SPV is able to monitor whether any obligations arise in relation to this clause 14.4, each Affiliate which has become a Shareholder shall notify the relevant SPV and the other Shareholders of such SPV forthwith if it ceases to be an Affiliate of the Original Shareholder or if its Transferee ceases to be an Affiliate of it, and the relevant Original Shareholder shall each provide the SPV and other Shareholders with such evidence as may be reasonably required to ensure that no obligations have arisen in relation to it pursuant to this clause 14.4.

 

14.5Where an Affiliate has acquired Shares pursuant to a transfer (or subsequent transfer or a series of transfers) under clause 14.2A, the relevant Shareholder of whom the Transferee is an Affiliate shall remain liable for the performance by such Affiliate of its obligations under this Agreement and/or the relevant Shareholders’ Agreement, in the event that such Affiliate fails to perform any of them, as if such failure were its own.
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14.6Clause 14 shall not apply to any procedure pursuant to clause 8.

 

14.7The Parties will procure that the provisions of this clause 14 are contained in the Shareholders’ Agreement of each SPV.

 

15. strategic transaction

 

15.1In connection with any proposed Strategic Transaction and to the extent necessary to facilitate such Strategic Transaction, the Parties may mutually agree to: (1) form a corporation (the assets of which would consist of interests in the SPVs) or amend this Agreement to provide for a conversion in accordance with the relevant laws of the SPVs to a corporation or such other capital structure as the Parties may determine; (2) distribute equity interests in the resulting company to the relevant Shareholders at the time in percentage interests consistent with such Shareholders’ respective interests in the SPVs; (3) form a subsidiary holding company and distribute its shares to the Parties; (4) move the SPVs or any successors to another jurisdiction to facilitate any of the foregoing; or (5) take such other steps as the Parties deem necessary to create a suitable vehicle for a Strategic Transaction, in each such case in accordance with the relevant laws of the SPVs, and in each case for the express purpose of a Strategic Transaction.

 

15.2If the Parties undertake Strategic Transaction pursuant to clause 15.1, the Parties shall take such actions as may be reasonably required and otherwise cooperate in good faith with the relevant Shareholders and the Boards of the SPVs in connection with consummating the Strategic Transaction and to take any other actions required in order to effectuate the Strategic Transaction.

 

15.3For the avoidance of doubt, no Strategic Transaction can be pursued unless the Parties and the relevant Shareholders at the time agree in writing that such Strategic Transaction may be pursued.

 

16. EXCLUSIVITY, NON-COMPETE and Non-solicitation

 

16.1The Parties’ relationship with respect to the Business will be on an exclusive basis during the Commitment Period and neither York and the York Shareholders nor Costamare and the Costamare Shareholders will be permitted to acquire Vessels in the container industry, whether directly or indirectly, whether alone or with any other partner or co-investor during the Commitment Period other than in accordance with this Agreement, provided however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted to preclude: (i) the Parties from investing in Non-Controlling Equity Stakes of other container shipping companies (unless such investment is done in the form of arrangements of the nature described in the Background Section of this Agreement) or (ii) York or any of its Affiliates from investing in the debt of other container shipping companies or any other person (whether or not as part of a loan-to-own strategy or with the aim to enter into debt-to-equity swaps or other forms of debt or capital restructuring of that business or person and the entry into any related transactions) (with each of the investments described in (i) and (ii) being, a “Permitted Transaction”); or (iii) any member of the Group of the Parent acquiring a Vessel owned (in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) by another member of the Group of the Parent or (iv) any member of the Group of York acquiring a Vessel owned (in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) by another member of the
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Group of York (with each of the investments described in (iii) and (iv) being, an “In-house Transaction”).

 

No Party shall be in breach of (or subject to the terms of) this clause 16 or be otherwise in breach of (or subject to the terms of) this Agreement, where it acquires an interest in a Vessel or relevant SPV: (i) upon enforcement of security or in satisfaction of a judgment; (ii) following the exercise or realisation of any of its rights as a creditor to a business or any person (including, without limitation, by way or, or as a result of, debt-to-equity swaps; loan-to own-strategies or any other form of debt or capital restructuring); or (iii) by way of any other arrangement or transaction having a similar effect, but in the cases of (ii) and (iii) subject to clause 16.2.

 

16.2Subject to clause 16.6, if, as a result of the exercise or realisation of any of its rights as a creditor to a business or any other person (including, without limitation, by way or, or as a result of, debt-to-equity swaps, loan-to-own strategies or any other form of debt or capital restructuring or any other arrangement or transaction having a similar effect), York acquires one or more Vessels or a Controlling Equity Stake in a Container Entity, York shall provide a notice to Costamare (the “Offer Notice”) within 7 Business Days following the transfer of title in all such Vessels or Controlling Equity Stake to York, proposing that all such Vessels or Controlling Equity Stake shall be acquired from York by the Business at the Relevant Price (as defined in clause 16.4).

