0000919574-12-005289.txt : 20120830 0000919574-12-005289.hdr.sgml : 20120830 20120830164704 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000919574-12-005289 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: F-3ASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 FILED AS OF DATE: 20120830 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20120830 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20120830 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS Ltd CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001000177 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: WATER TRANSPORTATION [4400] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: F-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-183639 FILM NUMBER: 121066225 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: LOM BUILDING STREET 2: 27 REID STREET CITY: HAMILTON HM 11 STATE: D0 ZIP: 00000 BUSINESS PHONE: (441) 292-7202 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: LOM BUILDING STREET 2: 27 REID STREET CITY: HAMILTON HM 11 STATE: D0 ZIP: 00000 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NORDIC AMERICAN TANKER SHIPPING LTD DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19950906 F-3ASR 1 d1301952_f3-asr.htm d1301952_f3-asr.htm
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 2012.
 
Registration Statement No. 333-                 
 
 
 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
Islands of Bermuda
N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
Nordic American Tankers Limited
Attn: Herbjørn Hansson
LOM Building
27 Reid Street
Hamilton HM 11
Bermuda
(441) 292-7202
Seward & Kissel LLP
Attention: Gary J. Wolfe, Esq.
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, New York 10004
(212) 574-1200
(Address and telephone number of Registrant's
principal executive offices)
(Name, address and telephone number of agent
for service)

Copies to:
Gary J. Wolfe, Esq.
Seward & Kissel LLP
One Battery Park Plaza
New York, New York 10004
(212) 574-1200

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective as determined by market conditions and other factors.
 
If the only securities being registered on the Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  o
 
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. x
 
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
 
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  x
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

 
 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 
Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
Amount to be
Registered(1)
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering
Price(1)
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common shares, par value $0.01 per share
 
 
 
Preferred share purchase rights(2)
 
 
 
Preferred shares
 
 
 
Debt securities
 
 
 
Warrants(3)
 
 
 
Purchase contracts(4)
 
 
 
Rights (5)
     
Units(6)
 
 
 
Total
Indeterminate
Indeterminate
$0(1)

(1)
An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. Also includes such indeterminate amount of debt securities and number of common shares and preferred shares as may be issued upon conversion or exchange for any other debt securities or shares of preferred stock that provide for conversion or exchange into other securities. In connection with the securities offered hereby, the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fees and will pay registration fees on a "pay-as-you-go" basis in accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r).
(2)
Preferred share purchase rights are not currently separable from the common shares and are not currently exercisable. The value attributable to the preferred share purchase rights, if any, will be reflected in the market price of the common shares.
(3)
Registered hereunder are an indeterminate number of warrants as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices.
(4)
Registered hereunder are an indeterminate number of purchase contracts as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices.
(5)
Registered hereunder are an indeterminate number of rights as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices.
(6)
Registered hereunder are an indeterminate number of units as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices. Units may consist of any combination of securities registered hereunder.



 
 

 

Prospectus
 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
 
Common Shares, Preferred Share Purchase Rights, Preferred Shares,
Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Rights and Units
 
Through this prospectus, we or any selling shareholder may periodically offer:

 
(1)
our common shares (including preferred share purchase rights),
 
(2)
our preferred shares,
 
(3)
our debt securities,
 
(4)
our warrants,
 
(5)
our purchase contracts
 
(6)
our rights, and
 
(7)
our units.

The prices and other terms of the securities that we or any selling shareholder will offer will be determined at the time of their offering and will be described in a supplement to this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from a sale of securities by the selling shareholders.
 
 
Our common shares are currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NAT."  The last reported sales price of our common shares on August 29, 2012 was $11.53.
The securities issued under this prospectus may be offered directly or through underwriters, agents or dealers. The names of any underwriters, agents or dealers will be included in a supplement to this prospectus.
 
An investment in these securities involves a high degree of risk. See the section entitled "Risk Factors" on page 6 of this prospectus, and other risk factors contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
The date of this prospectus is August 30, 2012.
 

 
 

 

Table of Contents

  Page
   
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
1
   
RISK FACTORS
6
   
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
7
   
SHARE HISTORY AND MARKETS
8
   
USE OF PROCEEDS
9
   
CAPITALIZATION
10
   
ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
11
   
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
12
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION  13
   
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK  15
   
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
19
   
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
23
   
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
32
   
DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
33
   
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
34
   
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
35
   
EXPENSES
36
   
LEGAL MATTERS
36
   
EXPERTS
36
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
36


 
 

 


We prepare our financial statements, including all of the financial statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, in U.S. dollars and in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or "U.S. GAAP." We have a fiscal year end of December 31.
 
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Commission, using a shelf registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we or any selling shareholder may sell our common shares (including preferred share purchase rights), preferred shares, debt securities, warrants, purchase contracts and units described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or any selling shareholder may offer. Each time we or a selling shareholder offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the offered securities. We may file a prospectus supplement in the future that may also add, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. You should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described below.
 
This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement we filed with the Commission and do not contain all the information in the registration statement.  Forms of the indentures and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are filed as exhibits to the registration statement.  Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers.  You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters.  For further information about us or the securities offered hereby, you should refer to the registration statement, which you can obtain from the Commission as described below under the section entitled "Where You Can Find Additional Information."
 
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement.  We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information.  If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.  You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and the applicable supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the date on its respective cover, and that any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, unless we indicate otherwise.  Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
 
Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or any underwriters that would permit a public offering of the common shares offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The common shares offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such shares be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.
 
Common shares may be offered or sold in Bermuda only in compliance with the provisions of the Companies Act 1981, the Investment Business Act of 2003 and the Exchange Control Act 1972, and related regulations of Bermuda which regulate the sale of securities in Bermuda. In addition, specific permission is required from the Bermuda Monetary Authority, or the BMA, pursuant to the provisions of the Exchange Control Act 1972 and related regulations, for all issuances and transfers of securities of Bermuda companies, other than in cases where the BMA has granted a general permission. The BMA in its policy dated June 1, 2005 provides that where any equity securities, which includes our common shares, of a Bermuda company are listed on an appointed stock exchange, general permission is given for the issue and subsequent transfer of any securities of a company from and/or to a non-resident, for as long as any equities securities of such company remain so listed. The New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, is an appointed stock exchange under Bermuda law.
 
Notwithstanding the above general permission, the BMA has granted the Company permission, subject to the common shares of the Company being listed on an appointed stock exchange, to issue, grant, create, sell and transfer any of the Company's shares, stock, bonds, notes (other than promissory notes), debentures, debenture stock, units under a unit trust scheme, shares in an oil royalty, options, warrants, coupons, rights and depository receipts, or collectively, the Securities, to and among persons who are either resident or non-resident of Bermuda for exchange control purposes, whether or not the Securities are listed on an appointed stock exchange. The BMA and the Registrar of Companies accept no responsibility for the financial soundness of any proposal or for the correctness of any of the statements made or opinions expressed in this prospectus.
 

 

 
 

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
This summary provides an overview of our company and our business. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information you should consider before purchasing our securities. You should carefully read all of the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, including the "Risk Factors" and our financial statements and related notes contained herein and therein, before making an investment decision. Unless we specify otherwise, all references in this prospectus to "we," "our," "us" and the "Company" refer to Nordic American Tankers Limited.  We use the term deadweight, or "dwt," in describing the size of vessels. Dwt, expressed in metric tons each of which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, refers to the maximum weight of cargo and supplies that a vessel can carry.
 
Our Company
 
Nordic American Tankers Limited, or the Company, was incorporated on June 12, 1995 under the name Nordic American Tanker Shipping Limited under the laws of the Islands of Bermuda. We maintain our principal executive office at LOM Building, 27 Reid Street, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda. Our telephone number at such address is (441) 292-7202.
 
We are an international tanker company and currently own 20 Suezmax tankers. The Company was formed for the purpose of acquiring and chartering three double-hull Suezmax tankers built in 1997. In the autumn of 2004, we owned three vessels; at the end of 2005, eight vessels; at the end of 2006, 12 vessels; at the end of 2009, 15 vessels; at the end of 2010, 17 vessels; and at the end of 2011 we owned 20 vessels. We expect that the expansion process will continue over time and that more vessels will be added to our fleet.
 
Until November 24, 2011, we chartered all of our vessels in the spot market pursuant to a cooperative arrangement with Gemini Tankers LLC. In November 2011, the Orion Tankers pool was established, with Orion Tankers Ltd. as pool manager, and our vessels were transferred from the Gemini Tankers LLC arrangement to the Orion Tankers pool upon completion of previously fixed charters with Gemini Tankers LLC.  Orion Tankers Ltd. is owned equally by us and Frontline Ltd.
 
As of the date of this prospectus, all of our vessels are employed in the spot market pursuant to our cooperative arrangement with Orion Tankers Ltd. The following table provides information regarding the status of each vessel.
 
Vessel
Yard
Built
 
Dwt (1)
 
Delivered to us
Nordic Hawk
Samsung
1997
    151,475  
October 1997
Nordic Hunter
Samsung
1997
    151,400  
December 1997
Nordic Voyager
Dalian New
1997
    149,591  
November 2004
Nordic Freedom
Daewoo
2005
    163,455  
March 2005
Nordic Fighter
Hyundai
1998
    153,328  
March 2005
Nordic Discovery
Hyundai
1998
    153,328  
August 2005
Nordic Sprite
Samsung
1999
    147,188  
February 2009
Nordic Grace
Hyundai
2002
    149,921  
July 2009
Nordic Harrier
Samsung
1997
    151,475  
August 1997
Nordic Saturn
Daewoo
1998
    157,332  
November 2005
Nordic Jupiter
Daewoo
1998
    157,411  
April 2006
Nordic Apollo
Samsung
2003
    159,999  
November 2006
Nordic Cosmos
Samsung
2003
    159,998  
December 2006
Nordic Moon
Samsung
2002
    159,999  
November 2006
Nordic Mistral
Hyundai
2002
    164,236  
November 2009
Nordic Passat
Hyundai
2002
    164,274  
March 2010
Nordic Vega
Bohai
2010
    163,000  
December 2010
Nordic Breeze
Samsung
2011
    158,597  
August 2011
Nordic Aurora
Samsung
1999
    147,262  
September 2011
Nordic Zenith
Samsung
2011
    158,645  
November 2011


 
1

 


The commercial and technical management of our vessels is handled by third party companies under the supervision of Scandic American Shipping Ltd., or the Manager, a company controlled by Mr. Herbjorn Hansson, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and his family.  The commercial management services for each of the vessels in our fleet is provided through our spot market cooperative arrangement with Orion Tankers.
 
The ship management firm of V.Ships Norway AS provides technical management services for 14 of the vessels in our fleet. Of the other six vessels in our fleet, the ship management firms of Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd., Cyprus and Columbia Shipmanagement (Deutschland) GmbH each provide technical management services for two of our vessels and the ship management firm Hellespont Ship Management GmBH & Co. KG provides technical management services for one of our vessels.
 
We believe that the compensation under our commercial and technical management agreements is in accordance with industry standards.
 
Recent Developments
 
Set forth below are the Company's unaudited interim financial results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2012.

Amounts in USD '000
 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATION
 
Three Months Ended
    Six Months Ended  
 
Amounts in USD '000
 
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)
   
Mar. 31, 2012 (unaudited)
   
June 30, 2011 (unaudited)
   
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)
   
June 30, 2011 (unaudited)
 
Net Voyage Revenues
    28,548       30,476       23,835       59,024       49,366  
                                         
Vessel Operating Expenses
    (15,660 )     (16,094 )     (13,116 )     (31,754 )     (25,620 )
General and Administrative Expenses
    (2,888 )*     (6,073 )*     (4,184 )*     (8,961 )**     (7,781 )**
Depreciation Expenses
    (17,192 )     (16,980 )     (16,117 )     (34,172 )     (32,120 )
Operating Expenses
    (35,740 )     (39,147 )     (33,417 )     (74,887 )     (65,521 )
Net Operating Income (Loss)
    (7,192 )     (8,671 )     (9,582 )     (15,863 )     (16,155 )
                                         
Interest Income
    127       88       0       215       1  
Interest Expense
    (956 )     (942 )     (407 )     (1,898 )     (805 )
Other Financial Income (Expense)
    98       135       (11 )     233       (14 )
Total Other Expenses
    (731 )     (719 )     (418 )     (1,450 )     (818 )
Net Income (Loss)
    (7,923 )     (9,390 )     (10,000 )     (17,313 )     (16,973 )
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Shares
    (0.15 )     (0.18 )     (0.21 )     (0.33 )     (0.36 )
Basic Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding
    52,915,639       51,435,487       47,160,298       52,175,563       47,030,263  
Common Shares Outstanding
    52,915,639       52,915,639       47,224,782       52,915,639       47,224,782  
 
*)    The general and administrative expenses, or the G&A, for the three months ended June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2011 include non-cash charges of $0.3 million, $3.1 million, and $1.1 million, respectively, which are charges related to share based compensation and pension cost.
 
**)  The G&A for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2011 include non-cash charges of $3.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively, which are charges related to share based compensation and pension cost.
 


 
2

 


CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
Amounts in USD '000
 
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)
   
June 30, 2011 (unaudited)
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
                   
Cash and Cash Equivalents
    104,259       11,618       24,006  
Marketable Securities
    453       795       583  
Accounts Receivable, net
    215       10,718       17,586  
Accounts Receivable, net related party
    18 555       0       1,571  
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
    8 130       45,461       39,354  
Vessels, Net
    996,968       966,088       1,022,793  
Related Party receivables (Orion Tanker Pool)
    37,013       0       18,941  
Other Non-current Assets
    646       25,040       551  
Total Assets
    1,166,239       1,059,720       1,125,385  
                         
Accounts Payable
    3,199       3,234       4,378  
Accounts Payable, related party
    470       0       926  
Accrued liabilities
    5,164       5,987       12,642  
Long-term Debt
    250,000       90,000       230,000  
Deferred Compensation Liability
    10,965       9,739       9,876  
Shareholders' Equity
    896,441       950,760       867,563  
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    1,166,239       1,059,720       1,125,385  
 
 
 CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW  
Six Months Ended
     
Twelve Months Ended
 
Amounts in USD '000
   
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)
     
June 30, 2011 (unaudited)
     
Dec. 31, 2011
 
                   
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
    9,050       9,679       (12,163 )
                         
Investment in Marketable Securities
    0       (795 )     (795 )
Investment in Vessels
    (1,503 )     (3,595 )     (91,536 )
Repayment of Deposit and Loan, Nordic Galaxy
    9,000       0       10,609  
Other
    (128 )     0       (61 )
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
    7,369       (4,390 )     (81,783 )
                         
Net Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock
    75,583       0       4  
Proceeds from Use of Credit Facility
    20,000       15,000       155,000  
Dividends Paid
    (31,749 )     (25,892 )     (54,273 )
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
    63,834       (10,892 )     100,731  
                         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    80,253       (5,603 )     6,785  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
    24,006       17,221       17,221  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
    104,259       11,618       24,006  


 
3

 


RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
 
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
Amounts in USD '000
 
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)
   
Mar. 31, 2012 (unaudited)
   
June 30, 2011 (unaudited)
   
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)
   
June 30, 2011 (unaudited)
 
Voyage Revenues
    29,255       36,683       26,057       65,938       53,986  
Voyage Expenses
    (707 )     (6,207 )     (2,222 )     (6,914 )     (4,620 )
Net Voyage Revenues  (1)
    28,548       30,476       23,835       59,024       49,366  

   
Three Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
June 30, 2012 (unaudited)
   
Mar. 31, 2012 (unaudited)
   
June 30, 2011 (unaudited)
   
Dec. 31, 2011
 
Net Operating Income (Loss)
    (7,192 )     (8,671 )     (9,582 )     (71,213 )
Depreciation Expense
    17,192       16,980       16,117       64,626  
Loss on Contract
    0       0       0       16,200  
Share Based Compensation and Pension Cost
    346       3 132       1,125       3,129  
Operating Cash Flow (2)
    10,346       11,441       7,660       12,742  

(1)
Net voyage revenues represents voyage revenues less voyage expenses such as bunker fuel, port fees, canal tolls and brokerage commissions. Net voyage revenues is included because certain investors use this data to measure a shipping company's financial performance. Net voyage revenues is not required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other indicator of the Company's performance required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
 
(2)
Operating cash flow represents income from vessel operations before depreciation and non-cash administrative charges. Operating cash flow is included because certain investors use this data to measure a shipping company's financial performance. Operating cash flow is not required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other indicator of the Company's performance required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
 
 

 
4

 



In January 2012, the Company issued 5,500,000 common shares at the price of $15.57 per share in a follow-on offering. The net proceeds of the offering are expected to be used to fund future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.
 
In February 2012, the Company' declared a dividend of $0.30 per share for the fourth quarter of 2011.  The dividend was paid on March 2, 2012, to shareholders of record as of February 23, 2012.
 
On May 7, 2012, the Company declared a dividend of $0.30 per share for the first quarter of 2012. The dividend was paid on June 1, 2012, to shareholders of record on May 18, 2012.
 
On May 21, 2012, the Company conducted its 2012 Annual General Meeting and at the meeting all of the proposed resolutions were approved, including the reduction of the Company's share premium account by approximately $75.5 million. The reduction will be credited to the Company's contributed surplus account. Going forward, this transaction will facilitate payment of dividends and distributions under Bermuda law in accordance with the full dividend policy of the Company.
 
On August 7, 2012, the Company declared a dividend of $0.30 per share for the second quarter of 2012. The dividend is scheduled to be paid on August 30, 2012 to shareholders of record as of August 17, 2012.
 

 

 
5

 

RISK FACTORS
 
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks set forth below and the discussion of risks under the heading "Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Commission on April 17, 2012, and the other documents which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, before making an investment in our securities. Please see the section of this prospectus entitled "Where You Can Find Additional Information—Information Incorporated by Reference." In addition, you should also consider carefully the risks set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in any prospectus supplement before investing in the securities offered by this prospectus. The occurrence of one or more of those risk factors could adversely impact our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
We may issue additional common shares or other equity securities without your approval, which would dilute your ownership interests and may depress the market price of our common shares.
 
We may issue additional common shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank in the future in connection with, among other things, future vessel acquisitions, repayment of outstanding indebtedness, our equity incentive plan, or our Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan, without shareholder approval, in a number of circumstances.
 
Our issuance of additional common shares or other equity securities of equal or senior rank would have the following effects:
 
·  
our existing shareholders' proportionate ownership interest in us may decrease;
 
·  
the amount of cash available for dividends payable on our common shares may decrease;
 
·  
the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding common share may be diminished; and
 
·  
the market price of our common shares may decline.
 

 
6

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Matters discussed in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may constitute forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking statements, which include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts.
 
We desire to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. This document and any other written or oral statements made by us or on our behalf may include forward-looking statements which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. The words "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," "potential," "may," "should," "expect," "pending" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
 
The forward-looking statements in this document are based upon various assumptions, including management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and data available from third parties. Although we believe that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
The factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" and matters discussed elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements.
 

 
7

 

SHARE HISTORY AND MARKETS
 
Since November 16, 2004, the primary trading market for our common shares has been the NYSE, on which our shares are listed under the symbol "NAT." You should carefully review the high and low prices of NAT common shares in the tables for the months, quarters and years indicated under the heading "Item 9. The Offer and Listing—Share History and Markets" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein.
 
The table below sets forth the high and low market prices for each of the periods indicated for our shares of common stock as reported by the NYSE.
 
   
High
   
Low
 
For the month ended:
           
August (through August 29, 2012)
  $ 12.98     $ 9.26  
July 2012
  $ 13.88     $ 11.50  
June 2012
  $ 13.64     $ 12.00  
May 2012
  $ 14.71     $ 12.25  
April 2012
  $ 15.96     $ 13.70  
                 
For the quarter ended:
               
June 30, 2012
  $ 15.96     $ 12.00  
March 31, 2012
  $ 16.04     $ 13.02  


 
8

 

USE OF PROCEEDS
 
We intend to use net proceeds from the sale of securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.  We will not receive any proceeds from sales of our securities by selling shareholders.
 

 
9

 

CAPITALIZATION
 
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2012, on a historical basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the payment on August 30, 2012 of a dividend of $0.30 per common share, or $15.9 million in the aggregate, in respect of the second quarter of 2012.

There have been no significant adjustments to our capitalization since June 30, 2012, as so adjusted. You should read the adjusted capitalization table information below in connection with "Use of Proceeds" and our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Dollars in thousands
Actual
   
As Adjusted
Debt:
         
Credit Facility
250,000
  
 
250,000
 
           
Total debt
250,000
  
 
250,000
 
           
Shareholders' equity:
         
Common shares, $0.01 par value, outstanding actual 52,915,639 shares, as adjusted 52,915,639 shares (1)
529
  
 
529
 
Additional paid-in capital (1)
913,469
  
 
897,594
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
-244
   
-244
 
Accumulated deficit
-17,313
   
-17,313
 
           
Total shareholders' equity
896,441 
  
 
880,566
 
           
Total capitalization
1,146,441 
  
 
1,130,566
 


(1)  
Common shares and Additional paid-in capital excludes (i) 1,664,450 common shares that may be issued under our Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan.

 
10

 

ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
 
There is no treaty in force between the United States and Bermuda providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. As a result, whether a United States judgment would be enforceable in Bermuda against us or our directors and officers depends on whether the U.S. court that entered the judgment is recognized by the Bermuda court as having jurisdiction over us or our directors and officers, as determined by reference to Bermuda conflict of law rules. A judgment debt from a U.S. court that is final and for a sum certain based on U.S. federal securities laws will not be enforceable in Bermuda unless the judgment debtor had submitted to the jurisdiction of the U.S. court, and the issue of submission and jurisdiction is a matter of Bermuda (not U.S.) law.
 
In addition, and irrespective of jurisdictional issues, the Bermuda courts will not enforce a U.S. federal securities law that is either penal or contrary to the public policy of Bermuda. An action brought pursuant to a public or penal law, the purpose of which is the enforcement of a sanction, power or right at the instance of the state in its sovereign capacity, may not be entertained by a Bermuda court to the extent it is contrary to Bermuda public policy. Certain remedies available under the laws of U.S. jurisdictions, including certain remedies under U.S. federal securities laws, may not be available under Bermuda law or enforceable in a Bermuda court, to the extent they are contrary to Bermuda public policy. Further, no claim may be brought in Bermuda against us or our directors and officers in the first instance for violations of U.S. federal securities laws because these laws have no extraterritorial jurisdiction under Bermuda law and do not have force of law in Bermuda. A Bermuda court may, however, impose civil liability on us or our directors and officers if the facts alleged in a complaint constitute or give rise to a cause of action under Bermuda law.
 

