BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION—The financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting and presented in United States Dollars (“USD” or “$”) which is the functional currency of the Company. A summary of the significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements, which conform to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America, is presented below.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION—The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Gener8 Maritime Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents—The Company considers highly liquid investments such as money market funds and certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Allowance for doubtful accounts—The Company provides a reserve for freight and demurrage revenues based upon historical collection trends. The Company provides a general reserve based on aging of receivables, in addition to specific reserves on certain long-aged or doubtful receivables.

REVENUE AND EXPENSE RECOGNITION

REVENUE AND EXPENSE RECOGNITION—Revenue and expense recognition policies for spot market voyage charters, time charters and pool revenues are as follows:

SPOT MARKET VOYAGE CHARTERS.  Spot market voyage revenues are recognized on a pro rata basis based on the relative transit time in each period. The period over which voyage revenues are recognized commences at the time the vessel departs from its last discharge port and ends at the time the discharge of cargo at the next discharge port is completed. The Company does not begin recognizing revenue until a charter has been agreed to by the customer and the Company, even if the vessel has discharged its cargo and is sailing to the anticipated load port on its next voyage. The Company does not recognize revenue when a vessel is off hire. Estimated losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses become evident. Voyage expenses primarily include only those specific costs which are borne by the Company in connection with voyage charters which would otherwise have been borne by the charterer under time charter agreements. These expenses principally consist of fuel, canal and port charges which are generally recognized as incurred. Demurrage income represents payments by the charterer to the vessel owner when loading and discharging time exceed the stipulated time in the spot market voyage charter. Demurrage income is measured in accordance with the provisions of the respective charter agreements and the circumstances under which demurrage claims arise and is recognized on a pro rata basis over the length of the voyage to which it pertains. Direct vessel operating expenses are recognized when incurred. At December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company has a reserve of approximately $1.9 million and $5.8 million, respectively, against its due from charterers balance associated with voyage revenues, including freight and demurrage revenues.

TIME CHARTERS.  Revenue from time charters is recognized on a straight‑line basis over the term of the respective time charter agreement. Direct vessel operating expenses are recognized when incurred. Time charter agreements require, among others, that the vessels meet specified speed and bunker consumption standards. The Company believes that there may be unasserted claims relating to its time charters of $0.4 million and $0.5 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, for which the Company has reduced its amounts due from charterers to the extent that there are amounts due from charterers with asserted or unasserted claims or as an accrued expense to the extent the claims exceed amounts due from such charterers.

POOL REVENUES. Pool revenue is determined in accordance with the terms specified within each pool agreement. In particular, the pool manager aggregates the revenues and expenses of all of the pool participants and distributes the net earnings to participants based on the following allocation key:

· The pool points (vessel attributes such as cargo carrying capacity, fuel consumption and construction characteristics are taken into consideration); and

· The number of days the vessel participated in the pool in the period.

Vessels are chartered into the pool and receive net time charter revenue in accordance with the pool agreement. The time charter revenue is variable depending upon the net result of the pool and the pool points and trading days for each vessel. The pool has the right to enter into voyage and time charters with external parties for which it receives freight and related revenue. It also incurs voyage costs such as bunkers, port costs and commissions. At the end of each period, the pool aggregates the revenue and expenses for all the vessels in the pool and distributes net revenue to the participants based on the results of the pool and the allocation key. The Company recognizes net pool revenue on a monthly basis, when the vessel has participated in a pool during the period and the amount of pool revenue for the month can be estimated reliably.

CHARTERHIRE EXPENSE

CHARTERHIRE EXPENSE—Charterhire expense is the amount the Company pays the vessel owner for time chartered-in vessel. The amount is usually for a fixed period of time at charter rates that are generally fixed, but may contain a variable component based on inflation, interest rates, profit sharing, or current market rates. The vessel’s owner is responsible for crewing and other vessel operating costs. Charterhire expense is recognized ratably over the charterhire period.

VESSELS, NET

VESSELS, NET—Vessels, net is stated at cost, which was adjusted to fair value pursuant to fresh-start reporting when applicable, less accumulated depreciation. Vessels are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, determined to be 25 years from date of initial delivery from the shipyard. If regulations place limitations over the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, its remaining useful life would be adjusted, if necessary, at the date such regulations are adopted. Depreciation is based on cost, which was adjusted to fair value pursuant to fresh-start reporting when applicable, less the estimated residual scrap value. The Company estimates residual value of its vessels to be $325/LWT (light weight ton). Depreciation expense of vessel assets for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 totaled $79.1 million, $41.6 million and $42.4 million, respectively. Undepreciated cost of any asset component being replaced is written off as a component of Loss on disposal of vessels and vessel equipment. Expenditures for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Vessel equipment is depreciated over the shorter of 5 years or the remaining life of the vessel.

Effective January 1, 2015, the Company increased the estimated residual scrap value of the vessels from $265/LWT (light weight ton) to $325/LWT prospectively based on the 15‑year average scrap value of steel. The change in the estimated residual scrap value will result in a decrease in depreciation expense over the remaining lives of the vessel assets. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the effect of the increase in the estimated residual scrap value was to decrease depreciation expense and to increase net income by approximately $2.8 million, and to increase net income per basic and diluted common share by $0.05.