 

16.3Costamare shall have the right, at its sole discretion, to determine whether or not the Business should acquire the Vessel(s) or the Controlling Equity Stake in accordance with the above, by providing a notice (the “Acceptance Notice”) within five (5) Business Days of receipt of the Offer Notice, failing which such right will expire. The Acceptance Notice shall set out: (i) the percentage of equity not exceeding 49% (the “Required Shares”) that Costamare wishes to subscribe for in the relevant SPV which will acquire the Vessels or the Controlling Equity Stake from York; and (ii) the date on which the acquisition will be exercised (including the manner and date or dates, as the case may be, for payment of the relevant proportion of the Relevant Price (as defined in clause 16.4) for the Required Shares by Costamare to York) (the “Exercise Date”) which shall be no later than five (5) Business Days after the incorporation of the SPV in accordance with clause 16.5. Payment of the relevant proportion of the Relevant Price should be made by Costamare at the same time and, if practicable, in the same manner as the payment from York, being not earlier than five (5) Business Days after the incorporation of the SPV, provided however that if payment of the relevant proportion of the Relevant Price is to be made in instalments, any failure by Costamare to make the first such instalment shall cause Costamare’s right to participate in the acquisition to lapse.

 

16.4For the purpose of this clause 16, the Relevant Price means:

 

A.where York acquires Vessel(s), the higher of:

 

(i)the aggregate of the fair market value of each of the Vessels, as determined by a valuation obtained by an independent and reputable third-party ship valuer jointly appointed by the Parties (each such valuation to take into account the value of any charter or other employment agreement of the relevant Vessel(s) in excess of twelve months at the time such valuation is obtained (without taking into
29

account any options of the charterer of a Vessel to extend contained therein); and

 

(ii) the aggregate of all the amounts invested by York (or its Affiliates): (1) in the acquisition of the debt of the relevant business or person referred to in clause 16.2 (including the purchase price of such debt and any related expenses, advisers’ fees and other costs less any earlier recoveries of principal of such debt (whether by way of repayment, realization or otherwise) and disregarding any interest paid in respect of such debt by that business of person); and (2) in the realisation or exercise of its rights as a creditor (including any related expenses, advisers’ fees and other costs) (all such amounts being the “Debt Investment”). If as a result of the realization or exercise of its rights as a creditor to the relevant business or person (referred to in clause 16.2), York received other assets or interests in addition to the Vessels, the amount of Debt Investment to be taken into account for the purpose of this sub-clause 16.3, shall be: (1) in respect of the purchase price of the debt and the related expenses or earlier principal recoveries, the amount attributable to the Vessels calculated pro rata on the basis of the fair market value of the Vessels and all the other assets and interests received by York or its Affiliates following such realization or exercise or rights (with the fair market value of the Vessels being calculated on the basis set out in (i) above); and (2) in respect of all other amounts invested or spent in the realisation of the assets and all the related expenses, such amounts as may be attributable to the Vessels (on a pro rata basis or otherwise, as applicable).

 

B.where York acquires a Controlling Equity Stake in a Container Entity, the higher of:

 

(i)the fair market value of such equity stake, which if not agreed by the Parties, shall be determined by a valuation obtained by an independent and reputable third-party accountant jointly appointed by the Parties; and

 

(ii)the Debt Investment (as defined in the first paragraph of clause 16.4A(ii)), provided that if the Container Entity owns other assets and interests in addition to the Vessels, the amount of Debt Investment to be taken into account for the purposes of this paragraph clause 16.4B(ii) shall be calculated pro rata on the basis of the fair market value of the Vessels and all the other assets and interests owned by the Container Entity at the time (with the market value of the Vessels being calculated on the basis set out in clause 16.4A(i) above).

 

16.5Within three (3) Business Days of receipt by York of an Acceptance Notice as set out in clause 16.3, the Parties shall promptly name the Shareholders to incorporate the SPV to acquire the Vessel(s) or the Controlling Equity and procure that such Shareholders shall:
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A.proceed with the incorporation of the relevant SPV with the Required Shares being issued to the Costamare Shareholder (subject to clause 3.6) and all the other Shares being issued to the York Shareholder;

 

B.appoint in relation to such SPV a Board in accordance with the provisions of clause 5;

 

C.enter into a Shareholders’ Agreement;

 

D.procure that the relevant SPV’s constitutional documents reflect, to the extent permitted by law, the provisions of such Shareholders’ Agreement;

 

E.procure that the relevant SPV enters into a Management Agreement with Costamare Shipping and/or, if directed by Costamare in writing, V.Ships Greece Ltd (provided that terms of the Management Agreement are not materially worse than the terms of the management agreements in place (if any) in respect of such Vessel); and

 

F.if a Newbuild Vessel is acquired by York as a result of such realization or exercise of rights, procure that the relevant SPV enters into a Supervision Agreement with Costamare Shipping,

 

16.6Notwithstanding clauses 16.2 to 16.5 (and subject to clause 16.7), York shall not be required to offer the Vessels or the Controlling Equity Stake referred to in clause 16.2 to Costamare or the Business, if:

 

A.where York acquires Vessel(s) in accordance with the above:

 

(i)York (together with its Affiliates) do not solely own such Vessel(s) and/or are subject to the consent of any third party for the transfer of the title, rights or interest in the Vessel(s); and

 

B.Where York acquires a Controlling Equity Stake in a Container Entity in accordance with the above:

 

(i)the sale of the Controlling Equity Stake is restricted by regulation, the by-laws or such Container Entity or any other any contractual obligations relating to such equity stake or to the debt or capital restructuring (as a result of which York has acquired such equity stake), unless York has entered into such contractual arrangements for the purpose of avoiding the need to submit an Offer Notice in accordance with clause 16.2; or

 

(ii)the sale of the equity stake is subject to any pre-emptive rights of any third party;

 

(iii)the consent of any third party is otherwise required for the transfer of the title, rights or interest in the equity stake.