 
11

 

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
The following table sets forth our unaudited ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the preceding five fiscal years and the six months ended June 30, 2012.(1)

 
   
Six months
ended June 30,
   
For the years ended December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
         
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
Earnings
                                   
Net Income
    -17,313       -72,298       -809       1,012       118,844       44,206  
Add: Fixed Charges
    2,223       3,701       3,006       2,877       4,316       10,502  
Less: Interest Capitalized
            -918       -382       -430       -306       -305  
Total Earnings
    -15,090       -69,515       1,815       3,459       122,854       54,403  
Fixed Charges
                                               
Interest expensed and capitalized
    1,897       3,048       2,353       2,224       3,698       9,988  
Amortization and write-off of capitalized expenses relating to indebtedness
    326       653       653       653       618       514  
Total Fixed Charges
    2,223       3,701       3,006       2,877       4,316       10,502  
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(2)
    -       -       -       1.2       28.5       5.2  
Dollar amount of the coverage deficiency
    17,313       73,216       1,191       -       -       -  

(1)
We have not issued any preferred share as of the date of this prospectus.

(2)
For purposes of computing the consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of net income available to common shareholders plus interest expensed and any amortization and write-off of capitalized expenses relating to indebtedness. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized, the interest portion of rental expense and amortization and write-off of capitalized expenses relating to indebtedness.



 
12

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
We or any selling shareholder may sell or distribute our securities included in this prospectus through underwriters, through agents, to dealers, in private transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices.
 
In addition, we or the selling shareholders may sell our securities included in this prospectus through:
 
·  
a block trade in which a broker-dealer may resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;
 
·  
purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; or
 
·  
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or
 
·  
trading plans entered into by the selling shareholder pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that are in place at the time of an offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement hereto that provide for periodic sales of their securities on the basis of parameters described in such trading plans.
 
In addition, we or the selling shareholders may enter into option or other types of transactions that require us or them to deliver our securities to a broker-dealer, who will then resell or transfer the securities under this prospectus. We or any selling shareholder may enter into hedging transactions with respect to our securities. For example, we or any selling shareholder may:
 
·  
enter into transactions involving short sales of our common shares by broker-dealers;
 
·  
sell common shares short and deliver the shares to close out short positions;
 
·  
enter into option or other types of transactions that require us or the selling shareholder to deliver common shares to a broker-dealer, who will then resell or transfer the common shares under this prospectus; or
 
·  
loan or pledge the common shares to a broker-dealer, who may sell the loaned shares or, in the event of default, sell the pledged shares.
 
We or any selling shareholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions.  If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions.  If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or any selling shareholder or borrowed from us, any selling shareholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us or any selling shareholder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).  In addition, we or any selling shareholder may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
 
The selling shareholders and any broker-dealers or other persons acting on our behalf or on the behalf of the selling shareholders that participate with us or the selling shareholders in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters and any commissions received or profit realized by them on the resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. As a result, we have informed the selling shareholders that Regulation M, promulgated under the Exchange Act, may apply to sales by the selling shareholders in the market. The selling shareholders may agree to indemnify any broker, dealer or agent that participates in transactions involving the sale of our common shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
 

 
13

 


 
As of August 30, 2012, we are not a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding between any broker or dealer and us with respect to the offer or sale of the securities pursuant to this prospectus.
 
At the time that any particular offering of securities is made, to the extent required by the Securities Act, a prospectus supplement will be distributed, setting forth the terms of the offering, including the aggregate number of securities being offered, the purchase price of the securities, the initial offering price of the securities, the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other items constituting compensation from us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers. Furthermore, we, our executive officers, our directors and the selling shareholders may agree, subject to certain exemptions, that for a certain period from the date of the prospectus supplement under which the securities are offered, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of an underwriter, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of any of our common shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for our common shares. However, an underwriter, in its sole discretion, may release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time without notice. We expect an underwriter to exclude from these lock-up agreements securities exercised and/or sold pursuant to trading plans entered into by any selling shareholder pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, that are in place at the time of an offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement hereto that provide for periodic sales of the selling shareholders' securities on the basis of parameters described in such trading plans.
 
Underwriters or agents could make sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an at-the-market offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on or through the NYSE, the existing trading market for our common shares, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.
 
We will bear costs relating to the securities offered and sold by us under this Registration Statement.
 
As a result of requirements of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker/dealer may not be greater than eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds received by us or any selling shareholder for the sale of any securities being registered pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act.
 

 
14

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
Under our Memorandum of Association, as amended, our authorized capital consists of 90,000,000 shares having a par value of $0.01 per share, of which 52,915,639 shares are issued and outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.  All of our shares are in registered form. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NAT."
 
Share History
 
In January 2012, the Company completed an underwritten follow-on offering of 5,500,000 common shares.  The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $75.4 million.  In connection with that offering and pursuant to the Management Agreement, we issued an additional 112,245 restricted common shares to the Manager at a purchase price equal to such shares' par value of $0.01 per share. Following the closing of the follow-on offering, we had a total of 52,915,639 common shares issued and outstanding.
 
In April 2011, the Company issued 400,000 common shares under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan which were allocated among 23 persons employed in the management of the Company, the Manager and the members of the Board.
 
In January 2010, the Company completed an underwritten follow-on offering of 4,600,000 common shares.  The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $136.5 million.  In connection with that offering and pursuant to the Management Agreement, we issued an additional 93,878 restricted common shares to the Manager at a purchase price equal to such shares' par value of $0.01 per share. Following the closing of the follow-on offering, we had a total of 46,898,782 common shares issued and outstanding.
 
On August 14, 2009, we announced that we cancelled all stock options reserved for issuance under our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, including the 320,000 options previously granted to our directors, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, our employees and employees of our manager, Scandic American Shipping Ltd., or the Manager. The 2004 Stock Incentive Plan was established in November 2004.
 
The stock options were cancelled in exchange for a payment equal to the difference between the strike price of the options and the closing price of $30.70 per share for our common shares on the New York Stock Exchange on August 13, 2009.  The compensation of $7.23 per option resulted in a cash outlay of $2.3 million for the Company, which was covered by cash on hand.  The cancellation of the options is resulted in a charge of approximately $450,000 to our profit and loss account for the third quarter of 2009. Following the cancellation described above, there are no more stock options outstanding under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.
 
In May 2009, the Company completed a follow-on public offering of 4,225,000 common shares, resulting in aggregate net proceeds to the Company, before expenses relating to the offering, of approximately $130.0 million, in order to fund further acquisitions under planning and for general corporate purposes.  In connection with that offering and pursuant to the Management Agreement, we issued an additional 86,225 restricted common shares to the Manager at a purchase price equal to such shares' par value of $0.01 per share. Following the closing of the follow-on offering, we had a total of 42,204,904 common shares issued and outstanding.
 
Memorandum of Association and Bye-Laws
 
The following description of our capital stock summarizes the material terms of our Memorandum of Association and our amended and restated bye-laws, copies of which have been filed as identified in the exhibit index to this registration statement and are incorporated by reference herein.
 
Under our Memorandum of Association, as amended, our authorized capital consists of 90,000,000 common shares having a par value of $0.01 per share.
 

 
15

 


 
The purposes and powers of the Company include the entering into of any guarantee, contract, indemnity or suretyship and to assure, support, secure, with or without the consideration or benefit, the performance of any obligations of any person or persons; and the borrowing and raising of money in any currency or currencies to secure or discharge any debt or obligation in any manner.
 
Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that our Board shall convene and the Company shall hold annual general meetings of shareholders in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 1981, or the Companies Act, at such times and places as the Board shall decide. However, under Bermuda law, a company may, by resolution in general meeting, elect to dispense with the holding of an annual general meeting for (a) the year in which it is made and any subsequent year or years; (b) for a specified number of years; or (c) indefinitely.  Our Board may call special general meetings of shareholders at its discretion or as required by the Companies Act. Under the Companies Act, holders of one-tenth of our issued common shares may call special general meetings.
 
Under our amended and restated bye-laws, five days advance notice of an annual general meeting or any special general meeting must be given to each shareholder entitled to vote at that meeting unless, in the case of an annual general meeting, such meeting is agreed to by all of the shareholders entitled to vote thereat and, in the case of any other meeting, such meeting is agreed to by at least 75% of the shareholders entitled to vote thereat. Under Bermuda law, accidental failure to give notice will not invalidate proceedings at a meeting. Our Board may set a record date for the purpose of identifying the persons entitled to receive notice of and vote at a meeting of shareholders at any time before or after the date on which such notice is dispatched.
 
Our Board must consist of at least three and no more than 11 directors, or such number in excess thereof as the Board may from time to time determine by resolution. Our directors are not required to retire because of their age, and our directors are not required to be holders of our common shares. Directors serve for one-year terms, and shall serve until re-elected or until their successors are appointed at the next annual general meeting. Casual vacancies on our Board may be filled by a majority vote of the then-current directors, as long as a quorum remains in office.
 
Any director retiring at an annual general meeting will be eligible for reappointment and will retain office until the close of the meeting at which such director retires or (if earlier) until a resolution is passed at that meeting not to fill the vacancy or the resolution to re-appoint such director is put to a vote at the meeting and is lost. If a director's seat is not filled at the annual general meeting at which he or she retires, such director shall be deemed to have been reappointed unless it is resolved by the shareholders not to fill the vacancy or a resolution for the reappointment of the director is voted upon and lost. No person other than a director retiring shall be appointed a director at any general meeting unless (i) he or she is recommended by the Board or (ii) a notice executed by a shareholder (not being the person to be proposed) to propose such person for appointment has been received by our secretary no less than 120 days and no more than 150 days before the anniversary of the date of the release of the Company's proxy statement to shareholders in connection with the prior year's annual general meeting.
 
A director may at any time summon a meeting of the Board. The quorum necessary for the transaction of business at a meeting of the Board may be fixed by the Board and, unless so fixed at any other number, shall be two directors. Questions arising at any meeting of the Board shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast.
 
Our amended and restated bye-laws do not prohibit a director from being a party to, or otherwise having an interest in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is otherwise interested. Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that a director who has an interest in any transaction or arrangement with the Company and who has complied with the provisions of the Companies Act and with our amended and restated bye-laws with regard to disclosure of such interest shall be taken into account in ascertaining whether a quorum is present, and will be entitled to vote in respect of any transaction or arrangement in which he is so interested.
 
Our amended and restated bye-laws permit us to increase our authorized share capital with the approval of a majority of votes cast in respect of our outstanding common shares represented in person or by proxy.
 

 
16

 


 
There are no pre-emptive, redemption, conversion or sinking fund rights attached to our common shares. The holders of common shares are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of holders of common shares. Unless a different majority is required by law or by our amended and restated bye-laws, resolutions to be approved by holders of common shares require approval by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders representing the holders of at least one-third of the issued shares entitled to vote at such general meeting shall be a quorum for all purposes.
 
Under our amended and restated bye-laws, our Board is authorized to attach to our undesignated shares such preferred, qualified or other special rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions as the board of directors may determine. The board of directors may allot our undesignated shares in more than one series and attach particular rights and restrictions to any such shares by resolution; provided, however, that the board of directors may not attach any rights or restrictions to our undesignated shares that would alter or abrogate any of the special rights attached to any other class or series of shares without such sanction as is required for any such alternation or abrogation unless expressly authorized to do so by the rights attaching to or by the terms of the issue of such shares.
 
Subject to Bermuda law, special rights attaching to any class of our shares may be altered or abrogated with the consent in writing of not less than 75% of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a resolution of the holders of such shares voting in person or by proxy.
 
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common shares are entitled to share in our assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of our debts and liabilities, subject to any liquidation preference on any outstanding preference shares.
 
Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that our Board may, from time to time, declare and pay dividends or distributions out of contributed surplus, which we refer to collectively as dividends. Each common share is entitled to dividends if and when dividends are declared by our Board, subject to any preferred dividend right of the holders of any preference shares.
 
There are no limitations on the right of non-Bermudians or non-residents of Bermuda to hold or vote our common shares.
 
Bermuda law permits the bye-laws of a Bermuda company to contain a provision in its Bye-laws indemnifying the Company's directors and officers for any loss arising or liability attaching to him or her by virtue of any rule of law in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which the officer or person may be guilty, save with respect to fraud or dishonesty. Bermuda law also grants companies the power generally to indemnify directors and officers of a company, except in instances of fraud and dishonesty, if any such person was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director and officer of such company or was serving in a similar capacity for another entity at such company's request.
 
Our amended and restated bye-laws provide that each director, alternate director, officer, person or member of a committee, if any, resident representative, and any liquidator, manager or trustee for the time being acting in relation to the affairs of the Company, and his heirs, executors or administrators, which we refer to collectively as an indemnitee, will be indemnified and held harmless out of our assets to the fullest extent permitted by Bermuda law against all liabilities, loss, damage or expense (including, but not limited to, liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all reasonable legal and other costs and expenses properly payable) incurred or suffered by him or by reason of any act done, conceived in or omitted in the conduct of the Company's business or in the discharge of his duties except in respect of fraud or dishonesty. In addition, each indemnitee shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against all liabilities incurred in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in such indemnitee's favor, or in which he is acquitted.
 

 
17

 


 
Under our amended and restated bye-laws, we and our shareholders have agreed to waive any claim or right of action we or they may have at any time against any indemnitee on account of any action taken by such indemnitee or the failure of such indemnitee to take any action in the performance of his duties with or for the Company with the exception of any claims or rights of action arising out of fraud or actions to recover any gain, personal profit or advantage to which such indemnitee is not legally entitled.
 
Our Board may, at its discretion, purchase and maintain insurance for, among other persons, any indemnitee or any persons who are or were at the time directors, officers or employees of the Company, or of any other company in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest that is allied or associated with the Company, or of any subsidiary undertaking of the Company or such other company, against liability incurred by such persons in respect of any act or omission (save in respect of fraud or dishonesty) in the actual or purported execution or discharge of their duties or in the exercise or purported exercise of their powers or otherwise in relation to their duties, powers or offices in relation to the Company, subsidiary undertaking or any such other company.
 
Our Memorandum of Association may be amended with the approval of a majority of votes cast in respect of our outstanding common shares represented in person or by proxy and our amended and restated bye-laws may be amended by approval by not less than 75% of the votes cast in respect of our issued and outstanding common shares represented in person or by proxy.
 
Stockholders Rights Plan
 
On February 13, 2007, the Board adopted a stockholders rights agreement and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Participating Preferred Stock for each outstanding share of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The dividend was payable on February 27, 2007 to stockholders of record on that date. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $115, subject to adjustment. We can redeem the rights at any time prior to a public announcement that a person has acquired ownership of 15% or more of the Company's common stock.
 
This stockholders rights plan was designed to enable us to protect stockholder interests in the event that an unsolicited attempt is made for a business combination with, or a takeover of, the Company. We believe that the stockholders rights plan should enhance our Board's negotiating power on behalf of stockholders in the event of a coercive offer or proposal. We are not currently aware of any such offers or proposals.
 

 
18

 

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SHARES
 
Under our amended and restated bye-laws, our Board is authorized to attach to our undesignated shares such preferred, qualified or other special rights, privileges, conditions and restrictions as the Board may determine, with respect to, among other things, dividends, conversion, voting, redemption, liquidation and the number of shares constituting any series. The Board may allot our undesignated shares in more than one series and attach particular rights and restrictions to any such shares by resolution; provided, however, that the Board may not attach any rights or restrictions to our undesignated shares that would alter or abrogate any of the special rights attached to any other class or series of shares without such sanction as is required for any such alternation or abrogation unless expressly authorized to do so by the rights attaching to or by the terms of the issue of such shares.  The issuance of preferred shares may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the shareholders. The issuance of preferred shares with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common shares.
 
The material terms of any series of preferred shares that we offer through a prospectus supplement will be described in that prospectus supplement.
 
Description of Preferred Share Purchase Rights
 
Each common share includes one Right, which we refer to as a Right, that entitles the holder to purchase from us a unit consisting of one-thousandth of a share of the Company's Series A Participating Preferred Stock, or the Preferred Stock, at an exercise price of $115.00 per unit, or the Exercise Price, subject to specified adjustments. The Rights were issued pursuant to a preferred share purchase rights agreement dated February 13, 2007, or the Rights Agreement, and Computershare Shareowner Services LLC is the successor rights agent under the assigned Rights agreement, or the Rights Agent.  Until a Right is exercised, the holder of a Right will have no rights to vote or receive dividends or any other shareholder rights.
 
The Rights may have anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our Board. As a result, the overall effect of the Rights may be to render more difficult or discourage any attempt to acquire us. Because our Board can approve a redemption of the Rights for a permitted offer, the Rights should not interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by our Board. We have summarized the material terms and conditions of the Rights Agreement and the Rights below. For a complete description of the Rights, we encourage you to read the Rights Agreement, which we have filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
 
Detachment of the Rights
 
The Rights are attached to all certificates representing our currently outstanding common stock and will attach to all common stock certificates we issue prior to the Rights distribution date that we describe below. The Rights are not exercisable until after the Rights distribution date and will expire at the close of business on the tenth anniversary date of the adoption of the rights plan, unless we redeem or exchange them earlier as we describe below. The Rights will separate from the common stock and a Rights distribution date would occur, subject to specified exceptions, on the earlier of the following two dates:
 
·  
the 10th day after public announcement that a person or group has acquired ownership of 15% or more of the Company's common stock or
 
·  
the 10th business day (or such later date as determined by the Board) after a person or group announces a tender or exchange offer which would result in that person or group holding 15% or more of the Company's common stock.
 
Any person or group who acquires ownership of 15% or more of the Company's common stock shall be deemed an "Acquiring Person," but shall not include the Company, or anyone excepted from such definition in the Rights Agreement.
 

 
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Persons who are the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the Company's common stock on the effective date of the Rights Agreement are excluded from the definition of Acquiring Person, until such time as they acquire an additional 2% of our outstanding common stock for purposes of the Rights, and therefore until such time, their ownership cannot trigger the Rights. Specified "inadvertent" owners that would otherwise become an acquiring person, including those who would have this designation as a result of repurchases of common shares by us, will not become acquiring persons as a result of those transactions, as described in detail in the Rights Agreement.
 
Our Board may defer the Rights distribution date in some circumstances, and some inadvertent acquisitions will not result in a person becoming an acquiring person if the person promptly divests itself of a sufficient number of common shares.
 
Until the Rights distribution date:
 
·  
our common stock certificates will evidence the Rights, and the Rights will be transferable only with those certificates; and
 
·  
any new common share will be issued with Rights and new certificates will contain a notation incorporating the Rights agreement by reference.
 
As soon as practicable after the Rights distribution date, the Rights agent will mail certificates representing the Rights to holders of record of common shares at the close of business on that date. After the Rights distribution date, only separate Rights certificates will represent the Rights.
 
We will not issue Rights with any common shares we issue after the Rights distribution date, except as our Board may otherwise determine.
 
Flip-In Event
 
A "flip-in event" will occur under the Rights Agreement when a person becomes an Acquiring Person other than pursuant to certain kinds of permitted offers. An offer is permitted under the Rights Agreement if a person will become an Acquiring Person pursuant to a merger or other acquisition agreement that has been approved by our Board prior to that person becoming an Acquiring Person.
 
If a flip-in event occurs and we have not previously redeemed the Rights as described under the heading "Redemption of Rights" below or, if the Acquiring Person acquires less than 50% of our outstanding common stock and we do not exchange the Rights as described under the heading "Exchange of Rights" below, each Right, other than any Right that has become void, as we describe below, will become exercisable at the time it is no longer redeemable for the number of common shares, or, in some cases, cash, property or other of our securities, having a current market price equal to two times the exercise price of such Right.
 
When a flip-in event occurs, all Rights that then are, or in some circumstances that were, beneficially owned by or transferred to an Acquiring Person or specified related parties will become void in the circumstances the Rights Agreement specifies.
 
Flip-Over Event
 
A "flip-over event" will occur under the Rights Agreement when, at any time after a person has become an Acquiring Person:
 
·  
we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction, other than specified mergers that follow a permitted offer of the type we describe above; or
 
·  
50% or more of our assets or earning power is sold or transferred.
 

 
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If a flip-over event occurs, each holder of a Right, other than any Right that has become void as we describe under the heading "Flip-In Event" above, will have the Right to receive the number of common shares of the acquiring company which has a current market price equal to two times the exercise price of such Right.
 
Antidilution
 
The number of outstanding Rights associated with our common stock is subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or subdivision, combination or reclassification of our common stock occurring prior to the Rights distribution date. With some exceptions, the Rights Agreement will not require us to adjust the Exercise Price of the Rights until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Exercise Price. The Rights Agreement does not require us to issue fractional shares of our preferred shares that are not integral multiples of one-thousandth of a share, instead we may make a cash adjustment based on the market price of the common stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
 
Redemption of Rights
 
At any time until the date on which the occurrence of a flip-in event is first publicly announced, we may order redemption of the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a redemption price of $0.01 per Right. The redemption price is subject to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring before the date of redemption. At our option, we may pay that redemption price in cash or common shares. The Rights are not exercisable after a flip-in event if they are timely redeemed by us or until ten days following the first public announcement of a flip-in event. If our Board timely orders the redemption of the Rights, the Rights will terminate on the effectiveness of that action.
 
Exchange of Rights
 
We may, at our option, exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by an Acquiring Person or an affiliate or an associate of an Acquiring Person, which have become void), in whole or in part. The exchange will be at an exchange ratio of one common share per Right, subject to specified adjustments at any time after the occurrence of a flip-in event and prior to any person other than us or our existing shareholders becoming the beneficial owner of 50% or more of our outstanding common shares for the purposes of the Rights Agreement.
 
Amendment of Terms of Rights
 
During the time the Rights are redeemable, we may amend any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement, other than by decreasing the redemption price. Once the Rights cease to be redeemable, we generally may amend the provisions of the Rights agreement, other than to decrease the redemption price, only as follows:
 
·  
to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
 
·  
to make changes that do not materially adversely affect the interests of holders of Rights, excluding the interests of any Acquiring Person; or
 
·  
to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement, except that we cannot lengthen the time period governing redemption or lengthen any time period that protects, enhances or clarifies the benefits of holders of Rights other than an Acquiring Person.
 
Stockholders Rights Agreement
 
Our Rights Agreement may have anti-takeover effects. The Rights exercisable under the Rights Agreement will cause substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our Board. Please see "Description of Preferred Share Purchase Rights above."
 

 
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Transfer Agent
 
The registrar and transfer agent for our common shares is Computershare Shareowner Services LLC.
 
Listing
 
Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NAT."
 

 
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, under one or more indentures, each dated as of a date on or prior to the issuance of the debt securities to which it relates.  We may issue senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities pursuant to separate indentures, a senior indenture and a subordinated indenture, respectively, in each case between us and the trustee named in the indenture.  These indentures will be filed either as exhibits to an amendment to this Registration Statement, or as an exhibit to a Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, report that will be incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement or a prospectus supplement.  We will refer to any or all of these reports as "subsequent filings."  The senior indenture and the subordinated indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time, are sometimes referred to individually as an "indenture" and collectively as the "indentures."  Each indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act.  The aggregate principal amount of debt securities which may be issued under each indenture will be unlimited and each indenture will contain the specific terms of any series of debt securities or provide that those terms must be set forth in or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution, as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement, and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series.
 
