EX-10.2 3 d18097dex102.htm EX-10.2 EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

EXECUTION VERSION

Shareholders’ Agreement

between

Amon Gas Holding AS

and

Navigator Gas Invest II Limited

regarding Amon Shipholding AS (tbr Navigator Amon Shipping AS)

14 July 2025

 


Contents

 

1.

  DEFINITIONS      5  

2.

  EFFECTIVE DATE      10  

3.

  THE BUSINESS OF THE GROUP – THE SHARES      10  

4.

  FUNDING AND GUARANTEES      11  
  4.1    Third-party financing      11  
  4.2    SBC Contribution      11  
  4.3    Additional contribution      11  
  4.4    Terms for share capital increases and shareholder loans      12  
  4.5    Emergency Funding      12  
  4.6    Guarantees      13  
  4.7    Cash flow distribution      14  

5.

  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS      14  

6.

  RELATED PARTY AGREEMENTS      14  

7.

  THE GROUP’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SHAREHOLDERS      15  

8.

  THE BOARD      16  
  8.1    General      16  
  8.2    Voting rules      17  

9.

  THE GENERAL MEETING      18  
  9.1    General      18  
  9.2    Voting rules      18  

10.

  SUBSIDIARIES      18  

11.

  DEADLOCK      19  

12.

  GOVERNANCE AND REPORTING      19  

13.

  TRANSFER OF SHARES      22  
  13.1    General restrictions      22  
  13.2    Transfers to Affiliates      22  

14.

  UNDERTAKINGS      22  
  14.1    Change of Control      22  
  14.2    Sanctions      23  
  14.3    Anti-bribery, corruption and compliance      23  
  14.4    Tonnage Tax Regime      24  
  14.5    Breach of undertakings      25  

15.

  EXIT         25  
  15.1    IPO      25  
  15.2    Sale      26  

16.

  DEFAULT      27  

17.

  TERMINATION      27  

18.

  LIQUIDATION      28  
  18.1    General      28  
  18.2    Distribution of liquidation proceeds      28  

19.

  NON-SOLICITATION      29  

20.

  MISCELLANEOUS      29  
  20.1    Confidentiality      29  
  20.2    Public announcements      29  

 

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  20.3    Severability      29  
 

20.4

   Entire agreement; amendments      29  
 

20.5

   No right of rescission, termination, or reversal      29  
 

20.6

   Notices      29  
 

20.7

   Expenses      30  
 

20.8

   Assignment      30  
 

20.9

   Counterparts      30  
 

20.10

   Governing law      31  
 

20.11

   Dispute resolution      31  

 

3 (35)


Schedules   
Schedule 1.9    By-laws
Schedule 1.46    Reserved Matters
Schedule 4.2.1    Projected SBC Contribution

 

4 (35)


This shareholders’ agreement (the Agreement) is entered into on 14 July 2025 between:

 

(1)

Amon Gas Holding AS, a Norwegian private limited liability company with registration no. 929 535 359 (Amon); and

 

(2)

Navigator Gas Invest II Limited, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with registration no. 16575144 (NVGS);

 

(3)

Amon Shipholding AS (tbr Navigator Amon Shipping AS), a Norwegian private limited liability company with registration no. 935 640 768 (the Company)

each a Party, and collectively the Parties.

Background

 

(A)

Amon and NVGS have decided to establish a joint venture for the purpose of ordering and taking delivery of two 51,350 m3 ammonia fuelled LPG/ammonia carriers, with hull no. S1147 (Vessel 1) and hull no. S1148 (Vessel 2) and collectively the Vessels pursuant to two shipbuilding contracts both dated 17 June 2025 (the SBCs) and subsequent initial chartering of the Vessels to Yara Clean Ammonia AS, a Norwegian private limited liability company with registration no. 928 352 498 (Yara Clean Ammonia) or an Affiliate thereof (such charter contracts, the Yara TCs).

 

(B)

Vessel 1 will be owned by Amon Gas AS, a Norwegian private limited liability company with registration no. 933 101 398, while Vessel 2 will be owned by Amon Gas II AS, a Norwegian private limited liability company with registration no. 934 053 591 (collectively the SPVs). The SPVs are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, which will serve as the vehicle for the joint venture.

 

(C)

On the date of this Agreement, Amon holds 100% of the shares in the Company. Pursuant to an investment agreement entered into on 14 July 2025 between the Parties (the Investment Agreement), NVGS and Amon have agreed to subscribe for shares in the Company in tranches. Once both NVGS’ and Amon’s committed equity has been contributed, NVGS will hold an ownership interest of approximately 79.5% in the Company, while Amon will hold an ownership interest of approximately 20.5% in the Company, as further set out in the Investment Agreement. Notwithstanding the timing of the equity contributions from NVGS and Amon, the terms of this Agreement shall become effective from the date of this Agreement, and NVGS’s organisational rights shall be based on the assumption that all capital contributions under the Investment Agreement are completed.

 

(D)

The Parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement to govern their interests in the Company.

 

1.

Definitions

For purposes of this Agreement, the following capitalised terms shall have the following meanings when used herein (and any accounting term not defined herein will have the meaning given to it under GAAP as applicable from time to time):

 

1.1

Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, another Person Controlled directly or indirectly by such first Person, Controlling directly or indirectly such first Person or directly or indirectly under the same Control as such first Person, and Affiliated shall have a correlating meaning.

 

5 (35)


1.2

Agreement means this Agreement, including the Schedules.

 

1.3

Amon shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the introduction.

 

1.4

Anti-Corruption Law means all Applicable Laws, regulations and/or other legally binding requirements or determinations (and any amendments to the aforesaid) in relation to anti-bribery, anti-corruption, fraud, tax evasion, money-laundering, terrorism, sanctions, collusion bid-rigging or anti-trust, human rights violations (including forced labour and human trafficking), use of conflict minerals or similar activities which are applicable to the Group and which shall include, without limitation: (i) the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010 (and the maintenance of adequate procedures thereunder); (ii) the Modern Slavery Act 2015; (iii) the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977; (iv) the Criminal Finances Act 2017 (to prevent tax evasion); (v) any related enabling legislation pursuant to the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions; and (vi) any United States, United Nations, United Kingdom, Norway or European Union legislation.

 

1.5

Applicable Law means any applicable statute, law (including common law), regulation, judgment, order, directive or other governmental regulation or restriction or any similar form or decision of, or determination by, or any interpretation or administration having the force of law of any of the foregoing, by any government entity, whether in effect as of the date of this Agreement or thereafter, including, where applicable, the rules and regulations of any relevant securities exchange).

 

1.6

Appraiser shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 11.5.

 

1.7

Board shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 0.

 

1.8

Business Day means any day (excluding a Saturday or a Sunday) when banks are open for general banking business in Norway, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

 

1.9

By-laws means the by-laws of Company from time to time, and initially to be as set out in schedule 1.9 to this Agreement.

 

1.10

Calendar Month means any calendar month.

 

1.11

Calendar Quarter means a period of three consecutive calendar months commencing on the first day of January, the first day of April, the first day of July and the first day of October in any Calendar Year.

 

1.12

Calendar Year means a period of 12 (twelve) consecutive calendar months commencing on the 1st day of January and ending on the following 31st day of December.

 

1.13

Capital Call shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 4.2.3.

 

1.14

Change of Control means, with respect to a Shareholder, any direct or indirect change in Control of a Shareholder (whether through merger, sale of shares or other equity interests, or otherwise), through a single transaction or series of related transactions, from one or more transferors to one or more transferees, provided, however, that for the purposes of this Agreement, a Change of Control shall not include a change in Control of a Shareholder:

 

  (a)

resulting in ongoing Control by a wholly owned Affiliate;

 

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  (b)

resulting from a change of Control of the ultimate parent entity of NVGS; or

 

  (c)

resulting from a change of Control of any publicly traded subsidiary of the ultimate parent entity of such Shareholder,

for the purposes of this definition, as of the date of this Agreement, the ultimate parent entity of NVGS is Navigator Holdings Ltd. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Agreement, no Change of Control of NVGS or of any of its subsidiaries shall be deemed to have occurred in connection with, or as a result of, any transaction effected in connection with (or in the furtherance of effecting): (i) the publicly disclosed potential change in the corporate domicile of NVGS from the Marshall Islands to England and Wales; and/or (ii) as part of such redomiciliation of NVGS, any change in the corporate domicile of any subsidiary of NVGS to England and Wales and/or Denmark.

 

1.15

Company shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereof.

 

1.16

Companies Act means the Norwegian Private Limited Liability Companies Act of 13 June 1997 no. 44.

 

1.17

Compulsory Policies shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 5.1.