 

16.7If, pursuant to clause 16.6, York is not required to offer the relevant Vessels or the Controlling Equity Stake to the Business due to the requirement to obtain the consent of any third party(ies), York shall (to the extent reasonably practicable) use reasonable
31

efforts to obtain such consent from the relevant third party(ies) provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, York shall not be required to pay any fees, incur any material costs or enter into any significant process to obtain such consent. Following the receipt of such consent, if York still owns the relevant Vessel or Controlling Equity Stake (and subject always to clause 16.6), York shall be required to offer the same to the Business within 7 Business Days of obtaining the required consents, in accordance with clauses 16.2 to 16.5 which shall apply mutatis mutandis.

 

16.8To the extent reasonably practicable York shall use reasonable efforts to negotiate the contractual arrangements relating to the realisation or exercise of its rights referred to in clause 16.2 so as to allow it make an offer to the Business in respect of the relevant Vessel or Controlling Equity Stake without the need for a consent from any third party.

 

16.9To the extent York owns a Vessel or a Controlling Equity Stake in a Container Entity which is not required to be offered to the Business in accordance with clause 16.6, York shall use reasonable efforts to procure (in so far as it is lawfully able to do so) the engagement of the Manager to provide management services for that Vessel (or a Vessel owned by the Container Entity) provided that:

 

A.if the Vessel is already subject to a management agreement with a third party, York (or the Container Entity) shall not be required to terminate, or procure the termination of, such agreement and/or take any steps which might reasonably be expected to require the payment of any penalties or break fees (unless Costamare agrees to reimburse and indemnify York for any such fees or penalties on terms satisfactory to York); and

 

B.the terms of the management agreement proposed by Costamare are not materially worse than the terms of the Management Agreements entered into pursuant to the Framework Deed and if the Vessel is already subject to a management agreement with a third party, the terms proposed by Costamare are not materially worse than those under the management agreement in place with the third party.

 

16.10If York wishes to invest in a debt of any person and such investment is reasonably likely (at the time of such investment) to result in York owning a Vessel or a Controlling Equity Stake in a Container Entity, York shall provide Costamare with:

 

A.a notice (an “Investment Offer Notice”):

 

(i)setting out the name of the company, business or person who is the borrower of such debt;

 

(ii)setting out the principal terms of the investment;

 

(iii)the proposed date by which the investment is to be made; and

 

(iv)proposing that the debt investment shall be made through the Business,

 

provided that: (i) York shall not be required to provide or disclose the name of such person if such disclosure is restricted under the terms of any confidentiality

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arrangements with a third party provided that to the extent reasonably practicable, York shall use reasonable efforts to negotiate such agreement and/or to obtain the required consents to allow the disclosure of such details to Costamare; and (ii) to the extent York incurred or paid (or is required to pay) fees or any material costs in obtaining such information, Costamare is willing to share such costs equally with York.

 

16.11Costamare shall have the right, at its sole discretion, to determine whether or not the Business should invest in the debt on the terms set out in the Investment Offer Notice by providing an acceptance notice (the “Investment Acceptance Notice”) within five (5) Business Days of receipt of the Investment Offer Notice. An Investment Acceptance Notice shall also set out the percentage of equity not exceeding 49% that Costamare wishes to subscribe for in the relevant SPV which will acquire the debt. Following the receipt of an Investment Acceptance Notice, the Parties shall act in accordance with clause 16.5 (excluding paragraphs E and F of that clause and as if references in that clause to an “Acceptance Notice” were references to the “Investment Acceptance Notice”) and Costamare shall act in accordance with clauses 3.2, 3.3, 3.9 and 3.12 as such clauses relate to Costamare only.

 

16.12If, acting in good faith, York considers that following the procedure set out in clauses 16.10 or 16.11 may jeopardise its ability to invest in such debt, York shall be entitled to purchase the debt and subsequently propose it to the Business in accordance with clauses 16.10 and 16.11 which shall apply mutatis mutandis.

 

16.13If Costamare rejects the offer under the Investment Offer Notice or does not provide an Investment Acceptance Notice in accordance with clause 16.11 or does not provide the funds to the SPV for the investment in the debt by the time agreed to by the Parties, York shall be entitled to carry out the investment in the debt on substantially the same terms as set out in the Investment Offer Notice and any subsequent related investment (on such terms as York may see fit) in the debt of such person without the need to offer it to the Business.

 

16.14If during this Agreement and in connection with its equity investment in a container shipping company (the “Investee”) and other than pursuant to a Permitted Transaction, York or the Fund Manager or their respective Affiliates or employees or officers is to become a member of the Investee’s board of directors, York will provide notice thereof to Costamare. If Costamare objects to such board membership and York nevertheless informs Costamare in writing that it intends for such person to join the Investee’s board, Costamare will have a period of up to two (2) weeks following such notification from York to terminate this Agreement. York will not be in breach of this clause merely by York or the Fund Manager exercising non-voting observer rights in respect of board meetings.

 

16.15Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Parties agree that after the Effective Date and until the end of the Commitment Period and other than pursuant to a Permitted Transaction or pursuant to an In-house Transaction, neither Party will acquire a Vessel without first making it available, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, for acquisition by the Business (the Party presenting such Vessel for acquisition, the “Offering Party” and the other Party, the “Non-Offering Party”).

 

16.16The exercise of this right of first refusal shall be at the Non-Offering Party’s sole and absolute discretion. The Non-Offering Party shall exercise this right within five (5)
33

Business Days, failing which such right will expire (and if the Offering Party acquires the Vessel prior to the expiry of the five (5) Business Day Period, it shall be deemed to have given the Non-Offering Party the option to have an SPV acquire the relevant Vessel for the Business on the same terms (including as to price) as the Offering Party, which shall be exercised within the same five (5) Business Day Period). In the event that the Non-Offering Party does not exercise its right of first refusal, the Offering Party shall be permitted to acquire the Vessel, provided however, that such acquisition is on terms no more favourable to the Offering Party than those offered to the Business.