The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions.  The statements below are not complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable indenture. The specific terms of any debt securities that we may offer, including any modifications of, or additions to, the general terms described below as well as any applicable material U.S. federal income tax considerations concerning the ownership of such debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplemental indenture.  Accordingly, for a complete description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, the general description of the debt securities set forth below should be read in conjunction with the applicable prospectus supplement and indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
 
General
 
Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities which may be issued, and each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount from time to time.  The debt securities may be issued in one or more series.  The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank in parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.  Each series of subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and subordinated to all present and future senior indebtedness.  Any such debt securities will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
 
You should read the subsequent filings relating to the particular series of debt securities for the following terms of the offered debt securities:
 
·  
the designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations;
 
·  
the issue price, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount;
 
·  
the maturity date;
 
·  
the interest rate per annum, if any;
 
·  
if the offered debt securities provide for interest payments, the date from which interest will accrue, the dates on which interest will be payable, the date on which payment of interest will commence and the regular record dates for interest payment dates;
 
·  
any optional or mandatory sinking fund provisions or conversion or exchangeability provisions;
 
·  
the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the offered debt securities may be optionally redeemed or must be mandatorily redeemed and any other terms and provisions of optional or mandatory redemptions;
 

 
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·  
if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which offered debt securities of the series will be issuable;
 
·  
if other than the full principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of offered debt securities of the series which will be payable upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy;
 
·  
any events of default not set forth in this prospectus;
 
·  
the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which principal, premium and interest will be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America;
 
·  
if principal, premium or interest is payable, at our election or at the election of any holder, in a currency other than that in which the offered debt securities of the series are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the election may be made;
 
·  
whether interest will be payable in cash or additional securities at our or the holder's option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;
 
·  
if denominated in a currency or currencies other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of holders of those debt securities under the applicable indenture;
 
·  
if the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other than that in which the offered debt securities of the series are stated to be payable, the manner in which the amounts will be determined;
 
·  
any restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the offered debt securities, which may not be inconsistent with the applicable indenture;
 
·  
whether the offered debt securities will be issued in the form of global securities or certificates in registered form;
 
·  
any terms with respect to subordination;
 
·  
any listing on any securities exchange or quotation system;
 
·  
additional provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities; and
 
·  
the applicability of any guarantees.
 
Unless otherwise indicated in subsequent filings with the Commission relating to the indenture, principal, premium and interest will be payable and the debt securities will be transferable at the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee.  Unless other arrangements are made or set forth in subsequent filings or a supplemental indenture, principal, premium and interest will be paid by checks mailed to the holders at their registered addresses.
 
Unless otherwise indicated in subsequent filings with the Commission, the debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.  No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of the debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with these debt securities.
 

 
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Some or all of the debt securities may be issued as discounted debt securities, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates, to be sold at a substantial discount below the stated principal amount.  United States federal income consequences and other special considerations applicable to any discounted securities will be described in subsequent filings with the Commission relating to those securities.
 
We refer you to applicable subsequent filings with respect to any deletions or additions or modifications from the description contained in this prospectus.
 
Senior Debt
 
We may issue senior debt securities under a senior debt indenture.  These senior debt securities would rank on an equal basis with all our other unsecured debt except subordinated debt.
 
Subordinated Debt
 
We may issue subordinated debt securities under a subordinated debt indenture.  Subordinated debt would rank subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the subordinated debt indenture, to all our senior debt (both secured and unsecured).
 
In general, the holders of all senior debt are first entitled to receive payment of the full amount unpaid on senior debt before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive a payment on account of the principal or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities in certain events.
 
If we default in the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any senior debt when it becomes due and payable after any applicable grace period, then, unless and until the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, we cannot make a payment on account of or redeem or otherwise acquire the subordinated debt securities.
 
If there is any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation or other similar proceeding relating to us or our property, then all senior debt must be paid in full before any payment may be made to any holders of subordinated debt securities.
 
Furthermore, if we default in the payment of the principal of and accrued interest on any subordinated debt securities that is declared due and payable upon an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture, holders of all our senior debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full in cash before holders of such subordinated debt can receive any payments.
 
Senior debt means:
 
·  
the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other amounts owing in respect of our indebtedness for money borrowed and indebtedness evidenced by securities, notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by us, including the senior debt securities or letters of credit;
 
·  
all capitalized lease obligations;
 
·  
all hedging obligations;
 
·  
all obligations representing the deferred purchase price of property; and
 
·  
all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refundings of obligations of the type referred to above;
 

 
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but senior debt does not include:
 
·  
subordinated debt securities; or
 
·  
any indebtedness that by its terms is subordinated to, or ranks on an equal basis with, our subordinated debt securities.
 
Covenants
 
Any series of offered debt securities may have covenants in addition to or differing from those included in the applicable indenture which will be described in subsequent filings prepared in connection with the offering of such securities, limiting or restricting, among other things:
 
·  
the ability of us or our subsidiaries to incur either secured or unsecured debt, or both;
 
·  
the ability to make certain payments, dividends, redemptions or repurchases;
 
·  
our ability to create dividend and other payment restrictions affecting our subsidiaries;
 
·  
our ability to make investments;
 
·  
mergers and consolidations by us or our subsidiaries;
 
·  
sales of assets by us;
 
·  
our ability to enter into transactions with affiliates;
 
·  
our ability to incur liens; and
 
·  
sale and leaseback transactions.
 
Modification of the Indentures
 
Each indenture and the rights of the respective holders may be modified by us only with the consent of holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series under the respective indenture affected by the modification, taken together as a class.  But no modification that:
 
(1) changes the amount of securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
 
(2) reduces the rate of or changes the interest payment time on any security or alters its redemption provisions (other than any alteration to any such section which would not materially adversely affect the legal rights of any holder under the indenture) or the price at which we are required to offer to purchase the securities;
 
(3) reduces the principal or changes the maturity of any security or reduces the amount of, or postpones the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
 
(4) waives a default or event of default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any security (except a rescission of acceleration of the securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
 
(5) makes the principal of or interest, if any, on any security payable in any currency other than that stated in the security;
 

 
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(6) makes any change with respect to holders' rights to receive principal and interest, the terms pursuant to which defaults can be waived, certain modifications affecting shareholders or certain currency-related issues; or
 
(7) waives a redemption payment with respect to any security or changes any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any securities;
 
will be effective against any holder without his consent.  Other terms as specified in subsequent filings may be modified without the consent of the holders.
 
Events of Default
 
Each indenture defines an event of default for the debt securities of any series as being any one of the following events:
 
·  
default in any payment of interest when due which continues for 30 days;
 
·  
default in any payment of principal or premium when due;
 
·  
default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due;
 
·  
default in the performance of any covenant in the debt securities or the applicable indenture which continues for 60 days after we receive notice of the default;
 
·  
default under a bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for borrowed money by us or our subsidiaries (to the extent we are directly responsible or liable therefor) having a principal amount in excess of a minimum amount set forth in the applicable subsequent filing, whether such indebtedness now exists or is hereafter created, which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled or cured within 30 days after we receive notice of the default; and
 
·  
events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
 
An event of default of one series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities.
 
There may be such other or different events of default as described in an applicable subsequent filing with respect to any class or series of offered debt securities.
 
In case an event of default occurs and continues for the debt securities of any series, the applicable trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding of that series may declare the principal and accrued but unpaid interest of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable.  Any event of default for the debt securities of any series which has been cured may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding.
 
Each indenture requires us to file annually after debt securities are issued under that indenture with the applicable trustee a written statement signed by two of our officers as to the absence of material defaults under the terms of that indenture.  Each indenture provides that the applicable trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any default if it considers it in the interest of the holders to do so, except notice of a default in payment of principal, premium or interest.
 

 
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Subject to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default occurs and continues, each indenture provides that the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under that indenture at the request, order or direction of holders unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity.  Subject to these provisions for indemnification and the rights of the trustee, each indenture provides that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee as long as the exercise of that right does not conflict with any law or the indenture.
 
Defeasance and Discharge
 
The terms of each indenture provide us with the option to be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities issued thereunder upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal, premium and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities on the stated maturity of the payments in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture governing the debt securities.  This right may only be exercised if, among other things, we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that such a discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to holders.  This discharge would not apply to our obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust.
 
Defeasance of Certain Covenants
 
The terms of the debt securities provide us with the right to omit complying with specified covenants and that specified events of default described in a subsequent filing will not apply. In order to exercise this right, we will be required to deposit with the trustee money or U.S. government obligations, or both, which through the payment of interest and principal will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on, and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of, the debt securities on the stated maturity of such payments in accordance with the terms of the debt securities and the indenture governing such debt securities. We will also be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the IRS a ruling to the effect that the deposit and related covenant defeasance will not cause the holders of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.
 
A subsequent filing may further describe the provisions, if any, of any particular series of offered debt securities permitting a discharge defeasance.
 
Global Securities
 
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depository identified in an applicable subsequent filing and registered in the name of the depository or a nominee for the depository.  In such a case, one or more global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series to be represented by the global security or securities.  Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive certificated form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for the global security to a nominee of the depository or by a nominee of the depository to the depository or another nominee of the depository or by the depository or any nominee to a successor depository for that series or a nominee of the successor depository and except in the circumstances described in an applicable subsequent filing.
 
We expect that the following provisions will apply to depository arrangements for any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security.  Any additional or different terms of the depository arrangement will be described in an applicable subsequent filing.
 

 
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Upon the issuance of any global security, and the deposit of that global security with or on behalf of the depository for the global security, the depository will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amounts of the debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with the depository or its nominee. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution of the debt securities or by us, if the debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participating institutions or persons that may hold interest through such participating institutions.  Ownership of beneficial interests by participating institutions in the global security will be shown on, and the transfer of the beneficial interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depository for the global security or by its nominee.  Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security by persons that hold through participating institutions will be shown on, and the transfer of the beneficial interests within the participating institutions will be effected only through, records maintained by those participating institutions. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in certificated form.  The foregoing limitations and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global securities.
 
So long as the depository for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture.  Unless otherwise specified in an applicable subsequent filing and except as specified below, owners of beneficial interests in the global security will not be entitled to have debt securities of the series represented by the global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities of the series in certificated form and will not be considered the holders thereof for any purposes under the indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the global security must rely on the procedures of the depository and, if such person is not a participating institution, on the procedures of the participating institution through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.
 
The depository may grant proxies and otherwise authorize participating institutions to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture. We understand that, under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders or any owner of a beneficial interest in the global security desires to give any notice or take any action a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, the depository would authorize the participating institutions to give the notice or take the action, and participating institutions would authorize beneficial owners owning through such participating institutions to give the notice or take the action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.
 
Unless otherwise specified in applicable subsequent filings, payments of principal, premium and interest on debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depository or its nominee will be made by us to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security.
 
We expect that the depository for any debt securities represented by a global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will credit participating institutions' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depository.  We also expect that payments by participating institutions to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participating institutions will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in street names, and will be the responsibility of those participating institutions. None of us, the trustees or any agent of ours or the trustees will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial interests.
 

 
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Unless otherwise specified in the applicable subsequent filings, a global security of any series will be exchangeable for certificated debt securities of the same series only if:
 
·  
the depository for such global securities notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository or such depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor depository is not appointed by us within 90 days after we receive the notice or become aware of the ineligibility;
 
·  
we in our sole discretion determine that the global securities shall be exchangeable for certificated debt securities; or
 
·  
there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default under the applicable indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series.
 
Upon any exchange, owners of beneficial interests in the global security or securities will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities in certificated form of like tenor and terms equal in principal amount to their beneficial interests, and to have the debt securities in certificated form registered in the names of the beneficial owners, which names are expected to be provided by the depository's relevant participating institutions to the applicable trustee.
 
In the event that the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, acts as depository for the global securities of any series, the global securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC's partnership nominee.
 
DTC is a member of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, a limited-purpose trust company under New York State banking law and a registered clearing agency with the Commission. Established in 1973, DTC was created to reduce costs and provide clearing and settlement efficiencies by immobilizing securities and making "book-entry" changes to ownership of the securities. DTC provides securities movements for the net settlements of the National Securities Clearing Corporation, or NSCC, and settlement for institutional trades (which typically involve money and securities transfers between custodian banks and broker/dealers), as well as money market instruments.
 
DTC is a subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Company, or DTCC. DTCC is a holding company established in 1999 to combine DTC and NSCC. DTCC, through its subsidiaries, provides clearing, settlement and information services for equities, corporate and municipal bonds, government and mortgage backed securities, money market instruments and over the-counter derivatives. In addition, DTCC is a leading processor of mutual funds and insurance transactions, linking funds and carriers with their distribution networks. DTCC's customer base extends to thousands of companies within the global financial services industry. DTCC serves brokers, dealers, institutional investors, banks, trust companies, mutual fund companies, insurance carriers, hedge funds and other financial intermediaries – either directly or through correspondent relationships.
 
DTCC is industry-owned by its customers who are members of the financial community, such as banks, broker/dealers, mutual funds and other financial institutions. DTCC operates on an at-cost basis, returning excess revenue from transaction fees to its member firms. All services provided by DTC are regulated by the Commission.
 
The 2012 DTCC Board of Directors is composed of 19 directors serving one-year terms. Thirteen directors are representatives of clearing agency participants, including international broker/dealers, custodian and clearing banks, and investment institutions; of these, two directors are designated by DTCC's preferred shareholders, which are NYSE Euronext and FINRA. Three directors are from non-participants. The remaining three are the chairman and chief executive officer, president, and chief operating officer of DTCC. All of the Board members except those designated by the preferred shareholders are elected annually.
 

 
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To facilitate subsequent transfers, the debt securities may be registered in the name of DTC's nominee, Cede & Co.  The deposit of the debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. will effect no change in beneficial ownership.  DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities.  DTC's records reflect only the identity of the direct participating institutions to whose accounts debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners.  The participating institutions remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
 
Delivery of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participating institutions, by direct participating institutions to indirect participating institutions, and by direct participating institutions and indirect participating institutions to beneficial owners of debt securities are governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect.
 
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. consents or votes with respect to the debt securities.  Under its usual procedures, DTC mails a proxy to the issuer as soon as possible after the record date.  The proxy assigns Cede & Co.'s consenting or voting rights to those direct participating institution to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date.
 
If applicable, redemption notices shall be sent to Cede & Co.  If less than all of the debt securities of a series represented by global securities are being redeemed, DTC's practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participating institutions in that issue to be redeemed.
 
To the extent that any debt securities provide for repayment or repurchase at the option of the holders thereof, a beneficial owner shall give notice of any option to elect to have its interest in the global security repaid by us, through its participating institution, to the applicable trustee, and shall effect delivery of the interest in a global security by causing the direct participating institution to transfer the direct participating institution's interest in the global security or securities representing the interest, on DTC's records, to the applicable trustee. The requirement for physical delivery of debt securities in connection with a demand for repayment or repurchase will be deemed satisfied when the ownership rights in the global security or securities representing the debt securities are transferred by direct participating institutions on DTC's records.
 
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository for the debt securities at any time.  Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depository is not appointed, debt security certificates are required to be printed and delivered as described above.
 
We may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through the securities depository.  In that event, debt security certificates will be printed and delivered as described above.
 

 
31

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
We may issue warrants to purchase our debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:
 
·  
the title of such warrants;
 
·  
the aggregate number of such warrants;
 
·  
the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;
 
·  
the currency or currencies, in which the price of such warrants will be payable;
 
·  
the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants;
 
·  
the price at which and the currency or currencies, in which the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased;
 
·  
the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;
 
·  
if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;
 
·  
if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such security;
 
·  
if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
 
·  
information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
 
·  
if applicable, a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
 
·  
any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.
 

 
32

 

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS
 
We may issue purchase contracts for the purchase or sale of:
 
·  
debt or equity securities issued by us or securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices of such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement; or
 
·  
currencies.
 
Each purchase contract will entitle the holder thereof to purchase or sell, and obligate us to sell or purchase, on specified dates, such securities or currencies at a specified purchase price, which may be based on a formula, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may, however, satisfy our obligations, if any, with respect to any purchase contract by delivering the cash value of such purchase contract or the cash value of the property otherwise deliverable or, in the case of purchase contracts on underlying currencies, by delivering the underlying currencies, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will also specify the methods by which the holders may purchase or sell such securities or currencies and any acceleration, cancellation or termination provisions, provisions relating to U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any, or other provisions relating to the settlement of a purchase contract.
 
The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders thereof or vice versa, which payments may be deferred to the extent set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require the holders thereof to secure their obligations in a specified manner to be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Alternatively, purchase contracts may require holders to satisfy their obligations thereunder when the purchase contracts are issued. Our obligation to settle such pre-paid purchase contracts on the relevant settlement date may constitute indebtedness. Accordingly, pre-paid purchase contracts will be issued under either the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture.
 

 
33

 

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
 
We may issue rights to purchase our equity securities. These rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered by this prospectus and may or may not be transferable by the shareholder receiving the rights in the rights offering. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which the underwriter will purchase any securities that remain unsubscribed for upon completion of the rights offering.
 
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any rights will describe the terms of the offered rights, including, where applicable, the following:
 
·  
the exercise price for the rights;
 
·  
the number of rights issued to each shareholder;
 
·  
the extent to which the rights are transferable;
 
·  
any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights;
 
·  
the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the right will expire;
 
·  
the amount of rights outstanding;
 
·  
the extent to which the rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and
 
·  
the material terms of any standby underwriting arrangement entered into by us in connection with the rights offering.
 
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights certificate or rights agreement, which will be filed with the Commission if we offer rights. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any rights certificate or rights agreement if we offer rights, see "Where You Can Find Additional Information" of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable rights certificate, the applicable rights agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.
 

 
34

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
 
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more rights, purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred shares, common shares or any combination of such securities.  The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:
 
·  
the terms of the units and of the rights, purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred shares and common shares comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately;
 
·  
a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;
 
·  
if applicable, a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
 
·  
a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units.
 


 
35

 

EXPENSES
 
The following are the estimated expenses of the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, all of which will be paid by us.
 
SEC registration fee
  $   (1)
Printing and engraving expenses
  $   *
Legal fees and expenses
  $   *
FINRA fee
  $   *
NYSE Supplemental Listing Fee
  $   *
Accounting fees and expenses
  $   *
Miscellaneous
  $   *
Total
  $   *
 
 
(1)
The Registrant is registering an indeterminate amount of securities under the registration statement and in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee in connection with such securities until the time the securities are sold under the registration statement pursuant to a prospectus supplement.
 
 
*
To be provided by a prospectus supplement or as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K that is incorporated by reference into this registration statement.


LEGAL MATTERS
 
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Appleby (Bermuda) Limited with respect to matters of Bermuda law and by Seward & Kissel LLP, New York, New York, with respect to matters of U.S. law.
 
EXPERTS
 
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Commission on April 17, 2012, have been audited by Deloitte AS, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
As required by the Securities Act, we filed a registration statement relating to the securities offered by this prospectus with the Commission. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, which includes additional information.
 
Government Filings
 
We file annual and special reports with the Commission. You may read and copy any document that we file at the public reference room maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1 (800) SEC-0330. The Commission maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission.
 
This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are part of a registration statement that we filed with the Commission and do not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The full registration statement may be obtained from the Commission or us, as indicated below. Forms of the indenture and other documents establishing the terms of the offered securities are filed as exhibits to the registration statement. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement about these documents are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters. You may inspect a copy of the registration statement at the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., as well as through the Commission's website.
 

 
36

 


 
Information Incorporated by Reference
 
The Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" information that we file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those filed documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the Commission prior to the termination of this offering will also be considered to be part of this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede previously filed information, including information contained in this document.
 
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the Commission under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act:
 
·  
Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Commission on April 17, 2012, which contains audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal year for which those statements have been filed.
 
·  
Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on May 22, 2012.
 
·  
The description of our common stock set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission on November 12, 2004, as amended.
 
·  
The description of our preferred share purchase rights set forth in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission on February 14, 2007, as amended.
 
We are also incorporating by reference all subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F that we file with the Commission and certain reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the Commission after the date of this prospectus (if they state that they are incorporated by reference into this prospectus) until we file a post-effective amendment indicating that the offering of the securities made by this prospectus has been terminated. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.
 
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and subsequent filings. We have not, and any underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as well as the information we previously filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the dates on the front cover of those documents only. Our business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
 
You may request a free copy of the above mentioned filings or any subsequent filing we incorporated by reference to this prospectus by writing or us at the following address:
 
Nordic American Tankers Limited
Attn: The Secretary
LOM Building
27 Reid Street
Hamilton HM 11
Bermuda
(441) 292-7202
http://www.nat.bm
 

 
37

 


 
Information provided by the Company
 
We will furnish holders of our common shares with annual reports containing audited financial statements and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm, and intend to furnish quarterly reports containing selected unaudited financial data for the first three quarters of each fiscal year. The audited financial statements will be prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and those reports will include a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section for the relevant periods. As a "foreign private issuer," we are exempt from the rules under the Securities Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders. While we intend to furnish proxy statements to any shareholder in accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, those proxy statements are not expected to conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules promulgated under the Exchange Act. In addition, as a "foreign private issuer," we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act relating to short swing profit reporting and liability.
 
Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
 

 
38

 

PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
Item 8.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of the Registrant provide that:
 
Subject to the proviso below, every director, officer of the Company and member of a committee duly constituted under the Company's Bye-Laws (collectively the "Indemnified Person") shall be indemnified and held harmless out of the assets of the Company against all liabilities, loss, damage or expense (including but not limited to liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable foreign law or regulation and all reasonable legal and other costs and expenses properly payable) incurred or suffered by him by or by reason of any act done, conceived in or omitted in the conduct of the Company's business or in the discharge of his duties and the indemnity contained in this Bye-Law shall extend to any Indemnified Person acting in any office or trust in the reasonable belief that he has been appointed or elected to such office or trust notwithstanding any defect in such appointment or election PROVIDED ALWAYS that the indemnity contained in this Bye-Law shall not extend to any matter which would render it void pursuant to the Companies Acts.
 
·  
No Indemnified Person shall be liable to the Company for the acts, defaults or omissions of any other Indemnified Person.
 
·  
Every Indemnified Person shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against all liabilities incurred by him by or by reason of any act done, conceived in or omitted in the conduct of the Company's business or in the discharge of his duties, in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgement is given in his favour, or in which he is acquitted, or in connection with any application under the Companies Acts in which relief from liability is granted to him by the court.
 
·  
To the extent that any Indemnified Person is entitled to claim an indemnity pursuant to these Bye-Laws in respect of amounts paid or discharged by him, the relevant indemnity shall take effect as an obligation of the Company to reimburse the person making such payment or effecting such discharge.
 
·  
Each Shareholder and the Company agree to waive any claim or right of action he or it may at any time have, whether individually or by or in the right of the Company, against any Indemnified Person on account of any action taken by such Indemnified Person or the failure of such Indemnified Person to take any action in the performance of his duties with or for the Company PROVIDED HOWEVER that such waiver shall not apply to any claims or rights of action arising out of the fraud of such Indemnified Person or to recover any gain, personal profit or advantage to which such Indemnified Person is not legally entitled.
 