 

1.18

Control means with respect to a Person (other than an individual) (a) direct or indirect ownership of more than 50% of the equity securities or votes of such Person exercisable at general meetings of such Person on all or substantially all matters, (b) the right to appoint, or cause the appointment of, more than 50% of the members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of such Person, (c) the right to manage, or direct the management of, on a discretionary basis the business or assets of such Person on all or substantially all matters, or (d) without limiting any other clause of this definition, if applicable to such Person (even if such Person is a limited partnership), where such undertaking is a limited partnership, ownership of all of the equity of the sole general partner of such limited partnership (and the terms Controlling and Controlled shall have correlating meanings).

 

1.19

Corporate Services Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the clause 6.2.

 

1.20

Deadlock shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 11.1.

 

1.21

Dividend Policy shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 4.7.2.

 

1.22

Emergency Funding shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 4.5.1.

 

1.23

Emergency Funding Lending Right shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 4.5.1.

 

1.24

Emergency Funding Take-up Right shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 4.5.2.

 

1.25

ENOVA Grants means, collectively, the two grants issued by Enova SF in favour of the Group, each in a maximum amount of NOK 90,000,000.

 

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1.26

Exercise Notice shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 15.2.3.

 

1.27

Exchange Act shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 12.8.

 

1.28

Exchange Act Report shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 12.8.

 

1.29

Expert shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 11.4.

 

1.30

Fair Market Value means the fair market value of the Company as agreed between the Shareholders in good faith or, if no agreement is reached between the Shareholders, as determined pursuant to the procedure set forth in clauses 11.5 and 11.6.

 

1.31

Fiscal Year means the Company’s taxable year.

 

1.32

GAAP means United States and Norwegian generally accepted accounting principles.

 

1.33

General Meeting shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 9.1.1.

 

1.34

Governmental Body means any political subdivision or jurisdiction of any nature, any government or governmental authority of any nature, any multinational organisation or body or any body exercising or entitled to exercise any administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory or taxing authority or power of any nature.

 

1.35

Government Official means any officer, employee or person of a Governmental Body (except any member of the staff of the SEC or of any securities exchange or trading market on which any securities of a Shareholder is listed or quoted) when such Person is acting in an official capacity, or in an official decision-making role, has responsibility for performing regulatory inspections, government authorisations or licenses, or otherwise has the capacity to make decisions with the potential to affect the business of any of the Shareholders.

 

1.36

Group means the Company and its Subsidiaries (if any).

 

1.37

Group Company means any company within the Group.

 

1.38

Investment Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereof.

 

1.39

IPO means a public primary and/or secondary offering, or a private placement, of all or any part of the Shares in the Company or in another company within the Group in connection with a listing or trading on a stock exchange, regulated market, multilateral trading facility or another recognized market.

 

1.40

Offering Jurisdiction shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 15.1.3.

 

1.41

Owning means where any Person, directly or indirectly, owns a 50% or greater interest in any other Person, individually or in the aggregate, without need to prove any form of joint arrangement between said parties or that the shares are held jointly.

 

1.42

Party and Parties shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereof.

 

1.43

Person means any natural or legal person of any kind, including any joint venture, partnership and co-ownership.

 

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1.44

Pro Forma Ownership Interest shall mean the Shareholders’ ownership interests as per the final equity contributions set out in the Investment Agreement calculated on the assumption that all capital contributions set out in the Investment Agreement have been fully made, regardless of whether such contributions have actually been completed, i.e. approximately 79.5% for NVGS and approximately 20.5% for Amon.

 

1.45

Registration Statement & Prospectus or Offering Memorandum shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 12.6.

 

1.46

Reserved Matters means the matters requiring a Reserved Resolution from time to time during this Agreement as listed in schedule 1.46. Reserved Resolution means a resolution on the level of the board or shareholders (whether in the Company or another Group Company), as the case may be, in respect of a Reserved Matter and shall require the affirmative vote of either both Shareholders or the representative(s) appointed by them to the Board, as the case may be.

Sale means a sale by all or substantially all of the assets of the Group to a bona fide third-party purchaser or purchasers by way of a structured process.

 

1.47

Sales Notice shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 15.2.2.

 

1.48

Sanctioned Person means any Person who:

 

  (a)

is listed (whether or not designated) on, or Controlled by a Person listed (whether or not designated) on, or acting on behalf of a Person listed (whether or not designated) on any list of Persons with whom all or specified types of trade, business or other activities are prohibited under Sanctions & Export Controls;

 

  (b)

is located in, incorporated under the laws of, or Controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a Person located in or organised under the laws of a country or territory that is the subject of a comprehensive prohibition on trade, business or other activities pursuant to Sanctions & Export Controls; or

 

  (c)

is otherwise a Person with whom trade, business or other activities are prohibited pursuant to Sanctions & Export Controls.

 

1.49

Sanctions & Export Controls means:

 

  (a)

the economic, trade, and financial sanctions laws administered and enforced by the United States, the European Union, Norway and United Kingdom and as promulgated by the United Nations Security Council; and

 

  (b)

the export, import, re-export, transfer, and re-transfer control laws administered and enforced by the United States, the European Union, Norway and United Kingdom and as promulgated by the United Nations Security Council.

 

1.50

SBC Contribution shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 4.2.1.

 

1.51

SBCs shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereof.

 

1.52

SEC shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 12.8.

 

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1.53

Securities Act shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 12.8.

 

1.54

Securities Exchange shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 15.1.3.

 

1.55

Selling Shareholder shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in clause 15.2.2.

 

1.56

Share means any share in the Company outstanding from time to time and Shares mean all shares in the Company outstanding from time to time.

 

1.57

Shareholder and Shareholders means NVGS and Amon.

 

1.58

Share Issues shall mean the share issues to be completed in accordance with the Investment Agreement.

 

1.59

SPVs shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereof.

 

1.60

Subsidiaries means any Person Controlled by the Company from time to time.

 

1.61

Ula Ship Management shall mean Ula Ship Management AS, a Norwegian private limited liability company with registration no. 928 833 216.

 

1.62

Vessels shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereof.

 

1.63

Vessel 1 shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereof.

 

1.64

Vessel 2 shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereof.

 

1.65

Yara Clean Ammonia shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereof.

 

1.66

Yara TCs shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble hereof.

 

2.

Effective date

 

2.1

This Agreement shall enter into force immediately upon the execution of this Agreement by Amon and NVGS.

 

3.

The business of the Group – the Shares

 

3.1

The business of the Group shall be to, in accordance with the terms of conditions of this Agreement, own the Vessels and charter the Vessels to Yara Clean Ammonia (and any subsequent charterer) pursuant to the terms of the Yara TCs (and any subsequent time charters).

 

3.2

The Shareholders undertake to negotiate in good faith with a view to agree on a branding profile for the Group, such branding profile to be reflected in the names, funnel markings and colouring scheme of the Vessels (and any future vessels owned and/or operated by the Group).

 

3.3

For the purpose of this Agreement, NVGS shall be considered a Shareholder from the date of this Agreement, and the rights and obligations under this Agreement shall at the date of this Agreement be based on the Pro Forma Ownership Interest of each Shareholder and assume that the Shareholders as of the date of this Agreement holds Shares in the Company equalling such Pro Forma Ownership Interest. The Shares have equal rights.

 

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4.

Funding and guarantees

 

4.1

Third-party financing

The Shareholders shall use best efforts to ensure that as much as possible of the funding required by the Group is obtained through third-party financing, whether in the form of debt or grants.

 

4.2

SBC Contribution

 

4.2.1

Subject to the Group’s entry into the Yara TCs in accordance with this Agreement, each Shareholder is obligated to contribute such equity to the Company as set out in the Investment Agreement and any such additional equity required to satisfy the payment obligations under the SBCs as set out in clause 4.2 (the SBC Contribution). A projected overview of the SBC Contribution together with estimated dates the contribution is required is attached hereto as Schedule 4.2.1.

 

4.2.2

If additional funding beyond the commitments in the Investment Agreement is required to satisfy the Company’s obligations under the SBCs, any such additional funding shall be made by way of equity contributions. Amon shall have both the right and obligation to participate pro rata in such additional funding, provided that Amon’s total obligation shall be limited to its initial subscription of USD 4,000,000. NVGS shall have the right and obligation to participate pro rata in such additional funding and to cover any portion of the required funding not subscribed for by Amon. Subscription price per share in share issues as part of any such additional contributions shall equal the subscription price per share for the SBC Contributions as set out in the Investment Agreement. To the extent the Shareholders’ contributions differ from their pro rata Pro Forma Ownership Interest, their ownership share will be adjusted accordingly.

 

4.2.3

No less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the time a portion of the SBC Contribution is required by the Company pursuant to the SBCs, the Board shall issue a capital call requesting payment of the relevant portion from the Shareholders (each a Capital Call).