 

16.17Either Party to this Agreement shall retain the right to purchase any Vessel that the other Party has previously rejected under this Agreement upon the same terms as were rejected (including as to price), provided however that in the event that York is the purchaser of such Vessel, Costamare will agree to provide management services for that Vessel on materially the same terms as any relevant Management Agreement, should York elect to engage Costamare for such services.

 

16.18During the term of the Agreement Costamare will, where it wishes to charter a vessel of the same type as a Vessel that is available for charter by the Business, provide the Business with an indicative arm’s length charter bid on prevailing market terms, and, unless York objects within five (5) Business Days, the Vessel shall be chartered to Costamare on such terms. Costamare shall provide York with such information as it may reasonably require to verify that the terms of the charter are arm’s length market terms.

 

16.19All promises and obligations of a Party under this clause 16 shall equally apply to the Parent and the Fund Manager (for itself and on behalf of the York Funds), respectively, as if they are direct promises and obligations of the Parent, the Fund Manager and/or the York Funds, respectively.

 

16.20The Parties will procure that the relevant provisions of this clause 16 are contained in the Shareholders’ Agreement of each SPV. For the avoidance of doubt, any investment between York and Costamare in an SPV in accordance with this clause 16 shall be subject to the provisions of clause 5.

 

17. CONFIDENTIALITY

 

17.1Each Party shall keep and treat as strictly confidential and not at any time disclose or make known in any way to any person who is not a Party, or use for a purpose other than the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, any information which it now possesses or which may come within its knowledge during the term of this Agreement, in relation to or connected with or arising out of this Agreement or the matters contained in it, the existence of this Agreement or the business, activities or affairs of any other Party (together “Confidential Information”) or, through any failure to exercise all due care, cause any unauthorised disclosure of any Confidential Information and will make every effort to prevent the use or disclosure of such information, except that these restrictions do not apply to the disclosure of Confidential Information if and to the extent that:

 

A.disclosure is required by law or for the purpose of any judicial proceedings or requested by any regulatory authority, government body or recognised securities exchange, including the NYSE (each a “Disclosure”), provided
34

however, that prior to such a Disclosure and to the extent permitted by law and, in the case of a Disclosure other than the Disclosure in relation to the entry into this Agreement, practicable, the Parties shall consult with each other and shall give due consideration to the other Party’s reasonable comments regarding the content, timing and manner of the Disclosure;

 

B.the information is or becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of any undertaking or duty of confidentiality by any Party or Affiliate of a Party;

 

C.as a result of the Public Offering of the common units of Costamare Partners or any other Affiliate of the Parent;

 

D.the information is disclosed on a strictly confidential basis by a Party to its advisers, auditors and other professional service providers for the purposes of the Business;

 

E.disclosure is by a Party to a member of its Group, provided that it shall procure that such Group member shall keep such information confidential upon the terms of this clause 17; or

 

F.the relevant Parties have given their prior written consent to the contents and manner of the disclosure.

 

17.2The provisions of this clause 17, to the extent that they relate to general commercial information, shall continue in force in accordance with their terms until the termination of this Agreement.

 

17.3The provisions of this clause 17, to the extent that they relate to confidential know-how or information in relation to a Party, shall continue in force in accordance with their terms for the continuance of this Agreement and following its termination.

 

17.4All promises and obligations of a Party under this clause 17 shall equally apply to the Parent and the Fund Manager (for itself and on behalf of the York Funds), respectively, as if they are direct promises and obligations of the Parent and the Fund Manager and/or the York Funds, respectively.

 

17.5The Parties will procure that the provisions of this clause 17 are contained in the Shareholders’ Agreement of each SPV.

 

18. termination ANd winding up

 

18.1This Agreement shall automatically terminate:

 

A.on the date falling fifteen (15) Business Days after the end of the Commitment Period, if no SPV has been incorporated or is in existence at the time;

 

B.upon the last SPV being wound up in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, provided that the Commitment Period has in the meantime expired;
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C.upon the completion of a Strategic Transaction for all the Business, provided that the Commitment Period has in the meantime expired; and

 

D.upon all Shares in all SPVs being held only by York Shareholders or, as the case may be, Costamare Shareholders.

 

18.2This Agreement may be terminated by Costamare by notice to York to this effect:

 

A.in accordance with the provisions of clause 16.14; or

 

B.in the event that Costamare has exercised its Costamare Split Right,

 

provided however, that in the case of clause 18.2A, it shall remain in effect until all then-existing SPVs are wound up.

 

18.3This Agreement may be terminated by either Party at any time:

 

A.after the other Party, the Parent, the Fund Manager, and/or any of the York Funds that at the relevant time is invested in York shall have a liquidator or trustee appointed or an administrative receiver, receiver or manager appointed over the whole or substantially the whole of its assets or undertaking or shall suffer any similar event in any jurisdiction (and, in the case of any York Funds formed as limited partnerships, if the relevant limited partnership agreement is terminated), and such event is continuing;

 

B.the relevant Shareholder of an SPV fails to provide its capital contribution in such SPV in accordance with the relevant Investment Notice issued pursuant to clause 4.5; or

 

C.the relevant Shareholder of an SPV fails to provide or procure the provision of the relevant Shareholder Support (as such term is defined below) pursuant to clause 19,

 

provided however, that, in each case, this Agreement shall remain in effect until all then-existing SPVs are wound up.