·  
Expenses incurred in defending any civil or criminal action or proceeding for which indemnification is required pursuant to these Bye-Laws shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person to repay such amount if any allegation of fraud or dishonesty is proved against the Indemnified Person PROVIDED THAT no monies shall be paid hereunder unless payment of the same shall be authorised in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Director or Officer would be proper in the circumstances because he has met the standard of conduct which would entitle him to the indemnification thereby provided and such determination shall be made:
 

 
 

 


·  
by the Board, by a majority vote at a meeting duly constituted by a quorum of Directors not party to the proceedings or matter with regard to which the indemnification is, or would be, claimed; or
 
·  
in the case such a meeting cannot be constituted by lack of a disinterested quorum, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or
 
·  
by a majority vote of the Shareholders.
 
The Companies Act provides as follows:
 
Section 98 of the Companies Act permits the Bye-Laws of a Bermuda company to contain a provision eliminating personal liability of an officer to the company for any loss arising or liability attaching to him by virtue of any rule of law in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which the officer or person may be guilty, save with respect to fraud or dishonesty;
 
Section 98 of the Companies Act also grants companies the power generally to indemnify any such officer or auditor of the company against any liability incurred by him in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal in which judgment is given in his favor (or in which he is acquitted) or when relief is granted to him by a court under section 281 of the Companies Act;
 
Section 98A of the Companies Act permits a company to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any officer of the company against any liability incurred by him under section 97(1)(b) of the Companies Act, in his capacity as an officer of the company or indemnifying such an officer in respect of any loss arising or liability attaching to him by virtue of any rule of law in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which the officer may be guilty.
 
Item 9.
Exhibits

The exhibit index at the end of this registration statement, or the Exhibit Index, identifies the exhibits which are included in this registration statement and are incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 10.
Undertakings

(a)   The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
 (1)   To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
 (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
 (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.
 
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
 

 
 

 


 
 (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
 (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
 
 (4)  To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act need not be furnished, provided, that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 3-19 of Regulation S-X if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3.
 
 (5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
 
(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
 
 (A)  Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this Registration Statement; and
 
 (B)  Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of 314 securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
 
 (6)  That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the Securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
 
 (i)  Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
 

 
 

 


 
 (ii)  Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
 
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
 
 (iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
 
 (b)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(c) — (d)  Not applicable.
 
(e)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
 
 (f) — (g)  Not applicable.
 
 (h)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
 (i)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
 (1)  For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
 (2)  For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
 (j)  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules an regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
 
 (k) — (l)  Not applicable.
 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Sandefjord, country of Norway on August 30, 2012.
 
 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Herbjørn Hansson
 
Name:
Herbjørn Hansson
 
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Herbjørn Hansson, Turid M. Sørensen, Gary J. Wolfe and Robert E. Lustrin his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons on August 30, 2012 in the capacities indicated.
 
Signature
Title
 
 
/s/ Herbjørn Hansson
Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Herbjørn Hansson
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
/s/ Turid M. Sørensen
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Turid M. Sørensen
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
/s/ Sir David Gibbons
Director
Sir David Gibbons
 
   
/s/ Richard H.K. Vietor
Director
Richard H.K. Vietor
 
 
 
/s/ Andreas Ove Ugland
Director
Andreas Ove Ugland  
 
 
/s/ Jan Erik Langangen
Director
Jan Erik Langangen  
 
 
/s/ Paul J. Hopkins
Director
Paul J. Hopkins
 
   
/s/ Jim Kelly
Director
Jim Kelly
 


 
 

 

Authorized Representative
 
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly undersigned representative in the United States of Nordic American Tankers Limited, has signed this Registration Statement in the city of Newark, state of Delaware, on August 30, 2012.
 
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/  Donald J. Puglisi
 
Name:
Donald J. Puglisi
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 

Exhibits
 
Exhibit Number
 
Description
 
 
 
1.1
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement (for equity securities)(1)
 
 
 
1.2
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement (for debt securities)(1)
 
 
 
4.1
 
Form of Common Share Certificate(2)
 
 
 
4.2
 
Form of Preferred Share Certificate(1)
 
 
 
4.3
 
Stockholder Rights Agreement(3)
 
 
 
4.4
 
Form of Warrant Agreement(1)
 
 
 
4.5
 
Form of Purchase Contract(1)
 
 
 
4.6
 
Form of Senior Indenture
     
4.7
 
Form of Subordinated Indenture
     
4.8
 
Form of Unit Agreement (1)
     
4.9
 
Form of Rights Agreement (1)
 
 
 
5.1
 
Opinion of Appleby (Bermuda) Limited, Bermuda counsel to Nordic American Tankers Limited, as to the validity of the securities
 
 
 
5.2
 
Opinion of Seward & Kissel LLP, U.S. counsel to the Company
     
23.1
 
Consent of Appleby (Bermuda) Limited, (included in Exhibit 5.1)
     
23.2
 
Consent of Seward & Kissel LLP, (included in Exhibit 5.2)
 
 
 
23.3
 
Consent of Deloitte AS
 
 
 
24.1
 
Power of Attorney (contained in signature page)
 
 
 
25.1
 
Form of T-1 Statement of Eligibility (senior indenture)(1)
 
 
 
25.2
 
Form of T-1 Statement of Eligibility (subordinated indenture)(1)

(1)
To be filed as an amendment or as an exhibit to a report filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and incorporated by reference into this registration statement.
 
 
(2)
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 in the Annual Report of Nordic American Tankers Limited filed April 17, 2012 on Form 20-F.
 
 
(3)
Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 in the Registration of Securities - Section 12(b), of Nordic American Tankers Limited filed February 14, 2007 on Form 8-A12B.
 
EX-4.6 2 d1301952_ex4-6.htm d1301952_ex4-6.htm

Exhibit 4.6
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED

FORM OF

SENIOR INDENTURE

Dated as of [           ], 20[ ]




[                        ]

Trustee







 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
   
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
1
 
SECTION 1.01.
Definitions.
1
SECTION 1.02.
Other Definitions.
5
SECTION 1.03.
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
5
SECTION 1.04.
Rules of Construction.
6
 
ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES
6
 
SECTION 2.01.
Issuable in Series.
6
SECTION 2.02.
Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.
7
SECTION 2.03.
Execution and Authentication.
9
SECTION 2.04.
Registrar and Paying Agent.
10
SECTION 2.05.
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
10
SECTION 2.06.
Securityholder Lists.
11
SECTION 2.07.
Transfer and Exchange.
11
SECTION 2.08.
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
12
SECTION 2.09.
Outstanding Securities.
12
SECTION 2.10.
Treasury Securities.
13
SECTION 2.11.
Temporary Securities.
13
SECTION 2.12.
Cancellation.
13
SECTION 2.13.
Defaulted Interest.
14
SECTION 2.14.
Global Securities.
14
SECTION 2.15.
CUSIP Numbers.
16
 
ARTICLE III REDEMPTION
16
 
SECTION 3.01.
Notice to Trustee.
16
SECTION 3.02.
Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
16
SECTION 3.03.
Notice of Redemption.
17
SECTION 3.04.
Effect of Notice of Redemption.
17
SECTION 3.05.
Deposit of Redemption Price.
18
SECTION 3.06.
Securities Redeemed in Part.
18
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
ARTICLE IV COVENANTS
18
 
SECTION 4.01.
Payment of Principal and Interest.
18
SECTION 4.02.
SEC Reports.
18
SECTION 4.03.
Compliance Certificate.
19
SECTION 4.04.
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
20
SECTION 4.05.
Corporate Existence.
20
SECTION 4.06.
Taxes.
20
SECTION 4.07.
Additional Interest Notice.
20
SECTION 4.08.
Further Instruments and Acts.
20
 
ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS
21
 
SECTION 5.01.
When Company May Merge, Etc.
21
SECTION 5.02.
Successor Corporation Substituted.
21
 
ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
21
 
SECTION 6.01.
Events of Default.
21
SECTION 6.02.
Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
23
SECTION 6.03.
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
25
SECTION 6.04.
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
25
SECTION 6.05.
Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
26
SECTION 6.06.
Application of Money Collected.
26
SECTION 6.07.
Limitation on Suits.
26
SECTION 6.08.
Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.
27
SECTION 6.09.
Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
27
SECTION 6.10.
Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
27
SECTION 6.11.
Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
27
SECTION 6.12.
Control by Holders.
28
SECTION 6.13.
Waiver of Past Defaults.
28
SECTION 6.14.
Undertaking for Costs.
28
 
ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE
29
 
SECTION 7.01.
Duties of Trustee.
29
SECTION 7.02.
Rights of Trustee.
30
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
SECTION 7.03.
Individual Rights of Trustee.
31
SECTION 7.04.
Trustee's Disclaimer.
31
SECTION 7.05.
Notice of Defaults.
31
SECTION 7.06.
Reports by Trustee to Holders.
31
SECTION 7.07.
Compensation and Indemnity.
32
SECTION 7.08.
Replacement of Trustee.
32
SECTION 7.09.
Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
33
SECTION 7.10.
Eligibility; Disqualification.
33
SECTION 7.11.
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
34
 
ARTICLE VIII SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
34
 
SECTION 8.01.
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
34
SECTION 8.02.
Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
35
SECTION 8.03.
Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.
36
SECTION 8.04.
Covenant Defeasance.
37
SECTION 8.05.
Repayment to Company.
38
 
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
38
 
SECTION 9.01.
Without Consent of Holders.
38
SECTION 9.02.
With Consent of Holders.
39
SECTION 9.03.
Limitations.
40
SECTION 9.04.
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
40
SECTION 9.05.
Revocation and Effect of Consents.
41
SECTION 9.06.
Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
41
SECTION 9.07.
Trustee Protected.
41
SECTION 9.08.
Effect of Supplemental Indenture.
41
 
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS
42
 
SECTION 10.01.
Trust Indenture Act Controls.
42
SECTION 10.02.
Notices.
42
SECTION 10.03.
Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
43
SECTION 10.04.
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
43
SECTION 10.05.
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
43
 
 
 
 

 
 
SECTION 10.06.
Record Date for Vote or Consent of Holders.
44
SECTION 10.07.
Rules by Trustee and Agents.
44
SECTION 10.08.
Legal Holidays.
44
SECTION 10.09.
No Recourse Against Others.
44
SECTION 10.10.
Counterparts.
44
SECTION 10.11.
Governing Laws and Submission to Jurisdiction.
45
SECTION 10.12.
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
45
SECTION 10.13.
Successors.
45
SECTION 10.14.
Severability.
45
SECTION 10.15.
Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
45
SECTION 10.16.
Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU.
46
SECTION 10.17.
Judgment Currency.
46
SECTION 10.18.
Compliance with Applicable Anti-Terrorism and Money Laundering Regulations.
47
 
ARTICLE XI SINKING FUNDS
 
47
 
SECTION 11.01.
Applicability of Article.
47
SECTION 11.02.
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
48
SECTION 11.03.
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
48


 
 

 



Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture,
Dated as of [            ], 20[ ]
 
Section 310(a)(1)
7.10
(a)(2)
7.10
(a)(3)
Not Applicable
(a)(4)
Not Applicable
(a)(5)
7.10
(b)
7.10
(c)
Not Applicable
Section 311(a)
7.11
(b)
7.11
(c)
Not Applicable
Section 312(a)
2.06
(b)
10.03
(c)
10.03
Section 313(a)
7.06
(b)(1)
7.06
(b)(2)
7.06
(c)(1)
7.06
(d)
7.06
Section 314(a)
4.02, 10.05
(b)
Not Applicable
(c)(1)
10.04
(c)(2)
10.04
(c)(3)
Not Applicable
(d)
Not Applicable
(e)
10.05
(f)
Not Applicable
Section 315(a)
7.01
(b)
7.05
(c)
7.01
(d)
7.01
(e)
6.14
Section 316(a)(1)(A)
6.12
(a)(1)(B)
6.13
(a)(2)
Not Applicable
(b)
6.13
(c)
10.06
Section 317(a)(1)
6.03
(a)(2)
6.04
(b)
2.05
Section 318(a)
10.01
 
Note:  This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.


 

 
 

 

Indenture dated as of [                        ], 20[ ] between NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED, a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company") and [           ] (the "Trustee").
 
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.
 
ARTICLE I
 
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
SECTION 1.01.  Definitions.
 
"Additional Amounts" means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.
 
"Affiliate" of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified person.  For the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.
 
"Agent" means any Registrar or Paying Agent.
 
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11 of the United States Code (or any successor thereto) or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
 
"Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
 
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.
 
"Business Day" means any day other than a (x) Saturday, (y) Sunday or (z) day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in New York, New York are not required to be open.
 
"Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
 

 
1

 

"Certificated Securities" means Securities in the form of physical, certificated Securities in registered form.
 
"Company" means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.
 
"Company Order" means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company's principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
 
"Company Request" means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, a President or a Vice President, and by its Chief Financial Officer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
 
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered which office at the date of the execution of this Indenture is [             ], Attention: [              ], or at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time.
 
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
"Default" or "default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
 
"Default Rate" means the default rate of interest specified in the Securities.
 
"Depository" means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, "Depository" as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.
 
"Discount Security" means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
 
"Dollars" means the currency of The United States of America.
 
"ECU" means the European Currency Unit as determined by the Commission of the European Union.
 
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
"Foreign Currency" means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of The United States of America.
 

 
2

 

"Foreign Government Obligations" means with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (i) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
 
"Global Security" or "Global Securities" means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.02 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.
 
"Holder" or "Securityholder" means a person in whose name a Security is registered.
 
"Indenture" means this Indenture as amended and supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
 
"Interest," in respect of the Securities, unless the context otherwise requires, refers to interest payable on the Securities, including any additional interest that may become payable pursuant to Section 6.02(b).
 
"Maturity," when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.
 
"Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.
 
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company's principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
 
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of legal counsel who is, and which opinion is, acceptable to the Trustee and its counsel.  Such legal counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.
 
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
 
"Principal" or "principal" of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.
 

 
3

 

"Responsible Officer" means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office and also means, any vice president, managing director, director, associate, assistant vice president, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.
 
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
"Security" or "Securities" means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
 
"Series" or "Series of Securities" means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02 hereof.
 
"Stated Maturity" when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
 
"Subordinated Indebtedness" means any indebtedness which is expressly subordinated to the indebtedness evidenced by Securities.
 
"Subsidiary" means, in respect of any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
 
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "TIA" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.
 
"Trustee" means the person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
 
"U.S. Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations of The United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of The United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by The United States of America, and which in the case of (i) and (ii)
 

 
4

 

are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
 
SECTION 1.02.  Other Definitions.
 
 
TERM
 
DEFINED IN SECTION
"Applicable Law"
10.18
"Event of Default"
6.01
"Instrument"
6.01
"Journal"
10.16
"Judgment Currency"
10.17
"Legal Holiday"
10.08
"mandatory sinking fund payment"
11.01
"Market Exchange Rate"
10.16
"New York Banking Day"
10.17
"optional sinking fund payment"
11.01
"Paying Agent"
2.04
"Registrar"
2.04
"Required Currency"
10.17
"successor person"
5.01
"Temporary Securities"
2.11
 
SECTION 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
 
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  This Indenture shall also include those provisions of the TIA required to be included herein by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990.  The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
 
"indenture securities" means the Securities.
 
"indenture security holder" means a Securityholder.
 
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.
 
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.
 
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.
 

 
5

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.
 
SECTION 1.04.  Rules of Construction.
 
Unless the context otherwise requires:
 
(a)           a term has the meaning assigned to it;
 
(b)           an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)           references to "generally accepted accounting principles" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;
 
(d)           "or" is not exclusive;
 
(e)           words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
 
(f)           provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
 
(g)           references to agreements and other instruments include subsequent amendments thereto;
 
(h)           the term "merger" includes a statutory share exchange, and the term "merged" has a correlative meaning; and
 
(i)           "herein," "hereof" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
 
ARTICLE II
 
THE SECURITIES
 
SECTION 2.01.  Issuable in Series.
 
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.  The Securities may be issued in one or more Series.  All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers' Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution.  In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined.  Securities may
 

 
6

 

differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
 
SECTION 2.02.  Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.
 
At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection (a), and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections (b) through (t) by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers' Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:
 
(a)           the title, designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations of the Securities of the Series;
 
(b)           the price or prices, (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
 
(c)           the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
 
(d)           the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
 
(e)           any optional or mandatory sinking fund provisions or conversion or exchangeability provisions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed, purchased, converted or exchanged;
 
(f)           the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series may be optionally redeemed or must be mandatorily redeemed and any other terms and provisions of optional or mandatory provisions;
 
(g)           if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
 
(h)           if other than the full principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration pursuant to Section 6.02 or provable in bankruptcy;
 
(i)           any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02;
 

 
7

 

(j)           the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payments of principal of, premium or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America;
 
(k)           if payments of principal of, premium or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, at the Company's election or at the election of any Holder, in a currency other than that in which the Securities of the Series are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the election may be made;
 
(l)           if payments of interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, at the Company's election or at the election of any Holder, in cash or additional securities, and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;
 
(m)           if denominated in a currency or currencies other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price of the Securities of the Series in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of Holders of the Securities of the Series;
 
(n)           if the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the Series are stated to be payable, the manner in which the amounts will be determined;
 
(o)           any restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the Securities of the Series;
 
(p)           whether the Securities of the Series will be issued in the form of global securities or certificates in registered form;
 
(q)           any terms with respect to subordination;
 
(r)           any listing on any securities exchange or quotation system;
 
(s)           additional provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities; and
 
(t)           the applicability of any guarantees, which would be governed by New York law.
 
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers' Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuance of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental Indenture or Officers' Certificate.
 

 
8

 

SECTION 2.03.  Execution and Authentication.
 
Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
 
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
 
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.  The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
 
The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers' Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order.  Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.  Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate.
 
The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers' Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02, except as provided in Section 2.08.
 
Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.02) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers' Certificate complying with Section 10.04, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.04.
 
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken; or (b) if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.
 
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate.
 
If any successor that has replaced the Company in accordance with Article 5 has executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.01, any of the Securities authenticated or delivered prior to such transaction may, from time to time, at the request of such successor, be exchanged for other Securities executed in the name of the such
 

 
9

 

successor with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise identical to the Securities surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order of such successor, shall authenticate and deliver Securities as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange.  If Securities shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of such successor pursuant to this provision of Section 2.03 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Securities, such successor, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Securities then outstanding for Securities authenticated and delivered in such new name.
 
SECTION 2.04.  Registrar and Paying Agent.
 
The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.02, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment ("Paying Agent") and where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange ("Registrar").  The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar and Paying Agent.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar or Paying Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations and surrenders may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations and surrenders.
 
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars or additional paying agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.02 for Securities of any Series for such purposes.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar or additional paying agent.  The term "Registrar" includes any co-registrar; and the term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent.
 
The Company hereby appoints [                  ] as the initial Registrar and Paying Agent for each Series unless another Registrar or Paying Agent as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.  Each Registrar and Paying Agent shall be entitled to all of the rights, protections, exculpations and indemnities afforded to the Trustee in connection with its roles as Registrar and Paying Agent.
 
SECTION 2.05.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
 
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment.  While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  The Company at any time may require
 

 
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a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.
 
SECTION 2.06.  Securityholder Lists.
 
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least [  ] days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.
 
SECTION 2.07.  Transfer and Exchange.
 
Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met.  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar's request.  Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge, except that the Company or the Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge required by law; provided that this sentence shall not apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 2.08, 3.06 or 9.06.
 
Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business [  ] days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.
 
All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.  Any Registrar appointed pursuant to Section 2.04 shall provide to the Trustee such information as the Trustee may reasonably require in connection with the delivery by such Registrar of Securities upon transfer or exchange of Securities.  Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder's Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable U.S. federal or state securities law.

 
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SECTION 2.08.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
 
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
 
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Registrar (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Registrar that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
 
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
 
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
 
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.
 
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
 
SECTION 2.09.  Outstanding Securities.
 
The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.
 
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
 
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities
 

 
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payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
 
A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate holds the Security.
 
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
 
SECTION 2.10.  Treasury Securities.
 
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver Securities of a Series owned by the Company or an Affiliate shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
 
SECTION 2.11.  Temporary Securities.
 
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary securities upon a Company Order ("Temporary Securities").  Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon written request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities.  Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.
 
SECTION 2.12.  Cancellation.
 
The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee or its agent any Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange, payment or conversion.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel, in accordance with its standard procedures, all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, conversion or cancellation and shall deliver the cancelled Securities to the Company.  No Security shall be authenticated in exchange for any Security cancelled pursuant to this Section 2.12.
 
The Company may, to the extent permitted by law, purchase Securities in the open market or by tender offer at any price or by private agreement.  Any Securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the final maturity of such Securities may, to the extent permitted by law, be reissued or resold or may, at the option of the Company, be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.  Any Securities surrendered for
 

 
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cancellation may not be reissued or resold and shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee, and the Company may not hold or resell such Securities or issue any new Securities to replace any such Securities.
 
SECTION 2.13.  Defaulted Interest.
 
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest at the Default Rate, to the persons who are Security holders of the Series on a subsequent special record date.  The Company shall fix the record date and payment date.  At least [  ] days before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and the Paying Agent and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid.  The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.
 
SECTION 2.14.  Global Securities.
 
(a)           A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.
 
(b)            (i)           Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.07 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (A) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository within 90 days of such event, (B) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (C) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing.
 
(ii)           Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b), a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.
 
(iii)           Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be issued in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons, shall have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of such Global Security or portion thereof to be so exchanged, shall be registered in such names and be in such authorized denominations as the Depository shall designate and shall bear the applicable legends provided for herein.  Any Global Security to be exchanged in whole shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee, as Registrar.  With regard to any Global Security to be exchanged in part, either such Global Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or, if
 

 
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the Registrar is acting as custodian for the Depository or its nominee with respect to such Global Security, the principal amount thereof shall be reduced by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Trustee.  Upon any such surrender or adjustment, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver the Security issuable on such exchange to or upon the order of the Depository or an authorized representative thereof.
 
(iv)           The registered Holder may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including participants in the Depository and persons that may hold interests through participants in the Depository, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.
 
(v)           In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in 2.14(b)(i), the Company will promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Certificated Securities in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons.  If (A) an event described in Section 2.14(b)(i)(A) or (B) occurs and definitive Certificated Securities are not issued promptly to all beneficial owners or (B) the Registrar receives from a beneficial owner instructions to obtain definitive Certificated Securities due to an event described in Section 2.14(b)(i)(C) and definitive Certificated Securities are not issued promptly to any such beneficial owner, the Company expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, the right of any beneficial owner of Securities to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial owner's Securities as if such definitive certificated Securities had been issued.
 
(vi)           Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Indenture, so long as a Global Security remains outstanding and is held by or on behalf of the Depository, transfers of a Global Security, in whole or in part, or of any beneficial interest therein, shall only be made in accordance with Section 2.07, this Section 2.14(b) and the rules and procedures of the Depository for such Global Security to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
 
(c)           Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
 
"This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository.  This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository."
 
(d)           The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
 

 
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(e)           Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof at their registered office.
 