 

4.2.4

The relevant portion of the SBC Contribution shall be paid in cash by the Shareholders in the form of share capital contribution against issuance of new Shares (including share premium) by the Company. The subscription price per Share in connection with an SBC Contribution shall be equal to the subscription price per Share in the Share Issue. The Board shall further promptly call for a General Meeting to be held in time for the Capital Call to be approved and the new Shares to be issued.

 

4.2.5

Each Shareholder shall have an obligation to vote in favour of any capital increase proposed in accordance with this clause 4.2.

 

4.2.6

The Shareholders agree that each Shareholder’s SBC Contribution obligation shall, if required, be formalised in separate declarations for the purpose of use towards relevant third parties.

 

4.3

Additional contribution

 

4.3.1

Any change or increase of share capital of the Company, other than the SBC Contribution and Emergency Funding, shall be subject to the procedure for Reserved Matters set forth herein.

 

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4.3.2

Except as explicitly set forth in this Agreement, no Shareholder has any obligation to provide any funding, whether in the form of debt or equity, to the Company or any other Group Company.

 

4.4

Terms for share capital increases and shareholder loans

 

4.4.1

Any equity funding to be provided to the Group shall be provided directly to the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and be distributed, as and if required, from the Company to other Group Companies.

 

4.4.2

If an increase in the share capital is approved in accordance with this Agreement, each Shareholder shall, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, have the right (and obligation, where applicable) to subscribe for Shares pro rata to its ownership interest in the Company. If the increase of the share capital is not fully subscribed, the Shareholder who so wishes shall be entitled to subscribe for the Shares not initially subscribed for.

 

4.4.3

If a Shareholder subscribes for new Shares and fails to pay the amount of the increase of the share capital (including share premium) on time, such Shareholder(s) shall pay interest on such amount in accordance with Norwegian Act relating to Interest on Overdue Payments (Nw: “forsinkelsesrenteloven”). If the amount is advanced by any other Shareholder, the defaulting Shareholder shall be obliged to reimburse the outlay of such Shareholder with the addition of such interest.

 

4.4.4

A Shareholder who has made an outlay as set out in clause 4.4.3 shall have security for its claim in the defaulting Shareholder’s Shares in the Company and of any dividend from the Company to the defaulting Shareholder, and such Shareholder may demand that this be disbursed to the degree necessary to satisfy its claim, always subject to the Company having dividend capacity pursuant to the Companies Act.

 

4.4.5

If a Shareholder, following a demand for payment of Shares subscribed by the Shareholder, does not within ten (10) Business Days of its due date, pay its share of the increased share capital (including share premium) or SBC Contribution, this shall be deemed a material default of such Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement, which shall be subject to clause 16.2.

 

4.4.6

If a shareholder loan is approved in accordance with this Agreement, each Shareholder shall have the right to grant such loan pro rata to its ownership interest in the Company. If a shareholder loan is not fully granted by both Shareholders, the Shareholder who so wishes shall be entitled to grant the shortfall of the shareholder loan.

 

4.5

Emergency Funding

 

4.5.1

In case the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is unable to satisfy its obligations when due, any director of the Board may request the Shareholders to provide emergency funding to the Company through shareholder loans (the Emergency Funding). For the avoidance of doubt, any funding during the construction phase of the Vessels shall be carried out as SBC Contributions pursuant to Clause 4.2 above and any Emergency Funding is as such only relevant following commencement of the Yara TCs. Any Emergency Funding shall be subordinated to any external debt of the Company to the extent necessary (as determined by the Board in its sole discretion), and shall bear an interest of ten percent (10%) p.a..

 

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4.5.2

The Shareholders shall have the right to participate in such Emergency Funding on a pro-rata basis (the Emergency Funding Lending Right). In case a Shareholder does not fully exercise its Emergency Funding Leding Right, the other Shareholder is entitled to provide the balance. The Shareholders shall vote in favour of any Emergency Funding provided by a Shareholder. A Shareholder who does not fully exercise its Emergency Funding Lending Right to the extent it is entitled to, may, no later than 20 (twenty) Business Days after disbursement of such Emergency Funding give notice to the Company and the other Shareholder of its decision to participate or increase its participation in the Emergency Funding up to its entitlement (such right of participation the Emergency Funding Take-up Right). A Shareholder exercising the Emergency Funding Take-up Right shall promptly pay an amount equal to the Emergency Funding Take-up Right plus the interest accrued on it up to the date of payment to the other Shareholder against the transfer of the relevant proportion of such other Shareholder’s position in the Emergency Funding including accrued unpaid interest on the relevant principal amount. The means of effectuation of such transfer shall be discussed between the Shareholders in good faith. Upon expiry of the Emergency Funding Take-up Right in respect of an Emergency Funding, a Shareholder that has exercised the Emergency Funding Lending Right or the Emergency Funding Take-up Right may at any time send notice to the Board and the other Shareholder requiring that its share of the Emergency Funding shall be converted into Shares. If the other Shareholder participates as a lender in the Emergency Funding, such Shareholder may require conversion of its share of the Emergency Funding within the later of (a) the end of the 20 (twenty) Business Day period referred to above and (b) five(5) Business Days after the notice from the first Shareholder. If both Shareholders exercise the conversion right, the full Emergency Funding shall be converted into Shares at the same time and at the same subscription price. If only one Shareholder has provided an Emergency Funding, such Emergency Funding shall be converted into Shares at a subscription price of 90% of Fair Market Value. If both Shareholders have provided Emergency Funding, but only one chooses to convert its share of such Emergency Funding into Shares, such Emergency Funding shall be converted into Shares at a subscription price equal to Fair Market Value.

 

4.6

Guarantees

 

4.6.1

NVGS shall provide, or procure the provision, of a payment guarantee acceptable to the shipyard as part of the SBCs. The terms for such payment guarantee are set out in clause 4.6.3.

 

4.6.2

Subject to clause 4.6.1, no Shareholder shall be obliged to provide any guarantee, whether a parent company guarantee or otherwise, under any contract to be entered into by a Group Company, provided, however, that if the provision of such a guarantee is deemed necessary by the Board (in its sole discretion) to realise the stated business of the Group, and if NVGS (in its sole discretion) agrees, NVGS shall provide, or cause to be provided, such a parent company guarantee, provided, further, however, that (i) NVGS shall in such a situation be entitled to receive a fee and an interest determined on arm’s length terms as set out in clause 4.6.3 and (ii) Amon shall indemnify and hold NVGS harmless for a share of the aggregate amount secured under any such guarantee equalling its pro-rata ownership of the Shares.

 

4.6.3

The guarantee fee shall be 0.2% of the sum outstanding per annum per Vessel for any guarantee issued pursuant to a SBC, and 0.2% per annum for any debt financing with a NVGS party being the guaranteeing party. The guarantee fee shall be adjusted downwards to reflect the sum guaranteed (as necessary) and shall be payable by the relevant Group Company to the relevant NVGS guaranteeing party. After five (5) years of securing debt financing, NVGS may request the other Parties to negotiate in good faith to make an adjustment to the guarantee fee to take into account the then current market rate of such fee, noting that such fee should be determined on an arm’s length basis.

 

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4.7

Cash flow distribution

 

4.7.1

The Shareholders undertake to ensure that any positive cash flow received by a Group Company will be utilised in the following order of priority:

 

  (a)

Vessel operating expenses and reserve for expected future Vessel dry-docking or upgrading costs;

 

  (b)

service of third-party debt obligations;

 

  (c)

day-to-day company and administrative expenses and costs;

 

  (d)

reserve for such working capital expenditure as the Board deems necessary;

 

  (e)

repayment of any shareholder loans; and

 

  (f)

distributions to the Shareholders.

 

4.7.2

Subject to the order of priority set forth in clause 4.7.1 and Applicable Laws, the dividend policy of the Company shall be to distribute all free cash flow to the Shareholders as determined by the Board (the Dividend Policy).

 

5.

Compliance with laws

 

5.1

The Company shall carry on its business in compliance with Applicable Law and NVGS’ Code of Conduct and Business Ethics, and Sanctions Compliance Policy (the Compulsory Policies) in force from time to time.

 

5.2

NVGS shall provide the Company not less than fourteen (14) Business Days’ notice of any material change to the Compulsory Policies before any change takes effect.

 

6.

Related party agreements

 

6.1

Any agreement entered into between a Group Company and a Shareholder or its Affiliates shall be in writing and on arms’ length market terms, including, but not limited to, being charged on a ‘cost plus’ basis, comparable to relevant third-party providers.

 

6.2

NVGS or any of its Affiliates shall perform management services for the Company and its subsidiaries, including the SPVs, pursuant to a corporate services agreement (the Corporate Services Agreement). Any management services agreed to be performed by Amon or any of its Affiliates shall be rendered on terms similar to the Corporate Services Agreement but with logical adjustments.