 

18.4Each Party undertakes that it will notify the other Party promptly upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in clause 18.3A.

 

18.5The provisions of this clause 18 shall be without prejudice to any right or obligation of any Party or a Shareholder arising under this Agreement or another agreement and shall not affect any provision of this Agreement which is expressly or by implication provided to come into effect upon, or to continue in effect after, such termination.

 

18.6Save as otherwise agreed by the Parties by an instrument in writing and unless Costamare exercises its Costamare Split Right in accordance with clause 8.1A, on the Fourth Anniversary or in the event that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to clauses 18.2 and/or 18.3, all then existing SPVs shall be wound up immediately, except to the extent necessary to allow an orderly winding up of their affairs, including the liquidation of their assets as promptly as practicable and dissolution of the entities. In case of such dissolution, distributions will be made according to clause 12.
36
18.7Without prejudice to clause 18.5, clauses 1, 12, 17.3, 18.7, 23, 26, 28, 31, and 32 shall survive termination of the Agreement.

 

19. Guarantees, indemnities and other ASSURANCE

 

19.1This clause 19 shall apply in respect of the provision of any guarantee, indemnity or other assurance which a third party may require in respect of the indebtedness or other obligations of any SPV (including such support by any other member of the Group of a Party as a Business Plan may set out or the Parties may have agreed in writing) (“Shareholder Support”).

 

19.2If the Business Plan of an SPV or the financing in relation thereto or any other transaction agreed in either case by the Board of such SPV, requires that the Shareholders of such SPV should provide or procure the provision of any Shareholder Support, then such Board or, failing that, any Director of such SPV, may, by giving not less than 5 Business Days’ written notice to the Shareholders of such SPV, require that each of the relevant Shareholders provides or procures the provision of Shareholder Support pro rata to such Shareholders’ shareholding participation to such SPV (taking into account the exercise (if any) of a Costamare Option in relation to such SPV), but otherwise on the same terms and in the same manner.

 

19.3Any Shareholder Support provided pursuant to this clause 19 shall be provided to the relevant SPV without charge and on such other terms as the requiring Shareholder may reasonably determine.

 

19.4For so long as a Shareholder of an SPV has failed (such Shareholder, a “failing Shareholder”) to provide or procure the provision of the relevant Shareholder Support, and notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, such Shareholder shall not be entitled to exercise any of its rights under this Agreement with respect to that SPV.

 

19.5The Shareholders of an SPV shall bear the aggregate amount of any Actions or Losses suffered or incurred by them or either of them or by a member of a Shareholder’s Group pursuant to any Shareholder Support in respect of such SPV (irrespective of whether such Shareholder Support is given on a joint, several or joint and several basis) given by them or either of them or a member of such Shareholder’s Group pursuant to this clause 19, and each such Shareholder of an SPV shall, subject to clause ‎19.6, indemnify the other accordingly.

 

19.6If any Actions or Losses as are referred to in clause‎ 19.5 are suffered or incurred solely as a result of a default by one Shareholder of an SPV or by a member of the Group of such Shareholder, then the whole of any such Actions and Losses shall be borne by such Shareholder which shall indemnify the other Shareholder of such SPV and the relevant SPV accordingly.

 

19.7Any payments to be made pursuant to clause19.5 or clause 19.6 shall be made forthwith on demand.

 

19.8Nothing in this Agreement shall operate to deprive either of the Shareholders of an SPV of any rights or remedies available to it at law against the other Shareholder of such SPV, except insofar as any rights or remedies are inconsistent with or expressly excluded by the terms of this Agreement.
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19.9Save as otherwise provided in this clause 19 neither of the Shareholders of an SPV shall be obliged to give any Shareholder Support in respect of the liabilities or obligations of such SPV.

 

19.10References in this clause19 to any Shareholder Support being given by a Shareholder of an SPV shall include any Shareholder Support which is still outstanding and was given or procured by a previous shareholder of such SPV through whom previous shareholder that Shareholder derives its title to its Shares in such SPV, and references in clause‎19.6 to a default of a Shareholder of an SPV include a default by any such previous shareholder or a member of its Group.

 

19.11The Parties will procure that the provisions of this clause 19 are contained in the Shareholders’ Agreement of each SPV.

 

20. Representation and WARRANTIES

 

20.1Each Party represents and warrants to the other that:

 

  A. it is duly organised, validly existing and (to such extent such concept is relevant under its jurisdiction) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, with all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement;
     
B.this Agreement has been duly authorised, executed and delivered by such Party, constitutes the legal, binding obligations of such Party and is enforceable in accordance with its terms except insofar as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights or general principles of equity;

 

C.it has and shall maintain any authorisations, consents or approvals required from any governmental authority or other person for such Party to enter into and perform its obligations as envisaged by this Agreement;

 

D.all corporate, partnership or other actions on the part of such Party necessary for the authorisation, execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions and agreements contemplated hereby, have been taken; and

 

E.neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Party nor the consummation of the transactions or agreements contemplated herein, conflict with or contravene the provisions of such Party’s organisational documents or any agreement or instrument by which it or its properties are bound, or any law, rule or regulation, order or decree to which its or its properties are subject.