(f)           At all times the Securities are held in book-entry form with a Depository, (i) the Trustee may deal with such Depository as the authorized representative of the Holders, (ii) the rights of the Holders shall be exercised only through the Depository and shall be limited to those established by law and agreement between the Holders and the Depository and/or direct participants of the Depository, (iii) the Depository will make book-entry transfers among the direct participants of the Depository and will receive and transmit distributions of principal and interest on the Securities to such direct participants; and (iv) the direct participants of the Depository shall have no rights under this Indenture, or any supplement hereto, under or with respect to any of the Securities held on their behalf by the Depository, and the Depository may be treated by the Trustee and its agents, employees, officers and directors as the absolute owner of the Securities for all purposes whatsoever.
 
SECTION 2.15.  CUSIP Numbers.
 
The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP", "CCN", "ISIN" or other identification numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP", "CCN", "ISIN" or such other identification numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
 
ARTICLE III
 
REDEMPTION
 
SECTION 3.01.  Notice to Trustee.
 
The Company may, with respect to any series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities.  If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee and Registrar in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed.  The Company shall give the notice at least [  ] days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee and Registrar).
 
SECTION 3.02.  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
 
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers' Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Registrar shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in accordance
 

 
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with its customary procedures.  The Registrar shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption.  The Registrar may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000.  Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.02(g), the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.
 
SECTION 3.03.  Notice of Redemption.
 
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate, at least [  ] days but not more than [  ] days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed.
 
The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:
 
(a)           the redemption date;
 
(b)           the redemption price;
 
(c)           the name and address of the Paying Agent;
 
(d)           that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
 
(e)           that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; and
 
(f)           any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.
 
At the Company's written request, the Trustee shall distribute the notice of redemption prepared by the Company in the Company's name and at its expense.
 
SECTION 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.
 
Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.03, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price.  A notice of redemption may not be conditional.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
 

 
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SECTION 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price.
 
On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
 
SECTION 3.06.  Securities Redeemed in Part.
 
Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
 

ARTICLE IV
 
COVENANTS
 
SECTION 4.01.  Payment of Principal and Interest.
 
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture. 

Unless otherwise provided under the terms of a particular Series of Securities:

(a)           an installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Paying Agent (other than the Company) holds by [] [a].m., New York City time, on that date money, deposited by the Company or an Affiliate thereof, sufficient to pay such installment.  The Company shall (in immediately available funds), to the fullest extent permitted by law, pay interest on overdue principal and overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities per annum; and
 
(b)           payment of the principal of and interest on the Securities shall be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in [] (which shall initially be [], the Paying Agent) in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the register; provided, further, that a Holder with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $[] will be paid by wire transfer in immediately available funds at the election of such Holder if such Holder has provided wire transfer instructions to the Company at least [  ] Business Days prior to the payment date.
 
SECTION 4.02.  SEC Reports.
 
So long as any Securities are outstanding, the Company shall (i) file with the SEC within the time periods prescribed by its rules and regulations and (ii) furnish to the Trustee and
 

 
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the Holders of the Securities within [  ] days after the date on which the Company would be required to file the same with the SEC pursuant to its rules and regulations (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act), all quarterly and annual financial information required to be furnished or filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 and Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and, with respect to the annual consolidated financial statements only, a report thereon by the Company's independent auditors.  The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
 
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).  The Company shall not be required to file any report or other information with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, although such reports shall be furnished to the Trustee.  Documents filed by the Company with the SEC via the SEC's EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) will be deemed furnished to the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities as of the time such documents are filed via EDGAR (or such successor).
 
SECTION 4.03.  Compliance Certificate.
 
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within [   ] days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an officers certificate signed by two of the Company's officers stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he may have knowledge in reasonable detail and the efforts to remedy the same).  For purposes of this Section 4.03, compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
 
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within [  ] days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate of any Event of Default described in Section 6.01(e), (f), (g) or (h) and any event of which it becomes aware that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become such an Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.  For the avoidance of doubt, a breach of a covenant under an Instrument that is not a payment default and that has not given rise to a right of acceleration under such Instrument shall not trigger the requirement to provide notice under this paragraph.
 

 
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SECTION 4.04.  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
 
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
 
SECTION 4.05.  Corporate Existence.
 
Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each Subsidiary in accordance with the respective organizational documents of each Subsidiary and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any Subsidiary, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
 
SECTION 4.06.  Taxes.
 
The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay prior to delinquency all taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.
 
SECTION 4.07.  Additional Interest Notice.
 
In the event that the Company is required to pay additional interest to Holders of Securities pursuant to Section 6.02(b) hereof, the Company shall provide a direction or order in the form of a written notice to the Trustee (and if the Trustee is not the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent) of the Company's obligation to pay such additional interest no later than [   ] Business Days prior to date on which any such additional interest is scheduled to be paid.  Such notice shall set forth the amount of additional interest to be paid by the Company on such payment date and direct the Trustee (or, if the Trustee is not the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent) to make payment to the extent it receives funds from the Company to do so.  The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine whether additional interest is payable, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of additional interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of additional interest.
 
SECTION 4.08.  Further Instruments and Acts.
 
The Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Indenture.
 

 
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ARTICLE V
 
SUCCESSORS
 
SECTION 5.01.  When Company May Merge, Etc.
 
The Company shall not consolidate with, enter into a binding share exchange, or merge into any other Person in a transaction in which it is not the surviving entity, or sell, assign, convey, transfer or lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person (a "successor person"), unless:
 
(a)           the successor person (if any) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, [], the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any interest on, all Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
 
(b)           immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
 
(c)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction, an Officers' Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.
 
SECTION 5.02.  Successor Corporation Substituted.
 
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor company in the case of a sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company shall not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities.
 
ARTICLE VI
 
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
 
SECTION 6.01.  Events of Default.
 
"Event of Default," wherever used herein with respect to securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution,
 

 
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supplemental indenture or Officers' Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
 
(a)           default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or
 
(b)           default in the payment of any principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or
 
(c)           default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series; or
 
(d)           the Company fails to perform or comply with any of its other covenants or agreements contained in the Securities or in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 6.01) and the default continues for 60 days after notice is given as specified below;
 
(e)           any indebtedness under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Subsidiary or under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by, or any other payment obligation of, the Company or any Subsidiary (an "Instrument") with a principal amount then, individually or in the aggregate, outstanding in excess of $[], whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, is not paid at Maturity or when otherwise due or is accelerated, and such indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within a period of 30 days after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least [  ]% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default and requiring the Company to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause such default to be cured or waived or such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder.  A payment obligation (other than indebtedness under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Subsidiary or under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Subsidiary) shall not be deemed to have matured, come due, or been accelerated to the extent that it is being disputed by the relevant obligor or obligors in good faith.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Maturity of an Instrument is the Maturity as set forth in that Instrument, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of that Instrument;
 
(f)           the Company or any Subsidiary fails to pay one or more final and non-appealable judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction, the aggregate uninsured or unbonded portion of which is in excess of $[], if the judgments are not paid, discharged, waived or stayed within [  ] days;
 

 
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(g)           the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
 
(i)           commences a voluntary case or proceeding;
 
(ii)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding;
 
(iii)           consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or
 
(iv)           makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
 
(v)           or generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or
 
(h)           a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
 
(i)           is for relief against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in an involuntary case or proceeding;
 
(ii)           appoints a Custodian of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any such Subsidiary; or
 
(iii)           orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
 
and the case of each of clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for [  ] consecutive days; or
 
(i)           any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.02(i).
 
A default under clause (d) above is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least [  ]% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding notify the Company and the Trustee, in writing of the default, and the Company does not cure the default within 60 days after receipt of such notice.  The notice given pursuant to this Section 6.01 must specify the default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a "Notice of Default."  When any default under this Section 6.01 is cured, it ceases.
 
The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Event of Default unless written notice thereof shall have been given to a Trust Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee by the Company, a Paying Agent, any Holder or any agent of any Holder. 
 
SECTION 6.02.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
 
(a)           If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing with respect to any Securities of any Series,
 

 
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then in every such case, the Trustee may, by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that Series (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) then outstanding may, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, declare all unpaid principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on to the date of acceleration, the Securities of that Series then outstanding (if not then due and payable) to be due and payable upon any such declaration, and the same shall become and be immediately due and payable.  If an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 occurs, all unpaid principal of the Securities then outstanding, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of acceleration, shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that Series then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration of such Securities of that Series and its consequences if (a) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of the Securities which has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived; (b) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest (calculated at the Default Rate) on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid; (c) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and (d) all payments due to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 7.07 have been made.  No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereto.
 
(b)           Notwithstanding any of provision of this Article 6, at the election of the Company in its sole discretion, the sole remedy under this Indenture for an Event of Default relating to the failure to comply with Section 4.02, and for any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 314(a)(1) of the TIA, will consist, for the 180 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default, exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the Securities at a rate equal to 0.50% per annum of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding up to, but not including, the 181st day thereafter (or, if applicable, the earlier date on which the Event of Default relating to Section 4.02 is cured or waived).  Any such additional interest will be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the Securities.  In no event shall additional interest accrue under the terms of this Indenture at a rate in excess of 0.50% per annum, in the aggregate, for any violation or default caused by the failure of the Company to be current in respect of its Exchange Act reporting obligations.  If the Event of Default is continuing on the 181st day after an Event of Default relating to a failure to comply with Section 4.02, the Securities will be subject to acceleration as provided in this Section 6.02.  The provisions of this Section 6.02(b) will not affect the rights of Holders in the event of the occurrence of any other Events of Default.
 
In order to elect to pay additional interest as the sole remedy during the first 180 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the failure to comply with Section 4.02 in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company shall notify all Holders and the Trustee and Paying Agent of such election on or before the close of business on the fifth Business Day after the date on which such Event of Default otherwise would occur.  Upon a failure by the Company to timely give such notice or pay additional interest, the Securities will be immediately subject to acceleration as otherwise provided in this Section 6.02.
 

 
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SECTION 6.03.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
 
If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
 
If an Event of Default in the payment of principal, interest, if any, specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or another obligor on the Securities for the whole amount of principal, and accrued interest remaining unpaid, if any, together with, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue principal, on overdue installments of interest, if any, in each case at the Default Rate, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
 
SECTION 6.04.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
 
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
 
(a)           to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
 
(b)           to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.
 

 
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Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
 
SECTION 6.05.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
 
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
 
SECTION 6.06.  Application of Money Collected.
 
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid: and
 
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07;
 
Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
 
Third: To the Company.
 
SECTION 6.07.  Limitation on Suits.
 
No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder (except actions for payment of overdue principal and interest), unless:
 
(a)           such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;
 
(b)           the Holders of not less than [  ]% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
 
(c)           such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
 

 
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(d)           the Trustee for [  ] days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
 
(e)           no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such [  ]-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
 
SECTION 6.08.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.
 
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
 
SECTION 6.09.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
 
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
 
SECTION 6.10.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
 
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.08, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
 
SECTION 6.11.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
 
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and
 

 
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remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
 
SECTION 6.12.  Control by Holders.
 
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that
 
(a)           such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,
 
(b)           the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction; and
 
(c)           subject to the provisions of Section 6.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Holder or the Trustee.
 
SECTION 6.13.  Waiver of Past Defaults.
 
Subject to Section 9.02, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration).  Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
 
SECTION 6.14.  Undertaking for Costs.
 
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than [  ]% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the
 

 
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payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
 
ARTICLE VII
 
TRUSTEE
 
SECTION 7.01.  Duties of Trustee.
 
(a)           If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
 
(b)           Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
 
(i)           The Trustee  need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied duties, covenants or obligations shall be deemed to be imposed upon the Trustee.
 
(ii)           in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers' Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers' Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers' Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture.
 
(c)           The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, except that:
 
(i)           This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of Section 7.01 herein.
 
(ii)           The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer.
 
(iii)           The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.

(d)           Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
 
 
 
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(e)           The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives an indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
 
(f)           The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
 
(g)           No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk or expend its own funds or otherwise incur liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
 
(h)           The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the same rights, indemnities, protections and immunities afforded to the Trustee.
 
(i)           The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the performance or compliance of the Company with its obligations hereunder or any under supplement hereto, nor shall it have any liability in connection with the malfeasance or nonfeasance by the Company.  The Trustee shall have no liability in connection with compliance by the Company with statutory or regulatory requirements related to this Indenture, any supplement or any Securities issued pursuant hereto or thereto.
 
SECTION 7.02.  Rights of Trustee.
 
(a)           The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting as a result of its reasonable belief that any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, direction, approval or other paper or document was genuine and had been signed or presented by the proper person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it sees fit.
 
(b)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
 
(c)           The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of, or for the supervision of, any agent appointed with due care.  No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depository.
 
(d)           The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.
 
(e)           The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection
 
 
 
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in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
 
(f)           The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of Securities, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
 
SECTION 7.03.  Individual Rights of Trustee.
 
The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights.  The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
 
SECTION 7.04.  Trustee's Disclaimer.
 
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities and the recitals contained herein and in the Securities shall be taken as statements of the Company and not of the Trustee, and the Trustee has no responsibility for such recitals. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the Company's use or application of the proceeds from the Securities or for monies paid over to the Company pursuant to this Indenture, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.
 
SECTION 7.05.  Notice of Defaults.
 
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge or receives written notice of such event, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series, notice of a Default or Event of Default within [  ] days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default.  Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, including any additional interest that may become payable pursuant to Section 6.02(b), the Trustee may withhold the notice so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.
 
SECTION 7.06.  Reports by Trustee to Holders.
 
Within [  ] days after [           ] in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar, a brief report dated as of such [], in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313.
 
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed.  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.
 
 
 
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SECTION 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity.
 
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon in writing.  The Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred by it.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee's agents, counsel and other persons not regularly in its employ.
 
The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents, from and against and reimburse the Trustee for any and all claims, expenses, obligations, liabilities, losses, damages, injuries (to person, property, or natural resources), penalties, stamp or other similar taxes, actions, suits, judgments, reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney's and agent's fees and expenses) of whatever kind or nature regardless of their merit, demanded, asserted or claimed against the Trustee directly or indirectly relating to, or arising from, claims against the Trustee by reason of its participation in the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation all reasonable costs required to be associated with claims for damages to persons or property, and reasonable attorneys' and consultants' fees and expenses and court costs except to the extent caused by the Trustee's negligence or willful misconduct.  The provisions of this Section 7.07 shall survive the termination of this Agreement or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.  The Company shall defend any claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense.  The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.
 
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.
 
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Securities of that Series.
 
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
SECTION 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee.
 
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.
 
The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any
 
 
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Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company.  The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:
 
(a)           the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
 
(b)           the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
 
(c)           a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
 
(d)           the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
 
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
 
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within [  ] days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least [  ]% in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
 
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07, and subject to the payment of any and all amounts then due and owing to the retiring Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series.  Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.
 
SECTION 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
 
If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee herein.
 
SECTION 7.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification.
 
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5).  The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of
 
 
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at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.  The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).
 
SECTION 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
 
The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TTA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.
 

ARTICLE VIII
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
 
SECTION 8.01.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
 
This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.01), and the Trustee, on the demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
 
(a)           either
 
(i)           all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
 
(ii)           all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, or
 
(1)           have become due and payable, or
 
(2)           will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within [], or
 
(3)           are to be called for redemption within [           ] under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or
 
(4)           are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to section 8.03, as applicable; and the Company, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
 

 
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(b)           the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
 
(c)           the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each meeting the applicable requirements of Sections 10.04 and 10.05 and each stating that all conditions precedent herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with and the Trustee receives written demand from the Company to discharge.
 
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.07, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 8.01 8.02 and 8.05 shall survive.
 
SECTION 8.02.  Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
 
(a)           Subject to the provisions of Section 8.05, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.01, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Sections 8.03 or 8.04.
 
(b)           The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Agents against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.03 or 8.04 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.
 
(c)           The Trustee shall, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, deliver or pay to the Company from time to time, upon Company Request and at the expense of the Company any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it pursuant to this Indenture as provided in Sections 8.03 or 8.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants, expressed in a written certification thereof and delivered to the Trustee together with such Company Request, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received.  This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.
 

 
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SECTION 8.03.  Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.
 
Unless this Section 8.03 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.02(s), to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of such Series on the [   ] day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the company, shall, at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:
 
(a)           the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;
 
(b)           the provisions of Sections 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 2.14, 8.02, 8.03 and 8.05; and
 
(c)           the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
 
(d)           the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Paying Agent as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Paying Agent), not later than [   ] day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments) of and interest, if any, on all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal are due;
 
(e)           such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
 
(f)           no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the [    ] day after such date;
 
(g)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has
 

 
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been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
 
(h)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company;
 
(i)           such deposit shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), or such trust shall be qualified under such Act or exempt from regulation thereunder; and
 
(j)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
 
SECTION 8.04.  Covenant Defeasance.
 
Unless this Section 8.04 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.02(s) to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the [    ] day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, and 5.01 as well as any additional covenants contained in a supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers' Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(s) (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 6.01) and the occurrence of any event described in clause (e) of Section 6.01 shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
 
(a)           With reference to this Section 8.04, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.02(c)) with the Paying Agent as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Paying Agent), not later than [   ] day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered
 

 
37

 

to the Paying Agent, to pay principal and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal are due;
 
(b)           Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
 
(c)           No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the [    ] day after such date;
 
(d)           the company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;
 
(e)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and
 
(f)           The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
 
SECTION 8.05.  Repayment to Company.
 
The Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years.  After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person and all liability of the Paying Agent with respect to that money shall cease.
 

ARTICLE IX
 
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
 
SECTION 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.
 
The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:
 
(a)           to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
 
(b)           to comply with Article V;
 

 
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(c)           to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
 
(d)           to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;
 
(e)           to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;
 
(f)           to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;
 
(g)           to comply with requirements of the TIA and any rules promulgated under the TIA; and
 
(h)           to add to the covenants of the Company for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right, power or option conferred upon the Company.
 
Any amendment or supplement made solely to conform the provisions of this Indenture or the Securities of any Series to the description thereof contained in the final prospectus relating to such Series will be deemed not to adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
 
SECTION 9.02.  With Consent of Holders.
 
The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all Series affected by such supplemental indenture, taken together as one class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series.  Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all Series affected by such waiver by notice to the Trustee, taken together as one class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.
 
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.  After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver.  Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
 

 
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SECTION 9.03.  Limitations.
 
Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:
 
(a)           change the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver, except to increase any such amount or to provide that certain provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified, amended or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby;
 
(b)           reduce the amount of interest, or change the interest payment time, on any Security;
 
(c)           waive a redemption payment or alter the redemption provisions (other than any alteration that would not materially adversely affect the legal rights of any Holder under this Indenture) or the price at which the Company is required to offer to purchase the Securities;
 
(d)           reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
 
(e)           reduce the principal amount payable of any Security upon Maturity;
 
(f)           waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
 
(g)           change the place or currency of payment of principal of or interest, if any, on any Security other than that stated in the Security;
 
(h)           impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal or, or interest on, the Securities of such Holder on or after the due dates therefor;
 
(i)            impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on, or with respect to, any Security;
 
(j)            make any change in Sections 10.15 or 10.16;
 
(k)           change the ranking of the Securities; or
 
(l)           make any other change which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate as a limitation under this Section.
 
SECTION 9.04.  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
 
Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
 

 
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SECTION 9.05.  Revocation and Effect of Consents.
 
Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective.
 
Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (g) of Section 9.03 in that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security.
 
SECTION 9.06.  Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
 
If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee and the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder.  Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the changed terms.
 
SECTION 9.07.  Trustee Protected.
 
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officer's Certificate, or both stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights, duties or indemnities.
 
SECTION 9.08.  Effect of Supplemental Indenture.
 
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and each such supplemental indenture shall form part of this Indenture for all purposes with respect to the relevant Series; and every Holder of Securities of the relevant Series theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
 

 
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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS
 
 
SECTION 10.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls.
 
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.
 
SECTION 10.02.  Notices.
 
Any notice or communication by the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar to another is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:
 
if to the Company:
 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
LOM Building
27 Reid Street
Hamilton HM 11
Bermuda

if to the Trustee:
 
[                                ]
Attn: [                      ]
Fax:   [                      ]
 
if to the Registrar or Paying Agent:
 
[                                ]
Attn: [                      ]
Fax:   [                      ]

with copy to:

[                                ]
Attn: [                      ]
Fax: [                        ]

The Company, the Trustee and each Agent by notice to each other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
 
Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.  Failure to mail a notice or
 
 
 
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 communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.
 
If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.
 
If the company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
 
Whenever a notice is required to be given by the Company, such notice may be given by the Trustee or Registrar on the Company's behalf (and the Company will make any notice it is required to give to Holders available on its website).
 
SECTION 10.03.  Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
 
Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
 
SECTION 10.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
 
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
 
(a)           an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
 
(b)           an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of counsel, all such conditions precedent (including any covenants, compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) have been complied with.
 
SECTION 10.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
 
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:
 
(a)           a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
 
(b)           a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation  upon which the statements or opinions  contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
 
 
 
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(c)           a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
 
(d)           a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
 
provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers' Certificate or certificates of public officials.
 
SECTION 10.06.  Record Date for Vote or Consent of Holders.
 
The Company (or, in the event deposits have been made pursuant to Section 11.02, the Trustee) may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted under this Indenture, which record date shall not be more than [  ] days prior to the date of the commencement of solicitation of such action.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.05, if a record date is fixed, those persons who were Holders of Securities at the close of business on such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to take such action by vote or consent or to revoke any vote or consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Holders after such record date.
 
SECTION 10.07.  Rules by Trustee and Agents.
 
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series.  Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
 
SECTION 10.08.  Legal Holidays.
 
Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture for a particular Series, a "Legal Holiday" is any day that is not a Business Day.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
 
SECTION 10.09.  No Recourse Against Others.
 
A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.  Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
 
SECTION 10.10.  Counterparts.
 
 
 
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This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

SECTION 10.11.  Governing Laws and Submission to Jurisdiction.
 
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EXCLUDING ANY RULE OF LAW THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
 
The Company agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture may be instituted in any federal or state court sitting in New York City, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such court in any suit, action or proceeding.  The Company, as long as any Securities remain outstanding or the parties hereto have any obligation under this Indenture, shall have an authorized agent in the United States upon whom process may be served in any such legal action or proceeding. Service of process upon such agent and written notice of such service mailed or delivered to it shall to the extent permitted by law be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such legal action or proceeding and, if it fails to maintain such agent, any such process or summons may be served by mailing a copy thereof by registered mail, or a form of mail substantially equivalent thereto, addressed to it at its address as provided for notices hereunder. The Company hereby appoints Seward & Kissel LLP, One Battery Park Plaza, New York, NY,  10004, as its agent for such purposes, and covenants and agrees that service of process in any legal action or proceeding may be made upon it at such office of such agent.

SECTION 10.12.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
 
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary.  Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
 
SECTION 10.13.  Successors.
 
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
 
SECTION 10.14.  Severability.
 
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
 
SECTION 10.15.  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
 
 
 
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The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
SECTION 10.16.  Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU.
 
Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars (including ECUs), then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time.  For purposes of this Section 10.16, "Market Exchange Rate" shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; provided, however, in the case of ECUs, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the rate of exchange determined by the Commission of the European Union (or any successor thereto) as published in the Official Journal of the European Union (such publication or any successor publication, the "Journal").  If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, in the case of ECUs, the rate of exchange as published in the Journal, as of the most recent available date, or quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question or, in the case of ECUs, in Luxembourg or such other quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange as the Trustee, upon consultation with the Company, shall deem appropriate.  The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
 
All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.
 
SECTION 10.17.  Judgment Currency.
 
The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the "Required Currency") into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the "Judgment Currency"), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is
 
 
 
46

 
 
entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.  For purposes of the foregoing, "New York Banking Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
 
SECTION 10.18.  Compliance with Applicable Anti-Terrorism and Money Laundering Regulations.
 
In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering ("Applicable Law"), the Trustee is required to obtain, verify and record certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee.  Accordingly, each of the parties agree to provide to the Trustee, upon its request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Trustee to comply with the Applicable Law.
 
ARTICLE XI
 
SINKING FUNDS
 
SECTION 11.01.  Applicability of Article.
 
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
 
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment" and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment." If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.02.  Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the securities of such Series.
 
 
 
47

 
 
SECTION 11.02.  Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
 
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited.  Such Securities shall be received by the Registrar, together with an Officers' Certificate with respect thereto, not later than [  ] days prior to the date on which the Registrar begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Registrar at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.  If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.02, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $[              ], the Registrar need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Registrar of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.
 
SECTION 11.03.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
 
Not less than [  ] days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers' Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee and the Paying Agent an Officers' Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.02., and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified.  Not less than [  ] days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.02 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.03.  Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall stated in Sections 3.04, 3.05 and 3.06.
 
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank]
 

 
48

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
 




NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED


By:__________________________

Name:
Its:


[                ]
as Trustee

By:__________________________

Name:
Its:


By:__________________________

Name:
Its:


[                   ]
as Registrar and Paying Agent


By:__________________________

Name:
Its:


By:__________________________

Name:
Its:

 
 

 

EX-4.7 3 d1301952_ex4-7.htm d1301952_ex4-7.htm

 Exhibit 4.7







NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
 

FORM OF

SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

Dated as of [                                ], 20[  ]




[                      ]

Trustee






 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE




ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
1
SECTION 1.01.
Definitions.
1
SECTION 1.02.
Other Definitions.
5
SECTION 1.03.
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
5
SECTION 1.04.
Rules of Construction.
6
ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES
 
6
SECTION 2.01.
Issuable in Series.
6
SECTION 2.02.
Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.
7
SECTION 2.03.
Execution and Authentication.
9
SECTION 2.04.
Registrar and Paying Agent.
10
SECTION 2.05.
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
10
SECTION 2.06.
Securityholder Lists.
11
SECTION 2.07.
Transfer and Exchange.
11
SECTION 2.08.
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
12
SECTION 2.09.
Outstanding Securities.
12
SECTION 2.10.
Treasury Securities.
13
SECTION 2.11.
Temporary Securities.
13
SECTION 2.12.
Cancellation.
13
SECTION 2.13.
Defaulted Interest.
14
SECTION 2.14.
Global Securities.
14
SECTION 2.15.
CUSIP Numbers.
16
ARTICLE III REDEMPTION
  16 
SECTION 3.01.
Notice to Trustee.
16
SECTION 3.02.
Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
16
SECTION 3.03.
Notice of Redemption.
17
SECTION 3.04.
Effect of Notice of Redemption.
17
SECTION 3.05.
Deposit of Redemption Price.
18
SECTION 3.06.
Securities Redeemed in Part.
18
ARTICLE IV COVENANTS
  18
SECTION 4.01.
Payment of Principal and Interest.
18
SECTION 4.02.
SEC Reports.
18
SECTION 4.03.
Compliance Certificate.
19
SECTION 4.04.
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
20
SECTION 4.05.
Corporate Existence.
20
SECTION 4.06.
Taxes.
20
SECTION 4.07.
Additional Interest Notice.
20
SECTION 4.08.
Further Instruments and Acts.
20
ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS
  21
SECTION 5.01.
When Company May Merge, Etc.
21
SECTION 5.02.
Successor Corporation Substituted.
21
ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
  21
SECTION 6.01.
Events of Default.
21
SECTION 6.02.
Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
23
SECTION 6.03.
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
25
SECTION 6.04.
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
25
SECTION 6.05.
Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
26
SECTION 6.06.
Application of Money Collected.
26
SECTION 6.07.
Limitation on Suits.
26 
SECTION 6.08.
Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.
27
SECTION 6.09.
Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
27
SECTION 6.10.
Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
27
SECTION 6.11.
Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
27
SECTION 6.12.
Control by Holders.
28
SECTION 6.13.
Waiver of Past Defaults.
28
SECTION 6.14.
Undertaking for Costs.
28
ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE
  29
SECTION 7.01.
Duties of Trustee.
29
SECTION 7.02.
Rights of Trustee.
30
SECTION 7.03.
Individual Rights of Trustee.
31
SECTION 7.04.
Trustee's Disclaimer.
31
SECTION 7.05.
Notice of Defaults.
31
SECTION 7.06.
Reports by Trustee to Holders.
31
SECTION 7.07.
Compensation and Indemnity.
32
SECTION 7.08.
Replacement of Trustee.
32
SECTION 7.09.
Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
33
SECTION 7.10.
Eligibility; Disqualification.
33
SECTION 7.11.
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
34
ARTICLE VIII SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
  34
SECTION 8.01.
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
34
SECTION 8.02.
Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
35
SECTION 8.03.
Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.
36
SECTION 8.04.
Covenant Defeasance.
37
SECTION 8.05.
Repayment to Company.
38
ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
  38
SECTION 9.01.
Without Consent of Holders.
38
SECTION 9.02.
With Consent of Holders.
39
SECTION 9.03.
Limitations.
40
SECTION 9.04.
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
40
SECTION 9.05.
Revocation and Effect of Consents.
41
SECTION 9.06.
Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
41
SECTION 9.07.
Trustee Protected.
41
SECTION 9.08.
Effect of Supplemental Indenture.
41
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS
  42
SECTION 10.01.
Trust Indenture Act Controls.
42
SECTION 10.02.
Notices.
42
SECTION 10.03.
Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
43
SECTION 10.04.
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
43 
SECTION 10.05.
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
43
SECTION 10.06.
Record Date for Vote or Consent of Holders.
44
SECTION 10.07.
Rules by Trustee and Agents.
44
SECTION 10.08.
Legal Holidays.
44
SECTION 10.09.
No Recourse Against Others.
44
SECTION 10.10.
Counterparts.
44
SECTION 10.11.
Governing Laws and Submission to Jurisdiction.
45
SECTION 10.12.
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
45
SECTION 10.13.
Successors.
45
SECTION 10.14.
Severability.
45
SECTION 10.15.
Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
45
SECTION 10.16.
Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU.
46
SECTION 10.17.
Judgment Currency.
46
SECTION 10.18.
Compliance with Applicable Anti-Terrorism and Money Laundering Regulations.
47
ARTICLE XI SINKING FUNDS
  47
SECTION 11.01.
Applicability of Article.
47
SECTION 11.02.
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
48
SECTION 11.03.
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
48

 
 

 

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture,
Dated as of [                                ], 20[  ]
 
Section 310(a)(1)
7.10
(a)(2)
7.10
(a)(3)
Not Applicable
(a)(4)
Not Applicable
(a)(5)
7.10
(b)
7.10
(c)
Not Applicable
Section 311(a)
7.11
(b)
7.11
(c)
Not Applicable
Section 312(a)
2.06
(b)
10.03
(c)
10.03
Section 313(a)
7.06
(b)(1)
7.06
(b)(2)
7.06
(c)(1)
7.06
(d)
7.06
Section 314(a)
4.02, 10.05
(b)
Not Applicable
(c)(1)
10.04
(c)(2)
10.04
(c)(3)
Not Applicable
(d)
Not Applicable
(e)
10.05
(f)
Not Applicable
Section 315(a)
7.01
(b)
7.05
(c)
7.01
(d)
7.01
(e)
6.14
Section 316(a)(1)(A)
6.12
(a)(1)(B)
6.13
(a)(2)
Not Applicable
(b)
6.13
(c)
10.06
Section 317(a)(1)
6.03
(a)(2)
6.04
(b)
2.05
Section 318(a)
10.01
 
Note:  This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 
 

 

Indenture dated as of [                                                      ], 20[  ] between NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED, a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company") and [] (the "Trustee").
 
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities issued under this Indenture.
 
ARTICLE I
 
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
SECTION 1.01.  Definitions.
 
"Additional Amounts" means any additional amounts which are required hereby or by any Security, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Company in respect of certain taxes imposed on Holders specified therein and which are owing to such Holders.
 
"Affiliate" of any specified person means any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified person.  For the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by agreement or otherwise.
 
"Agent" means any Registrar or Paying Agent.
 
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11 of the United States Code (or any successor thereto) or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
 
"Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
 
"Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been adopted by the Board of Directors or pursuant to authorization by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of the certificate and delivered to the Trustee.
 
"Business Day" means any day other than a (x) Saturday, (y) Sunday or (z) day on which state or federally chartered banking institutions in New York, New York are not required to be open.
 
"Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
 

 
1

 

"Certificated Securities" means Securities in the form of physical, certificated Securities in registered form.
 
"Company" means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.
 
"Company Order" means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company's principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
 
"Company Request" means a written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, a President or a Vice President, and by its Chief Financial Officer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.
 
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered which office at the date of the execution of this Indenture is [ ], Attention: [ ], or at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time.
 
"Custodian" means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
"Default" or "default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
 
"Default Rate" means the default rate of interest specified in the Securities.
 
"Depository" means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such person, "Depository" as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Depository with respect to the Securities of such Series.
 
"Discount Security" means any Security that provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
 
"Dollars" means the currency of The United States of America.
 
"ECU" means the European Currency Unit as determined by the Commission of the European Union.
 
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
"Foreign Currency" means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of The United States of America.
 

 
2

 

"Foreign Government Obligations" means with respect to Securities of any Series that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (i) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
 
"Global Security" or "Global Securities" means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.02 evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities, issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee.
 
"Holder" or "Securityholder" means a person in whose name a Security is registered.
 
"Indenture" means this Indenture as amended and supplemented from time to time and shall include the form and terms of particular Series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.
 
"Interest," in respect of the Securities, unless the context otherwise requires, refers to interest payable on the Securities, including any additional interest that may become payable pursuant to Section 6.02(b).
 
"Maturity," when used with respect to any Security or installment of principal thereof, means the date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.
 
"Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice-President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Treasurer or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.
 
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers, one of whom must be the Company's principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer.
 
"Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of legal counsel who is, and which opinion is, acceptable to the Trustee and its counsel.  Such legal counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.
 
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
 
"Principal" or "principal" of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of, the Security.
 

 
3

 

"Responsible Officer" means any officer of the Trustee in its Corporate Trust Office and also means, any vice president, managing director, director, associate, assistant vice president, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with a particular subject.
 
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
"Security" or "Securities" means the debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company of any Series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
 
"Series" or "Series of Securities" means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02 hereof.
 
"Stated Maturity" when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
 
"Subordinated Indebtedness" means any indebtedness which is expressly subordinated to the indebtedness evidenced by Securities.
 
"Subsidiary" means, in respect of any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
 
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "TIA" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act as so amended.
 
"Trustee" means the person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include each person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
 
"U.S. Government Obligations" means securities which are (i) direct obligations of The United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of The United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by The United States of America, and which in the case of (i) and (ii)
 

 
4

 

are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.
 
SECTION 1.02.   Other Definitions.
 
 
TERM
 
DEFINED IN SECTION
"Applicable Law"
10.18
"Event of Default"
6.01
"Instrument"
6.01
"Journal"
10.16
"Judgment Currency"
10.17
"Legal Holiday"
10.08
"mandatory sinking fund payment"
11.01
"Market Exchange Rate"
10.16
"New York Banking Day"
10.17
"optional sinking fund payment"
11.01
"Paying Agent"
2.04
"Registrar"
2.04
"Required Currency"
10.17
"successor person"
5.01
"Temporary Securities"
2.11
 
SECTION 1.03.  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
 
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  This Indenture shall also include those provisions of the TIA required to be included herein by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990.  The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
 
"indenture securities" means the Securities.
 
"indenture security holder" means a Securityholder.
 
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.
 
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.
 
"obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Securities.
 

 
5

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as so defined.
 
SECTION 1.04.  Rules of Construction.
 
Unless the context otherwise requires:
 
(a)           a term has the meaning assigned to it;
 
(b)           an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
(c)           references to "generally accepted accounting principles" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the time when and for the period as to which such accounting principles are to be applied;
 
(d)           "or" is not exclusive;
 
(e)           words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
 
(f)           provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
 
(g)           references to agreements and other instruments include subsequent amendments thereto;
 
(h)           the term "merger" includes a statutory share exchange, and the term "merged" has a correlative meaning; and
 
(i)           "herein," "hereof" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
 
ARTICLE II
 
THE SECURITIES
 
SECTION 2.01.  Issuable in Series.
 
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.  The Securities may be issued in one or more Series.  All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers' Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution.  In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, maturity date, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined.  Securities may
 

 
6

 

differ between Series in respect of any matters, provided that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
 
SECTION 2.02.  Establishment of Terms of Series of Securities.
 
At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection (a), and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections (b) through (t) by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers' Certificate pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:
 
(a)           the title, designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations of the Securities of the Series;
 
(b)           the price or prices, (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
 
(c)           the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
 
(d)           the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;
 
(e)           any optional or mandatory sinking fund provisions or conversion or exchangeability provisions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed, purchased, converted or exchanged;
 
(f)           the date, if any, after which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series may be optionally redeemed or must be mandatorily redeemed and any other terms and provisions of optional or mandatory provisions;
 
(g)           if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
 
(h)           if other than the full principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration pursuant to Section 6.02 or provable in bankruptcy;
 
(i)           any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02;
 

 
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(j)           the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which payments of principal of, premium or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, if other than the currency of the United States of America;
 
(k)           if payments of principal of, premium or interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, at the Company's election or at the election of any Holder, in a currency other than that in which the Securities of the Series are stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, the election may be made;
 
(l)           if payments of interest, if any, on the Securities of the Series will be payable, at the Company's election or at the election of any Holder, in cash or additional securities, and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;
 
(m)           if denominated in a currency or currencies other than the currency of the United States of America, the equivalent price of the Securities of the Series in the currency of the United States of America for purposes of determining the voting rights of Holders of the Securities of the Series;
 
(n)           if the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method based on a coin or currency other than that in which the Securities of the Series are stated to be payable, the manner in which the amounts will be determined;
 
(o)           any restrictive covenants or other material terms relating to the Securities of the Series;
 
(p)           whether the Securities of the Series will be issued in the form of global securities or certificates in registered form;
 
(q)           any terms with respect to subordination;
 
(r)           any listing on any securities exchange or quotation system;
 
(s)           additional provisions, if any, related to defeasance and discharge of the offered debt securities; and
 
(t)           the applicability of any guarantees, which would be governed by New York law.
 
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers' Certificate referred to above, and the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuance of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental Indenture or Officers' Certificate.
 

 
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SECTION 2.03.  Execution and Authentication.
 
Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
 
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
 
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.  The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.
 
The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers' Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order.  Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.  Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication unless otherwise provided by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate.
 
The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers' Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02, except as provided in Section 2.08.
 
Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.02) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers' Certificate complying with Section 10.04, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.04.
 
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of such Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken; or (b) if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.
 
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate.
 
If any successor that has replaced the Company in accordance with Article 5 has executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.01, any of the Securities authenticated or delivered prior to such transaction may, from time to time, at the request of such successor, be exchanged for other Securities executed in the name of the such
 

 
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successor with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise identical to the Securities surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order of such successor, shall authenticate and deliver Securities as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange.  If Securities shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of such successor pursuant to this provision of Section 2.03 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Securities, such successor, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Securities then outstanding for Securities authenticated and delivered in such new name.
 
SECTION 2.04.  Registrar and Paying Agent.
 
The Company shall maintain, with respect to each Series of Securities, at the place or places specified with respect to such Series pursuant to Section 2.02, an office or agency where Securities of such Series may be presented or surrendered for payment ("Paying Agent") and where Securities of such Series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange ("Registrar").  The Registrar shall keep a register with respect to each Series of Securities and to their transfer and exchange.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the name and address, and any change in the name or address, of each Registrar and Paying Agent.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required Registrar or Paying Agent or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the name and address thereof, such presentations and surrenders may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations and surrenders.
 
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more co-registrars or additional paying agents and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligations to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent in each place so specified pursuant to Section 2.02 for Securities of any Series for such purposes.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the name or address of any such co-registrar or additional paying agent.  The term "Registrar" includes any co-registrar; and the term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent.
 
The Company hereby appoints [                                                                ] as the initial Registrar and Paying Agent for each Series unless another Registrar or Paying Agent as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued.  Each Registrar and Paying Agent shall be entitled to all of the rights, protections, exculpations and indemnities afforded to the Trustee in connection with its roles as Registrar and Paying Agent.
 
SECTION 2.05.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
 
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust, for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities, or the Trustee, all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Series of Securities, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment.  While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  The Company at any time may require
 

 
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a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Securityholders of any Series of Securities all money held by it as Paying Agent.
 
SECTION 2.06.  Securityholder Lists.
 
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least [  ] days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.
 
SECTION 2.07.  Transfer and Exchange.
 
Where Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer or to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange if its requirements for such transactions are met.  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar's request.  Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge, except that the Company or the Registrar may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge required by law; provided that this sentence shall not apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 2.08, 3.06 or 9.06.
 
Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange Securities of any Series for the period beginning at the opening of business [  ] days immediately preceding the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that Series selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any Series selected, called or being called for redemption as a whole or the portion being redeemed of any such Securities selected, called or being called for redemption in part.
 
All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.  Any Registrar appointed pursuant to Section 2.04 shall provide to the Trustee such information as the Trustee may reasonably require in connection with the delivery by such Registrar of Securities upon transfer or exchange of Securities.  Each Holder of a Security agrees to indemnify the Company and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder's Security in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable U.S. federal or state securities law.


 
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SECTION 2.07.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
 
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
 
If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Registrar (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Registrar that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
 
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.
 
Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
 
Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.
 
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
 
SECTION 2.09.  Outstanding Securities.
 
The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest on a Global Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section as not outstanding.
 
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.
 
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds on the Maturity of Securities of a Series money sufficient to pay such Securities
 

 
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payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities of the Series cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
 
A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate holds the Security.
 
In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of a Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
 
SECTION 2.10.  Treasury Securities.
 
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver Securities of a Series owned by the Company or an Affiliate shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver only Securities of a Series that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
 
SECTION 2.11.  Temporary Securities.
 
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary securities upon a Company Order ("Temporary Securities").  Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee upon written request shall authenticate definitive Securities of the same Series and date of maturity in exchange for temporary Securities.  Until so exchanged, temporary securities shall have the same rights under this Indenture as the definitive Securities.
 
SECTION 2.12.  Cancellation.
 
The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee or its agent any Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange, payment or conversion.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel, in accordance with its standard procedures, all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, conversion or cancellation and shall deliver the cancelled Securities to the Company.  No Security shall be authenticated in exchange for any Security cancelled pursuant to this Section 2.12.
 
The Company may, to the extent permitted by law, purchase Securities in the open market or by tender offer at any price or by private agreement.  Any Securities purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the final maturity of such Securities may, to the extent permitted by law, be reissued or resold or may, at the option of the Company, be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.  Any Securities surrendered for
 

 
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cancellation may not be reissued or resold and shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee, and the Company may not hold or resell such Securities or issue any new Securities to replace any such Securities.
 
SECTION 2.13.  Defaulted Interest.
 
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on a Series of Securities, it shall pay defaulted interest, plus, to the extent permitted by law, any interest payable on the defaulted interest at the Default Rate, to the persons who are Security holders of the Series on a subsequent special record date.  The Company shall fix the record date and payment date.  At least [  ] days before the record date, the Company shall mail to the Trustee and the Paying Agent and to each Securityholder of the Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of interest to be paid.  The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner.
 
SECTION 2.14.  Global Securities.
 
(a)           A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and the Depository for such Global Security or Securities.
 
(b)            (i)           Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.07 of the Indenture and in addition thereto, any Global Security shall be exchangeable pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Indenture for Securities registered in the names of Holders other than the Depository for such Security or its nominee only if (A) such Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, the Company fails to appoint a successor Depository within 90 days of such event, (B) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable or (C) an Event of Default with respect to the Securities represented by such Global Security shall have happened and be continuing.
 
(ii)           Except as provided in this Section 2.14(b), a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.
 
(iii)           Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be issued in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons, shall have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of such Global Security or portion thereof to be so exchanged, shall be registered in such names and be in such authorized denominations as the Depository shall designate and shall bear the applicable legends provided for herein.  Any Global Security to be exchanged in whole shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee, as Registrar.  With regard to any Global Security to be exchanged in part, either such Global Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or, if
 

 
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the Registrar is acting as custodian for the Depository or its nominee with respect to such Global Security, the principal amount thereof shall be reduced by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Trustee.  Upon any such surrender or adjustment, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver the Security issuable on such exchange to or upon the order of the Depository or an authorized representative thereof.
 
(iv)           The registered Holder may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including participants in the Depository and persons that may hold interests through participants in the Depository, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.
 
(v)           In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in 2.14(b)(i), the Company will promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Certificated Securities in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons.  If (A) an event described in Section 2.14(b)(i)(A) or (B) occurs and definitive Certificated Securities are not issued promptly to all beneficial owners or (B) the Registrar receives from a beneficial owner instructions to obtain definitive Certificated Securities due to an event described in Section 2.14(b)(i)(C) and definitive Certificated Securities are not issued promptly to any such beneficial owner, the Company expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, the right of any beneficial owner of Securities to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial owner's Securities as if such definitive certificated Securities had been issued.
 
(vi)           Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Indenture, so long as a Global Security remains outstanding and is held by or on behalf of the Depository, transfers of a Global Security, in whole or in part, or of any beneficial interest therein, shall only be made in accordance with Section 2.07, this Section 2.14(b) and the rules and procedures of the Depository for such Global Security to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
 
(c)           Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
 
"This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository.  This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository."
 
(d)           The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
 

 
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(e)           Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.02, payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on any Global Security shall be made to the Holder thereof at their registered office.
 
(f)           At all times the Securities are held in book-entry form with a Depository, (i) the Trustee may deal with such Depository as the authorized representative of the Holders, (ii) the rights of the Holders shall be exercised only through the Depository and shall be limited to those established by law and agreement between the Holders and the Depository and/or direct participants of the Depository, (iii) the Depository will make book-entry transfers among the direct participants of the Depository and will receive and transmit distributions of principal and interest on the Securities to such direct participants; and (iv) the direct participants of the Depository shall have no rights under this Indenture, or any supplement hereto, under or with respect to any of the Securities held on their behalf by the Depository, and the Depository may be treated by the Trustee and its agents, employees, officers and directors as the absolute owner of the Securities for all purposes whatsoever.
 