 

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7.

The Group’s relationship with the Shareholders

 

7.1

Management services

 

7.1.1

The Group shall not independently or through third parties other than the Shareholders employ or contract for any personnel or management. The Group will not independently contract with third parties for the provision of management services. The Group will rely on its Shareholders and their Affiliates to provide the necessary roles and functions. Such services shall be provided under Corporate Service Agreements, pursuant to clause 6.

 

7.1.2

The Group and the Vessels will be managed through two phases: 1) the Construction Phase, from entering into the SBCs until start of the Yara TCs, and 2) the Operation Phase from the start of the Yara TCs and until the Group is sold or liquidated.

 

7.2

Phase 1: Construction

 

7.2.1

The Shareholders will form a joint project organization for the construction of the Vessels and the management of the SBCs, and each Shareholder shall designate the following resources to such organization:

 

  (a)

NVGS: one executive committee member (part-time), one project manager (full-time) and one purchaser (part-time); and

 

  (b)

Amon: one executive committee member (part-time), one deputy project manager (full-time) and one controller (part-time).

The Parties shall agree on which site supervision personnel to contract for the project, and when to mobilize them.

The Shareholders agree to review this organizational setup at least annually, and to adjust roles or resources as necessary to meet project needs.

 

7.2.2

Amon shall, on behalf of the Company, direct the process in respect of the ENOVA Grants towards ENOVA and other relevant Governmental Bodies, authorities or stakeholders with a view to obtain payment, and be responsible for the administration of all necessary formalities in in this respect. Amon shall keep the Company and NVGS duly apprised of the process in regular intervals and upon request. This will be part of the duties of the Amon personnel in the project organization.

 

7.2.3

Each Shareholder shall designate the personnel to be appointed by it no later than 10 days following the date of this Agreement, and each Shareholder shall be entitled to substitute any member of the project organization appointed by it by giving written notice to the other Shareholder.

 

7.3

Phase 2: Operation

 

7.3.1

NVGS shall be entitled to and responsible for providing the following services to and on behalf of the Group (including, to the extent relevant, in respect of the Vessels, SBCs and Yara TCs), whether directly or through an Affiliate:

 

  (a)

corporate and financial services, including business management services such as control and all required reporting to the relevant Governmental Body, including in respect of tax, labour and the ENOVA Grants (except as set forth in clause 7.3.6);

 

  (b)

commercial management and operations services;

 

  (c)

full support and management of the negotiations of any contract for the chartering of any vessel (including the Yara TCs).

 

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7.3.2

As of the date hereof, the services set forth in clause 7.3.1(a)-(c) shall be provided in accordance with the terms of the Corporate Services Agreement, and Amon shall provide to NVGS (or its relevant Affiliate(s)) and/or the Group (as the case may be) such reasonable assistance as may be required in this respect.

 

7.3.3

NVGS will further be responsible for choosing a reputable technical management services provider for Vessel technical operations, which could be Navigator in-house management, or an third-party provider.

 

7.3.4

Without prejudice to clause 7.3.5, Amon shall be entitled to participate in the process outlined in clause 7.3.3 by providing considerations in respect of cost-competitiveness, safety and quality, as well as tendering an offer for services to the Group on behalf of Ula Ship Management for the consideration of NVGS (in its sole discretion).

 

7.3.5

NVGS shall act solely and independently in providing the services and making the decisions set forth in clauses 7.3.2 and 7.3.3 (it being understood that best efforts are to be used in ensuring that the Yara TCs are governed by English law), provided, however, that Amon, in addition to its rights as explicitly set forth in clause 7.3.4, shall be given reasonable opportunity to participate in the relevant processes as well as receiving such update and other information as may be reasonably requested by it from time to time.

 

7.3.6

Amon shall, on behalf of the Company, direct the process in respect of the ENOVA Grants towards ENOVA and other relevant Governmental Bodies, authorities or stakeholders with a view to obtain payment, and be responsible for the administration of all necessary formalities in in this respect. Amon shall keep the Company and NVGS duly apprised of the process in regular intervals and upon request. This shall be the main duty of Amon in the Operation Phase.

 

7.3.7

Subject to the Parties agreeing and entering into a service agreement, Amon will second personnel to NVGS and the Group as part of the operations phase of the Vessels following delivery under the respective Yara TCs. It is the joint intention of the Parties that such secondments, if applicable, will include personnel involved in the construction of the Vessels that may continue in logical roles in the operations phase.

 

7.3.8

All services to be provided by a Shareholder or its Affiliates to the Group shall be contracted in accordance with clause 6.

 

8.

The Board

 

8.1

General

The Company shall have a board of directors (the Board). The Board shall consist of three (3) directors, out of which NVGS shall be entitled to appoint two (2) directors (and a personal deputy director for such ordinary directors) and Amon one (1) director (and a personal deputy director for ordinary director). In addition, each Party shall be entitled to nominate one board observer who shall have a right to receive meeting materials and participate in board meetings, but without any voting rights. For as long as a Shareholder holds 10% or more of the Shares, it shall have the right to appoint one (1) director.

 

8.1.1

If as a result of directors appointed by the employees or for any other reason the composition of the Board provided for above should not result in the directors appointed by NVGS holding in the aggregate the majority of votes on the Board, the Shareholders shall make such adjustments to the composition of the Board provided for above, or take any such other actions, as are required to achieve the same result.

 

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8.1.2

The Shareholders’ right to nominate directors shall include the right to remove any such director so nominated and, upon his/her removal whether by a Shareholder or otherwise, to nominate new directors in his/her place.

 

8.1.3

The nomination of the directors shall be confirmed by the General Meeting, and each Shareholder shall vote in order to loyally implement such nomination.

 

8.1.4

Directors may only be removed or replaced by the Shareholder that nominated them. Each of the Shareholders can refuse an appointment of a director on reasonable grounds in which case the other Shareholder shall be entitled to nominate another director in the place of such refused director.

 

8.1.5

NVGS shall be entitled to appoint the chairperson of the Board. The chairperson shall not have a casting vote.

 

8.1.6

Board meetings shall be held as often as required by the circumstances or law and whenever required by a Shareholder or a director. Board meetings shall be convened with at least five (5) Business Days’ written notice (unless otherwise agreed by all Shareholders on a case-by-case basis), including an agenda of items to be discussed at such meeting. Each Shareholder shall have the right to submit agenda items to be discussed at each Board meeting at any time before two (2) Business Days prior to the meeting time stated in the written Board meeting notice.

 

8.1.7

The directors shall allow for flexible methods of conducting meetings and discussing/deciding on relevant matters, including by facilitating attendance by phone/videoconference or written resolutions/circulation of documents whenever deemed practical.

 

8.1.8

Directors who are nominated by Shareholders shall not be entitled to remuneration or claim expenses from the Company.

 

8.2

Voting rules

 

8.2.1

The Board is only quorate if (i) more than half of the directors are present and (ii) at least one (1) director appointed by each Shareholder pursuant to clause 8.10 is present. If a director in unable to attend, the personal deputy director shall be entitled to represent the absent director(s) at the meeting.

 

8.2.2

If a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be adjourned for no less than fourteen (14) days, and at that adjourned meeting then only quorum requirements pursuant to the Companies Act shall apply.

 

8.2.3

Each director shall have one (1) vote. A resolution shall require the resolution of a simple majority of the directors, unless such matter is a Reserved Matter, where a Reserved Resolution shall be required. For the avoidance of doubt, this entails that unless such matter is a Reserved Matter, the directors nominated by NVGS shall, on behalf of the Board, be entitled to direct, lead and make any decision it, in its reasonable opinion, considers necessary or advisable in connection with the negotiation or renegotiation (as applicable) of the Yara TCs, the SBCs and any other contracts of a similar nature.

 

8.2.4

Upon a Shareholder owning less than 10% of the Shares, the Reserved Matters shall lapse and a resolution on the matters set forth therein be subject to the simple majority vote of the Board or, as applicable, the vote of the General Meeting in accordance with Applicable Law.

 

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8.2.5

Each Shareholder undertakes to procure that its appointed director(s) vote at all Board meetings to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

9.

The General Meeting

 

9.1

General

 

9.1.1

The general meeting (the General Meeting) shall be the highest authority of the Company. The Shareholders are entitled to be present at the General Meeting in accordance with the rules of the Companies Act.

 

9.1.2

The General Meeting shall be convened with at least seven (7) days’ written notice, including an agenda of items to be discussed at such meeting. Each Shareholder shall have the right to submit agenda items to be discussed at each General Meeting at any time before two (2) Business Days prior to the meeting time stated in the written General Meeting notice.

 

9.1.3

The annual general meeting shall be held within the end of June each year. An extraordinary general meeting shall be held in accordance with the Companies Act and otherwise as provided for in this Agreement.