VESSELS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

VESSELS UNDER CONSTRUCTION— Vessels under construction represents the cost of acquiring contracts to build vessels, installments paid to shipyards, certain other payments made to third parties and interest costs incurred during the construction of vessels (until the vessel is substantially complete and ready for its intended use). During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company capitalized interest expense associated with vessels under construction of $27.6 million, $35.2 million and $9.0 million, respectively.

REPLACEMENTS, RENEWALS AND BETTERMENTS

REPLACEMENTS, RENEWALS AND BETTERMENTS— The Company capitalizes and depreciates the costs of significant replacements, renewals and betterments to its vessels over the shorter of the vessel’s remaining useful life or the life of the renewal or betterment. The amount capitalized is based on management’s judgment as to expenditures that extend a vessel’s useful life or increase the operational efficiency of a vessel. Costs that are not capitalized are written off as a component of direct vessel operating expense during the period incurred. Expenditures for routine maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

GOODWILL

GOODWILL—The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC 350-20-35, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other. This statement requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives be tested for impairment at least annually or when there is a triggering event and written down with a charge to operations when the carrying amount of the reporting unit that includes goodwill exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the reporting unit’s implied goodwill, such excess must be written off. Goodwill as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $0 and $26.3 million, respectively.  Change in vessel values during the interim period between December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016, indicated circumstances changed that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of each reporting unit below its carrying amount. During the third quarter of 2016 and in accordance with ASC 350-20-35, the Company considered the continued decline in the fair value of the Company’s fleet independent valuations to be an indicator for goodwill impairment testing at the interim period. Accordingly, at September 30, 2016, goodwill was tested for potential impairment. As a result of the goodwill impairment test performed during the third quarter of 2016, it was determined that the carrying value for each reporting unit was higher than its fair value and therefore goodwill was fully impaired, which resulted in a goodwill impairment of $23.3 million. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a $3.0 million goodwill write-off associated with the sale of the Genmar Victory and Genmar Vision, which were sold in August 2016.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, it was determined that there was no goodwill impairment. As of December 31, 2015, the Company transferred $0.8 million of goodwill, related to Gener8 Consul, to assets held for sale for the anticipated sale, which was finalized in February 2016.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG‑LIVED ASSETS—The Company follows FASB ASC 360‑10, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long‑Lived Assets, which requires impairment losses to be recorded on long‑lived assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the asset’s carrying amount. In the evaluation of the future benefits of long‑lived assets, the Company performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the related long‑lived assets. If the carrying value of the related asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value. The Company estimates fair value primarily through the use of third party valuations performed on an individual vessel basis. Various factors, including the use of trailing 10‑year industry average for each vessel class to forecast future charter rates and vessel operating costs, are included in this analysis.

As of December 31, 2016, and in accordance with ASC 360-10, the Company obtained third-party independent valuations to compare to the Company’s carrying value for its long-lived assets and determine if indicators of impairment for any vessel exist for the year ended December 31, 2016. Based on the analysis performed, it was determined that the carrying value of the Company’s fleet was higher than the independent third-party valuations of the Company’s fleet. Therefore, it was determined that indicators exist for potential long-lived assets impairment for the year ended December 31, 2016. In accordance with ASC 360-10 and based on the indicator analysis mentioned above, the Company prepared an analysis which estimated the future undiscounted cash flows for each vessel at December 31, 2016. Based on this analysis, which included consideration of the Company’s long-term intentions relative to its vessels, including its assessment of whether the Company would drydock and continue to operate its older vessels, it was determined that there was no impairment loss in 2016.

It was determined that there were no impairment indicators for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. During 2015 and 2014, the Company did not perform such analysis to estimate the future undiscounted cash flows for each vessel due to the upward trend in vessel values and shipping rates and lack of indicators for vessel impairment during the period.

DEFERRED DRYDOCK COSTS, NET

DEFERRED DRYDOCK COSTS, NET—Approximately every thirty to sixty months, the Company’s vessels are required to be dry‑docked for major repairs and maintenance, which cannot be performed while the vessels are operating. The Company defers costs associated with the drydocks as they occur and amortizes these costs on a straight‑line basis over the estimated period between drydocks. Amortization of drydock costs is included in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, amortization was $7.2 million, $5.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively. Accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $13.9 million (net of $1.0 million write-off to assets held for sale related to the Gener8 Ulysses) and $8.8 million (net of $0.4 million write-off to assets held for sale related to the Gener8 Consul), respectively.

The Company only includes in deferred drydock costs those direct costs that are incurred as part of the drydock to meet regulatory requirements, or that are expenditures that add economic life to the vessel, increase the vessel’s earnings capacity or improve the vessel’s efficiency. Direct costs include shipyard costs as well as the costs of placing the vessel in the shipyard. Expenditures for normal maintenance and repairs, whether incurred as part of the drydock or not, are expensed as incurred.

DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS, NET

DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS, NET—Deferred financing costs include bank fees and legal expenses associated with securing new loan facilities. These costs are amortized based upon the effective interest rate method over the life of the related debt, which is included in interest expense. Amortization for the years ended December 31, 2016 2015, and 2014 was $11.3 million, $3.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, which resulted in the reclassification of debt issuance costs from deferred financing costs in other assets to a reduction in the carrying amount of the related debt liability within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

WARRANTS

WARRANTS—The Company calculates the fair value of warrants utilizing a valuation model to which Monte Carlo simulations and the Black-Scholes option pricing model are applied. The model projects future share prices based on a risk-neutral framework. The parameters used include inception date, share price, subscription price, lifetime, expected volatility (estimated based on historical share prices of similar listed companies) and expected dividends. The amount of share-based compensation recognized during a period is based on the fair value of the award at the time of issuance.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION – STOCK OPTIONS

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION – STOCK OPTIONS—The Company calculates the fair value of stock options utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The parameters used include grant date, share price, exercise price, risk-free interest rate, expected option life, expected volatility (estimated based on historical share prices of similar listed companies) and expected dividends. The amount of share-based compensation recognized during a period is based on the fair value of the award at the time of issuance over the vesting period of the option.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET —The Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC 835-20-30, Capitalization of Interest, to capitalize interest cost as part of the historical cost of acquiring certain assets.

The amount of interest cost to be capitalized for qualifying assets is intended to be that portion of the interest cost incurred during the assets’ acquisition periods that theoretically could have been avoided (for example, by avoiding additional borrowings or by using the funds expended for the assets to repay existing borrowings) if expenditures for the assets had not been made. The notion of interest on borrowings as an avoidable cost does not require that the practicability of repaying individual borrowings be considered.

The amount capitalized in an accounting period is determined by applying the capitalization rate to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the asset during the period. The capitalization rates used in an accounting period are based on the rates applicable to borrowings outstanding during the period. If an entity’s financing plans associate a specific new borrowing with a qualifying asset, the entity may use the rate on that borrowing as the capitalization rate to be applied to that portion of the average accumulated expenditures for the asset that does not exceed the amount of that borrowing. If average accumulated expenditures for the asset exceed the amounts of specific new borrowings associated with the asset, the capitalization rate to be applied to such excess is a weighted average of the rates applicable to other borrowings of the entity.

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE— Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised using the treasury stock method.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS—With the exception of the Company’s Senior Notes, the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments approximate their individual carrying amounts as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 due to the short-term or variable-rate nature of the respective borrowings.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK—Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are amounts due from charterers. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company placed the majority of its vessels in the Navig8 Group commercial vessel pools (for further details, see Note 18, related party transactions). As a result, a significant portion of the Company’s shipping revenue were derived from these pools during this period. With respect to accounts receivable from spot voyage charters, the Company limits its credit risk by performing ongoing credit evaluations and, when deemed necessary, requires letters of credit, guarantees or collateral. During the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company earned approximately 91.2% and 34.8%, respectively from Navig8 Group pools. During the years ended December 31, 2014, the Company earned 15.2%, of its revenues from one customer.

The Company maintains substantially all of its cash and cash equivalents with one financial institution. None of the Company’s cash balances are covered by insurance in the event of default by our financial institution.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS—Gains and losses on transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded within the consolidated statements of operations as components of other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations.  

TAXES

TAXES—The Company is incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Pursuant to the income tax laws of the Marshall Islands, the Company is not subject to Marshall Islands income tax. Additionally, pursuant to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Company is exempt from U.S. income tax on its income attributable to voyages that do not begin or end in the U.S. The Company is generally not subject to state and local income taxation. Pursuant to various tax treaties, the Company’s shipping operations are not subject to foreign income taxes. As a result of change in ownership of the Company, effective May 17, 2012, the Company no longer qualified for an exemption pursuant to Section 883 of the Code, making the Company subject to U.S. federal tax on its shipping income that is derived from voyages that begin or end in the U.S., retroactive to the beginning of 2012. As a result of the Company’s IPO, the Company in 2015 was again exempt from U.S. federal tax on all of its shipping income (including income attributable to voyages that begin or end in the U.S.). During 2014, the Company recorded gross transportation tax of $1.2 million, as a component of voyage expenses.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15-Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Entities must apply the guidance retrospectively to all periods presented but may apply it prospectively from the earliest date practicable if retrospective application would be impracticable. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13-Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in this ASU require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets, which include trade receivables, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The guidance in this ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating this ASU and any potential impacts the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements revised guidance for the accounting and reporting of financial instruments.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10—Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. ASU No. 2016-10 suggests guidance for stakeholders on identifying performance obligations and licenses in customer contracts. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014‑09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014‑09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein, and shall be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative‑effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this standard update on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosure.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09—Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This update affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees, and involves several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liability and classification on the statement of cash flows. An entity can make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures when they occur. For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. The Company does not anticipate any material effect of adoption on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosure.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 is intended to increase the transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. In order to meet that objective, the new standard requires recognition of the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. A lessee will be required to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. The new standard is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that adopting this standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.