 

20.2The Fund Manager further represents and warrants to Costamare that:

 

A.the York Funds are managed, sponsored or advised by the Fund Manager or its Affiliates and that they shall remain so throughout this Agreement;

 

B.throughout the Commitment Period, it shall procure that the York Funds will invest in York and shall capitalize York when and as needed so that York
38

invests its funds in the Business by co-investing with Costamare in SPVs in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

 

C.it has full discretionary management authority to:

 

(i)determine whether a York Fund will invest its funds in York and procure that York invests its funds in an SPV;

 

(ii)to direct a York Fund to invest in York and procure that York subscribes in the Shares of an SPV and sign this Agreement and/or any of the relevant documents in respect of an SPV; and

 

(iii)to procure the appointment of decision-making persons in York and procure that York appoints Directors in each SPV and to change the same as and when required in accordance with this Agreement and the relevant Shareholders’ Agreement,

 

and that it shall maintain such authority throughout this Agreement.

 

20.3The Fund Manager further represents and warrants to Costamare that York will have no other shareholders, partners or members other than one or more of the York Funds.

 

20.4The Parent further represents and warrants to York that it is, and will remain throughout the period of this Agreement, the sole shareholder of Costamare with full authority to appoint and/or change the directors of Costamare.

 

21. power of attorney by way of security

 

21.1Costamare hereby irrevocably appoints York (and will procure that, to the extent required, any Costamare Shareholder also appoints York) as its respective attorney to execute and deliver the documents required to be executed and delivered pursuant to clauses 7.4, 8.5, 12.4 and 15.2 (as the case may be) and for the purposes set out therein and, if required, Costamare (or will procure that the relevant Costamare Shareholder) will ratify such signature or action by its attorney. The power of attorney in this clause is deemed to be coupled with an interest and given by way of security for the obligations of Costamare and/or the Costamare Shareholder of each SPV under this Agreement.

 

21.2York hereby irrevocably appoints Costamare (and will procure that, to the extent required, any York Shareholder also appoints Costamare) as its respective attorney to execute and deliver the documents required to be executed and delivered pursuant to clauses 7.4, 8.5 and 15.2 (as the case may be) and for the purposes set out therein and, if required, York (or will procure that the relevant York Shareholder) will ratify such signature or action by its attorney. The power of attorney in this clause is deemed to be coupled with an interest and given by way of security for the obligations York and/or the York Shareholder of each SPV under this Agreement.

 

22. GENERAL

 

22.1The Parties shall not engage in any activity, practice or conduct which would constitute an offence under any anti-bribery or corruption law applicable to that Party,
39

including, to the extent applicable, but not limited to the UK Bribery Act 2010 and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977 (together “Applicable Law”).

 

22.2The Parties have and shall maintain in place, adequate procedures designed to prevent any associated person from undertaking any conduct that may give rise to an offence under any Applicable Law.

 

22.3Each Party undertakes to the other Party that all actions required of it under this Agreement shall be carried out in a timely manner.

 

22.4If there shall be any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the constitutional documents or the Shareholders’ Agreement of an SPV, then as between the Parties the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

22.5Save as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, this Agreement is personal to the Parties, the Parent and the Fund Manager and none of them may assign, mortgage, charge or sub-license any of its rights under this Agreement, or sub-contract or otherwise delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement, except with the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

22.6Nothing in this Agreement shall create, or be deemed to create, a partnership at law, or the relationship of principal and agent, between the Parties or any of them.

 

22.7This Agreement shall come into force and effect upon all the following conditions precedent being satisfied by no later than 19 May 2013 or such other later date as may have been agreed by the Parties in writing (19 May 2013 or any agreed later date, the “Last Date”):

 

(A)both Parties confirming in writing that they have taken all necessary corporate action to approve this Agreement and the matters contemplated herein;

 

(B)Costamare confirming to York in writing that it has received satisfactory to it advice by U.S. and Marshall Islands counsel in connection with this Agreement and the matters contemplated herein;

 

(C)York confirming to Costamare in writing that it has received satisfactory to it advice by Marshall Islands counsel in connection with this Agreement and the matters contemplated herein; and

 

(D)the Parties agreeing the pro-forma Management Agreement, the pro-forma Supervision Agreement, the pro-forma Shareholders’ Agreement, the pro-forma constitutional documents of each SPV and any other documents that need to be agreed thereunder or in relation thereto.

 

In the event that any of the above conditions are not satisfied by 12:00 p.m. GMT on the Last Date, this Agreement shall never come into effect and neither the Parties nor the Parent nor the Fund Manager shall incur any liability or obligation against each other hereunder or in relation hereto.

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23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

 

23.1This Agreement, each Shareholders’ Agreement, the constitutional documents of each SPV and any other documents referred to in this Agreement constitute the entire agreement between the Parties and, as the case may be, the relevant Shareholders and supersede and extinguish all previous drafts, agreements, arrangements and understandings between them, whether written or oral, relating to its subject matter.

 

23.2No amendment shall be made to this Agreement save by instrument in writing signed by the Parties and, to the extent it concerns, rights or obligations of the Parent and/or the Fund Manager (for itself and on behalf of the York Funds), the Parent and/or the Fund Manager, respectively.

 

24. SEVERABILITY

 

If any provision of this Agreement is held by any court or other competent authority to be void, invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, this Agreement shall continue to be valid as to its other provisions and the remainder of the affected provisions; and the Parties and, to the extent required, the Parent and the Fund Manager, agree to negotiate in good faith such suitable alternative provision replicating as nearly as possible the intention of such invalid provision, being in the case of a provision held void by a competent authority a provision which is acceptable to the relevant competent authority.