 

9.1.4

Notice of General Meeting may be sent by email.

 

9.1.5

Each Shareholder undertakes to vote at all General Meetings to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement, including as validly resolved by the Board in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

9.1.6

The Shareholders shall jointly appoint the person opening and the person to preside over all General Meetings, and such persons shall not have a casting vote; provided that, if the Shareholders fail to agree on such person prior to ten (10) Business Days before such General Meeting(s), then the Shareholders shall promptly, and in good faith, appoint a professional designee that is neutral to the Shareholders.

 

9.2

Voting rules

 

9.2.1

Each Share shall have one vote at any General Meeting.

 

9.2.2

All matters to be resolved by the General Meeting, shall be subject to decision by the Board before submitted for approval by the General Meeting. The Shareholders undertake to vote on the General Meeting to implement the resolution of the Board.

 

10.

Subsidiaries

 

10.1

The board of directors of any Subsidiaries of the Company shall be comprised by the same directors as the Board.

 

10.2

Matters that would require a Reserved Resolution if made on the level of the Company shall be submitted to the Board of the Company for approval.

 

10.3

The Shareholders agree to take any and all actions necessary or advisable to cause the Subsidiaries to effect the decisions made by the Board and the General Meeting and to otherwise act in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

18 (35)


11.

Deadlock

 

11.1

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, a Deadlock may only be initiated by a Shareholder who holds at least 10% of the Shares in the Company at such time.

 

11.2

If the Board or the Shareholders, as the case may be, are unable to agree on any Reserved Matter within 20 (twenty) Business Days (such situation, a Deadlock), each Shareholder shall appoint a senior manager, and such senior managers shall immediately enter into good faith negotiations with a view to resolve the relevant Reserved Matter.

 

11.3

If a Deadlock is not resolved in accordance with clause 11.2 within ten (10) Business Days of the initiation of good faith negotiations, the matter(s) in dispute shall be deferred to resolution between the chief executive officers (or equivalent position, as applicable) of the Shareholders.

 

11.4

If the matter(s) in dispute is not resolved among the chief executive officers within ten (10) Business Days of the matter(s) being deferred to them, it shall be referred to an independent third-party expert for mediation, such third-party expert to be an experienced corporate lawyer that is a partner at a Norwegian tier-1 law-firm independent of the Parties (the Expert). If the Shareholders are unable to agree on the appointment of the Expert, the Expert shall be appointed by the chief justice of Oslo District Court (Nw: “sorenskriveren ved Oslo tingrett”).

 

11.5

If matter(s) is not resolved within 15 (fifteen) Business Days of the appointment of the Expert, either Shareholder may request that NVGS acquires Amon’s shares in the Company at Fair Market Value, such Fair Market Value to be determined by two experienced investment banks, being any two of: Deutsche Bank AG, ABN Amro Bank N.V., Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB and Fearnley Securities AS, or such other reputable, independent, first-class investment bank agreed by the shareholders (the Appraiser). If the Shareholders are unable to agree on the appointment of the Appraiser, the Appraiser shall be appointed by the Expert.

 

11.6

The Appraiser shall render its determination of the Fair Market Value of the Company within three (3) months of its appointment, and its determination shall be final and binding upon the Shareholders save in the event of manifest error.

 

11.7

NVGS shall be obliged to purchase, and Amon be obliged to sell, all of Amon’s Shares at the price determined by the Appraiser. Such sale and purchase shall be effected no later than 45 (forty-five) Business Days after receipt of the Appraiser’s determination and documented in a short form share purchase agreement containing fundamental warranties only.

 

12.

Governance and reporting

 

12.1

The auditor of the Company shall be independent certified public accountants and shall be one of the following:

 

  (a)

PwC

 

  (b)

Deloitte;

 

  (c)

KPMG;

 

  (d)

EY;

 

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  (e)

Mazars; and

 

  (f)

BDO.

 

12.2

As of the date of this Agreement, the Company has no auditor.

 

12.3

The Company shall as a minimum implement the governance controls and compliance regime currently in place for NVGS as might be required.

 

12.4

The Company shall adopt the Calendar Year as its Fiscal Year.

 

12.5

The Company shall prepare and provide the Shareholders on a timely basis with the following information, in each case following the end of the relevant period:

 

  (a)

annual budget within ten (10) Business Days of the approval thereof and any amendment thereto within ten (10) Business Days of the approval of any such amendment;

 

  (b)

audited annual consolidated financial statements consisting of a profit and loss statement, a balance sheet, changes in Shareholders’ capital and a statement of cash flows shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP or the local statutory accounting framework, as required, and delivered to each Shareholder within 120 (one hundred and twenty) calendar days after the end of the Fiscal Year being audited;

 

  (c)

after delivery of each Vessel under the SBCs or such other time as the Parties may agree in writing, unaudited quarterly consolidated financial statements with respect to the prior calendar quarter consisting of a profit and loss statement, a balance sheet, changes in Shareholders’ capital, and a statement of cash flows shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP or the local statutory accounting framework, as required, except for any normal year-end adjustments and the absence of notes and footnotes, and shall be delivered to each Shareholder within 30 (thirty) calendar days after the end of such Calendar Quarter;

 

  (d)

copies of all material information related to any pending or material threatened litigation or insurance claim affecting the Company or its Subsidiaries shall be delivered to each Shareholder as soon as practical;

 

  (e)

copies of all material filings, disclosures or reports submitted to any Governmental Body affecting the Company or its Subsidiaries which shall be delivered to each Shareholder as soon as practical;

 

  (f)

if applicable, a quarterly report summarizing all outstanding claims related to any litigation, arbitration, administrative proceeding or other dispute and any settlement or result of any litigation, arbitration, administrative proceeding or other dispute entered into or relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries that occurred during the prior Calendar Quarter affecting the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

  (g)

any other information in relation to the Group reasonably required by the Shareholders to comply with its statutory, regulatory or other external reporting obligations; and

 

  (h)

any other information reasonably required by the Shareholders.

 

20 (35)


12.6

For both financial and tax reporting purposes and for purposes of determining net profits and net losses, the books and records of the Company shall be kept utilizing the accrual method of accounting, in accordance with GAAP (for financial accounting purposes) and the terms of this Agreement (for tax reporting purposes), shall reflect all Company transactions and shall be appropriate and adequate for the business.

 

12.7

At all times during the term of this Agreement, the Company shall keep (or cause to be kept) true and complete books and records of accounts, taxes, financial information and all other matters reasonably pertaining to the business of the Company. Such books shall reflect all Company transactions in accordance with GAAP or in accordance with any Applicable Law if the law requires a particular set of books of account to reflect a different methodology. Subject to the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement, the Shareholders shall have the right to, from time to time, consult with the independent accountants of the Company regarding operating and financial matters and visit and inspect the assets. The Shareholders shall have reasonable access to the facilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

12.8

Additionally, the Company shall provide to NVGS reasonable access to the data and financial information of the Company as NVGS may require in order to obtain or develop financial information and other disclosures required by NVGS to comply with its public reporting obligations under the United States’ Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) promulgated thereunder, including but not limited to the requirements of Form F-3, Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X, Article 11 of Regulation S-X, Section 14(a) and any related interpretive guidance promulgated by the SEC, including in connection with any report required to be filed under the Exchange Act or, if applicable, in any proxy statement required to be furnished to NVGS’ shareholders (each, an Exchange Act Report) or any registration statement (including any pre- or post-effective amendment thereto or any prospectus or prospectus supplement in respect thereof) or any private placement offering memorandum or supplement in respect thereof (each a Registration Statement & Prospectus or Offering Memorandum), it being understood that such reporting obligations are the sole obligation of NVGS. Each of the Company and their respective officers, employees and agents shall:

 

  (a)

provide reasonable cooperation in connection with the preparation of each Exchange Act Report and Registration Statement & Prospectus or Offering Memorandum, including providing reasonable access to auditors, employees, books and records, and any financial data reasonably requested by NVGS in connection therewith, but solely to the extent that any such information and/or cooperation is (x) reasonably necessary to include in an Exchange Act Report or Registration Statement & Prospectus or Offering Memorandum and (y) reasonably obtainable by the Company and/or its Affiliates; and

 

  (b)

use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its independent public accountants to provide any consent necessary for the filing of such documents and to deliver a customary comfort letter to NVGS with respect to financial information for time periods before the date of this Agreement relating to the Company included as part of such documents.

 

21 (35)


13.

Transfer of Shares

 

13.1

General restrictions

 

13.1.1

No Shareholder may transfer any of its Shares in the Company (including, without limitation, any sale, assignment, or other disposition, directly or indirectly, of all or any part of its Shares or any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge or other encumbrance of or upon any of its Shares) without the prior written consent of the other Shareholder unless expressly permitted by this Agreement; provided, however, that a Shareholder, in its own discretion, shall be permitted to place or allow a lien, pledge, charge or other encumbrance on its rights to distributions from the Company.