SECTION 2.15.  CUSIP Numbers.
 
The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP", "CCN", "ISIN" or other identification numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP", "CCN", "ISIN" or such other identification numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
 
ARTICLE III
 
REDEMPTION
 
SECTION 3.01.   Notice to Trustee.
 
The Company may, with respect to any series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities.  If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company wants or is obligated to redeem prior to the Stated Maturity thereof all or part of the Series of Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, it shall notify the Trustee and Registrar in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Series of Securities to be redeemed.  The Company shall give the notice at least [  ] days before the redemption date (or such shorter notice as may be acceptable to the Trustee and Registrar).
 
SECTION 3.02.  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.
 
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers' Certificate, if less than all the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Registrar shall select the Securities of the Series to be redeemed in accordance
 

 
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with its customary procedures.  The Registrar shall make the selection from Securities of the Series outstanding not previously called for redemption.  The Registrar may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of the Series that have denominations larger than $1,000.  Securities of the Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.02(g), the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of a Series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of that Series called for redemption.
 
SECTION 3.03.  Notice of Redemption.
 
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate, at least [  ] days but not more than [  ] days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder whose Securities are to be redeemed.
 
The notice shall identify the Securities of the Series to be redeemed and shall state:
 
(a)           the redemption date;
 
(b)           the redemption price;
 
(c)           the name and address of the Paying Agent;
 
(d)           that Securities of the Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
 
(e)           that interest on Securities of the Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; and
 
(f)           any other information as may be required by the terms of the particular Series or the Securities of a Series being redeemed.
 
At the Company's written request, the Trustee shall distribute the notice of redemption prepared by the Company in the Company's name and at its expense.
 
SECTION 3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.
 
Once notice of redemption is mailed or published as provided in Section 3.03, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price.  A notice of redemption may not be conditional.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price plus accrued interest to the redemption date.
 

 
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SECTION 3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price.
 
On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
 
SECTION 3.06.  Securities Redeemed in Part.
 
Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security of the same Series and the same maturity equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
 

ARTICLE IV
 
COVENANTS
 
SECTION 4.01.  Payment of Principal and Interest.
 
The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each Series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of that Series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.

Unless otherwise provided under the terms of a particular Series of Securities:

(a)           an installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Paying Agent (other than the Company) holds by [] [a].m., New York City time, on that date money, deposited by the Company or an Affiliate thereof, sufficient to pay such installment.  The Company shall (in immediately available funds), to the fullest extent permitted by law, pay interest on overdue principal and overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Securities per annum; and
 
(b)           payment of the principal of and interest on the Securities shall be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in [] (which shall initially be [], the Paying Agent) in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the register; provided, further, that a Holder with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $[] will be paid by wire transfer in immediately available funds at the election of such Holder if such Holder has provided wire transfer instructions to the Company at least [  ] Business Days prior to the payment date.
 
SECTION 4.02.  SEC Reports.
 
So long as any Securities are outstanding, the Company shall (i) file with the SEC within the time periods prescribed by its rules and regulations and (ii) furnish to the Trustee and
 

 
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the Holders of the Securities within [  ] days after the date on which the Company would be required to file the same with the SEC pursuant to its rules and regulations (giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act), all quarterly and annual financial information required to be furnished or filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 and Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and, with respect to the annual consolidated financial statements only, a report thereon by the Company's independent auditors.  The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
 
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).  The Company shall not be required to file any report or other information with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, although such reports shall be furnished to the Trustee.  Documents filed by the Company with the SEC via the SEC's EDGAR system (or any successor thereto) will be deemed furnished to the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities as of the time such documents are filed via EDGAR (or such successor).
 
SECTION 4.03.  Compliance Certificate.
 
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within [   ] days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an officers certificate signed by two of the Company's officers stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he may have knowledge in reasonable detail and the efforts to remedy the same).  For purposes of this Section 4.03, compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice provided pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
 
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within [  ] days after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate of any Event of Default described in Section 6.01(e), (f), (g) or (h) and any event of which it becomes aware that with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become such an Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.  For the avoidance of doubt, a breach of a covenant under an Instrument that is not a payment default and that has not given rise to a right of acceleration under such Instrument shall not trigger the requirement to provide notice under this paragraph.
 

 
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SECTION 4.04.  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
 
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and the Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
 
SECTION 4.05.   Corporate Existence.
 
Subject to Article V, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each Subsidiary in accordance with the respective organizational documents of each Subsidiary and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any Subsidiary, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
 
SECTION 4.06.  Taxes.
 
The Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay prior to delinquency all taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except as contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings.
 
SECTION 4.07.  Additional Interest Notice.
 
In the event that the Company is required to pay additional interest to Holders of Securities pursuant to Section 6.02(b) hereof, the Company shall provide a direction or order in the form of a written notice to the Trustee (and if the Trustee is not the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent) of the Company's obligation to pay such additional interest no later than [   ] Business Days prior to date on which any such additional interest is scheduled to be paid.  Such notice shall set forth the amount of additional interest to be paid by the Company on such payment date and direct the Trustee (or, if the Trustee is not the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent) to make payment to the extent it receives funds from the Company to do so.  The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine whether additional interest is payable, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of additional interest owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of additional interest.
 
SECTION 4.08.  Further Instruments and Acts.
 
The Company will execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Indenture.
 

 
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ARTICLE V
 
SUCCESSORS
 
SECTION 5.01.  When Company May Merge, Etc.
 
The Company shall not consolidate with, enter into a binding share exchange, or merge into any other Person in a transaction in which it is not the surviving entity, or sell, assign, convey, transfer or lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person (a "successor person"), unless:
 
(a)           the successor person (if any) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the Marshall Islands, [], the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any interest on, all Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;
 
(b)           immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
 
(c)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction, an Officers' Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.
 
SECTION 5.02.  Successor Corporation Substituted.
 
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01, the successor person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor person has been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor company in the case of a sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company shall not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities.
 
ARTICLE VI
 
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
 
SECTION 6.01.  Events of Default.
 
"Event of Default," wherever used herein with respect to securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution,
 

 
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supplemental indenture or Officers' Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
 
(a)           default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that Series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of such payment is deposited by the Company with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent prior to the expiration of such period of 30 days); or
 
(b)           default in the payment of any principal of any Security of that Series at its Maturity; or
 
(c)           default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due in respect of any Security of that Series; or
 
(d)           the Company fails to perform or comply with any of its other covenants or agreements contained in the Securities or in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this Section 6.01) and the default continues for 60 days after notice is given as specified below;
 
(e)           any indebtedness under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Subsidiary or under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by, or any other payment obligation of, the Company or any Subsidiary (an "Instrument") with a principal amount then, individually or in the aggregate, outstanding in excess of $[], whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, is not paid at Maturity or when otherwise due or is accelerated, and such indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within a period of 30 days after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least [  ]% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series a written notice specifying such default and requiring the Company to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause such default to be cured or waived or such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder.  A payment obligation (other than indebtedness under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Subsidiary or under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Subsidiary) shall not be deemed to have matured, come due, or been accelerated to the extent that it is being disputed by the relevant obligor or obligors in good faith.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Maturity of an Instrument is the Maturity as set forth in that Instrument, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of that Instrument;
 
(f)           the Company or any Subsidiary fails to pay one or more final and non-appealable judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction, the aggregate uninsured or unbonded portion of which is in excess of $[], if the judgments are not paid, discharged, waived or stayed within [  ] days;
 

 
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(g)           the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
 
(i)           commences a voluntary case or proceeding;
 
(ii)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding;
 
(iii)           consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or
 
(iv)           makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
 
(v)           or generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or
 
(h)           a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
 
(i)           is for relief against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in an involuntary case or proceeding;
 
(ii)           appoints a Custodian of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any such Subsidiary; or
 
(iii)           orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
 
and the case of each of clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for [  ] consecutive days; or
 
(i)           any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.02(i).
 
A default under clause (d) above is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least [  ]% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding notify the Company and the Trustee, in writing of the default, and the Company does not cure the default within 60 days after receipt of such notice.  The notice given pursuant to this Section 6.01 must specify the default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a "Notice of Default."  When any default under this Section 6.01 is cured, it ceases.
 
The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Event of Default unless written notice thereof shall have been given to a Trust Officer at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee by the Company, a Paying Agent, any Holder or any agent of any Holder.
 
SECTION 6.02.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
 
(a)           If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing with respect to any Securities of any Series,
 

 
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then in every such case, the Trustee may, by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that Series (or, if any Securities of that Series are Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such Securities) then outstanding may, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, declare all unpaid principal of, and accrued and unpaid interest on to the date of acceleration, the Securities of that Series then outstanding (if not then due and payable) to be due and payable upon any such declaration, and the same shall become and be immediately due and payable.  If an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Section 6.01 occurs, all unpaid principal of the Securities then outstanding, and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of acceleration, shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that Series then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration of such Securities of that Series and its consequences if (a) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of the Securities which has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived; (b) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest (calculated at the Default Rate) on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid; (c) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and (d) all payments due to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 7.07 have been made.  No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereto.
 
(b)           Notwithstanding any of provision of this Article 6, at the election of the Company in its sole discretion, the sole remedy under this Indenture for an Event of Default relating to the failure to comply with Section 4.02, and for any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 314(a)(1) of the TIA, will consist, for the 180 days after the occurrence of such an Event of Default, exclusively of the right to receive additional interest on the Securities at a rate equal to 0.50% per annum of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding up to, but not including, the 181st day thereafter (or, if applicable, the earlier date on which the Event of Default relating to Section 4.02 is cured or waived).  Any such additional interest will be payable in the same manner and on the same dates as the stated interest payable on the Securities.  In no event shall additional interest accrue under the terms of this Indenture at a rate in excess of 0.50% per annum, in the aggregate, for any violation or default caused by the failure of the Company to be current in respect of its Exchange Act reporting obligations.  If the Event of Default is continuing on the 181st day after an Event of Default relating to a failure to comply with Section 4.02, the Securities will be subject to acceleration as provided in this Section 6.02.  The provisions of this Section 6.02(b) will not affect the rights of Holders in the event of the occurrence of any other Events of Default.
 
In order to elect to pay additional interest as the sole remedy during the first 180 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default relating to the failure to comply with Section 4.02 in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, the Company shall notify all Holders and the Trustee and Paying Agent of such election on or before the close of business on the fifth Business Day after the date on which such Event of Default otherwise would occur.  Upon a failure by the Company to timely give such notice or pay additional interest, the Securities will be immediately subject to acceleration as otherwise provided in this Section 6.02.
 

 
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SECTION 6.03.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
 
If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
 
If an Event of Default in the payment of principal, interest, if any, specified in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or another obligor on the Securities for the whole amount of principal, and accrued interest remaining unpaid, if any, together with, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue principal, on overdue installments of interest, if any, in each case at the Default Rate, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
 
SECTION 6.04.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
 
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
 
(a)           to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
 
(b)           to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.
 

 
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Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
 
SECTION 6.05.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
 
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
 
SECTION 6.06.  Application of Money Collected.
 
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid: and
 
First: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07;
 
Second: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and
 
Third: To the Company.
 
SECTION 6.07.  Limitation on Suits.
 
No Holder of any Security of any Series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder (except actions for payment of overdue principal and interest), unless:
 
(a)           such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;
 
(b)           the Holders of not less than [  ]% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
 
(c)           such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
 

 
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(d)           the Trustee for [  ] days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
 
(e)           no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such [  ]-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
 
SECTION 6.08.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and Interest.
 
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
 
SECTION 6.09.   Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
 
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
 
SECTION 6.10.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
 
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in Section 2.08, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
 
SECTION 6.11.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
 
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and
 

 
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remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
 
SECTION 6.12.  Control by Holders.
 
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that
 
(a)           such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,
 
(b)           the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction; and
 
(c)           subject to the provisions of Section 6.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Holder or the Trustee.
 
SECTION 6.13.  Waiver of Past Defaults.
 
Subject to Section 9.02, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series waive any past Default hereunder with respect to such Series and its consequences, except a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of such Series (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration).  Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
 
SECTION 6.14.  Undertaking for Costs.
 
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than [  ]% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the
 

 
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payment of the principal of or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the redemption date).
 
ARTICLE VII
 
TRUSTEE
 
SECTION 7.01.  Duties of Trustee.
 
(a)           If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
 
(b)           Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
 
(i)           The Trustee  need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied duties, covenants or obligations shall be deemed to be imposed upon the Trustee.
 
(ii)           in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon Officers' Certificates or Opinions of Counsel furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; however, in the case of any such Officers' Certificates or Opinions of Counsel which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such Officers' Certificates and Opinions of Counsel to determine whether or not they conform on their face to the requirements of this Indenture.
 
(c)           The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, except that:
 
(i)           This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of Section 7.01 herein.
 
(ii)           The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer.
 
(iii)           The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Securities of any Series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such Series.
 
(d)           Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraph (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
 
 
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(e)           The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives an indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
 
(f)           The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
 
(g)           No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to risk or expend its own funds or otherwise incur liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk is not reasonably assured to it.
 
(h)           The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the same rights, indemnities, protections and immunities afforded to the Trustee.
 
(i)           The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor the performance or compliance of the Company with its obligations hereunder or any under supplement hereto, nor shall it have any liability in connection with the malfeasance or nonfeasance by the Company.  The Trustee shall have no liability in connection with compliance by the Company with statutory or regulatory requirements related to this Indenture, any supplement or any Securities issued pursuant hereto or thereto.
 
SECTION 7.02.  Rights of Trustee.
 
(a)           The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting as a result of its reasonable belief that any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, direction, approval or other paper or document was genuine and had been signed or presented by the proper person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it sees fit.
 
(b)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
 
(c)           The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of, or for the supervision of, any agent appointed with due care.  No Depository shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any Depository.
 
(d)           The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.
(e)           The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection
 
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in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
 
(f)           The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of Securities, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
 
SECTION 7.03.   Individual Rights of Trustee.
 
The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights.  The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
 
SECTION 7.04.   Trustee's Disclaimer.
 
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities and the recitals contained herein and in the Securities shall be taken as statements of the Company and not of the Trustee, and the Trustee has no responsibility for such recitals. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the Company's use or application of the proceeds from the Securities or for monies paid over to the Company pursuant to this Indenture, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its authentication.
 
SECTION 7.05.  Notice of Defaults.
 
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series and if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge or receives written notice of such event, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series, notice of a Default or Event of Default within [  ] days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default.  Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security of any Series, including any additional interest that may become payable pursuant to Section 6.02(b), the Trustee may withhold the notice so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Securityholders of that Series.
 
SECTION 7.06.   Reports by Trustee to Holders.
 
Within [  ] days after [                                                      ] in each year, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Securityholders, as their names and addresses appear on the register kept by the Registrar, a brief report dated as of such [], in accordance with, and to the extent required under, TIA Section 313.
 
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders of any Series shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed.  The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange.
 

 
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SECTION 7.07.  Compensation and Indemnity.
 
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon in writing.  The Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred by it.  Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee's agents, counsel and other persons not regularly in its employ.
 
The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents, from and against and reimburse the Trustee for any and all claims, expenses, obligations, liabilities, losses, damages, injuries (to person, property, or natural resources), penalties, stamp or other similar taxes, actions, suits, judgments, reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney's and agent's fees and expenses) of whatever kind or nature regardless of their merit, demanded, asserted or claimed against the Trustee directly or indirectly relating to, or arising from, claims against the Trustee by reason of its participation in the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation all reasonable costs required to be associated with claims for damages to persons or property, and reasonable attorneys' and consultants' fees and expenses and court costs except to the extent caused by the Trustee's negligence or willful misconduct.  The provisions of this Section 7.07 shall survive the termination of this Agreement or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.  The Company shall defend any claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense.  The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.
 
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.
 
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Securities of that Series.
 
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
SECTION 7.08.  Replacement of Trustee.
 
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.
 
       The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any
 
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Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company.  The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of one or more Series if:
 
(a)           the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
 
(b)           the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
 
(c)           a Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
 
(d)           the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
 
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
 
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any one or more Series does not take office within [  ] days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least [  ]% in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
 
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07, and subject to the payment of any and all amounts then due and owing to the retiring Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities for which it is acting as Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to each Securityholder of each such Series.  Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring trustee with respect to expenses and liabilities incurred by it prior to such replacement.
 
SECTION 7.09.  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
 
If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee herein.
 
SECTION 7.10.  Eligibility; Disqualification.
 
       This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5).  The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of
 
33

 

at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.  The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b).
 
SECTION 7.11.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
 
The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TTA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.
 

ARTICLE VIII
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE; DEFEASANCE
 
SECTION 8.01.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
 
This Indenture shall upon Company Order cease to be of further effect (except as hereinafter provided in this Section 8.01), and the Trustee, on the demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
 
(a)           either
 
(i)           all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities that have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
 
(ii)           all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, or
 
(1)           have become due and payable, or
 
(2)           will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within [], or
 
(3)           are to be called for redemption within [                                                                ] under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, or
 
(4)           are deemed paid and discharged pursuant to section 8.03, as applicable; and the Company, in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust an amount sufficient for the purpose of paying and discharging the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable on or prior to the date of such deposit) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;

 
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(b)           the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and
 
(c)           the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each meeting the applicable requirements of Sections 10.04 and 10.05 and each stating that all conditions precedent herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with and the Trustee receives written demand from the Company to discharge.
 
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.07, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the provisions of Sections 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 8.01 8.02 and 8.05 shall survive.
 
SECTION 8.02.  Application of Trust Funds; Indemnification.
 
(a)           Subject to the provisions of Section 8.05, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.01, all money and U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04 and all money received by the Trustee in respect of U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04, shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the persons entitled thereto, of the principal and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee or to make mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments as contemplated by Sections 8.03 or 8.04.
 
(b)           The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Agents against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Sections 8.03 or 8.04 or the interest and principal received in respect of such obligations other than any payable by or on behalf of Holders.
 
(c)           The Trustee shall, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, deliver or pay to the Company from time to time, upon Company Request and at the expense of the Company any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money held by it pursuant to this Indenture as provided in Sections 8.03 or 8.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants, expressed in a written certification thereof and delivered to the Trustee together with such Company Request, are then in excess of the amount thereof which then would have been required to be deposited for the purpose for which such U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations or money were deposited or received.  This provision shall not authorize the sale by the Trustee of any U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held under this Indenture.
 

 
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SECTION 8.03.  Legal Defeasance of Securities of any Series.
 
Unless this Section 8.03 is otherwise specified, pursuant to Section 2.02(s), to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the outstanding Securities of such Series on the [   ] day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (d) hereof, and the provisions of this Indenture, as it relates to such outstanding Securities of such Series, shall no longer be in effect (and the Trustee, at the expense of the company, shall, at Company Request, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except as to:
 
(a)           the rights of Holders of Securities of such Series to receive, from the trust funds described in subparagraph (d) hereof, (i) payment of the principal of and each installment of principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) the benefit of any mandatory sinking fund payments applicable to the Securities of such Series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such Series;
 
(b)           the provisions of Sections 2.04, 2.07, 2.08, 2.14, 8.02, 8.03 and 8.05; and
 
(c)           the rights, powers, trust and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; provided that, the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
 
(d)           the Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited irrevocably with the Paying Agent as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for and dedicated solely to the benefit of the Holders of such Securities in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Paying Agent), not later than [   ] day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, to pay and discharge each installment of principal (including mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments) of and interest, if any, on all the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal are due;
 
(e)           such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
 
(f)           no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the [    ] day after such date;
 
(g)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that (i) the Company has received from, or there has
 

 
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been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred;
 
(h)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company;
 
(i)           such deposit shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), or such trust shall be qualified under such Act or exempt from regulation thereunder; and
 
(j)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
 
SECTION 8.04.  Covenant Defeasance.
 
Unless this Section 8.04 is otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.02(s) to be inapplicable to Securities of any Series, on and after the [    ] day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) hereof, the Company may omit to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, and 5.01 as well as any additional covenants contained in a supplemental indenture hereto for a particular Series of Securities or a Board Resolution or an Officers' Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(s) (and the failure to comply with any such covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default under Section 6.01) and the occurrence of any event described in clause (e) of Section 6.01 shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default hereunder, with respect to the Securities of such Series, provided that the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
 
(a)           With reference to this Section 8.04, the Company has deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited (except as provided in Section 8.02(c)) with the Paying Agent as trust funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities (i) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in Dollars, cash in Dollars (or such other money or currencies as shall then be legal tender in the United States) and/or U.S. Government Obligations, or (ii) in the case of Securities of such Series denominated in a Foreign Currency (other than a composite currency), money and/or Foreign Government Obligations, which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof, in accordance with their terms, will provide (and without reinvestment and assuming no tax liability will be imposed on such Paying Agent), not later than [   ] day before the due date of any payment of money, an amount in cash, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered
 

 
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to the Paying Agent, to pay principal and interest, if any, on and any mandatory sinking fund in respect of the Securities of such Series on the dates such installments of interest or principal are due;
 
(b)           Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
 
(c)           No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or during the period ending on the [    ] day after such date;
 
(d)           the company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;
 
(e)           the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company; and
 
(f)           The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section have been complied with.
 
SECTION 8.05.  Repayment to Company.
 
The Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal and interest that remains unclaimed for two years.  After that, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another person and all liability of the Paying Agent with respect to that money shall cease.
 

ARTICLE IX
 
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
 
SECTION 9.01.  Without Consent of Holders.
 
The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without the consent of any Securityholder:
 
(a)           to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
 
(b)           to comply with Article V;
 

 
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(c)           to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
 
(d)           to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;
 
(e)           to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture;
 
(f)           to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee;
 
(g)           to comply with requirements of the TIA and any rules promulgated under the TIA; and
 
(h)           to add to the covenants of the Company for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right, power or option conferred upon the Company.
 
Any amendment or supplement made solely to conform the provisions of this Indenture or the Securities of any Series to the description thereof contained in the final prospectus relating to such Series will be deemed not to adversely affect the rights of any Holder.
 
SECTION 9.02.  With Consent of Holders.
 
The Company and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all Series affected by such supplemental indenture, taken together as one class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series), for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Securityholders of each such Series.  Except as provided in Section 6.13, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all Series affected by such waiver by notice to the Trustee, taken together as one class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Securities of such Series) may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities with respect to such Series.
 
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.  After a supplemental indenture or waiver under this section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the supplemental indenture or waiver.  Any failure by the Company to mail or publish such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture or waiver.
 

 
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Section 9.03.  Limitations.
 
Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, an amendment or waiver may not:
 
(a)           change the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver, except to increase any such amount or to provide that certain provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified, amended or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security affected thereby;
 
(b)           reduce the amount of interest, or change the interest payment time, on any Security;
 
(c)           waive a redemption payment or alter the redemption provisions (other than any alteration that would not materially adversely affect the legal rights of any Holder under this Indenture) or the price at which the Company is required to offer to purchase the Securities;
 
(d)           reduce the principal or change the Stated Maturity of any Security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
 
(e)           reduce the principal amount payable of any Security upon Maturity;
 
(f)           waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
 
(g)           change the place or currency of payment of principal of or interest, if any, on any Security other than that stated in the Security;
 
(h)           impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal or, or interest on, the Securities of such Holder on or after the due dates therefor;
 
(i)           impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on, or with respect to, any Security;
 
(j)           make any change in Sections 10.15 or 10.16;
 
(k)           change the ranking of the Securities; or
 
(l)           make any other change which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate as a limitation under this Section.
 