 

25. counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when executed and delivered shall constitute an original of this Agreement, but all the counterparts shall together constitute the same Agreement.

 

26. WAIVER

 

No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any of its rights under this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of such rights and no waiver of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.

 

27. FURTHER ASSURANCE

 

Each Party shall from time to time (both during the continuance of this Agreement and after its termination) do all such acts and execute all such documents as may be reasonably necessary in order to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

28. RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES

 

28.1No term of this Agreement shall be enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by any person (a “Third Party”) other than the Parties to this Agreement.

 

28.2The consent of a Third Party shall not be required for any amendment to or termination of this Agreement.
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29.COSTS AND EXPENSES
   
29.1Subject to clauses 29.2 and 29.3, Costamare and York shall bear on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective shareholdings in the first SPV, the aggregate documented costs and expenses, including any advisors’ fees, legal or otherwise (the “Expenses”) incurred by the Parties in connection with the negotiation and execution of the Term Sheet dated 19 March 2013, this Agreement and any related documentation, including but not limited to any Management Agreement, any Supervision Agreement and any Shareholders’ Agreement in relation to the first SPV.

 

29.2In the event that either Party (the “Overpaying Party”) has paid more than its share of the Expenses as provided in clause 29.1, then the other Party shall reimburse to the Overpaying Party such amount in dollars as is required for each Party to have borne the relevant Expenses at the time on the basis of the percentages set out in clause 29.1. Any such reconciliation shall be performed at the time this Agreement is executed and when a Vessel is acquired by the first SPV to be incorporated pursuant to this Agreement and the other Party shall promptly thereafter reimburse the Overpaying Party.

 

29.3On the earlier of (i) the incorporation of the fifth SPV and (ii) the incorporation of the last SPV to be incorporated within the Commitment Period, the Parties shall re-calculate the allocation of the Expenses this time on the basis of their respective shareholdings as at such later date and as if all SPVs at the time were held by a holding company and the Shareholders of each SPV were holding their shares in the SPVs through such holding. In the event that either Party (the “Recalculation Overpaying Party”) following such recalculation has paid more than its share of the Expenses as provided in this clause 29.3, then the other Party shall promptly reimburse to the Recalculation Overpaying Party such amount in dollars as is required for each Party to have borne the relevant Expenses at the time on the basis of the percentages set out in this clause 29.3.

 

29.4Following any re-calculation pursuant to clause 29.3, the Parties shall transfer the Expenses to be amortised across the SPVs incorporated at the time of such re-calculation.

 

29.5With respect to common costs and expenses relating to SPVs other than the first SPV, the Parties will be responsible on a pro rata basis in accordance with their Commitments for that specific SPV and such amounts shall be included in the Investment Notices to Parties.

 

29.6Without prejudice to the provisions of clauses 29.4 and 29.5, York shall be reimbursed by each SPV in connection with any due diligence expenses (including advisors’ fees, and any other applicable costs) incurred by it in relation to its evaluation of the formation of the relevant SPV and corresponding Vessel acquisition, as agreed with Costamare on a case by case basis but not in excess of US$100,000 per SPV.

 

30. Non Advisory

 

Neither Party nor the Parent nor the Fund Manager assumes any responsibility to give, nor shall it give or be deemed to be giving, tax, regulatory or investment advice to the other Party or, as the case may be, the Parent and/or the Fund Manager in connection with any aspect of

42

the Business. In particular, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing no recommendation by Costamare, the Parent or any Manager in connection with the acquisition or disposal of a Vessel nor the preparation and/or contents of a Business Plan for an Investment Opportunity or the Budget for an SPV/Vessel shall constitute or be actionable as investment advice.

 

31. SERVICE OF NOTICES

 

31.1Any notice or other communication to be given or served under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and transmitted by email, as well as in one of the following delivery methods:

 

A.delivered by hand;

 

B.sent by airmail or international courier (in each case, pre-paid); or

 

C.sent by fax.

 

to the party due to receive the notice at the following address or fax number or email address:

 

in the case of York and the Fund Manager,

 

c/o York Capital Management Europe (UK) Advisors LLP

23 Saville Row, 4th Floor

London W1S 2ET

England

email: sparrow@yorkcapital.com

fax: +44(0) 20 7907 5601;

 

in the case of Costamare and the Parent,

 

c/o Costamare Shipping Company S.A.

60 Zephyrou Street & Syngrou Avenue

175 64 Athens

Greece

email: ventures@costamare.com

fax: +30 210 940 9051,

 

or at such other address or fax number or email address as may previously have been specified by that party by notice given in accordance with this clause.

 

31.2A notice is deemed to be given or served:

 

A.if delivered by hand, at the time it is left at the address;

 

B.if sent by pre-paid airmail or international courier, on the fourth Business Day after despatch;

 

C.if sent by fax, on receipt of a clear transmission report; and

 

D.if sent by email, when received.
43
31.3In the case of a notice given or served by fax, email or by hand, where this occurs after 5.00 pm on a Business Day, or on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of service shall be deemed to be the next Business Day.

 

32. GOVERNING LAW and jurisdiction

 

32.1This Agreement and any dispute or claim (whether contractual or otherwise) arising out of or in connection with it, including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination, is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with English law and shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration under the LCIA Rules, which Rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this clause. The number of arbitrators shall be three and Costamare and, if a co-plaintiff or (as the case may be) co-defendant in the relevant proceedings, the Parent shall be entitled to jointly appoint one arbitrator and York and, if a co-plaintiff or (as the case may be) co-defendant in the relevant proceedings, the Fund Manager (as well as the York Funds) shall be entitled to jointly appoint one arbitrator, with the third arbitrator being appointed by the LCIA Court, in accordance with LCIA Rules. The seat, or legal place, of arbitration shall be London and the language to be used in the arbitral proceedings shall be English.