 

13.1.2

No transfer or attempt to transfer any Shares or other securities of the Company in violation of this clause 13 shall be effective or valid for any purpose, and any such attempted transfer shall be deemed to be null and void ab initio.

 

13.1.3

Both Shareholders agree to pledge their respective Shares in the Company, if and when required by respective lenders, for the purpose of providing security in connection with the Company’s external financing arrangements.

 

13.2

Transfers to Affiliates

 

13.2.1

Each Shareholder shall be entitled to transfer at any time all (but not some only) of its Shares to a Controlled Affiliate. The transferring Shareholder shall remain responsible for all obligations under this Agreement together with such Controlled Affiliate, and such Shareholder shall remain jointly and severally liable with the transferee Controlled Affiliate for any liability incurred by any of them in relation to this Agreement or the Shares.

 

13.2.2

Should any transferee cease to be a Controlled Affiliate of the relevant former Shareholder, the relevant former Shareholder shall procure that the Shares held by such Affiliate are immediately transferred back to it or one of its Controlled Affiliates.

 

13.2.3

Any transfer of Shares to a Controlled Affiliate pursuant to this clause 13.2 shall be subject to the relevant Affiliate(s) accession to this Agreement.

 

14.

Undertakings

 

14.1

Change of Control

 

14.1.1

No Shareholder shall be the subject of a Change of Control without the prior written consent of the other Shareholder, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld (it being acknowledged and agreed that the refusal of granting consent to a Change of Control involving any competitor or party violating or having been in violation of any sanctions, AML and/or ABC legislation shall always be considered reasonable).

 

14.1.2

If a Change of Control is effected in violation of clause 14.1.1, the other Shareholder shall (at its option, which may also not be used) be entitled to terminate this Agreement and (i) require the liquidation of the Company and the proceeds of such liquidation distributed as set forth in clause 18 below, (ii) divest its Shares to the Shareholder in breach at a price equal to 125% of Fair Market Value or (iii) acquire the Shares of the Shareholder in breach at a price equal to 75% of Fair Market Value. Clause 16.3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to any sale of Shares pursuant to this clause14.1.2.

 

22 (35)


14.2

Sanctions

Each Shareholder represents and warrants that, both at the date of this Agreement and throughout the duration of this Agreement:

 

  (a)

neither itself nor any legal person Controlled by it or its or their Affiliates is a Sanctioned Person, nor is any legal Person directly or indirectly Controlling and/or Owning a Shareholder a Sanctioned Person; and

 

  (b)

neither itself nor any of the legal person Controlled by it or its or their Affiliates is otherwise subject to any Sanctions & Export Controls, nor is any legal Person directly or indirectly Controlling and/or Owning a Shareholder subject to such Sanctions & Exports Controls, that would prohibit or otherwise restrict the other Shareholder or the Group from performing any obligation or receiving any benefit or right within the Agreement or any agreement or activity arising therefrom or related thereto or to maintain any relationship with any such party or such Affiliate; and

 

  (c)

neither it, nor any legal Person Controlled by it, their Affiliates and any legal Person directly or indirectly Controlling and/or Owning a Shareholder have not involved, and shall not involve, any Sanctioned Person or engage in any activity or transaction that would cause the other Shareholders or the Company to be in violation of Sanctions & Export Controls.

 

14.3

Anti-bribery, corruption and compliance

 

14.3.1

Each Shareholder represents and warrants at the date of this Agreement and throughout the term of this Agreement, that, for the purposes of this Agreement, neither itself nor any of its Affiliates or any legal Person directly or indirectly Controlling such Shareholder:

 

  (a)

has violated any Anti-Corruption Law or received a notification from a Governmental Body alleging a violation or requesting information regarding a violation of an Anti-Corruption Law;

 

  (b)

has offered, given, received, promised or authorised the giving of anything of value to any Government Official or any other Person, while knowing or having reason to know that all or a portion of such money or item of value may be for the purpose of:

 

  (c)

has improperly influenced any action or decision of such Person in such Person’s official capacity, including a decision to fail to perform such Person’s official function or do any act in violation of such Person’s lawful duty;

 

  (d)

has induced such Person to use such Person’s influence with any Government Official to affect or influence any act or decision of such Government Official or assist it in obtaining or retaining business for, with, or directing business to, any Person unlawfully;

 

  (e)

has bribed, provided a kickback or other illegal payment to assist it in obtaining or retaining business for, with, or directing business to, any Person; and

 

  (f)

will engage in any activity, practice or conduct which would constitute an offence under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (as amended), or the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 (or which could constitute such an offence if the same had occurred in the United States of America or the United Kingdom, respectively) or any other Anti-Corruption Law or other Applicable Laws, statutes, regulations or codes relating to anti-bribery and anti-corruption, in relation to the Group, including, without limitation, under Norwegian law.

 

23 (35)


14.3.2

Each Shareholder further represents and warrants that:

 

  (a)

all payments and transactions made under or in connection with this Agreement or the Group are solely intended as legitimate, business-related compensation expressly provided for in this Agreement or related agreements;

 

  (b)

neither it nor any of its Affiliates or any legal Person Controlling it shall use any part of any payment for any purpose prohibited under this clause 14.3;

 

  (c)

it and any of the legal persons Controlled by it, its and their Affiliates and any legal Person Controlling it shall not interact, either in person or writing or via any other medium, with any senior Government Official on behalf of the other Shareholders or the Group unless prior approved in writing by and/or accompanied by a manager appointed by the other Shareholder;

 

  (d)

none of the legal persons Controlled by it or its or their Affiliates or any legal Person directly or indirectly Controlling it who are directly or indirectly associated with the Company is a Government Official;

 

  (e)

it has and will maintain in place, adequate procedures designed to prevent its Affiliates from undertaking any conduct that would give rise to an offence under Section 7 of the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 or the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 1977 or any other applicable Anti-Corruption Law or other Applicable Law, statutes, regulations or codes relating to anti-bribery and anti-corruption;

 

  (f)

from time to time, at the reasonable request of the other Shareholder, it will confirm in writing that it has complied with its undertakings under this clause 14.3 and will provide any information reasonably requested by the other Shareholder in support of such compliance; and

 

  (g)

it shall promptly notify the other Shareholder if, at any time during the term of this Agreement, its circumstances, knowledge or awareness changes such that it would not be in compliance with the representations and warranties under this clause 14.3.

 

14.3.3

Each Shareholder represents and warrants that in the performance of this Agreement, it and all of the legal persons Controlled by it and its and their directors or officers as well as the legal Person Controlling it will comply in all material respects with all Applicable Law, rules, regulations or similar instruments relating to competition law.

 

14.3.4

Notwithstanding, any other provision of this Agreement, each Shareholder shall not be obliged to do, or omit to do, any act which would, in its reasonable opinion, put it in breach of any of the representations and warranties under this clause 14.3.

 

14.4

Tonnage Tax Regime

 

14.4.1

The Shareholders agree to work in good faith and with the intention of ensuring that the Company qualifies for, and enters into, the Norwegian tonnage tax regime, subject to feasibility, legal and tax advice, and any necessary approvals.

 

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14.5

Breach of undertakings

If a Shareholder breaches any of its obligations or representations under clauses 14.2 or 14.3, the other Shareholder may issue a written notice to the breaching Shareholder detailing any such breach and requesting further information. Within five (5) Business Days following the breaching Shareholder’s receipt of such notice, the Shareholders shall, in good faith, negotiate and agree upon a suitable remedy to the actual or potential breach. If they fail to find a suitable remedy within the above-stated time (or such other time as may be agreed in writing by the Shareholders), a material breach of this Agreement shall be deemed to have occurred in relation to the breaching Shareholder and the Shareholders shall follow the procedure set out in clause 16 of this Agreement.

 

15.

Exit

 

15.1

IPO

 

15.1.1

At any time after the fifth anniversary of the date hereof, each Shareholder shall, by giving written notice to the other Shareholder, be entitled to initiate an exit of the Shareholders’ investment in the Group through an IPO.

 

15.1.2

If a Shareholder initiates an IPO, the Shareholders will negotiate in good faith the appointment of advisers, roadshows, pricing, sell-down levels and other practicalities required for effecting the IPO at the highest possible valuation so to maximize the Shareholders’ return on their investment in the Group.

 

15.1.3

No IPO initiated under this clause 15.1 shall proceed unless the Shareholders mutually agree on the following matters:

 

  (a)

whether the offering is affected as a primary offering, a secondary offering, or a combined primary and secondary offering;

 

  (b)

minimum pricing/proceeds to be achieved (or alternatively a minimum valuation of the Company); and

 

  (c)

the jurisdiction in which to conduct such offering (the Offering Jurisdiction) and the securities exchange in such Offering Jurisdiction (the Securities Exchange).