SECTION 9.04.  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
 
Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series shall be set forth in a supplemental indenture hereto that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
 

 
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SECTION 9.05.   Revocation and Effect of Consents.
 
Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective.
 
Any amendment or waiver once effective shall bind every Securityholder of each Series affected by such amendment or waiver unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (a) through (g) of Section 9.03 in that case, the amendment or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security.
 
SECTION 9.06.  Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
 
If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee and the Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder.  Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate upon request new Securities of that Series that reflect the changed terms.
 
SECTION 9.07.  Trustee Protected.
 
In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel or an Officer's Certificate, or both stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee shall sign all supplemental indentures, except that the Trustee need not sign any supplemental indenture that adversely affects its rights, duties or indemnities.
 
SECTION 9.08.  Effect of Supplemental Indenture.
 
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and each such supplemental indenture shall form part of this Indenture for all purposes with respect to the relevant Series; and every Holder of Securities of the relevant Series theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
 

 
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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 10.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls.
 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, such required or deemed provision shall control.
 
SECTION 10.02.  Notices.
 
Any notice or communication by the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar to another is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail:
 
if to the Company:
 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
LOM Building
27 Reid Street
Hamilton HM 11
Bermuda
if to the Trustee:
 
[                                ]
Attn: [                      ]
Fax: [                        ]
 
if to the Registrar or Paying Agent:
 
[                                ]
Attn: [                      ]
Fax: [                        ]

with copy to:

[                                ]
Attn: [                      ]
Fax: [                        ]

The Company, the Trustee and each Agent by notice to each other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
 
Any notice or communication to a Securityholder shall be mailed by first-class mail to his address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.  Failure to mail a notice or
 
 
 
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communication to a Securityholder of any Series or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders of that or any other Series.

 
If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the Securityholder receives it.
 
If the company mails a notice or communication to Securityholders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
 
Whenever a notice is required to be given by the Company, such notice may be given by the Trustee or Registrar on the Company's behalf (and the Company will make any notice it is required to give to Holders available on its website).
 
SECTION 10.03.   Communication by Holders with Other Holders.
 
Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or all Series.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
 
SECTION 10.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
 
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
 
(a)           an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
 
(b)           an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of counsel, all such conditions precedent (including any covenants, compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) have been complied with.
 
SECTION 10.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
 
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:
 
(a)           a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
 
(b)           a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation  upon which the statements or opinions  contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
 
 
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(c)           a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
 
(d)           a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
 
provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers' Certificate or certificates of public officials.
 
SECTION 10.06.   Record Date for Vote or Consent of Holders.
 
The Company (or, in the event deposits have been made pursuant to Section 11.02, the Trustee) may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted under this Indenture, which record date shall not be more than [  ] days prior to the date of the commencement of solicitation of such action.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.05, if a record date is fixed, those persons who were Holders of Securities at the close of business on such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to take such action by vote or consent or to revoke any vote or consent previously given, whether or not such persons continue to be Holders after such record date.
 
SECTION 10.07.  Rules by Trustee and Agents.
 
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders of one or more Series.  Any Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
 
SECTION 10.08.  Legal Holidays.
 
Unless otherwise provided by Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture for a particular Series, a "Legal Holiday" is any day that is not a Business Day.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
 
SECTION 10.09.  No Recourse Against Others.
 
A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.  Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.
 
SECTION 10.10.  Counterparts.
 
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
 

 
44

 

SECTION 10.11.  Governing Laws and Submission to Jurisdiction.
 
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EXCLUDING ANY RULE OF LAW THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
 
The Company agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Indenture may be instituted in any federal or state court sitting in New York City, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such court in any suit, action or proceeding.  The Company, as long as any Securities remain outstanding or the parties hereto have any obligation under this Indenture, shall have an authorized agent in the United States upon whom process may be served in any such legal action or proceeding. Service of process upon such agent and written notice of such service mailed or delivered to it shall to the extent permitted by law be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any such legal action or proceeding and, if it fails to maintain such agent, any such process or summons may be served by mailing a copy thereof by registered mail, or a form of mail substantially equivalent thereto, addressed to it at its address as provided for notices hereunder. The Company hereby appoints Seward & Kissel LLP, One Battery Park Plaza, New York, NY,  10004, as its agent for such purposes, and covenants and agrees that service of process in any legal action or proceeding may be made upon it at such office of such agent.

SECTION 10.12.   No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
 
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary.  Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
 
SECTION 10.13.  Successors.
 
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successor.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.
 
SECTION 10.14.  Severability.
 
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
 
SECTION 10.15.  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
 
The Table of Contents, Cross Reference Table, and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
 

 
45

 

SECTION 10.16.  Securities in a Foreign Currency or in ECU.
 
Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers' Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Indenture with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars (including ECUs), then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time.  For purposes of this Section 10.16, "Market Exchange Rate" shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; provided, however, in the case of ECUs, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the rate of exchange determined by the Commission of the European Union (or any successor thereto) as published in the Official Journal of the European Union (such publication or any successor publication, the "Journal").  If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, in the case of ECUs, the rate of exchange as published in the Journal, as of the most recent available date, or quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question or, in the case of ECUs, in Luxembourg or such other quotations or, in the case of ECUs, rates of exchange as the Trustee, upon consultation with the Company, shall deem appropriate.  The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
 
All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.
 
SECTION 10.17.  Judgment Currency.
 
The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest or other amount on the Securities of any Series (the "Required Currency") into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the "Judgment Currency"), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is
 
 
46

 
entered, unless such day is not a New York Banking Day, then, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable, and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.  For purposes of the foregoing, "New York Banking Day" means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
 
         
 
SECTION 10.18.
Compliance with Applicable Anti-Terrorism and Money Laundering Regulations.
 
In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering ("Applicable Law"), the Trustee is required to obtain, verify and record certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee.  Accordingly, each of the parties agree to provide to the Trustee, upon its request from time to time such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Trustee to comply with the Applicable Law.
 
ARTICLE XI
 
SINKING FUNDS
 
SECTION 11.01.   Applicability of Article.
 
The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of the Securities of a Series, except as otherwise permitted or required by any form of Security of such Series issued pursuant to this Indenture.
 
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any Series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment" and any other amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such Series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment." If provided for by the terms of Securities of any Series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 11.02.  Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any Series as provided for by the terms of the securities of such Series.
 
 
47

 
SECTION 11.02.   Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
 
The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any Series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver outstanding Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable (other than any of such Securities previously called for mandatory sinking fund redemption) and (2) apply as credit Securities of such Series to which such sinking fund payment is applicable and which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Series of Securities (except pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund) or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments or other optional redemptions pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited.  Such Securities shall be received by the Registrar, together with an Officers' Certificate with respect thereto, not later than [  ] days prior to the date on which the Registrar begins the process of selecting Securities for redemption, and shall be credited for such purpose by the Registrar at the price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.  If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 11.02, the principal amount of Securities of such Series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $[], the Registrar need not call Securities of such Series for redemption, except upon receipt of a Company Order that such action be taken, and such cash payment shall be held by the Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Paying Agent shall from time to time upon receipt of a Company Order pay over and deliver to the Company any cash payment so being held by the Paying Agent upon delivery by the Company to the Registrar of Securities of that Series purchased by the Company having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment required to be released to the Company.
 
SECTION 11.03.  Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
 
Not less than [  ] days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers' Certificate in respect of a particular Series of Securities) prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee and the Paying Agent an Officers' Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that Series pursuant to the terms of that Series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that Series pursuant to Section 11.02., and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified.  Not less than [  ] days (unless otherwise indicated in the Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture in respect of a particular Series of Securities) before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.02 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.03.  Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall stated in Sections 3.04, 3.05 and 3.06.
 
[The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank]
 

 
48

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
 




NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED


By:__________________________

Name:
Its:


[                      ]
as Trustee

By:__________________________

Name:
Its:


By:__________________________

Name:
Its:


[                      ]
as Registrar and Paying Agent


By:__________________________

Name:
Its:


By:__________________________

Name:
Its:
EX-5.1 4 d1301952_ex5-1.htm d1301952_ex5-1.htm
 
Exhibit 5.1
 
 

[Appleby Letterhead]
 
 
e-mail:
mmontarsolotrichardson@applebyglobal.com
 
direct dial:
Tel 441 298 3528+1 441 298 3253
Fax 441 298 3369+1 441 298 3488
 
appleby ref:
TRA/MLM/100154.0025
 
By Email
28 August 2012
 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
LOM Building
27 Reid Street
HamiltonHM 11
Bermuda
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
 
NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED – Registration Statement on Form F-3 Filing
 
We have acted as legal advisers as to matters of Bermuda law to NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED, a company organized under the laws of the Islands of Bermuda (the "Company") and in such capacity we have assisted in the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), of a Registration Statement on Form F-3 ASR (such statement as may be amended from time to time, the "Registration Statement") relating to the registration of an indeterminate amount of (i) common shares par value US$0.01 per share of the Company (the "Shares"); (ii) preferred share purchase rights of the Company (the "Preferred Share Purchase Rights"); (iii) preferred shares of the Company (the "Preferred Shares");   (iv) senior debt securities and subordinate debt securities, as amended or supplemented from time to time, between the Company and the trustee named in the applicable indenture (the "Debt Securities"); (v) warrants to purchase the Company's debt or equity securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate, or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing (the "Warrants"); (vi) purchase contracts for the sale of debt securities, equity securities, securities of third parties, a basket of such securities, an index or indices of such securities or any combination of the above as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as currencies or commodities (the "Purchase Contracts"); (vii) rights to purchase the Company's securities (the "Rights") and (viii) units consisting of one or more purchase contracts, warrants, debt securities, preferred shares, common shares, rights or any combination of such securities (the "Units" and together with the Shares, Preferred Share Purchase Rights, Preferred Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts and Rights the "Securities").
 
 
 

 
 

NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
28 August 2012
 
 
For the purposes of this opinion we have examined and relied upon the documents listed (which in some cases, are also defined) in the Schedule to this opinion (the "Documents").
 
Assumptions
 
In stating our opinion we have assumed:
 
(a)  
the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of all Documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original Documents of all Documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, notarised or photostatic copies;
 
(b)  
that each of the Documents and other such documentation which was received by electronic means is complete, intact and in conformity with the transmission as sent;
 
(c)  
the genuineness of all signatures on the Documents;
 
(d)  
the authority, capacity and power of persons signing the Documents;
 
(e)  
that any representation, warranty or statement of fact or law, other than the laws of Bermuda made in any of the Documents, is true, accurate and complete;
 
(f)  
that any documents entered into with respect to the Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Rights and Units will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the parties thereto, other than the Company, under the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation or jurisdiction of formation of such parties;
 
(g)  
that any documents entered into with respect to the Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Rights and Units will be validly authorised, executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto, other than the Company, and that the performance thereof is within the capacity and powers of each such party thereto, and that each such party to which the Company will purportedly deliver such documents will actually receive and accept delivery of such documents;
 
(h)  
that any documents entered into with respect to the Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Rights and Units will effect and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the parties thereto, enforceable in accordance with their terms, under the laws of the jurisdiction by which such documents are expressed to be governed;
 
 
 
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NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
28 August 2012
 
 
(i)  
that there are no provisions of the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein;
 
(j)  
that there are no provisions of the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda which would be contravened by the execution or delivery of any of the Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Rights and Units or which would have any implication in relation to the opinion expressed herein and that, in so far as any obligation under, or action to be taken under, the Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Rights and Units is required to be performed or taken in any jurisdiction outside Bermuda, the performance of such obligation or the taking of such action will constitute a valid and binding obligation of each of the parties thereto under the laws of that jurisdiction and will not be illegal by virtue of the laws of that jurisdiction;
 
(k)  
that each transaction to be entered into as contemplated by the Prospectus will be entered into in good faith and for full value and will not have the effect of unlawfully preferring one creditor over another;
 
(l)  
that the Resolutions are in full force and effect, have not been rescinded, either in whole or in part, and accurately record the resolutions adopted by all the Directors of the Company as unanimous written resolutions of the Board and that there is no matter affecting the authority of the Directors to effect entry by the Company into the transactions, not disclosed by the Constitutional Documents or the Resolutions, which would have any adverse implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein;
 
(m)  
that the records which were the subject of the Company Search and Litigation Search were complete and accurate at the time of such searches and disclosed all information which is material for the purposes of this opinion and such information has not since the date of the Company Search and Litigation Search been materially altered; and
 
 
 
Page 3

 
 
 

NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
28 August 2012
 
(n)  
that when the Shares and Preferred Shares are issued, the issue price (in whatever form) will not be less than the par value of the Shares and Preferred Shares and the Company will have sufficient authorised but unissued share capital to effect the issue
 
Opinion
 
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and subject to the reservations set out below and to any matters not disclosed to us, we are of the opinion that:
 
(1)  
The Securities have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company in conformity with the Company's Memorandum of Association and the Bye-Laws and when issued and paid for as contemplated in the Prospectus (and with respect to the Preferred Shares Purchase Rights, in accordance with the terms of the Rights Plan, as defined in the Prospectus), will be validly issued.
 
(2)  
The Shares and Preferred Shares, (including Shares or Preferred Shares issuable directly or upon conversion of Securities issued pursuant to the terms of the Indenture substantially in the form examined by us), a Warrant, a Purchase Contract, a Right, or as part of a Unit, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as contemplated in the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
 
(3)  
The Debt Securities, Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Rights and Units, upon due execution and delivery as contemplated in the Prospectus, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company.
 
(4)  
Subject as otherwise provided in this opinion, and except as provided in this paragraph, no consent, licence or authorisation of, filing with, or other act by or in respect of, any governmental authority or court of Bermuda is required to be obtained by the Company in connection with the issuance of the Securities except that the Registration Statement and any other offering documents must be filed with the Registrar of Companies prior to or as soon as reasonably practicable after any Securities are offered to the public and must comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Part III of the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda (the "Act").
 
(5)  
Based solely upon the Company Search and the Litigation Search:
 
 
 
Page 4

 
 
 

NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
28 August 2012
 
 
(i)  
no litigation, administrative or other proceeding of or before any governmental authority of Bermuda is pending against the Company; and
 
(ii)  
no notice to the Registrar of Companies of the passing of a resolution of members or creditors to wind up or the appointment of a liquidator or receiver has been given.  No petition to wind up the Company or application to reorganise its affairs pursuant to a scheme of arrangement or application for the appointment of a receiver has been filed with the Supreme Court
 
Reservations
 
We have the following reservations:
 
(a)  
We express no opinion as to any law other than Bermuda law and none of the opinions expressed herein relates to compliance with or matters governed by the laws of any jurisdiction except Bermuda.  This opinion is limited to Bermuda law as applied by the courts of Bermuda at the date hereof.
 
(b)  
Searches of the Register of Companies at the office of the Registrar of Companies and of the Supreme Court Causes Book at the Registry of the Supreme Court are not conclusive and it should be noted that the Register of Companies and the Supreme Court Causes Book do not reveal:
 
(i)  
details of matters which have been lodged for filing or registration which as a matter of best practice of the Registrar of Companies or the Registry of the Supreme Court would have or should have been disclosed on the public file, the Causes Book or the Judgment Book, as the case may be, but for whatever reason have not actually been filed or registered or are not disclosed or which, notwithstanding filing or registration, at the date and time the search is concluded are for whatever reason not disclosed or do not appear on the public file, the Causes Book or Judgment Book;
 
(ii)  
details of matters which should have been lodged for filing or registration at the Registrar of Companies or the Registry of the Supreme Court but have not been lodged for filing or registration at the date the search is concluded;
 
 
 
 
Page 5

 
 
 

NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
28 August 2012
 
 
 
(iii)  
whether an application to the Supreme Court for a winding-up petition or for the appointment of a receiver or manager has been prepared but not yet been presented or has been presented but does not appear in the Causes Book at the date and time the search is concluded;
 
(iv)  
whether any arbitration or administrative proceedings are pending or whether any proceedings are threatened, or whether any arbitrator has been appointed; or
 
(v)  
whether a receiver or manager has been appointed privately pursuant to the provisions of a debenture or other security, unless notice of the fact has been entered in the Register of Charges in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
 
Furthermore, in the absence of a statutorily defined system for the registration of charges created by companies incorporated outside Bermuda ("overseas companies") over their assets located in Bermuda, it is not possible to determine definitively from searches of the Register of Charges maintained by the Registrar of Companies in respect of such overseas companies what charges have been registered over any of their assets located in Bermuda or whether any one charge has priority over any other charge over such assets.
 
(c)  
In order to issue this opinion we have carried out the Company Search and Litigation Search as referred to in the Schedule to this opinion and have not enquired as to whether there has been any change since the date of such searches.
 
(d)  
Any reference in this opinion to shares being "non-assessable" shall mean, in relation to fully-paid shares of the Company and subject to any contrary provision in any agreement in writing between the Company and the holder of shares, that: no shareholder shall be obliged to contribute further amounts to the capital of the Company, either in order to complete payment for their shares, to satisfy claims of creditors of the Company, or otherwise; and no shareholder shall be bound by an alteration of the Memorandum of Association or Bye-Laws of the Company after the date on which he became a shareholder, if and so far as the alteration requires him to take, or subscribe for additional shares, or in any way increases his liability to contribute to the share capital of, or otherwise to pay money to, the Company
 
 
 
Page 6

 
 
 

NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
28 August 2012
 
Disclosure
 
This opinion is addressed to you and may be relied upon by Seward & Kissel LLP to assist with their delivery of an opinion in connection with the issuance of the Securities and, save as referred to herein, is neither to be transmitted to any other person, nor relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose, nor quoted, nor referred to in any public document, nor filed with any governmental agency or person without our prior written consent, except as may be required by law.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our name in the Prospectus contained therein, without admitting that we are "experts" within the meaning of the Securities Act, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.  In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
 
Further, this opinion speaks as of its date and is strictly limited to the matters stated herein and we assume no obligation to review or update this opinion if applicable laws or the existing facts or circumstances should change.
 
This opinion is governed by and is to be construed in accordance with Bermuda law.  It is given on the basis that it will not give rise to any legal proceedings with respect to it in any jurisdiction other than Bermuda.
 

 
Yours faithfully
 
Appleby (Bermuda) Limited
 
Encs

 
 
Page 7

 

 

NORDIC AMERICAN TANKERS LIMITED
28 August 2012

 

SCHEDULE
 
1.  
The entries and filings shown in respect of the Company on the file of the Company maintained in the Register of Companies at the office of the Registrar of Companies in Hamilton, Bermuda, as revealed by a search on 30 August 2012 (the "Company Search");
 
2.  
The entries and filings shown in the Supreme Court Causes Book maintained at the Registry of the Supreme Court in Hamilton, Bermuda, as revealed by a search on 30 August 2012 in respect of the Company (the "Litigation Search");
 
3.  
A certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name, Certificate of Amalgamation, Memorandum of Association and Bye-laws for the Company (collectively referred to as the "Constitutional Documents");
 
4.  
A certified copy of the Unanimous Written Consent adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company effective 29 August 2012 (the "Resolutions");
 
5.  
A Certificate of Compliance dated 30 August 2012 issued by the Registrar of Companies in relation to the Company confirming that the Company neither failed to make any filing with any Bermuda governmental authority nor to pay any Bermuda government fee or tax, which might make it liable to be struck off the Register of Companies and thereby cease to exist under the laws of Bermuda.
 
6.  
A copy of the Registration Statement on Form F-3, dated 30 August 2012 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement").
 
7.  
The prospectus of the Company included in the Registration Statement (the "Prospectus").
 
8.  
Form of Indenture (the "Indenture").
 

 

 
 
Page 8

 

EX-5.2 5 d1315784_ex5-2.htm d1315784_ex5-2.htm


 
Seward & Kissel llp
ONE BATTERY PARK PLAZA
NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10004
 
     
WRITER'S DIRECT DIAL
TELEPHONE:  (212)  574-1200
FACSIMILE:  (212) 480-8421
WWW.SEWKIS.COM
901 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001
TELEPHONE:  (202) 737-8833
FACSIMILE:  (202) 737-5184

 
Exhibit 5.2
 
    August 30, 2012  

 
 
Nordic American Tankers Limited
LOM Building
27 Reid Street
Hamilton HM 11
Bermuda
 

 
Re:
Nordic American Tankers Limited

 Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
We have acted as counsel to Nordic American Tankers Limited (the "Company") in connection with the Company's registration statement on Form F-3 (such registration statement as amended or supplemented from time to time) (the "Registration Statement") as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on the date hereof, relating to the registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") of securities to be offered by the Company, which may include shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Shares"), shares of the Company's preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Preferred Shares"), debt securities of the Company (the "Debt Securities"), warrants to purchase the Company's securities (the "Warrants"), purchase contracts to purchase the Company's securities (the "Purchase Contracts"), rights to purchase the Company's equity securities (the "Rights"), and units comprised of any of the foregoing securities (the "Units" and, together with the Common Shares, the Preferred Shares, the Debt Securities, the Warrants, the Purchase Contracts, the Rights and the Units, the "Securities") to be offered by the Company.
 
 
We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the prospectus of the Company included in the Registration Statement (the "Prospectus"); (iii) the form of senior debt securities indenture; (iv) the form of subordinated debt securities indenture, and (v) such corporate documents and records of the Company and such other instruments, certificates and documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed.  In such examinations, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies or drafts of documents to be executed, the genuineness of all signatures and the legal competence or capacity of persons or entities to complete the execution of documents.  As to various questions of fact that are material to the opinions hereinafter expressed, we have relied upon statements or certificates of public officials, directors of the Company and others.   
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Nordic American Tankers Limited
August 30, 2012
Page 2
 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and having regard to such other legal considerations which we deem relevant, we are of the opinion that under the laws of the State of New York:
 
1.  the Debt Securities issued pursuant to an indenture substantially in the form examined by us, upon due execution and delivery as contemplated in the Prospectus or any supplement thereto, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company;
 
2.  the Warrants, Purchase Contracts, Rights and Units, upon due execution and delivery as contemplated in the Prospectus or any supplement thereto, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company.
 
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York, as in effect on the date hereof.
 
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to each reference to us and the discussions of advice provided by us under the headings "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus, without admitting we are "experts" within the meaning of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.
 
 
 
Very truly yours,
 
 
/s/ Seward & Kissel LLP

 

 


EX-23.3 6 d1301952_ex23-3.htm d1301952_ex23-3.htm

Exhibit 23.3

 
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of our report dated April 16, 2012 relating to the financial statements of Nordic American Tankers Limited and Management’s annual report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Nordic American Tankers Limited for the year ended December 31, 2011, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.


/s/ Deloitte AS



Oslo, Norway
August 30, 2012