 

32.2York and the Fund Manager each irrevocably appoints York Capital Management Europe (UK) Advisors LLP at present of 23 Saville Row, 4th Floor, London W1S 2ET, England and Costamare and the Parent each irrevocably appoints Mr Richard Coleman c/o H. Clarkson and Co. Ltd. at present of 3 Lower Thames Street, London EC3R 6HE, England to be its agent for the receipt of any claim form, application notice, order, judgment or other document (each, a “Service Document”) relating to any proceeding, suit or action arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (“Proceedings”).  Each Party, the Parent, and the Fund Manager agree that any Service Document may be effectively served on it in connection with Proceedings in England and Wales by service on its agent effected in any manner permitted by this Agreement, the LCIA Rules or the Civil Procedure Rules (as applicable).

 

32.3If the agent at any time ceases for any reason to act as such, the relevant party shall appoint a replacement agent having an address for service in England and shall notify the other parties to this Agreement of the name and address of the replacement agent.  Failing such appointment and notification, a Party shall be entitled by notice to the other parties to this Agreement to appoint a replacement agent to act on behalf of such other party and shall notify the other parties of the appointment.  The provisions of this clause applying to service on an agent apply equally to service on a replacement agent.

 

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THIS AGREEMENT has been executed as a deed on the date stated at the beginning of this agreement.

 

Executed and delivered as a deed by )  
SPARROW HOLDINGS, L.P. )  
acting by York Global Finance Manager, LLC )  
its General Partner acting by: ) Name .... John J. Fosina .....................................
  ) Title .... Chief Financial Officer ...........................

 

Executed and delivered as a deed by )  
COSTAMARE VENTURES INC. )  
acting by: )  
  ) Name .... Anastassios Gabrielides ................
  ) Title .... Secretary / Director ........................

 

Executed and delivered as a deed solely )  
with respect to provisions applicable to it by )  
YORK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT )  
GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC (on behalf of ) Name .... John J. Fosina .....................................
itself and as agent for the York Funds) acting by: ) Title .... Chief Financial Officer ...........................

 

Executed and delivered as a deed solely )  
with respect to provisions applicable to it by )  
COSTAMARE INC. )  
acting by: ) Name .... Anastassios Gabrielides .....................
  ) Title .... General Counsel / Secretary ...........
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Schedule 1-List of York Funds

 

1York Capital Management, L.P.

 

2York Multi-Strategy Master Fund, L.P.

 

3York Credit Opportunities Fund, L.P.

 

4York Credit Opportunities Investments Master Fund, L.P.

 

5York European Opportunities Investments Master Fund, L.P.

 

6York European Focus Master Fund, L.P.

 

7York European Distressed Credit Fund, L.P.

 

8York European Distressed Credit Fund II, L.P.
46

Schedule 2-Form of Business Plan

 

The Business Plan prepared in respect of an SPV and its Vessel shall include:

 

a)summary of proposal e.g. funding or investment, trigger points, conditions, guarantees etc.;
  
b)purchase price of such Vessel and payment terms thereof;

 

c)details of such Vessel;

 

d)any existing draft documentation with respect to the acquisition of the Vessel;

 

e)in the event of a Newbuild Vessel, details of any documentation and arrangements with the relevant builder, including any performance guarantees that may be required;

 

f)valuation report prepared by an independent shipbroker appointed by Costamare;

 

g)details of any proposed financing and relevant documentation, including any performance guarantees that may be required;

 

h)details of strategy for operating the Vessel including details of any charter contracts; and

 

i)IRR / cashflow and assumptions.
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Schedule 3- Form of Budget

 

The Budget prepared by Costamare Shipping for an SPV and its Vessel shall include:

 

a)a breakdown of the projected operating costs of the Vessel and the relevant SPV;

 

b)a schedule of all fees and expenses that may be charged to or be claimed from the SPV including the proposed fees and expenses of all Service Providers;

 

c)an estimate of the working capital requirements of the SPV incorporated within a cash flow statement; and

 

d)an estimate of all expected cash flows and revenues of the SPV prior to any applicable financing costs.
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Schedule 4- Example of IRR calculation

 

  A B C D
1 IRR Example      
2        
3 Date Capital In Distribution/Proceeds Net Cash
4 30/6/2013 -5.000.000,00   -5.000.000,00
5 30/9/2013   300.000,00 300.000,00
6 31/12/2013   300.000,00 300.000,00
7 31/3/2014   300.000,00 300.000,00
8 30/6/2014   300.000,00 300.000,00
9 30/9/2014   300.000,00 300.000,00
10 31/12/2014   5.000.000,00 5.000.000,00
11        
12     IRR 22,0%

 

  A B C D
1 IRR Example      
2        
3 Date Capital In Distribution/Proceeds Net Cash
4 30/6/2013 -5000000   =+C4+B4
5 30/9/2013   300000 =+C5+B5
6 31/12/2013   300000 =+C6+B6
7 31/3/2014   300000 =+C7+B7
8 30/6/2014   300000 =+C8+B8
9 30/9/2014   300000 =+C9+B9
10 31/12/2014   5000000 =+C10+B10
11        
12     IRR =+XIRR(D4:D10;A4:A10)
49