 

15.1.4

In the event an IPO is agreed in accordance with clause 15.1.3:

 

  (a)

the Shareholders shall cause the Company and the Board of the Company to take all steps reasonably necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the relevant offering and to expediate or facilitate the disposition of all securities included as part of the IPO, including cooperation in the preparation of any offering document, providing access to the books and records of the Company, the auditors and management, and participation of senior management in the review of such offering documents, delivery of customary officer’s certificates, roadshows and other marketing efforts, and each Shareholder shall fully cooperate with the Company and provide such information as may reasonably be requested by the Company or the managing underwriter to effect such IPO;

 

  (b)

if the Shareholders are to retain an interest in the Company following the IPO, each Shareholder shall subscribe for its proportional participation in the relevant listed securities in such structure (whether by way of repurchase or redemption and exchange of each Shareholder’s existing Shares or otherwise, but in any event for no further consideration); and

 

25 (35)


  (c)

the Shareholders undertake to amend, supplement or otherwise modify this Agreement as may be necessary to comply with the Applicable Law of any Offering Jurisdiction and the rules of the relevant Securities Exchange in connection with an IPO.

 

15.2

Sale

 

15.2.1

At any time after the fifth anniversary of the date of delivery under the Yara TC applicable to the Vessel first delivered, and provided that an IPO has not been initiated pursuant to clause 15.1.1, each Shareholder shall be entitled to initiate an exit of the Shareholders’ investment in the Group through a Sale.

 

15.2.2

The Shareholder wishing to initiate a Sale (the Selling Shareholder) shall give written notice to the other Shareholder (the Sales Notice), such Sales Notice to (i) state the Selling Shareholder’s wish to initiate a Sale and (ii) specify a price and other main terms and conditions on which the Selling Shareholder is willing to sell its Shares.

 

15.2.3

In lieu of a Sale, the other Shareholder shall be entitled to acquire all (but not some) of the Selling Shareholder’s Shares on the terms set out in the Sales Notice by giving written notice of such to the Selling Shareholder no later than 30 (thirty) Business Days after its receipt of the Sales Notice (the Exercise Notice).

 

15.2.4

If an Exercise Notice is served, the acquisition of the Selling Shareholder’s Shares shall be effected at the price and other main terms and conditions set forth in the Sales Notice, no later than 15 (fifteen) Business Days after the Selling Shareholder’s receipt of the Exercise Notice.

 

15.2.5

If no Exercise Notice is served, the Shareholders shall negotiate in good faith on the appointment of advisers, the structuring of the Sale and other practicalities required for effecting the Sale at the highest possible valuation so to maximize the Shareholders’ return on their investment in the Group. If the Shareholders are unable to agree on the appointment of advisors within 15 (fifteen) Business Days, the structuring of the Sale etc., the Selling Shareholder shall be entitled to proceed with the appointment of advisors on behalf of the Company.

 

15.2.6

If the Company receives an offer for the acquisition of the Shares or all or substantially all of the assets of the Group at a price and on main terms exceeding those set out in the Sales Notice, the Shareholders undertake to take all actions to consummate the Sale.

 

15.2.7

If the Company receives an offer for the acquisition of the Shares or all or substantially all of the assets of the Group at a price and on main terms lower than those set out in the Sales Notice, the Shareholders may, but have no obligation to, agree to complete the Sale.

 

15.2.8

If no Sale is completed on the basis of the Sales Notice, a Shareholder may only trigger a new Sales Notice following the expiry of a notice period of 12 months from the issuance of the previous Sales Notice.

 

15.2.9

Upon completion of a Sale, the Company is to be liquidated and its proceeds distributed between the Shareholders in accordance with clause 18 and the Selling Shareholder be considering the initiating Shareholder for the purposes of clause 18.1.1.

 

26 (35)


16.

Default

 

16.1

In the event that a Shareholder breaches its obligations under this Agreement, the other Shareholder may require that the breaching Shareholder remedies such breach within thirty (30) Business Days after delivery of notice to the breaching Shareholder and/or compensates the other Shareholder for any reasonably foreseeable loss, damage, cost or expense suffered by it or the Group as a result of the breach. Any payment of compensation shall not exempt the breaching Shareholder from its obligation to remedy the breach.

 

16.2

In the event that a Shareholder commits a material breach of its obligations under this Agreement and fails to remedy the matter within thirty (30) Business Days after delivery of notice to the breaching Shareholder (without prejudice to the specificity of clause 14.5), the other Shareholder shall (at its option, which may also not be used) be entitled to terminate this Agreement and (i) require the liquidation of the Company and the proceeds of such liquidation distributed as set forth in clause 18 below, (ii) divest its Shares to the Shareholder in breach at a price equal to 125% of Fair Market Value or (iii) acquire the Shares of the Shareholder in breach at a price equal to 75% of Fair Market Value. A breach of the undertakings set forth in clauses 4.4.5, 14.2 and 14.3 shall (unless remedied) always be deemed a material breach of this Agreement.

 

16.3

Any transfer of Shares pursuant to clause 16.2 shall be on the following terms:

 

  (a)

the Shares shall be sold free from all encumbrances of any nature attaching to them, and shall include all rights to any dividends or other distributions declared, paid or made after the date the option to sell or acquire the Shares, as applicable, in accordance with clause 16.2 was exercised;

 

  (b)

save in the event of a breach of clause 16.3(a), the transferring Shareholder shall have no liability towards the acquiring Shareholder in relation to the transfer of the Shares, and the provisions of the Norwegian Sale of Goods Act (including § 19) relating to liability for default (Nw: “mangel”) shall not apply;

 

  (c)

the transfer of the Shares shall take place against simultaneous payment of the purchase price; and

 

  (d)

each Shareholder shall do all such other things and execute all other documents as the other Shareholder may reasonably required to give effect to the sale and purchase of the Shares.

 

17.

Termination

 

17.1

This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect from the date hereof and until the earlier of:

 

  (a)

termination of this Agreement by mutual agreement of each Shareholder;

 

  (b)

termination of this Agreement by a Shareholder in accordance with clause 16.2;

 

  (c)

a Shareholder giving written notice of termination of this Agreement to the other Shareholder upon such other Shareholder becoming, or it becoming apparent that such Shareholder will become, insolvent; and

 

27 (35)


  (d)

a Shareholder giving written notice of termination of this Agreement at any time after the tenth anniversary of the date hereof.

 

17.2

If no Yara TC has been entered into by 16 July 2025, NVGS shall be entitled to (i) terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to Amon (such notice to be provided no later than 16 July 2025) and (ii) require the Company to be liquidated in accordance with clause 18.

 

17.3

If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with clauses 17.1(a) through 17.1(c) or 17.2, the notice of termination shall also serve as notice for the Company to be liquidated in accordance with clause 18.

 

17.4

With respect to a Shareholder disposing of all its Shares in compliance with this Agreement, the Agreement shall terminate for such Shareholder when such disposal has been completed.

 

17.5

Clauses 13.2, 18, and 19 shall survive any termination of this Agreement. The termination of this Agreement shall not release a Shareholder from any obligation or liability incurred by it by reason of breach of its obligations under this Agreement prior to such termination.

 

18.

Liquidation

 

18.1

General

 

18.1.1

In the event of liquidation of the Company, all of the assets of the Group are to be disposed of and the Shareholder initiating the liquidation proceedings in accordance with this Agreement shall be entitled to head, direct and control such proceedings, provided, however, that if the Company is to be liquidated following the mutual written agreement of the Shareholders, NVGS shall always be entitled to act in such capacity.

 

18.1.2

The Shareholder entitled to head, direct and control the liquidation proceedings shall ensure that the proceeds from such proceedings are maximised and subsequently distributed among the Shareholders in accordance with clause 18.2.

 

18.1.3

The Shareholders shall procure that all outstanding shareholder loans (inclusive of accrued interest) shall be settled prior to any distribution being effected pursuant to clause 18.2.

 

18.2

Distribution of liquidation proceeds

 

18.2.1

If the Company is to be liquidated (i) following the mutual written agreement of the Shareholders or (ii) in accordance with clause 15.2.9, 16.2 or 17.3, the proceeds from such liquidation shall be distributed between the Shareholders pro-rata to their holdings of Shares upon the time of such mutual agreement.

 

18.2.2

If the Company is to be liquidated in accordance with clause 14.1.2, the Shareholder entitled to initiate the liquidation proceedings shall receive proceedings equalling 130% of its pro-rata share of the aggregate amount of such proceeds, calculated on the basis of its holding of Shares at the time of liquidation.

 

18.2.3

If the Company is to be liquidated in accordance with clause 17.2, NVGS shall receive all proceeds from such liquidation up to an amount equalling its aggregate equity funding (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such funding provided under the Investment Agreement, this Agreement or otherwise) at the time of liquidation, and any amounts in excess of such equity funding provided by NVGS shall be distributed to Amon.

 

28 (35)


19.

Non-solicitation

 

19.1

For the duration of the Agreement, no Shareholder shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to not, solicit or otherwise entice away any director, employee, customer or supplier of the Group, or directors and employees which have been seconded to the Group by the other Shareholder and its respective Affiliates.

 

19.2

The restrictions in clause 19.1 shall not apply to bona fide public solicitations of employment, whether through the use of advertising in public space or independent employment agencies.

 

20.

Miscellaneous

 

20.1

Confidentiality

Clause 10.1 of the Investment Agreement shall apply mutatis mutandis to this Agreement.

 

20.2

Public announcements

The Parties hereby agree that no press releases or other public or official announcements will, in any circumstances other than required by Applicable Law, the SEC or any relevant securities exchange, be made with respect to the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any other matters set out herein unless mutually discussed and agreed upon in writing by the Parties (the agreement of each Party not to be unreasonably withheld).

 

20.3

Severability

If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect in any competent jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby in any other jurisdiction and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

 

20.4

Entire agreement; amendments

 

20.4.1

This Agreement and the Investment Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties and shall supersede all previous expectations, understandings, communications, representations, and agreements whether verbal or written among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

20.4.2

This Agreement shall not be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified except by written agreement of the Parties.

 

20.5

No right of rescission, termination, or reversal

Except as provided for in clause 17, neither of the Parties will have any right to rescind, terminate or otherwise require the reversal of any transaction contemplated hereby after the execution of this Agreement.

 

20.6

Notices

Unless otherwise specified herein, any notice required to be given hereunder by any Party shall be deemed to have been given if mailed by prepaid registered mail, sent by facsimile, email, or delivered to the address of the other Parties as hereinafter set forth:

 

   If to Amon:   

Amon Gas Holding AS

Attention: André Risholm

Storgata 27,

     

3210 Sandefjord, Norway

Email: ar@amonmaritime.no

 

29 (35)


   With a copy to:   

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS

Attention: Mads Haavardsholm

Ruseløkkveien 38

      0251 Oslo, Norway
      Email: mha@thommessen.no
   If to NVGS:   

Attention: General Counsel

c/o NGT Services (UK) Ltd.

Verde, 10 Bressenden Place

     

London, SW1E 5DH, United Kingdom

Email: legal.notices@navigatorgas.com

   With a copy to:   

Advokatfirmaet BAHR AS

Attention: Anne Dahl Frisak

Tjuvholmen allé 16

     

0252 Oslo, Norway

Email: andfr@bahr.no

   If to the Company:   

Navigator Amon Shipping AS

Attention: André Risholm

Storgata 27,

     

3210 Sandefjord, Norway

Email: ar@amonmaritime.no

      And
     

NGT Services (UK) Ltd.

Attention: General Counsel

Verde, 10 Bressenden Place

     

London, SW1E 5DH, United Kingdom

Email: legal.notices@navigatorgas.com

 

20.7

Expenses

The Parties shall cover their respective expenses in connection with this Agreement, including professional fees and costs of attorneys, accountants, brokers, and advisors.

 

20.8

Assignment

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors of the Parties, but shall not be assignable by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party.

 

20.9

Counterparts

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by the Parties to it on separate counterparts, but shall not be effective until each Party has executed at least one counterpart. Each counterpart shall constitute an original of this Agreement, but all the counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

30 (35)


20.10

Governing law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with the laws of Norway. No rule of Norwegian law which would result in the application of foreign law on this Agreement shall be applied.

 

20.11

Dispute resolution

Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, or the interpretation, breach, termination or invalidity thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in Oslo in accordance with the Norwegian Arbitration Act 2004 nr. 25. The dispute, the arbitration proceedings and the arbitral award shall be confidential.

* * *

[ signature page to follow ]

 

31 (35)


[ signature page ]

* * *

 

For and on behalf of Amon     For and on behalf of NVGS
By:  

/s/ André Risholm

    By:  

/s/ Marianna Fedelesh

Name: André Risholm     Name: Marianna Fedelesh
Capacity: Director     Capacity: Director
For and on behalf of the Company      
By:  

/s/ André Risholm

     
Name: André Risholm      
Capacity: Director      

 

32 (35)


SCHEDULE 1.9 - BY-LAWS

 

33 (35)


Selskapets vedtekter

§ 1

Selskapets navn skal være Amon Shipholding AS.

§ 2

Selskapets formål er å drive utenriks rederivirksomhet og alt som står i forbindelse med dette,

herunder å eie aksjer og andeler i selskaper som driver tilsvarende eller beslektet virksomhet

§ 3

Selskapets aksjekapital skal være NOK 90 000 fordelt på 3 000 ordinære aksjer à NOK 30.


SCHEDULE 1.46 - RESERVED MATTERS

 

1.

Material changes of the corporate purposes or general nature of the Group’s business;

 

2.

the appointment of the Company’s auditor;

 

3.

any change in Company’s accounting principles;

 

4.

any transfer or encumbrance of material assets;

 

5.

acquisitions and/or disposals outside the ordinary course of business;

 

6.

the entry into of any agreements between Company and the Shareholders or their respective Affiliates;

 

7.

any termination, or entering into, of a material agreement, including any management agreement with third parties;

 

8.

any investments not included in agreed budgets or not related to the ownership and operation of the Vessels;

 

9.

the entry into of any material loan agreement;

 

10.

any change to the Company’s By-Laws (except for permitted capital contributions under this Agreement and/or Emergency Funding);

 

11.

in respect of the Yara TCs, the decision on the contract length and hire rate;

 

12.

in respect of any time charter party or similar contractual arrangements in respect of the Vessels or any other vessel owned or operated by the Group other than the Yara TCs, any decision involving the entry into of such definitive agreements with a duration of two (2) years or more;

 

13.

approval of the annual operating budgets for each Vessel;

 

14.

any change to the Company’s share capital, including issuance of shares, granting of options, warrants or other instruments which are convertible into shares (except for required capital contributions under this Agreement and/or Emergency Funding);

 

15.

any resolution or petition regarding the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company (except when effected in accordance with this Agreement); and

 

16.

the declaration of distributions to the shareholders deviating from the Dividend Policy.

 

34 (35)


SCHEDULE 4.2.1 - PROJECTED SBC CONTRIBUTION

 

35 (35)


Pre-transaction

  
                Comment  
Valuation            USD/NOK        10       FX as of 19.06.2025  

Shareholder

   Shares      Price per share [USD]      Value [USD]      Ownership [%]     Comment  

AM

     3,000        1,667        5,000,000        100.0  

NVGS

              0.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

     3,000           5,000,000        100  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

   
Equity raise - tranche 1              

Shareholder

   Shares      Price per share [USD]      Value [USD]            Comment  

New shares AM

     2,400        1,667        4,000,000       

New shares NVGS

     8,520        1,667        14,200,000       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      
     10,920           18,200,000          1st instalment 2x vessels + WC  
  

 

 

       

 

 

      

 

 

 
Post-transaction - tranche 1              

Shareholder

   Shares      Price per share [USD]      Value [USD]      Ownership [%]     Comment  

AM

     5,400        1,667        9,000,000        38.8  

NVGS

     8,520        1,667        14,200,000        61.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

     13,920           23,200,000        100  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

   
Equity raise - tranche 2              

Shareholder

   Shares      Price per share [USD]      Value [USD]            Comment  

New shares AM

     0        1,667        0       

New shares NVGS

     3,480        1,667        5,800,000       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      
     3,480           5,800,000          2nd instalment 2x vessels  
  

 

 

       

 

 

      

 

 

 
Post-transaction - tranche 2              

Shareholder

   Shares      Price per share [USD]      Value [USD]      Ownership [%]     Comment  

AM

     5,400        1,667        9,000,000        31.0  

NVGS

     12,000        1,667        20,000,000        69.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

     17,400           29,000,000        100  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

   
Equity raise - tranche 3              

Shareholder

   Shares      Price per share [USD]      Value [USD]            Comment  

New shares AM

     0        1,667        0       

New shares NVGS

     9,000        1,667        15,000,000       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

      
     9,000           15,000,000          3rd instalment 2x vessels
  

 

 

       

 

 

      

 

 

 
Post-transaction - tranche 3              

Shareholder

   Shares      Price per share [USD]      Value [USD]      Ownership [%]     Comment  

AM

     5,400        1,667        9,000,000        20.5  

NVGS

     21,000        1,667        35,000,000        79.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

     26,400           44,000,000        100  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total paid-in capital - all tranches

             
        

 

 

      

Sum

           39,000,000       
        

 

 

      

Additional contributions

             

As per SHA